39 replies to this topic

[old man d]

Walt, your memory is good, i call my friend who also has a good memory he said Don did hold the lease. But, he also said not meany cars went to Lernerville from Butler thats why he went to Sportsmans. Thanks Walt for the input.

[Skull]

if anyone raced at the butler fair ground which is a horse track why not lease that or buy it has more land and buildings and cost less than the ville so horse track there nah to small for all the barns and work out areas and other things needed have you been to a horse track  a lot bigger and where would you put the gambling ?

I think you are right that there isn't enough property there for a horse racing venue. I've been to The Meadows, and the track and paddock area alone take up easily two to three times the area that Lernerville does. I'm not even figuring in the casino or the parking.

[Mo MONEY]

I think you are right that there isn't enough property there for a horse racing venue. I've been to The Meadows, and the track and paddock area alone take up easily two to three times the area that Lernerville does. I'm not even figuring in the casino or the parking.

 

I think there is over 50 acres plus the race track,pits and parking lot so there is plenty of room for a horse track and barns. 

[WannaRace]

If my memory is correct, Don held the lease on the old Butler track from the fairgrounds and shut it down as to not compete with Lernerville!!  Early 1970s.

 

Walt

1973

[Crusty1]

They have a start as a horse track - the mens room smells like a stable.

[Davesr14g]

if you look at that 50 how much is flat and useful and the little league ball field next to it along not a road capable to handle large crowds. so unless they ride there  in a horse buggy. Look at the traffic at the end of the night. where the closet hotel for the overnighters , they would have to put in new road buy up road property move power poles telephone lines, gas lines, water lines and deal with neighbors and council so it will be very unlikely horse the meadows are twice that size and rents other land for the horses. Most tracks are built where a lot of traffic and other supporting busness.

[blue by you]

And the assinine idea to make an all crate Sportsman class.

amen to that. total b.s.

[BUTTBEAK]

I find it hard to believe that the people of Sarver would allow any other racing type of business to develope in this site. If this is true, Tomsons purchase, dont you think a smart reporter would be at Tomsons door asking these very questions? Say someone from The Butler Eagle or the Tribune Review or even Area Auto Racing News?

Was very good racing last night and also a big crowd. Maybe racing is coming back around as a family thing to do!

[DavyLee2]

Lol and they sell Horse hamburghers  crusty .. but Don martin is selling more tickets from the grave than anybody around Still !

[lm/0/12/71/72]

You guys are right about Don having the lease. He bought it from someone I know that told me he knew nothing about running a race track but ended up taking the lease from the former lease holders who owed him money. He was hoping to recoup some of his losses. Don wanted to buy it out and close it down and eliminate the close Friday night competition ,so he sold it and we had to race at Lernerville if we wanted to continue racing on Fridays , the rest is history.

[Walt Wimer]

I think it was Dave Quarterson and Jim Lockhauser who had the Butler lease before Martin got it

[Chad's Dad]

Horse tracks have a problem that is very similar to car tracks.

 

Not enough horses.

[lm/0/12/71/72]

You are right Walt ,Dave had it and Jim took it over I think he told me he had it for a year and was glad to sell it to Don Martin

[Street Stocker]

It's scary.  It's the only real race track left in the metro-Pittsburgh area.    Don't think that anyone would pay that price for it and keep it as a race track, if they are not heavy into racing.

[Ddowner]

Ted and Jim Tompson are good people, but make no mistake , they are first and foremost   business men.  They want to make money, and I just dont see them making money  in racing. I hope I am wrong!

[D1RT]

Ted and Jim Tompson are good people, but make no mistake , they are first and foremost   business men.  They want to make money, and I just dont see them making money  in racing. I hope I am wrong!

If that is the case the first thing they need to do is dump the UMP sanction and their UMP tire rule. If WRG wants to play hard ball and keep WoO from coming so be it. Bring in the Lucas Oil LM Series and All Stars. 

[Ddowner]

If that is the case the first thing they need to do is dump the UMP sanction and their UMP tire rule. If WRG wants to play hard ball and keep WoO from coming so be it. Bring in the Lucas Oil LM Series and All Stars. 

I totally agree!!!

[DaleJr.Fan8]

Guess since it's official now we can hope to look forward to some steps in another direction for what many feel is still the premiere track in Western Pa.

[dano47]

Mr. Thompson has season box seats at the track. He also sponsors a race car that races there. Sounds like a racing guy to me. 

[flash49]

He's had that box for years, and Jeff Miller has always carried Tomson sponsorship.