39 replies to this topic

[jferruchie]

Heard at races tonight Lernerville was sold to a Mr Thompson who owns a metal co of some type in the Natrona Heights area.  He also recently purchased Brackenridge Golf Course.  Gary Risch was asked to stay on as general manager.  Apparently big plans are ahead to enlarge the track surroundings with restaurants of some type.  I would assume it would stay a DIRT sanctioned track for a few years anyway.

[Don88]

Heard the same thing!!! Might be good news!!

[Skull]

I heard that Tomson's had bought it, too. Didn't hear anything about development, but Tomson's make their living in the scrap metal business. I dealt with them at a former job, and they are a great bunch of people. Their business is located in Natrona, near Allegheny Technology (Ludlum) steel mill.

I hope it's true. They seem dedicated to investing their money locally, and I think the corporate ownership of WRG had sort of grown stale.

Edited by Skull, 08 May 2015 - 10:39 PM.

[Racer17L]

Not that we'd ever find out, but I wonder how much a successful track like Lernerville would go for.

[Skull]

Not that we'd ever find out, but I wonder how much a successful track like Lernerville would go for.

If I remember right, DIRT bought it for 3.5 million about 10 or so years ago. I wouldn't have the foggiest idea what it's worth now.

[teomod]

can you say horse track ????????????????????????????? they are horse people !!!!!!!!!!!

[Rusty_Nuts]

They made an excellent purchase. I look forward to the improvements that they can bring to the racing community. 

[Round Robin]

I'll bet you $5 to a donut that it never becomes a horse track. I have heard that the proposed harness racing track in Lawrence County is probably going to fall through, and if that is the case, I don't see anybody else starting up a horse track anywhere else in the area.

[D1RT]

Why would a non-racing entity buy a low profit high maintenance business if it has actually been sold?? 

If the track was making money why would WRG sell it??

With all the urban sprawl and businesses building in the area could the possible sale be an ominous sign for the future of the speedway??

[Skull]

Why would a non-racing entity buy a low profit high maintenance business if it has actually been sold?? 

If the track was making money why would WRG sell it??

With all the urban sprawl and businesses building in the area could the possible sale be an ominous sign for the future of the speedway??

It's been rumored before that DIRT was willing to sell for the right price. If I'm not mistaken, they sold all of their other tracks. If this is true, of course no one knows their intentions for sure, but they have sponsored teams at the track in the past. Hopefully, they are are fans of the four wheeled variety of racing, too.

[teomod]

the one that felll through just may work in sarver ? think about what they are into and its not dirt racing ! why else would they talk about expanding ? more money in a horse track and gambling than in dirt track ?  hope im wrong but we will see in a couple years.  just go to thompsons office at the scrap yard and look at the pictures and see what you think ? they have more money in one horse than any sprint, mod, or late.

[bezerker]

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!

Edited by bezerker, 09 May 2015 - 12:35 PM.

[Mo MONEY]

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!

 

They wouldn't have to ask for permission because it is already a race track. It will still be a race track only for horses. 

[Davesr14g]

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 ?

[Walt Wimer]

Don Gamble confirmed the sale at the Racer's Reunion  this afternoon.  So we will just have to wait and see what happens from here!!

 

Walt

[jo73]

At one time I believe Don Martin had something to do with the property at the butler fairgrounds. Not sure if it was the dirt track or ??? I do remember they used to run on Friday nights also. It was said back in the day, he was a main reason stock car racing came to a halt. Property transactions are public knowledge, usually takes a few weeks before it becomes available. Maybe someone else would no more than me but I don't think Thompsons scrap metal was ever a big sponsor of a race team, or racing in general. Only time will tell, I've been going since 1968. Martin was a promoter that loved both the racers and the fans. Hopefully Mr Thompson can walk in Don Martin's shadows. The stories those shadows could tell huh.

[MBRLLC]

Get rid of the UMP sanction and the dumbass tire rule.

[Skull]

Get rid of the UMP sanction and the dumbass tire rule.

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

[old man d]

jo73 Don did have something to do with Butler closing. If i remember Don was trying to get more cars at Lernerville. I have a friend who raced at Butler at that time He tried Lernerville but did not have the gear for it! He ended racing at Sportsmans. Like you said Don always cared about the Racers and Fans. If i had a bad night he would came over and asked if there was anything he could do. Do to-days Track Owners do this? 

[Walt Wimer]

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