PROMOTERS POINT-NOVEMBER 23!

It has been a couple weeks since my last column so I decided to drop a couple lines!
Well, lots of off season stories!
The South Bend Motor Speedway has announced that they are getting their bleachers made over and also paved the aprons to the track. Not sure what they mean by aprons but I am really anxious to see what happens there.
They are also upping their pay for the OLM and Sportsmen classes considerably.
Got to hand it to the Brown family, they are really putting out a maximum effort!
Meanwhile Plymouth Speedway announces they are building a quarter mile dirt track inside the 3/8 mile asphalt oval.
Going to run the asphalt on Friday night and the dirt for Saturday specials and it sure looks like they are getting some great specials lined up!
This may well be the most interesting thing to watch in 2012!
This could really fly as dirt track racing seems to very popular these days!
I know Irish and Eric and their crew really put a lot of time and effort into promoting this past season and Ed Kennedy sure has the bucks!
I really enjoyed the racing at both South Bend and Plymouth and attended many shows at both but it sure appeared they had tough years!
Hopefully, 2012 will be much better for both of them!
Galeburg rising from the dead and will run again in 2012.
Same township restrictions, however, which make it very tough to have a good season and a lot of Saturday night comp all around including near by Kzoo and Springport!
Have not heard much from M40 but I guess Tony Eldridge is helping out there and that must mean they are running Friday night again.
Eric Frazier told me they have added Mini Stocks to the line up for 2012.
Then we have Angola.
Craig Everidge not running it in 2012 and that was not a shock at all.
In 2010 the track had its most successful season in history but 2011 was a tough year for Angola, and the weather played a major part in that.
It seems like all around in 2010 specials went well, but in 2011 most specials lost money and in some cases, big money!
I am told the track is for sale for $625,000 and if that is true, that is a fair price.
But, who has $625,000 laying around?
And I doubt given present circumstances any bank will lend even half of that amount.
And before you start counting profits, remember the property taxes on a $625,000 property, even in Steuben County, have got to be $12,000 or more!
But it sure is a "state of the art" facility, no doubt!
But I am beginning to think a track can be improved to the point where no one can afford to buy it.
Something to think about, who knows?
I told the wife if I won the lottery I would buy it and I think she would then shoot me!
Meanwhile at Mottville we had a very decent 2011.
Started out poor, but ended strong.
When you look at where we were at the end of the 2008 season and where we are now, wow! Some major strides!
I would say we are about 1/3 of the way there!
Takes time and money!
This year we put a lot of time and money into improving things at the track with major painting and remodeling projects and upgrading the lighting.
Added to our concession menu and improved on effeciency there as well.
Already added a side by side to the conession for 2012 which will help some more.
We have a couple more lights to get installed in the spring and I think we will be in good shape there!
Our car count and crowds were way up this season and if we can only avoid a slow start in 2012, we should have a good year as we add the Sportsmen Class to our regular race nights.
Sponsorships for our banquet trophies are picking up gradually with Finish Line RV and Auto Repair, Papa Joe's Karoke, Goshen Collision Center and Dave Logan signing on so far.
Kenny Esmont was added to the list of those who have purchased banquet tickets.
Anyone know where I can buy some plastic trash barrels for a decent price, somewhere close by?
I prefer the plastic because they last for ever and do not rust out. Need about 6 of them.
Well, that is that for now, happy Thanksgiving to all!
I am very thankful for good health, a great country, a great family, the sport of racing and God's eternal love!