1/12/2017
Airborne Park Speedway
State of Airborne Address
First off, I hope everyone had a great holiday season. 2017 will be very exciting for the racers, fans and all of us here at the track. The idea of going dirt started around the end of July with just a “I wonder, what if” question to my landlords. After a couple of meetings, I started to become more interested and started doing some research. I spent time talking to drivers, other dirt track owners and our sponsors.
As time went on I began traveling to other dirt tracks whenever I could to do a lot of research including car counts, track surfaces, fan base, along with many other things.
At the end of the very last race of the 2016, I pretty much knew that the way to keep Airborne going into the future was with drastic changes where needed and I was faced with a huge decision. I remember at the conclusion of the final race, I sat by myself on turn one sitting on the asphalt, my back against the wall, looking at the track reminiscing about the 2016 season and how far we had come when so many people doubted there was a future for us. I thought about the many races held here on the asphalt over the last 26 years that I was either a part of or a spectator and the impact that would be felt by putting clay down.
After about 30 minutes, I got up and walked to my office and sat down for a planned meeting with my landlords at about 6:00 pm. At about 9:30 pm the meeting ended and I was given the green flag to pursue this endeavor. I started right away figuring the cost of the clay, the best clay to get, the best way to lay it down, everything was in motion. I had collected clay samples for testing, talked with other tracks as far away as Illinois and got some thoughts and ideas. Once we found the best clay in the area, we secured a deal to purchase it and Fuller Excavation was obviously the choice to do the work. Steve’s crew started the week of Thanksgiving and were done in less than 3 weeks. They worked through rain, snow and below freezing temperatures. They just didn’t put clay down they took their time and did it right.
During that time the office began working to be sanctioned by DIRTcar and work began on the 2017 schedule.
To this point, I am happy to share that we have booked a Super DIRTcar Series race (Big Blocks) for July 6, Empire Super Sprints for June 10, DIRTcar Sportsman Series for September 24, along with a 358 Modified special to go with the Sportsman Series.
Other touring series we are working on include the DIRTcar Pro-Stock Series, Mod Lites Series and a few others that I think would put on a good show for the fans.
Our weekly divisions are going to be just as important to the 2017 schedule and as of right now will include the mighty 358 Modifieds, Sportsman Modifieds, Renegades, Mini Mods and hopefully a new Strictly Stock class for beginners.
We have been talking with Mohawk International Raceway Promoter, John Lazore, about some combo races and cross promotions and we’ll sit down to brainstorm some ideas in the next week or so.
I have also been in contact with Dominic Lussier from Autodrome Granby and Le RPM Speedway about some possibilities for 2017.
In closing let me say THANK YOU to all the racers and fans that are standing behind me on this endeavor as well as the sponsors that have already signed up or already pledged their support for the 2017. I really appreciate your words of encouragement and your thoughts and ideas. In the meantime my office will keep working hard to make sure we make this season the best that it can be. See you in the spring and remember… KEEP AIRBORNE ALIVE
Sincerely,
John R. Walker
Submitted By: John Walker