Georgetown Speedway Resurrected, Opens This Friday, May 26, 2006

May 22, 2006

By Bonnie Nibblett

There has been a rumor circulating around for the last few years Georgetown Speedway, Georgetown, DE may reopen.  Well it is official it will reopen May 26, 2006.  No one knew to believe it or not.  Just as the rumor that Delmar may be closing next year.  The rumor on Delmar has not been true, at least for a while we all hope.  But the Georgetown rumor is all true.  Promoter Lou Johnson has worked and hung in through it all too, and finally gets the okay to re-open that awesome fastest clay oval. 

The yearning to still have, two nights of hot racing action with Late Models and Modifieds has never left any of us NEED FOR SPEED addicts from the past I’m willing to bet.  For years Friday night, Georgetown ran and Saturday night Delaware International Speedway would run.  Georgetown Speedway has not been open since September 1997.  But years ago, it was one of the hottest local dirt tracks around.  I along with many others grew up at Georgetown and Delmar tracks, we turned out pretty good.  Racing is a good family entertainment for all.

With all the work Lou had to go to get this track open and to have it be supported by everyone in the community has been a tough, tough job, getting it all worked out.  But it is possible to want something so bad, and when it does happen you reach a new spark in your life and tackle it.  With more and more short tracks closing around us, saving a track and making it the great track it was years ago will be a challenge somewhat, but very, very possible if we all support it.  

The track will alternate with the Super Late Models and Big Block Modifieds each week and regular show with TSS Modified and Late Model crate class each week.  Little Lincoln’s Vintage Club will visit the track for a “Blast From The Past” feature now and then, first appearance is June 23. 

The track will open this Friday, May 26, 2006.  Purse pay out $2500 to Big Block Modified Winner, $200 to take the green.  TSS Modified & Late Class $500 to win, $100 to take the green.  Gates open at 5 PM, Drivers meeting at 6:30 PM, Warm-ups at 7:00 PM, First Heat at 7:30 PM, General Admission will be $10.00 and Pit Admission: $25.00.  The complete schedule is on the tracks web and redbud69racing.com and forum.  No points will be kept for this year.  Track phone 302-856-7415 and the fax is 302-856-7416. 
 

Rules for all divisions will follow that of Delaware International Speedway with the following exception:  American Racer 44 or harder or Hoosier 1300 or harder on the right rear. No cheater tires.  You can run any tire that you want on the other three corners.  If you run the same brand tire on all four corners (American Racer or Hoosier), the winner will get a certificate for a free tire of that brand.  You may run any tread pattern. You can groove and/or sipe your tires.

All drivers will draw for heat races every week.  24 cars will start each feature. If we have 2 heat races, the top 5 from each heat race will redraw for the feature. If we have 3 heat races, top 4 will redraw.  4 heat races, 3 will redraw.  5 heat races, 2 will redraw. 6 heat races, 2 will redraw. Everyone else will start heads up for the feature.

No one under the age of 14 will be allowed in the pits. Anyone under 16 that doesn't have a driver’s license or I.D. should bring a copy of their Birth Certificate. 

There will be more and more details about Georgetown as we get it in.  So visit www.redbud69racing.com for updates and information or visit the tracks new web at www.georgetownspeedway.com.  This is a really good thing for our area and community.  Loving racing just makes it thousands of times more fun.  See you at the track!