NHIS Being Sold

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by Paugus Bay Resident

I wouldn't be surprised if he reconfigures the track (ala Dover), adds seating (to partially make up for the lost race revenue) and moves 1 race to Vegas.

I have thought about whether or not that might happen myself. However I realized one thing in that thought. I the track was reconfigured some and more seating added with out disturbing what is already in place, he would have to move the hill behind the back straight away thus eleminating the road course. Now wouldn't that put a damper on some other events.... and remember the only thing SMI is really worried about is Nascar Cup events anything else is just gravy to them.... So if they ruined the road course it really wouldn't matter to them.....

The other option would be to do a total tare down and rebuild.... but I can't imagine SMI is going to want to do that....

[ossipeeboater]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

I have thought about whether or not that might happen myself. However I realized one thing in that thought. I the track was reconfigured some and more seating added with out disturbing what is already in place, he would have to move the hill behind the back straight away thus eleminating the road course. Now wouldn't that put a damper on some other events.... and remember the only thing SMI is really worried about is Nascar Cup events anything else is just gravy to them.... So if they ruined the road course it really wouldn't matter to them.....

The other option would be to do a total tare down and rebuild.... but I can't imagine SMI is going to want to do that....

NHIS needs a total tear down and rebuild, had it been done a few years ago when they repaved it to be more like Dover NHIS would stand a better chance of keeping 2 races. NASCAR needs an outpost in the Northeast and right now NHIS is the only game in town with the demise of the Staten Island track.

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by ossipeeboater

NHIS needs a total tear down and rebuild, had it been done a few years ago when they repaved it to be more like Dover NHIS would stand a better chance of keeping 2 races. NASCAR needs an outpost in the Northeast and right now NHIS is the only game in town with the demise of the Staten Island track.

I don't disagree... however after spending 340 million dollars to purchase the track, I don't believe SMI is going to want to spend millions more in renovations or total rebuild .... at least not at the outset..... especially if the State of NH doesn't cooperate with them and build a better infustructure to get people in and out of the raceway. Remember that is bound to be part of any expansion plan. Does anyone have any idea on where NH stands on improving access to the track? I ceretainly have no idea and am curious.

As for Nascar needing an outpost in the Northeast.... in their minds they have Pocono and Watkins Glen as well..... And there are other areas of the country like the Pacific Northwest where they would like to get established as well... There has been talk for several years about the building of a track in Washington State.

While I agree that it would hurt Nascar in New England to not improve the facility and to move one or both races from the area. I believe that there are more profitable oppertunities else where. Even within the Northest there are better areas to build a track.

I don't want to see either race disappear from NH. Especially where the only one I go watch is the September date, which is most likely to disappear first. But you have to look at the vision of where Nascar seems currently to be headed. That vision is towards the larger Venues the 1.5 mile tracks with lots of seats and room for expansion. To think that SMI plans to spend 340 million to buy the facility and then plans to spend Millions more to tear down and start over to improve the facility is not something I am inclined to believe at this momment. And as with my last post this track is used for other things as well and if SMI decides to "start over" with the facility... there will be no guarantee that a road course will be part of the redesign.... which will cause an issue for other long running traditions like The Loudon Classic.....

Maybe the future will prove me wrong and I will be the first to admit it if it does. But it is selfish of the people in this area to believe that SMI and NASCAR will hesitate in removing the dates from NHMS (the former NHIS).

Time will tell where this all heads. But with all I have read and heard about I don't see NH staying in this Nascar Sprint Cup series much more then a few years.....

[Beggaman Thief]

Here’s another great article by Dave Moody that pretty much sums up the history and what to expect from NHIS…..http://motorsports-soapbox.blogspot....hanks-bob.html

[Winnigirl]

NHIS had problems finding sponsors for their NASCAR dates which was part of the problem. SMI will DEFINITELY move at least one of the races to Vegas. Bruton has been foaming at the mouth waiting to grab a date from another track.

NASCAR is committed to having another track in the New England/New York area. The number of metro NYC fans has jumped considerably in the past several years and NASCAR is really dying to capitalize on that. It is really just a matter of real estate at this point.

[trfour]

http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/head...gle.html#page2

Scroll up to page one.

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by trfour

http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/head...gle.html#page2

Scroll up to page one.

Interesting to read Bahre's thoughts...... the article as a whole was interesting to read. Over all though it all comes back to the same thing Bruton is in control now, and will do what he sees fit. A couple of points I think worth point out...

1) not that there is a big difference between 340 million, and 360 million but at least Bahre, didn't sell out to the highest bidder......

2) There was a good reference to the kind of jerk Bruton is offering Wilkesboro as "Christmas gift"...... a guy that makes a comment like that is not a guy worth trusting..... joking or not.....

It will be interesting in seeing what happens over the next few years.....

Oh yeah.... thank goodness Kentucky didn't get to by NHIS, Because as the article say that would have been the begining of the end for the Magic Mile...

[trfour]

Hi LIforrelaxin,

Good points of view.

All due respect to the writers that think NHIS will forfeit one or both races any time in the future, as a result of ownership change, doesn’t fly… We are Not talking, North Wilkesboro or Rockingham here!

Bruton Smith has more business Big Picture sense than some would give him credit.

Some of the writers, I noticed, gave a sentence or two about how” Nascar writes the schedule” and would work with multitrack Organizations to swap races-dates within their tracks.

Given NHIS’s Gleaming Performance, Fan base and track record from day one, puts a whole new light on anyone taking a race or two from here. And also the multigroove side by side racing since Bob had the track resurfaced made it one of the best short tracks on the circuit and in the Country. Nascar will put it’s fans first on this one, and Nascar will have the last word.

I’ve been a Nascar fan for over 55 years. Was I happy about North Wilkesboro and the Rock being taken off the schedule?... No.

Am I happy with the new name at NHIS? No. I will still buy tickets and enjoy the races there though and it will always be NHIS to me.

A little side note; Just recently AT&T felt wronged in a dispute and took Nascar to Court only to have the judge rule in favor of Nascar.

See ya at the races J

[trfour]

Originally Posted by Beggaman Thief

Here’s another great article by Dave Moody that pretty much sums up the history and what to expect from NHIS…..http://motorsports-soapbox.blogspot....hanks-bob.html

Hi Beggaman Thief,

Please do not let Mr. Bahre read the above article! It would turn his thaught prosess upside down.

I give Dave Moody, or any writer for that matter, their opinions and speculations. However, I also think that they at the very least should get the facts straight.

"At nearly 82 years of age, “Papa Bahre” has earned the right to do what he wants with his remaining years, without the stress and strain of running a big-time NASCAR race venue".

Bob Bahre is 80 going on 81 years old.

That being said, I'll stick to Nascar and that'sracin.com for my Nascar news and commentary.

Thank you

[moose tracks]

Bruton Smith brought NHIS to make money, not because he likes New England race fans. To maximize the earnings of SMI, Speedway Motorsports Inc, he probably will take a cup date away from New Hampshire and move it to one of his more profitable tracks. He will probably move the fall chase date to Las Vegas. NASCAR is a big business based on a sport. The France family and Burton Smith are NASCAR. The France family owns NASCAR and 12 of the 22 NASCAR cup tracks. They also own the television rights to NASCAR races and most of the souvenir, apparel and dies cast rights. It should be called “FRANCECAR” not NASCAR. The other big player, Bruton Smith now owns 7 tracks that host NASCAR cup events. Now that Bob Bahre sold out, there are only 2 independent tracks left, Pocono and Indy that host NASCAR cup events. (Dover Motor Sports, which owns Dover Downs, also owns several other tracks. Dover is their only track with cup races.) We should be happy if Burton Smith leaves us with one NASCAR cup event in 2009.

[codeman671]

I am not a Nascar person but lets face it, you don't spend $340Mil to buy a track without a plan. Stripping NHIS of everything leaves a shell, an awful expensive shell at that. If LV or one of their other tracks has considerably more seating and/or higher ticket prices where moving a race would make a difference I could understand it, but still $340mil is not chump change and it would take a long time to offset it.

[moose tracks]

The North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina was sold to Bruton Smith and Bob Bahre in 1996. They closed the speedway soon after they brought it and transferred the track's cup dates. They split the dates giving one to Smith's new track in Texas and Bahre got a second date for NHIS. The only reason they paid millions for the track was for the race dates.

[LIforrelaxin]

Well the truth is no matter what any of us say this is all speculation. There are good points on all sides of every arguement here. As Fans all we can do is wait and see what happens.

Codeman brings up a good point that 340 million is a lot to spend with out a plan. So one thing we can be sure of is that SMI has a plan, maybe not a complete plan, but rest assured planning has begun. I am sure that what ever happens we will all see bits and pieces of what we think is going to happen involved in what goes on.

Unfortunately the only ones who know what the plans are are Bruton, and SMI and until they open there mouths everything by everyone is speculation.....

[trfour]

Yup, we'll have to wait and see.

Statement from Brian France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO
November 2, 2007

(DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.) – Today’s announcement that Speedway Motorsports Inc. has purchased New Hampshire International Speedway is yet another indication that the NASCAR industry continues to grow and thrive. Capitalizing on NASCAR’s national appeal and growth, the Bahre family created a passionate fan base and developed a valuable venue that has hosted the largest sporting events in New England including 26 consecutive sellouts.

The success of NHIS, and the desire of the Bahre family to sell, made the track very attractive to SMI and several other interested buyers. SMI has a highly regarded record for hosting some of the most successful and enjoyable race events in all of NASCAR, and there’s no doubt that will continue.

While we don’t have any details about SMI’s plans for NHIS, all sanctions for 2008 have been signed and finalized. As a result, there will be no location changes to the 2008 schedule that was released last month. This is important to the fans, competitors, broadcast partners and sponsors who have already made plans for the 2008 races.

Looking beyond 2008, NASCAR will continue to consider requests by any track operator, including SMI, to relocate race dates. Under NASCAR’s “realignment” plan, we have worked with track owners to relocate race dates to meet the needs of our growing national fan base. Ultimately, any change must meet NASCAR’s objectives and serve our fans.

The industry owes Bob and Gary Bahre a debt of gratitude for their leadership and commitment to NASCAR. All of NASCAR wishes the Bahre family well during this time of transition. They will always be considered pioneers in NASCAR.

[EllyPoinster]

Article in today's Union Leader:

http://unionleader.com/article.aspx?...6-8001211cd088

[trfour]

Thank you.

To the writers who put a negative spin on NHIS's future. They seem desperate to put food on their tables. By Halloween 2009, their garbage could come back to haunt them.

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by EllyPoinster

Article in today's Union Leader:

http://unionleader.com/article.aspx?...6-8001211cd088

Good Article and positive article......

One note that is very important...... in this article there is talk of expansion... but there is also talk about what the infastructure can support. (e.g. sewage, traffic, food service, parking etc).... While I see the strong possibility of one race disappearing, I think the key to not loosing both races is that expansion must take place... and for that to take place the infastructure has to be there to support it.... I think this may ultimately indicate that the furture of NHMS may lie in the hands of the people of NH and there willingness to invest in improvements to allow the expansion....(e.g. road imporvements and tax incentives for SMI while they grow the facility)..... and additionally to allow other service industries, hotels, etc to expand, and grow.....

[moose tracks]

I think this may ultimately indicate that the furture of NHMS may lie in the hands of the people of NH and there willingness to invest in improvements to allow the expansion....(e.g. road imporvements and tax incentives for SMI while they grow the facility)..... and additionally to allow other service industries, hotels, etc to expand, and grow.....[/QUOTE]

I agree, The people of NH will need to support NHMS to allow expansion if we want to benefit from the track and NASCAR cup racing.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by moose tracks

...I agree, The people of NH will need to support NHMS to allow expansion if we want to benefit from the track and NASCAR cup racing...

This PACT may prevent the new owners from implementing many ideas they may have towards future expansion.

[GWC...]

Originally Posted by Skip

This PACT may prevent the new owners from implementing many ideas they may have towards future expansion.

Perfect...

That will leave the eight Canterbury residents calling themselves Concerned Racetrack Neighbors holding the bag when the two races are removed, along with 2,500 jobs and tens of millions in economic activity.

Sounds like a plan...

[Weirs guy]

Originally Posted by GWC...

Perfect...

That will leave the eight Canterbury residents calling themselves Concerned Racetrack Neighbors holding the bag when the two races are removed, along with 2,500 jobs and tens of millions in economic activity.

Sounds like a plan...

I'm sure they will sleep very well at night with no intrest in the major league hose job they might create. Too bad, thats a lot more fund raiser cookies we all need to buy.

[trfour]

By Joe Menzer, Nascar.com.

http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/head...ack/index.html

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by Skip

This PACT may prevent the new owners from implementing many ideas they may have towards future expansion.

Skip,

Thanks for posting this article. It is an interesting glitch in what ever maybe planned for the track. It certainly seems to have some huge impacts to what can be done. I think one of the most trouble things in the ariticle, that is in the pact is a limit on the number of days racing with unmuffled vehicles can take place. If NH loses a "Cup" race it might be hard to replace the revenue lost by bring in other series to race..... I am very interested to find out what that limited number of days truely is.....

I also noticed when doing some searching trying to find information on this PACT.... that at some point I didn't grab the date the Bhares had to preserve land at the Raceway as wetlands in order to expand seating.....

All this makes the future very unstable in my mind.....

[trfour]

Motorcycle weekS, have been running around here without mufflers and then some 24-7, for how many years now?

Big picture, folks. One night race at NHMS, no problemO... It's all over by 10:00 pm or so, just in time for the big fireworks shows.