pennsboro

[Raceready]

After seeing some work being done on the speedway property I got curious and called an old friend of mine from Pennsboro and asked him for some information about what they have in mind for the future. He said they have a permit from the state to move a large amount of dirt for bleacher and hillside seating. He also said they have 20 some acres of land available to them in the turn 4 area and are trying desperately to purchase more property on the hill so it can be developed into more camping and parking for the speedway and for other events at the fairgrounds. They are looking at around 50 acres and possibly more but can't buy some unless they can get property that joins the fairground property first. He said it would be awesome if that would happen. For now they will do as much as possible with what they have. I just wanted to pass this along as I for one am getting exited about this whole deal. Keep it up guys. Hope you get lots of support!

LOL ! One of our fondest memories of being in the infield was watching the pure traditional Hillbilly and his family bring a shovel and dig out a flat spot on the hillsides and then they would sit there and drink [yes this is true and one of my best friends had this on old VHS video] moonshine poured out of a clear glass gallon jug into quart jars. Also while the family and purist fans sat in the few old bleachers on the front stretch cheering for fast times, heat race winners, and passes on the naturally daytime one lane track the BILLYS got up, screamed, and hollered [in the HOLLER] every time there was a crash ! There were many crashes there at the old horse track. The people that were dug out on the high hills would be falling down and rolling down the bank as the race wore on.

[local-dirt-fan]

It's looks like the fair board will not be buying the property that's back behind the speedway but after having the fairground property surveyed the guys believe there is plenty of land above the seating area to work with. Depending on how far up and out around the hill the guys want to go there should be room for parking for hundreds more cars. They do have access to another 25 acres to use sometime in the future. A new road will be made for easy access to the new parking and seating areas.The hill when finished will look nothing like it does now. A lot of dirt will be moved off the hill. Some will go towards filling the hollow between the 4th turn and the front stretch allowing for lots more seating. Some will be hauled to different places where needed around the speedway and property. Just thought I would update everyone.

[PennDirt]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tvxo...&feature=share

looks like a long road ahead. hope it happens some day.

Thanks for posting that. I must say, I didn't expect to see that much goin' on there regardless of the pace. That's pretty friggin' awesome.

I just recently found out that some of the land the Pennsboro board is trying to buy belongs to Carl Short. They have talked to Carl and hopefully sometime in the future maybe they can purchase the property

I'll attempt to be the optimist and lean towards if Pennsboro solidifies a completion date and all its ducks are in a row, perhaps Carl will do the right thing and donate the land or do one of those $1 a year lease deals. You would think as good as Pennsboro (and dirt racing in general) was to Carl, a giveback might be in his heart somewhere.

Do you know what parcel of land he owns in relation to the track layout?

Thanks for the updates.

[non driving fool]

With Frank Wilson being involved and all the crap he's stirred with Carl does anyone think Carl is going to be much help?

[Pennsboro23]

With Frank Wilson being involved and all the crap he's stirred with Carl does anyone think Carl is going to be much help?

He's no longer involved. He was for a short period of time I believe.

[00Hdmn]

With Frank Wilson being involved and all the crap he's stirred with Carl does anyone think Carl is going to be much help?

Its Frank Wilson Jr not Frank Wilson Sr.

[local-dirt-fan]

Just to let everyone know the speedway group plans to continue with work on the track and grounds as soon as the weather permits. Major fund raising event for 2018 being planned. WV racing Heritage Festival of 2017 should be a good one. Free admission, free camping. Will be in Honor of first Hillbilly 100 and all other Hillbillys. Steve Armontrout has contacted many drivers over the winter months and he has 50 or more drivers who want to attend. Lots of information will be coming later. Should be a very good year for progress for the speedway. Please hang in there, these folks are working hard to make this happen.

[dirtcrazy4u]

JMO. Carl short could care less about pennsboro. For him it's about what's in it for me, for free. I wish these guys well but we will see if the Old girl can come back.

[LeafMaster41]

looks to me like it would benefit from a bit of a widening. especially turn 3/4

Have you ever seen a race there? Lots of tradition, yes. I only ever saw one memorable feature race there and that was 96' after torrential rains. Other than that it was a 1 groove dusty endeavor. Sure the lore of the first one sounds magical, with a last to first win, but that was kinda the exception, not the rule. Most touring guys hated going there because it was so hard to get to with a rig and some other reasons. Best of luck.

[COKEandaSMILE]

The grandfather of freight train racing.