How far are you coming for the Gateway Nationals ?

[CMatich]

As I've stated before any race track anywhere can put on a terrible, mediocre, or great show. One of my worst was the late models and WoO sprints on the Indy mile. Cold, damp, windy (enough to collapse wings) and not to mention taking your life in your own hands by staying at the Fairgrounds Inn. Still remember the cab company not wanting to pick us up to go downtown and then on return, waiting to see our room light come on! Also remember seeing the track crew come out with a garden size tractor with a rotary broom on it, trying to get rid of the dust etc. Pretty funny sight seeing something that small on the front stretch of the mile. Afterwards there was no bashing on forums etc. Man, the good old days. You just dealt with it and went to the next track.

What I do find interesting is that, despite a certain opinion, the Du Quoin indoor races have had issues per Mark McKeon of the Area Auto Racing News (a great subscription) on March 22, 2016. Some excerpts.....

"Golobic Grabs Pot O' Gold in Shamrock Classic Midget Marathon"
54 midgets on hand, checkered flag fell at nearly midnight, nearly seven hours after the 5pm post time with Outlaw Kart feature yet to be run.
Main event didn't start until 10:36 pm and was plagued by a number of yellow and red flags.
The yellow and red flags were relentless and sapped the soul from the event.
The track was reworked from the top to the bottom on three occasions, with just a minimum amount of track equipment.

The late Bryan Clauson was the promoter of this event and even this mega dirt star had an outcome he surely didn't want or expect. Sometimes things go wrong, even with the best laid plans.

My point is this. Let's all praise the promoters who try these events, no matter the outcome. Plus is any sporting event really that important to get everyone taking sides like they are? Let's all remember what's truly important and be grateful for what we have and remember those we have lost, while they did their best to entertain us.

[zach51]

Video of the dirt going down in the dome is on Facebook. That is going to be a very small racetrack from the looks of it.

[calverton]

Yes they call it a1/5 mile could be some good racing yes there will be some sheet metal torn up that's a given

[calverton]

we all need to support this event look at the location it's down town in a metro area do think that maybe corp big shots may take a look and see what it's all about

[ptown]

Video of the dirt going down in the dome is on Facebook. That is going to be a very small racetrack from the looks of it.

Is it going to be as flat as it looks, are those preformed concrete construction barriers the walls?

[Clayton_Wetter]

we all need to support this event look at the location it's down town in a metro area do think that maybe corp big shots may take a look and see what it's all about

Perverton are you serious?

[calverton]

yes those walls are concrete and no you can'y move em I would bet what is down right now is base of the track

[calverton]

Perverton are you serious?

yes I am why because my brother told me and he is a big shot at Centeen

[zyoung25]

It's the first night, I ain't going to look too much into what everything looks like now. My guess there will be some banking, it just takes time.

[rickybrown1952]

I'm thinking 10 degrees banking in corners

[CIRF]

What I do find interesting is that, despite a certain opinion, the Du Quoin indoor races have had issues per Mark McKeon of the Area Auto Racing News (a great subscription) on March 22, 2016. Some excerpts.....

"Golobic Grabs Pot O' Gold in Shamrock Classic Midget Marathon"
54 midgets on hand, checkered flag fell at nearly midnight, nearly seven hours after the 5pm post time with Outlaw Kart feature yet to be run.
Main event didn't start until 10:36 pm and was plagued by a number of yellow and red flags.
The yellow and red flags were relentless and sapped the soul from the event.
The track was reworked from the top to the bottom on three occasions, with just a minimum amount of track equipment.

The late Bryan Clauson was the promoter of this event and even this mega dirt star had an outcome he surely didn't want or expect. Sometimes things go wrong, even with the best laid plans.

My point is this. Let's all praise the promoters who try these events, no matter the outcome. Plus is any sporting event really that important to get everyone taking sides like they are? Let's all remember what's truly important and be grateful for what we have and remember those we have lost, while they did their best to entertain us.

Yep, the March 2016 show went way, way longer than it should have. I know, I was there for the whole thing. Bryan and his fiancee', Lauren Stewart were none too pleased with how thing progressed. Bryan said so on more than one occasion following the Shamrock Classic.

There are two important points I would respectfully take strong issue with you and Mr. McKeon.

#1. The track prep equipment was not minimal. I don't know where he's coming from on that point but there was 2 separate units tilling the track and the water trucks used were the same ones used to water the mile track and there were plenty of vehicles to run it back in. I also believe the track would NOT have had to be reworked the 3rd time (and maybe not the 2nd time, either) had it not been for the support class. This event was the first time in the history of racing in the SIC that there had been a support class.

#2. Nowhere did Mr. McKeon say that the racing was not very good all night. That is because he'd have been lying if he'd said that. It's one thing to have a long running show that features good racing. It's totally another to have a long running show and the racing is not good, but that was not the case.

Most everyone in attendance that night knew this event had a legacy of being one of the top shows of the year in regards to entertainment and excitement. And when things started to go long everyone also knew that Bryan and Lauren were as frustrated as anyone in the building with how things progressed. I think Bryan and Lauren discovered that support classes aren't the way to go at this event and a myriad of technical problems in the attempt to give the event a super cross motorcycle feel didn't really add to the quality of the show. Even if they'd come off without serious glitches. It's a safe bet had they ever embarked on promoting this deal again none of that would have been part of the proceedings, or at least it would have been held to a minimum.

[powerslide]

Is it going to be as flat as it looks, are those preformed concrete construction barriers the walls?

No it won't be flat, you build it in stages. Yes they are preformed concrete they lock them together with rebar, they are the same thing as the chili bowl uses and does 2 or 3 high in the corners.

[westlingracing]

It will be banked 3 blocks high according to Kevin Gundaker, it is going to be as close of a duplicate of Bel Claire speedway as they can get. It should be an excellent show.

[Highside Hustler25]

https://www.facebook.com/GatewayDirt/videos/

[rickybrown1952]

It will be banked 3 blocks high according to Kevin Gundaker, it is going to be as close of a duplicate of Bel Claire speedway as they can get. It should be an excellent show.

If it is 3 blocks high how high is that 6 9 ft or what