Post by abad70ss on Sept 29, 2006 23:41:41 GMT -5
Dated: 9/29/2006 12:00:00 AM
Pleasanton, CA – The Goodguys Vintage Drag Racing Association is in serious jeopardy following recent developments between the new lease holders of Famoso Raceway and Goodguys. Following the untimely death of Jack Williams in February, Blake Bowser and his father John Bowser, have assumed the lease of Famoso Raceway, and with that lease comes control over who and what races can be held at Famoso Raceway.
In recent letters, the Bowsers have stated they will be taking over and will produce the two races Goodguys has held at Famoso Raceway each year - the season opening “March Meet” (the world’s largest vintage drag racing event) and the season ending “Fuel & Gas Finals”. Since 1994, the Goodguys March Meet has served as the catalyst event for the Goodguys West Coast Championship – a points series for America’s premier vintage drag racing teams.
These stunning developments have left the Goodguys/VRA reeling. “We’ve promoted & staged 142 vintage drag racing events since 1987,” said Goodguys President Gary Meadors. “Through our passion, constant care, nurturing, endless work, promotion, developing of classes, developing rules and spending millions of dollars, we’ve built it into something that every nostalgia/vintage racer can be proud of. We have turned it into one of the most exciting forms of motorsport in the country. To say we’re stunned and disappointed at these recent developments is an understatement.”
The Goodguys/VRA and Famoso Raceway under the direction of Jack Williams enjoyed a very successful relationship. Williams came to work for Goodguys in 1993 as an advertising sales director, a position he held until his death. Jack, a member of the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame, was also instrumental in the formative years of the Goodguys/VRA series and was one of the main architects of Goodguys’ resurrection of the famed March Meet at the Famoso Raceway. Williams took over the lease of Famoso Raceway in mid-1990’s and ran the track successfully until his death in February.
Without its anchor facility (Famoso Raceway) and its signature event (March Meet), Meadors said the Goodguys/VRA will be forced to step out of vintage drag racing. “We’ve promoted vintage drag races from northern California to Reading, Pennsylvania. We’ve been to Las Vegas, Pomona, Seattle and right here in our back yard at Infineon Raceway. None of those events could be considered successful from a business standpoint. We couldn’t have staged any of those events without the revenue generated from the March Meet. The March Meet is critical to VRA’s existence. Without it, we’re dead in the water.”
It is only hoped that the Bowsers realize what they’re undertaking here. By their actions they’re basically saying “we’re taking it now.” Without the March Meet, the rest of Goodguys VRA racing series cannot be sustained.
The Goodguys/VRA staged its first full scale vintage drag race in 1989 at Sears Point Raceway. The Goodguys/VRA West Coast Championship was first contested in 1994 – the same year Goodguys staged the March Meet bringing the event back to life in a nostalgic renaissance. Goodguys/VRA events feature competition in 14 different classes with cars through 1972 vintage, catering to the novice drag racer as well as the established veteran professional.
When asked what the next step is for Goodguys/VRA, Meadors made it clear. “We will fight the Bowsers as best we can in the courts for the right to continue to stage our Goodguys March Meet and Fuel & Gas Finals at Famoso Raceway.” However, without a significant change, the entire Goodguys/VRA 2007 season is over before it started.
Pleasanton, CA – The Goodguys Vintage Drag Racing Association is in serious jeopardy following recent developments between the new lease holders of Famoso Raceway and Goodguys. Following the untimely death of Jack Williams in February, Blake Bowser and his father John Bowser, have assumed the lease of Famoso Raceway, and with that lease comes control over who and what races can be held at Famoso Raceway.
In recent letters, the Bowsers have stated they will be taking over and will produce the two races Goodguys has held at Famoso Raceway each year - the season opening “March Meet” (the world’s largest vintage drag racing event) and the season ending “Fuel & Gas Finals”. Since 1994, the Goodguys March Meet has served as the catalyst event for the Goodguys West Coast Championship – a points series for America’s premier vintage drag racing teams.
These stunning developments have left the Goodguys/VRA reeling. “We’ve promoted & staged 142 vintage drag racing events since 1987,” said Goodguys President Gary Meadors. “Through our passion, constant care, nurturing, endless work, promotion, developing of classes, developing rules and spending millions of dollars, we’ve built it into something that every nostalgia/vintage racer can be proud of. We have turned it into one of the most exciting forms of motorsport in the country. To say we’re stunned and disappointed at these recent developments is an understatement.”
The Goodguys/VRA and Famoso Raceway under the direction of Jack Williams enjoyed a very successful relationship. Williams came to work for Goodguys in 1993 as an advertising sales director, a position he held until his death. Jack, a member of the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame, was also instrumental in the formative years of the Goodguys/VRA series and was one of the main architects of Goodguys’ resurrection of the famed March Meet at the Famoso Raceway. Williams took over the lease of Famoso Raceway in mid-1990’s and ran the track successfully until his death in February.
Without its anchor facility (Famoso Raceway) and its signature event (March Meet), Meadors said the Goodguys/VRA will be forced to step out of vintage drag racing. “We’ve promoted vintage drag races from northern California to Reading, Pennsylvania. We’ve been to Las Vegas, Pomona, Seattle and right here in our back yard at Infineon Raceway. None of those events could be considered successful from a business standpoint. We couldn’t have staged any of those events without the revenue generated from the March Meet. The March Meet is critical to VRA’s existence. Without it, we’re dead in the water.”
It is only hoped that the Bowsers realize what they’re undertaking here. By their actions they’re basically saying “we’re taking it now.” Without the March Meet, the rest of Goodguys VRA racing series cannot be sustained.
The Goodguys/VRA staged its first full scale vintage drag race in 1989 at Sears Point Raceway. The Goodguys/VRA West Coast Championship was first contested in 1994 – the same year Goodguys staged the March Meet bringing the event back to life in a nostalgic renaissance. Goodguys/VRA events feature competition in 14 different classes with cars through 1972 vintage, catering to the novice drag racer as well as the established veteran professional.
When asked what the next step is for Goodguys/VRA, Meadors made it clear. “We will fight the Bowsers as best we can in the courts for the right to continue to stage our Goodguys March Meet and Fuel & Gas Finals at Famoso Raceway.” However, without a significant change, the entire Goodguys/VRA 2007 season is over before it started.