Motorheads Performance
Rumors that the old San Antonio Speedway was going to be resurrected have been whirling around the local performance and racing industry for several months now, and Guy Algar and I have been paying close attention. Now, it appears that plans are indeed underway. The speedway's new owners have updated us with news that a date has been selected as the official start to their racing season! This is a date that many enthusiasts have been waiting for!
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| Speedway Before Restoration |
For those not familiar with what short track racing is, think of a much smaller version of NASCAR where even street cars and trucks can compete! Short tracks are oval race tracks of less than one mile in length. Drivers do multiple laps, usually on dirt or asphalt. Short tracks are where official stock car racing got its start, and the smaller tracks, like San Antonio Speedway's 1/2 mile paved track have been instrumental in developing top racers. It is reported in Wikipedia that, "Ken Schrader, Tony Stewart, Dave Blaney, Scott Wimmer and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. all own short tracks, most of them being dirt."
San Antonio Speedway claims to be "Texas Only High Banked 1/2 Mile Paved Racing Oval", and has a great racing history. San Antonio Raceway originally opened in 1977 and successfully ran until 2007 when it was closed, many speculate due to the effects of the poor economy. Racers loved the fast track, and it drew several famous drivers to compete on it's high bank oval, including well-known driver Terry Labonte.
It has been reported that in the five years that it sat unused, the speedway fell into disrepair, with the track's asphalt surface, grandstands, and pits suffering abuse from mother nature in the form of weeds and shrubs sprouting through cracks and crevices caused by neglect. It has also suffered at the hands of vandals and thieves that have tagged buildings and damaged property. But all this is being restored by the new owners, Unique Track Solutions, who have taken on the task of saving the San Antonio Speedway from demolition with the help of many community volunteers and racing enthusiasts. Their plan is to return it to use for the enjoyment of enthusiasts from all over San Antonio and Texas. We applaud their enthusiasm and the giant undertaking they seem to be succeeding at!
Modifieds, Pro Late Models, Trucks, Street Stocks, Chargers, Grand Stocks are the classes for the 3-Day event they're dubbing Octoberfast. Event entry will start on August 20, 2012. SAS has 51 pit spots which will be sold to sponsors and 1000 Clubbers first, with the remaining stalls available on a first-register/ first-reserve basis until sold out. The event days are October 18, 19 and 20, 2012.
The official launching of San Antonio Speedway's first races begins with the pit gates opening for racers at noon on October 18. This is when racers will be subject to the technical inspection process to make sure that their entry conforms to the track's official rules and regulations. Practice sessions start at 3:00 PM and go through. The schedule is tentative at this time, and subject to change as they move along with premiere event plans. We will bring you news as it unfolds.
Octoberfast Races will be in the following lap lengths:
100 LAPS - Late Models
75 LAPS - Modifieds
75 LAPS - Trucks
50 LAPS - Street Stocks
35 LAPS - Chargers
25 LAPS - Grand Stocks
The San Antonio Speedway is located 2 miles South of Loop 410 on Highway 16.
REFERENCES:
Current Condition of San Antonio Speedway (Photo Gallery)
Wikipedia: Short Track Motor Racing
San Antonio Speedway Website
Motorsports by Mike Haag, for mySA.com & the San Antonio Express-News
RESOURCES: (Author Note: Watch for our complete Race Track List in upcoming article)
Corpus Christi Speedway - 1/4 mi asphalt track - Corpus Christi, TX
Houston Raceway Park - known as the Royal Purple Raceway - Houston, TX
105 Speedway - 3/8 mi clay oval - Cleveland, TX
South Texas Speedway - 1/4 mi banked dirt oval - Corpus Christi, TX
Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track - asphalt & dirt events - Fort Worth, TX
Thunderhill Raceway - 3/8 mi asphalt "D" oval track - Kyle, TX
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.