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| Troy Haney |
Final event to be held on Saturday, Sept. 13
By Theron Larkins
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — On Saturday, Sept. 13, the race track at Spud Speedway will be see its final event ever under the management of Troy Haney, as the 2014 Fall Brawl Finale will mark the conclusion of the track’s five-year stint under the leadership of Haney.
Last weekend’s race, which was scheduled to take place on Sept. 7, was cancelled due to several factors, according to Haney.
“Based on the limited car count available and the frustration amongst many of the racers we felt it was in the best interest of all parties involved to take one additional week to prepare their cars, as well as allowing some much needed cooling off time,” said Haney. “We always want to promote a safe and enjoyable environment for all to enjoy.”
Haney explained that they look to have a great show scheduled for everyone on Saturday, Sept. 13th, which will begin at 2 p.m. and will run for much of the day, concluding with an “All in, All Out Demolition Derby” with a $300 first-place prize.
“It will be our final event of the season and the final event at Spud Speedway that will be under my management,” said Haney. “Fall Brawl will include fan appreciation events, a full card of racing in all divisions, along with the Atlantic Open Wheel Tour, Tuff Truck side-by-side racing, a Bomber race and a Demo Derby to finish the day off.”
For the last few weeks, the status of Spud Speedway and the future possibility of events being held at the track has been unknown. Haney and his colleagues have been wrestling with the decision on whether or not it will be feasible to keep the track open for events like the 2014 Fall Brawl.
Haney purchased the venue five years ago with ambitions to invest in the race track and revamp it for a long-term future. However, from what he claims is a lack of support from the community, the track was unable to turn a reasonable profit, and cost Haney approximately $40,000 to $50,000 per year to keep up and running.
“This has been a very difficult decision for me personally, but one that needed to be made for me and my family,” said Haney. “In the summer of 2009, the Speedway was slated to close once again, so I decided to purchase the track with one goal in mind, to keep the track open so everyone here in The County and New Brunswick would have a place to race and enjoy the great sport racing can be.”
Haney explained that the track would still be open next year for kart racing, which kids will still be able to participate in, but as far as the many different types of events that Haney and his colleagues brought to the track, those events look to be few and far between for the future.
“Keeping racing alive in the area is still our first priority and we will continue to support the venue going forward,” said Haney. “Over the past five years we have worked tirelessly to improve the facility and bring multiple types of entertainment to the area. We have brought concerts of all types, traveling tour races, monster truck shows, and most recently a full blown fair. Unfortunately we have not had enough local support to make any of these events successful from a dollars-and-cents point of view.”
Longtime fan and photographer for Spud Speedway Lynn Martin, who worked under the direction of both Haney and manager Greg Venoite before him, relayed her emotional feelings for the track as both a fan and an employee.
“It is very emotional for me … I love that track and I will miss it dearly,” said Martin. “I grew up watching racing there for as long as I can remember. I’ve taken photos there for Greg Venoite and then for Troy, who did give it his all, and so did everyone else who worked there. It was an awesome way to spend a Saturday night or Sunday afternoon. It was good clean, cheap fun for the whole family. Where else could you spend four hours on the edge of your seat for $5?”
Despite Martin’s fond memories at Spud Speedway, she admits the news has been a damper on the fun.
“I’ve thought about this every day since it was announced to us and it is very, very sad,” said Martin. “I’m hoping and praying that this will all turn around and the track will remain open. I respect Troy’s decision to close, but there is always hope for an iconic venue like Spud Speedway.”
Haney expressed how he truly desired to keep the track open for events in the upcoming years, but the numbers just didn’t add up. He will look to keep the race track available for those who would like to lease the venue, and plans to do the best he can to bring at least one or two events to the track next year, but he worries the area may not be able to support this type of business.
“We have personally invested 40 to 50 thousand dollars per year out of our pocket to keep the facility going, which is just not sustainable for any business.” said Haney. “Going forward we will look to offer the track out for lease at a very affordable rate for someone else to try a new approach, if no individual shows any interest we will offer it to the racers to develop a Racer Club type of approach, in which the racers can work together to manage their own events at a very affordable cost.”
“Beyond that we are open to any other suggestions that make sense. In any event, we will continue to keep the race kart track open for people to enjoy in the upcoming season, as we believe this is a big part of the future of racing as a whole,” Haney added. “We may also consider the possibility of a few big events throughout the year just to keep the track open and functioning in some type of capacity.”
Haney expressed his gratitude for all those who have helped to make the track a success for the last 50 years, and also mentioned his hopes for the future of the facility by making sure everyone understands that he will not be closing down the track, as a show of faith that it will not be empty for long.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has supported us during our time operating the speedway and hope everyone understands our situation. We want to thank our sponsors, racers, fans, staff and all of the people who put their own hard work and effort in keeping the track alive,” said Haney. “None of what we have accomplished would have been possible without everyone’s support. We hope that someone will step forward to continue a 50-year tradition of racing at Spud Speedway and that racers will get behind them to support their efforts. We will not look to sell the property and again, as stated before, we will look to support the facility going forward.”
The grandstand admission for the 2014 Fall Brawl will be $10 for ages 16 and up, $5 for ages 5 to 15 and ages 4 and under get in free. A family pass for the grandstand will be $25 for two adults and two kids and pit admission will be $20. The rain date for the event will be Sunday, Sept. 14.
