New Owners in Rumney?

Hi, there.

I know I've been pretty quiet here lately.  And a lot of people have been asking me about the situation at the Rumney track, the former Legion Bowl/Nor-Way Pines/Pines Speedway/Legion Speedway/Rattlesnake Motordrome/Big Daddy's Speedbowl.  The story this list tells is that the track has changed management several times since Wayne Weeks sold his lease and retired.

Some of these new managers have asked me to work for them, and I have.  Some have not, and some have asked and I said no.  Last summer, before any of the brief series of Sprint car shows, I ran into Mike Kondrat at a gas station.  He asked if I was interested in announcing for those shows.  At the time, I said no, because I had been in contact with most or all of the parties involved with the operation, and closing, of Big Daddy's.  It sounded to me like, whoever was brave enough to put a key in the gate's padlock, they were going to have lawyers descending on them like locusts. 

Frankly, I didn't want to be involved with that.  Nothing against the Legion, Mike Rivers, Si Allen, or anyone else involved.  I was just . . . well, covering my own tail.  I am in the happy, and sad, position of being friends with people on all sides.  I listened to each of them say some very nasty things about each other; things that, I hope, they now regret, but that's their business.  I did not want to be seen as taking sides, so I stayed clear.  I didn't even buy a ticket to go watch.

Apprently, as it turns out, everything went smoothly last summer.  And, I've heard that Si is now either leasing, or has bought, the track, with the full blessing of the Legion and Mike Rivers.  That's the prominent rumor, anyway.  I hope that is the case.  All that I'm hearing now is positive, and everybody's looking forward to a summer of racing.  The 51st since the place first opened, as a matter of fact.  When the racing juices start flowing full-strength, I'll probably be putting more of my memories on this page, about this track and the others I've known, and eagerly anticipting the memories yet to be made.

I hope to be able to buy my ticket a few times.  And, if Si or anybody else needs some extra help from an old former announcer, just give me a shout.  I'd love another excuse to go get involved again.  I sincerely hope that all sides have buried the hatchet and taken care of their business.  And if anyone wants to know whose side I'm on, I'm on the side of the racers and the fans.  Long may the flag wave in the infield, no matter who owns the ground under it.  Let's go racing!!

Rick Clogston