Live From The Spokane LODRS

[Larry Fulton]

Originally Posted by Paul Plummer

Thanks for all of the great shots................ the photos are excellent! Also thanks to Spokane County Raceway Park and what so far has been an excellent event. In the 12 years I have lived in the Spokane/ Coeur D Alene area, I have not seen any race as well attended as this one from a spectator standpoint nor one as fun!

For those of you not familiar with the Spokane County Motorsports Park, 3yrs ago this place was an absolute mess and if not for the efforts of two local county commissioners sticking their political neck out, the local Pro-Gas Association and three hundred community volunteers working their tails off to clean-up this small scale "SUPERFUND SITE" we would not be enjoying the event we are having this year.

Despite speculation and rumors, I would personally like to thank Bucky Austin for taking a chance on this track and putting his blood, sweat tears and dollars into this facility. Although it was unfortunate the way things worked out for all involved - Bucky, the contractors, the county, etc. he had a vision from the perspective a "racer" to make this a killer facility with killer racing surface. Had he not taken the chance to invest heavily on the front end of the project we would not have the luxury of a decent track in this community.

Many of the non-racing, non-contractor community opponents to this track are upset that the county had to pick-up the unpaid tab for the construction costs The way I see it is that the County basically got $2M in improvements for a little over $1M (Rough Math !) and we got what is the start of great racing facility - I will take .$50 on the $1 any day!

Finally, and I promise to quit after this one, Cindy Gibbs-Arias is absolutely working her rear-end off to make this place successful. I have never met anyone so committed to not only drag racing but the success of the Spokane County Motorsports Park. Even through the onslaughts by opponents of the track, the negative press/media and grumpy racers she somehow manages to keep a smile on her face.

For anyone local reading this, it is quite simple, lets be thankful that we have what is now a good place to race in our own backyard despite how we got here and come and support and promote this facility and the new management staff.

The future of motor sports in this community depends on it. And for all of you old grumpy racers out there who like to get caught-up in the politics and BS of it all, bring your car the track, put in a set of earplugs and stand on the gas petal - after all aren't we all here to race?

Thank you to everyone for coming to our community and attending this event!

Paul (Jody) Plummer

Nice comments Paul!
I don't think people realize just how lucky they are to have that facility right there.
In it's day this place was way ahead of it's time, and it looks to be headed in the right direction again.
And YES, everybody should thank Bucky and a few others for doing what they have to get this back to this point.

The track layout for the racers is very adequate and spacious, and for the spectators it was / is awesome!
Where else can you go to watch and damn near be sitting right on top of the cars...
I think this is kinda of the same concept that they've been talking about when re-doing Seattle
(dig a trench, lay the race track at the bottom and then build the seating into the hill sides).

I'm glad that the car counts look to have picked up a few in some of the classes....
but I see that there are still a number of somewhat locals that didn't show (even if their tow was less than 200 miles).
Oh well, there's always next year, life doesn't always allow us the time to do everything that we'd like to or that needs our attention.