Cape Breton Miner’s Memorial Speedway Update, by Ken MacIsaac

Ken MacIsaac toured Cape Breton Miner’s Memorial Speedway in Sydney last week with new co-owner Bill Vasil. The two discussed progress made in preparation for the reopening of the facility in late July, as well as the delays that caused that date to be pushed back from early July. Ken’s interview follows…

KM – “So it was back in mid January when I was last here to visit you guys. We had a long hard winter in between visits. I’m sure that has played a big factor in the delaying of opening day?”

BV – “It sure has. All the renovation and upgrading plans we had made, have been pushed ahead. So we’re behind. But there’s two issues that are delaying us. We have to get a structural engineer to come here, and assess the grandstands, to determine if they’re safe. However, finding one in the area is tougher than we thought. Once we find one to look at the stands, and sign off on them, then one hurdle is over with. The second obstacle is getting concrete blocks for turns 3 and 4. Up until last week, I was still planning for the July 5th opening. So we had no choice but to delay the opening a few more weeks. “

KM – “Driving onto the property, the first thing I notice is the elimination of the guardrails between turns 3 and 4.”

BV – “We had a bunch of guys come in and cut down trees behind the wall, and we had an excavator remove the steel posts and rails. So yes, glad to have that removed.”

KM – “You mentioned concrete blocks for turns 3 and 4?”

BV – “The original plan was to put a concrete wall around turns 3 and 4. However, after I consulted with a concrete company, they required letting the concrete ‘set’ for almost a month, before using. That’s going to be tough, considering we’re shooting for a July opening. Plus, the cost was a lot higher than I anticipated. So the new plan is to put concrete blocks (not jersey barriers), in place for this season. We can stack them in place in an afternoon, and they’ll serve us well for this season. I still want a concrete wall around that corner, but I’ll look at that next spring.”

KM – “Are these concrete blocks something you can get locally?”

BV – Well, it appears that they aren’t as easy to come by as I thought. But I’m confident I’ll find enough blocks between New Glasgow and here. It’ll just be the logisitics of getting them all trucked here. But we’ll get them.”

KM – “You mentioned in January about paving.”

BV – “There’s a paving guy coming here to look at the track. There’s a bad ‘bump’ on the backstretch that has to be fixed. And there’s several spots on the front stretch. The corners are worn bad, but not nearly as bad as Riverside used to be. So at this point, we’re going to leave well enough alone, and just try to get opened in July. This terrible winter has delayed our work here so much, that we’re running out of time for things like that. The paving plans I had (turns) will still go ahead, but just not in time for the July opening.”

KM – “Have you spoke with former track owner Stan Dicks about the track?”

BV – “We have, several times. Both he, and his daughter Cheryl were very helpful in giving us contact information, and answering any questions we had. They even gave us names of their electricians, and structural engineers, who did work them at the track. Unfortunately, those people are out west working.”

KM – “This area, and a lot of Maritime areas, are experiencing that outward migration of workers to the west. I can see how that’s affecting you guys, trying to find tradesmen.”

BV – “Not only that, but our biggest challenge right now, is getting an engineer here, who can tell us these grandstands are safe. If they’re good, then ok. If they’re not, and we need to do upgrades to the structure, then that will delay us. I know the boards will have to be replaced. Not all of them, but several. That’s not an issue. There’s lots of lumber yards here, and we’ve got folks who will install them. But the boards are expensive. Honestly, I believe the steel structure and i-beams are good. And likely good for another 10 years.”

KM – “What about the tower”?

BV – “We will clean it up, and keep it ‘as is’ for this year, again because we’re running out of time. Next year, I’ll plan for a complete rebuild. Just not enough time this year. My priority is the grandstands, and the turns.”

KM – “Electrical?”

BV – “It was a mess in the tower. But we’re not putting in light poles this year, so that’s a saving on both time and money. Lights will be on next year’s list.”

KM – “The canteen and ticket booth look great”

BV – “It does. All new glass has been installed, and everything’s been cleaned and painted, and sided. You know, everything is coming together… just ‘slowly’. Much more slower than I anticipated.”

KM – “The pits?”

BV – “I’m going to get gravel brought in for the guy’s, where they park. If not this year, then definitely next year, I want to have at least 1 strip of asphalt for the cars to park on. It’s just a safety issue. It’s just not safe to be jacking up cars on dirt.”

KM – “You mentioned to me in January your long term plan of expanding the length of the track. Is that still in the back of your mind?”

BV – “Yes, absolutely. However, it’ll come down to fan support and car counts. If we have those, then why not? Obviously Pro Stock is also in the back of my mind. But to get them here, I want the pits in much better shape. Anyway, that’s long term, and in a ‘perfect world’. One thing at a time. Petty Raceway went through the same thing when they reopened. They did improvements over the course of a few years, and that’ll be our plan as well.”

KM – “How about driver interest?”

BV – “Registration for the local classes started out strong, but have leveled off. But I understand that. People normally take a ‘wait and see’ attitude. The sportsman numbers are very good. 13 or 14 from here alone, plus those signed up for the Napa series. We’re expecting a good field of Sportsman cars here. The street and mini class are good, but we’re hoping for more. “

KM – “The Riverside Street Stock deal. I have to tell you, I never thought I’d see that that happening.”

BV – “No one did. We approached them over a year ago with the idea of racing the ‘streets’ on the Canadian Tire weekend. The idea went on the back burner, but was reconsidered as an alternative support division. And we’re very happy about it. I think our guys will be extremely excited to go up there and race.”

KM – “And the race isn’t just for the Sydney street stocks?”

BV – “All are welcome. Just check the rules first. I’m expecting cars from everywhere.”

To learn more about Cape Breton Miner’s Memorial Speedway please visit www.cbminersmemorialspeedway.ca.

source – exclusive, by Ken MacIsaac

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