Racerchaser
06-14-2006, 11:44 PM
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Wednesday, June 14, 2006
"Track of Dreams" Soon to Become a Reality
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by Mike Hughes
http://www.racefan.com/images/StoryPhotos-2005/189241b.jpg
Mike Hughes photoHAYS, Kan. -- For the past few years, several people in the Hays area have dreamt of an auto racing (http://www.racefan.com/sresults.asp?SanctionID=0&StoryID=189241#) track in Hays. And on the Fourth of July, that dream will become a reality when Rolling Plains Motor (RPM) Speedway will host its first ever auto racing event.
“It’s a great facility and I can’t wait to get started,” says promoter Jay Fose.
Meetings about a race track (http://www.racefan.com/sresults.asp?SanctionID=0&StoryID=189241#) in Hays started up last fall, instigated by Loren Zimmerman and Jeff Copper. The meetings were held weekly all winter long with anybody interested in racing invited to attend.
http://www.racefan.com/images/StoryPhotos-2005/189241c.jpg
Mike Hughes photo“Before track work could begin, we had to get financial commitments, and we had to get the county to commit to do the dirt work,” Fose said.
The Ellis County Commissioners then gave their approval and the dirt work began in late fall.
A racing committee was also formed at that time to oversee the construction of the facility, do the legal paperwork, etc. The committee then asked Fose, of Wakeeney, to be the promoter. Fose, who was a member of the racing committee, then resigned from the board to take the promoter’s role.
Fose is no stranger to auto racing. Jay, along with his wife Carey, promoted Wakeeney Speedway for 8 years during the early to mid 1990’s. Fose then got out of racing for a while, but then got the itch to get back into it.
http://www.racefan.com/images/StoryPhotos-2005/189241d.jpg
Mike Hughes photoFose later became president of a local go-kart club who started Wakeeney Mini Speedway in 2001. Since then, the go-kart track in Wakeeney has moved south of the auto race track, just north of I-70. Wakeeney Mini Speedway hosts go-karts biweekly on Saturday nights from May thru September, and Fose himself can be seen in competition.
A contest to name the Hays track was held, and the name Rolling Plains Motor Speedway was selected.
At the present time, the dirt work is done on the 3/8-mile oval, the grandstands (which will seat 3,000) are in, the front wall and north wall are done, and the catch fence is partially done. According to Fose, the press box is ready to go up, the concession stand will be built (which will also house the restrooms and the VIP suite), and the lights are ready to install.
“Fence work still needs to be done, and some other various projects,” said Fose.
The pit area will be north of the track, so an empty infield will give race fans a great view of the entire track.
The first race of the 2006 season is scheduled for Tuesday evening, July 4, in conjunction with the Wild West Fest. IMCA-sanctioned Modifieds, Stock Cars and Hobby Stocks will compete that night, along with the Bombers. Those four classes will be featured regularly on the 7 race schedule, which will run from July thru September. Sprint car (http://www.racefan.com/sresults.asp?SanctionID=0&StoryID=189241#) fans will get a treat as well as the 305 sprints will appear twice at the speedway, and the NCRA 360 sprint cars (http://www.racefan.com/sresults.asp?SanctionID=0&StoryID=189241#) will also make an appearance. The traveling TORA late models will also visit Hays during the races held during the Ellis County Fair.
A go-kart track has been built inside the auto race track and Fose plans to have 5 to 6 races on it this season, although a schedule has yet to be set.
Fose has hired several experienced people to work at the track, but is still seeking more people to help. “Give me a call,” Fose stated.
Fose’s plans are to make the Hays track fan-friendly and get both the fans and racers involved in the facility.
“Putting on races is about entertaining the fans,” he said. “Fans pay to keep the race tracks (http://www.racefan.com/sresults.asp?SanctionID=0&StoryID=189241#) open and we’re here to entertain them. We also need to get the drivers involved with the fans. My goal is to make this place one of the best or the best track to race at and attend in Western Kansas.”
In the future, Fose’s goal is to run a World of Outlaws sprint car show and host other touring series. He also plans to work with other area promoters to bring in some of the top drivers in the country.
With Fose in charge, a dedicated racing committee, and an experienced staff, race fans in Hays should be treated to an exciting season.
Fose adds “We need to get fans back to the track and make it fun for the whole family. We’re going to do our best to make that happen.”
Rolling Plains Motor Speedway 2006 Schedule
Tuesday, July 4: IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Hobby Stocks, Bombers
Saturday, July 15 (fair race): TORA Late Models, 305 Sprint Cars, Bombers
Friday, July 28 (8:00): IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Hobby Stocks, Bombers
Saturday, August 12: 305 Sprint Cars, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Hobby Stocks, Bombers
Sunday, August 20: IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Hobby Stocks, Bombers
Saturday, September 2: NCRA 360 Sprint Cars, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Hobby Stocks
Sunday, September 24: IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Hobby Stocks, Bombers
Race time each evening is 7:00 p.m. with the exception of July 28 which will start at 8:00
For more information, contact promoter Jay Fose at (785) 731-5233
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
"Track of Dreams" Soon to Become a Reality
http://www.racefan.com/images/yellowHR_320x1.gif
by Mike Hughes
http://www.racefan.com/images/StoryPhotos-2005/189241b.jpg
Mike Hughes photoHAYS, Kan. -- For the past few years, several people in the Hays area have dreamt of an auto racing (http://www.racefan.com/sresults.asp?SanctionID=0&StoryID=189241#) track in Hays. And on the Fourth of July, that dream will become a reality when Rolling Plains Motor (RPM) Speedway will host its first ever auto racing event.
“It’s a great facility and I can’t wait to get started,” says promoter Jay Fose.
Meetings about a race track (http://www.racefan.com/sresults.asp?SanctionID=0&StoryID=189241#) in Hays started up last fall, instigated by Loren Zimmerman and Jeff Copper. The meetings were held weekly all winter long with anybody interested in racing invited to attend.
http://www.racefan.com/images/StoryPhotos-2005/189241c.jpg
Mike Hughes photo“Before track work could begin, we had to get financial commitments, and we had to get the county to commit to do the dirt work,” Fose said.
The Ellis County Commissioners then gave their approval and the dirt work began in late fall.
A racing committee was also formed at that time to oversee the construction of the facility, do the legal paperwork, etc. The committee then asked Fose, of Wakeeney, to be the promoter. Fose, who was a member of the racing committee, then resigned from the board to take the promoter’s role.
Fose is no stranger to auto racing. Jay, along with his wife Carey, promoted Wakeeney Speedway for 8 years during the early to mid 1990’s. Fose then got out of racing for a while, but then got the itch to get back into it.
http://www.racefan.com/images/StoryPhotos-2005/189241d.jpg
Mike Hughes photoFose later became president of a local go-kart club who started Wakeeney Mini Speedway in 2001. Since then, the go-kart track in Wakeeney has moved south of the auto race track, just north of I-70. Wakeeney Mini Speedway hosts go-karts biweekly on Saturday nights from May thru September, and Fose himself can be seen in competition.
A contest to name the Hays track was held, and the name Rolling Plains Motor Speedway was selected.
At the present time, the dirt work is done on the 3/8-mile oval, the grandstands (which will seat 3,000) are in, the front wall and north wall are done, and the catch fence is partially done. According to Fose, the press box is ready to go up, the concession stand will be built (which will also house the restrooms and the VIP suite), and the lights are ready to install.
“Fence work still needs to be done, and some other various projects,” said Fose.
The pit area will be north of the track, so an empty infield will give race fans a great view of the entire track.
The first race of the 2006 season is scheduled for Tuesday evening, July 4, in conjunction with the Wild West Fest. IMCA-sanctioned Modifieds, Stock Cars and Hobby Stocks will compete that night, along with the Bombers. Those four classes will be featured regularly on the 7 race schedule, which will run from July thru September. Sprint car (http://www.racefan.com/sresults.asp?SanctionID=0&StoryID=189241#) fans will get a treat as well as the 305 sprints will appear twice at the speedway, and the NCRA 360 sprint cars (http://www.racefan.com/sresults.asp?SanctionID=0&StoryID=189241#) will also make an appearance. The traveling TORA late models will also visit Hays during the races held during the Ellis County Fair.
A go-kart track has been built inside the auto race track and Fose plans to have 5 to 6 races on it this season, although a schedule has yet to be set.
Fose has hired several experienced people to work at the track, but is still seeking more people to help. “Give me a call,” Fose stated.
Fose’s plans are to make the Hays track fan-friendly and get both the fans and racers involved in the facility.
“Putting on races is about entertaining the fans,” he said. “Fans pay to keep the race tracks (http://www.racefan.com/sresults.asp?SanctionID=0&StoryID=189241#) open and we’re here to entertain them. We also need to get the drivers involved with the fans. My goal is to make this place one of the best or the best track to race at and attend in Western Kansas.”
In the future, Fose’s goal is to run a World of Outlaws sprint car show and host other touring series. He also plans to work with other area promoters to bring in some of the top drivers in the country.
With Fose in charge, a dedicated racing committee, and an experienced staff, race fans in Hays should be treated to an exciting season.
Fose adds “We need to get fans back to the track and make it fun for the whole family. We’re going to do our best to make that happen.”
Rolling Plains Motor Speedway 2006 Schedule
Tuesday, July 4: IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Hobby Stocks, Bombers
Saturday, July 15 (fair race): TORA Late Models, 305 Sprint Cars, Bombers
Friday, July 28 (8:00): IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Hobby Stocks, Bombers
Saturday, August 12: 305 Sprint Cars, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Hobby Stocks, Bombers
Sunday, August 20: IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Hobby Stocks, Bombers
Saturday, September 2: NCRA 360 Sprint Cars, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Hobby Stocks
Sunday, September 24: IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Hobby Stocks, Bombers
Race time each evening is 7:00 p.m. with the exception of July 28 which will start at 8:00
For more information, contact promoter Jay Fose at (785) 731-5233