I am sure many of you are aware that we promoted the race for many years during the Nationals and decided not to do it any more. That is until we received a call from a member of the Racing Committee with the Knoxville Raceway. We are considering doing it again if we can work out many details that were issues and concerns when we stopped in 2007. Keep in mind this is very preliminary and we may decide in the end it is not worth it.

1. The location they have picked out would be near the uptown and is the Knoxville Community Center. I am concerned how the large the parking lot is and in what kind of shape it is in. The board member said they would be willing to work on the asphalt if necessary and will work with us to make it happen.

2. We would ask for assistance with scoring as that has been probably the biggest issue as trying to run cars and scoring doesn't work. This year we would hopefully get a working computer system to the scoring for us but is still a job.

3. Would you run it as a one day show with practice or a 2 day show with practice. We would probably lean to a 1 day race but we haven't even discussed this.

4. Would the racers show up, I am asking all of you if you would support the race if it were to happen on somewhat short notice as it currently not on anyones schedule. I want this to be a race that has at least 10 - 15 sprint cars and is worthy of the name Knoxville Nationals.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts, concerns and excitement.

Thanks

Curt Verschuure
cverschuure@msn.com

Curt,
I know of at least 2 Aussies that would be keen to run the Nationals. Local racer Jeff Griffith is already confirmed that he will be at the Dirt Nationals, driving for Fred Murry. I'm also lead to believe that Western Australian Jim Connolly also has suggested that he will be entering the Kansas meet while he is in the 'States, visiting Larry Cross.
I reckon that's 2 International drivers already...and If someone can organise a car for Jeff's travelling companion, Keith Noble, one of the founders of 1/4 sprintcar racing "down under", 2 decades ago...there's your 3rd OS competitor!
Hey Curt.... this is just me rattling on. I have no idea what their travel plans are...however I be suprised if they all were not in Knoxville for the full scale Nationals.
Good Luck.

Curt: Count me in to race since we are down there anyway for the Nats.

Mike
willmannracingproducts.com

When is the race I.will be there represnting backpocket and goingbrokemotorsports

Were is this race located? I would be interested in making the trip for team BULLSEYE.

Were is this race located? I would be interested in making the trip for team BULLSEYE.

Jeff:
In the past we have raced at the middle school located at the opposite end of the town. Thats not to far away from the full size track within, walking distance. The Knoxville Nationals (full size) are held the the second week in August. They start qualifing on Wednesday and race every night thru Saturday when the features or mains are run on Saturday. That's for the full size cars. In the past the 1/4 scales have run on Friday and Saturday but we are always done in time to go to the full size races at night. I would be interested in going and could possibly have a car or two for the guys from down under.:wave:

What dates would this be on ?

The race dates of the Knoxville Nationals in Knoxville, Iowa is August 12 - 15. We more than likely would be racing on the 14th or 15th with possibly practice on the 13th but that is putting the cart way before the horse. As I mentioned above we did not plan on promoting the race ever again but now we have the board begging us to bring it back so maybe they will help us with the issues we have had in the past.

Thanks

You can count on me. My vote is to have a one day race.

Sounds like fun.....I'll be there. I'll talk to Bob Elliott and John Talbert.

Larry Hopson

I should have my car up and running by then - count me in!
Terry

The proposed parking lot measures at 135 Feet by 105 Feet. The size is very marginal for quarter scale racing. We would set the track up on the diagonal of the lot but it probably would not be as large as we have had at the Middle and High School lots. What does everyone think?

Thanks

Is this the same lot that we have raced at in the past....Downtown by the bank?

mike
willmannracingproducts.com

No,

This lot is a few blocks West and North of the Bank parking lot. The bank lot was about 105 X 125 and this one is 105 X 135 and in better shape. The proposed lot is right across from Cone Korner or about 3 blocks East of Hardee's in Knoxville.

If my calculation is correct the run line at the very bottom of the track would be about 250 feet around. For comparison the track in Fort Dodge would be 276 feet at the very bottom. I need your opinions as to whether this will be big enough for us to put on a good show?

Thanks

Curt Verschuure

Is there any other activity that would draw spectators (race fans) to that area of town? I remember racing at the high school in the past and the crowd was really good. If I remember it was pretty close to the big track and campgrounds.

There is a Flea Market going on in the building connected to the parking lot and we would be guaranteed a trolly stop which we did not have two years ago.

The high school I assume you are talking about is now the Middle School. The crowd there two years ago was not good but I think that was as a result of us being at the new High School the year prior(renovations at the middle school) and no trolly stop for those staying in the campgrounds. The concrete at the Middle school has gotten fairly rough but could be worked with.

At this point I am truly concerned about size to see if we need to offer up other locations as other options to see if they are receptive at all. They may want us in this location and I need to understand if track size is a deal breaker for racers.

Thanks

What do you think the width will be? I hope you guys get the support though advertising at the big track so people can show up. In the past a lot of people didn't know we were racing and no mention of any kind during intermission at the big track. If you go though all the work to set up and tear down it would be nice to get support with all the other activities going on during that week of the nationals.

just my .02 worth

Mike
willmannracingproducts.com

Mike,

I agree some additional mentions at the big track would be very helpful. We will also work to set up a display on the main drag behind the grandstands to promote the event.

The approximate track size would be:

70 ft straight aways
40 ft wide infield
corners would be 63 Ft on the inside
track would be 20 - 25 Ft wide(depends on actual measurements of lot)
Approximately 266 ft around the bottome but could be more or less depending on exact size

I really need more opinions to help us make decisions.

Thanks

Will it just be for Sprint cars or are the other classes invited?

The main class will of course be sprints but we were thinking that Sportsman would be a good second class.

Curt, will there be enough space at the track for campers?
Terry

I would say not a camper that will stay overnight as pit area will likely be in the city street but we can ask our contact that question for sure.

Curt: You might want to check with the middle school where we use to race. All procceeds go to the baseball team in knoxville. If they know it was for the 1/4 scale guys they might open up spots in the old parking lot to help get racers to come in. Win, Win for everyone involved. Me and Nick B has reserve spots in the bus parking lot for years now however, they might let the guys stay outside the fence in area. I doubt there will be any water or light hook-ups. Showers is also located in the school.

I think the track size will be ok as long as it is smooth without concret seperation.

Mike
willmannracingproducts.com

Thought I would bump this to the top for you Curt.

Thanks for the bump dizzy.

As an update it appears we are moving forward with the proposed race site as an optional lot that is a Church said no thanks. The racetrack is also working on providing us some scoring assistance which has been the biggest issue in the past few years. I hope to provide more information soon.

Curt

THE RACE IS ON!

We have gotten so much support from the Knoxville Raceway Committee that I am glad to announce we will be racing. The races will be on August 14 and 15 with the track set up at about 8:00 on the 14th. The expectation is to set up the track and then run a few hours of practice with a complet show starting at 1:00. The top two finishers will be guaranteed starting spots on Saturday. There will then be complete show on Saturday to set the field.

The parking lot will be the Knoxville Community near the downtown area. More information to come but I wanted to let everyone know to make plans for August.

Thanks
Curt Verschuure

Curt I will see what I can do about coming. Not sure of finances at this point but will most definately give it my best shot.:wave:

Have two GN coming, one from Humboldt and other from Fort Dodge. Will be there Friday.

John Cero

Just wanted to get this back to the front page to remind folks we are now one month away from the race. Things are moving forward and the Knoxville Raceway is 100% behind making the race a success.

QSAC membership will not be necessary for this race. We will be racing for a small payout using something similiar to a QSAC payout and plaques for the first 3 to sprint car and for first place in sportsman.

Friday August 14 will be track setup in the morning starting about 8:00 with practice to follow. Racing will begin about 1:00

Saturday August 15 - Racing will begin after the parade ends(not sure about practice at this point). My guess is racing wil begin around 1:00 as well but we will know more in a few days.

Please e-mail if you have questions about the race.
cverschuure@msn.com

Thanks

Racing Times:

Friday - 1:00 is the goal but could be slightly later if it takes a long time to put the track together. Track prep starts at 8:00.

Saturday - 12:00

Classes: Sprints and Sportsman

Camping: Not available at the track location, please call the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce as they may be able to help you find a spot at (641) 828-7555. We may have some room in Pella(parents home) if you are unable to find anything else on short notice.

Let me know if anyone is interested in Knoxville Nationals Tickets we may have some good seats available due to cancellations. There were also seats still available in the same area the last time I looked the raceway website.

Racing Times:

Friday - 1:00 is the goal but could be slightly later if it takes a long time to put the track together. Track prep starts at 8:00.

Saturday - 12:00

Classes: Sprints and Sportsman

Camping: Not available at the track location, please call the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce as they may be able to help you find a spot at (641) 828-7555. We may have some room in Pella(parents home) if you are unable to find anything else on short notice.

Let me know if anyone is interested in Knoxville Nationals Tickets we may have some good seats available due to cancellations. There were also seats still available in the same area the last time I looked the raceway website.

Kurt how much are the tickets and do you have 4 seats together? Thanks,
Terry

At this point I am not sure there are 4 seats in our area that are open, I would say we have at least two. There were seats right next to our block still open but I see on Knoxville's website that those are now taken for at least one night.

Adult seats are $160 for all 4 nights.

I will give my cell phone number as we have one person who is in limbo at this point due to a recent medical condition. Please call me if anyone is interested these are very good seats near the flagstand.

515-720-2110