The Vault
THE VAULT 2005 – FROM SEYMOUR ‘TRI-OVAL’ TO SEYMOUR SPEEDWAY

Gone is the unique-shaped third-mile, tri-oval.  The track is in the process of being reshaped into a true, high-banked, third-mile oval.  The track, located at the Outagamie County Fairgrounds, has also been renamed Seymour Speedway.

The new raceway has scheduled a tentative opener of Sunday night, May 22.  A practice is tentatively slated for May 15.  Much work needs to be done at the facility.  More clay needs to be put down and some light poles must also be erected.

Reaction from the drivers on the entire deal has been mixed.  The club’s decision to reshape the track was within a few votes.    Over the years it seemed that drivers in all of the track’s divisions had a true love-hate relationship with  the track.  Supporters claim the newly-shaped track in the long run will be easier on equipment. “When I talk to drivers if you get five who say they may not race there now you’ve got five new ones who say they’ll come because they hated the tri-oval,” said NEW DIRT treasurer Randy Wietor.    The tri-oval could be especially tough on the program’s most expensive class the WISSOTA late models.  “I know we’ll run there weekly because they’ve changed it,” said Jim Kibilowski, crew chief for late model driver Ron Berna of Green Bay.  “Ron never liked that tri-oval so we were seldom ever there.    I think if you give it some time it’ll be ok.”

Others liked things just the way they were.  “I don’t think the tri-oval should have been changed at all,” said IMCA modified driver Art Seifert, who’s also an NEW DIRT board member-at-large.  “That was a driver’s track.  It took the big motor out of it and put it in the driver’s hands.”

This reshaping will actually be the third different size and/or shape for the fairgrounds track, which once was used for horse racing in the 1960’s.   In its heyday the track was a half-mile, prospering well in the mid-1970’s under the direction of area realtor Paul Kazcrowski.  The track sat idle from 1979 to 1981 then reopened in 1982 when Bob Heinritz promoted four specials.  The club NEW DIRT was formed in1983, and has held  control of the track ever since.  The half-mile was chopped to the tri-oval in 1989.

LUXEMBURG PRACTICE – A car show and practice session will take place tonight beginning at 6 p.m. at Luxemburg Speedway.  Cars from any and all divisions are welcome.  Spectator admission is free.

A number of local WISSOTA late model teams are expected at the practice, shaking their machines down for a pair of Wisconsin Dirt Late Model Association shows this year on Friday, June 10 and Sunday, July 10.   In addition, the United States Modified Touring Series will make a three day swing through our area in mid-June, with races in Antigo, Sturgeon Bay and Luxemburg on June 20 through the 22nd, respectively.

The track has been widened by five feet in corners three and four.   The track received a new facelift of clay, adding quite a bit of banking all around the oval, including the backstretch.

OUTLAWS RETURN – After a two year absence the Bumper To Bumper IRA Outlaw sprint car series will return to Luxemburg Sunday, July 3.   The winged warriors will split the bill with IMCA-style mods. The event will be the only area appearance of the IRA Outlaws in 2005.

THUNDER HILL PRACTICE – An open practice session will take place at Thunder Hill Raceway in Sturgeon Bay tomorrow beginning at 3 p.m.  A car show will take place beginning at 10 a.m. behind the grandstand.  The practice is free to the public and open to cars in any division.

MORE PRACTICE – Asphalt drivers can get some practice laps in at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna and 141 Speedway in Francis Creek.  Weekly Tuesday night practice sessions begin at WIR April 26 at 3:30 p.m. while 141’s practice will be held tomorrow from 2 to 6 p.m.  Spectator admission is free at both tracks for the practices.

MILWAUKEE ACE –  Soaring gas prices won’t deter Milwaukee WISSOTA late model driver Chris Carlson from competing up this way in 2005.  Carlson plans on competing for the tri-track challenge title at tracks in Seymour, Antigo and Shawano.  Carlson, who’s sponsored by Seubert Calf Ranches,finished 10th at Eagle Valley Speedway in Jim Falls in western Wisconsin Sunday night.

MOD HOT SHOES –  Algoma’s Todd Dart took third while Luxemburg’s Benji LaCrosse finished 7th in an open competition modified event at Fox Ridge Speedway in Arcadia (near LaCrosse) Friday night.

MUENSTER’S RETURN – Former track champions Eddie and Jerry Muenster will return to compete in their IMCA modifieds at Luxemburg Friday nights this season.   Last season Eddie took Friday’s off while Jerry raced at Langlade County Speedway in Antigo.  Also returning full time Friday nights in a modified will be Siefert, who served as a flagman at a number of area tracks last season.

LATE MODEL ROOKIE – Sobieski’s Tom Gee Jr. will move up to the super late model class at WIR this year.  Gee, a former limited late model champion and Wisconsin Sport Truck driver, has secured Patriot Mortgage as a title sponsor.

SLINGER OPENER – Slinger Super Speedway, home of the world’s fastest asphalt 1/4 mile, opens with a pair of 75 lap super late model features this Sunday afternoon.  Time trials begin at 1 p.m.with racing at 2 p.m.   Former NASCAR driver Rich Bickle  will compete.  Modifieds and Midwest Sportsman will also compete.  Slinger is located one hour and 45 minutes south of Green Bay.