NHIS Being Sold

moose tracks · 11-12-2007, 10:46 AM

Bruton Smith brought NHIS to make money, not because he likes New England race fans. To maximize the earnings of SMI, Speedway Motorsports Inc, he probably will take a cup date away from New Hampshire and move it to one of his more profitable tracks. He will probably move the fall chase date to Las Vegas. NASCAR is a big business based on a sport. The France family and Burton Smith are NASCAR. The France family owns NASCAR and 12 of the 22 NASCAR cup tracks. They also own the television rights to NASCAR races and most of the souvenir, apparel and dies cast rights. It should be called “FRANCECAR” not NASCAR. The other big player, Bruton Smith now owns 7 tracks that host NASCAR cup events. Now that Bob Bahre sold out, there are only 2 independent tracks left, Pocono and Indy that host NASCAR cup events. (Dover Motor Sports, which owns Dover Downs, also owns several other tracks. Dover is their only track with cup races.) We should be happy if Burton Smith leaves us with one NASCAR cup event in 2009.

codeman671 · 11-12-2007, 11:13 AM

I am not a Nascar person but lets face it, you don't spend $340Mil to buy a track without a plan. Stripping NHIS of everything leaves a shell, an awful expensive shell at that. If LV or one of their other tracks has considerably more seating and/or higher ticket prices where moving a race would make a difference I could understand it, but still $340mil is not chump change and it would take a long time to offset it.

moose tracks · 11-12-2007, 11:44 AM

The North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina was sold to Bruton Smith and Bob Bahre in 1996. They closed the speedway soon after they brought it and transferred the track's cup dates. They split the dates giving one to Smith's new track in Texas and Bahre got a second date for NHIS. The only reason they paid millions for the track was for the race dates.

LIforrelaxin · 11-12-2007, 02:28 PM

Well the truth is no matter what any of us say this is all speculation. There are good points on all sides of every arguement here. As Fans all we can do is wait and see what happens.

Codeman brings up a good point that 340 million is a lot to spend with out a plan. So one thing we can be sure of is that SMI has a plan, maybe not a complete plan, but rest assured planning has begun. I am sure that what ever happens we will all see bits and pieces of what we think is going to happen involved in what goes on.

Unfortunately the only ones who know what the plans are are Bruton, and SMI and until they open there mouths everything by everyone is speculation.....

trfour · 11-13-2007, 01:35 PM

Yup, we'll have to wait and see.

Quote:

Statement from Brian France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO
November 2, 2007

(DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.) – Today’s announcement that Speedway Motorsports Inc. has purchased New Hampshire International Speedway is yet another indication that the NASCAR industry continues to grow and thrive. Capitalizing on NASCAR’s national appeal and growth, the Bahre family created a passionate fan base and developed a valuable venue that has hosted the largest sporting events in New England including 26 consecutive sellouts.

The success of NHIS, and the desire of the Bahre family to sell, made the track very attractive to SMI and several other interested buyers. SMI has a highly regarded record for hosting some of the most successful and enjoyable race events in all of NASCAR, and there’s no doubt that will continue.

While we don’t have any details about SMI’s plans for NHIS, all sanctions for 2008 have been signed and finalized. As a result, there will be no location changes to the 2008 schedule that was released last month. This is important to the fans, competitors, broadcast partners and sponsors who have already made plans for the 2008 races.

Looking beyond 2008, NASCAR will continue to consider requests by any track operator, including SMI, to relocate race dates. Under NASCAR’s “realignment” plan, we have worked with track owners to relocate race dates to meet the needs of our growing national fan base. Ultimately, any change must meet NASCAR’s objectives and serve our fans.

The industry owes Bob and Gary Bahre a debt of gratitude for their leadership and commitment to NASCAR. All of NASCAR wishes the Bahre family well during this time of transition. They will always be considered pioneers in NASCAR.

EllyPoinster · 11-14-2007, 09:56 AM

Article in today's Union Leader:

http://unionleader.com/article.aspx?...6-8001211cd088

trfour · 11-14-2007, 11:26 AM

Thank you.

To the writers who put a negative spin on NHIS's future. They seem desperate to put food on their tables. By Halloween 2009, their garbage could come back to haunt them.

LIforrelaxin · 11-14-2007, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EllyPoinster

Article in today's Union Leader:

http://unionleader.com/article.aspx?...6-8001211cd088

Good Article and positive article......

One note that is very important...... in this article there is talk of expansion... but there is also talk about what the infastructure can support. (e.g. sewage, traffic, food service, parking etc).... While I see the strong possibility of one race disappearing, I think the key to not loosing both races is that expansion must take place... and for that to take place the infastructure has to be there to support it.... I think this may ultimately indicate that the furture of NHMS may lie in the hands of the people of NH and there willingness to invest in improvements to allow the expansion....(e.g. road imporvements and tax incentives for SMI while they grow the facility)..... and additionally to allow other service industries, hotels, etc to expand, and grow.....

moose tracks · 11-14-2007, 05:20 PM

I think this may ultimately indicate that the furture of NHMS may lie in the hands of the people of NH and there willingness to invest in improvements to allow the expansion....(e.g. road imporvements and tax incentives for SMI while they grow the facility)..... and additionally to allow other service industries, hotels, etc to expand, and grow.....[/QUOTE]

I agree, The people of NH will need to support NHMS to allow expansion if we want to benefit from the track and NASCAR cup racing.

Skip · 11-14-2007, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moose tracks

...I agree, The people of NH will need to support NHMS to allow expansion if we want to benefit from the track and NASCAR cup racing...

This PACT may prevent the new owners from implementing many ideas they may have towards future expansion.

GWC... · 11-14-2007, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip

This PACT may prevent the new owners from implementing many ideas they may have towards future expansion.

Perfect...

That will leave the eight Canterbury residents calling themselves Concerned Racetrack Neighbors holding the bag when the two races are removed, along with 2,500 jobs and tens of millions in economic activity.

Sounds like a plan...

Weirs guy · 11-15-2007, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GWC...

Perfect...

That will leave the eight Canterbury residents calling themselves Concerned Racetrack Neighbors holding the bag when the two races are removed, along with 2,500 jobs and tens of millions in economic activity.

Sounds like a plan...

I'm sure they will sleep very well at night with no intrest in the major league hose job they might create. Too bad, thats a lot more fund raiser cookies we all need to buy.

trfour · 01-04-2008, 10:23 PM

By Joe Menzer, Nascar.com.

http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/head...ack/index.html

moose tracks · 01-13-2008, 07:47 AM

Welcome New Hampshire Motor Speedway! On Friday, the track was officially sold to SMI (Bruton Smith). See link to WMUR video: http://www.wmur.com/video/15032971/index.html

Skip · 01-13-2008, 08:26 AM

Excellent article in the Union Leader that points out that both the State and local communities must be willing to work closely with the new owners. Of particular concern is that if major expansions are not entertained at the track, at least one race date could be moved to another venue.

Anyway, excellent analysis can be read further HERE at the on-line edition of the Union Leader.

LIforrelaxin · 01-13-2008, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip

Excellent article in the Union Leader that points out that both the State and local communities must be willing to work closely with the new owners. Of particular concern is that if major expansions are not entertained at the track, at least one race date could be moved to another venue.

Anyway, excellent analysis can be read further HERE at the on-line edition of the Union Leader.

Skip, Thanks for posting the ariticle. Cooperation from the State and towns will definately be a major issue, when the future of the track is at stake. It seems from earlier posts that the There where some major restrictions on expansion. And if the new owners are held to those restrictions, we might be witnessing the begininng of the end. SMI is a huge company indeed worried about profits, and one thing can be taken as fact, they will only further develop something that can see as growing and producing more and more profits for them.

This'nThat · 01-13-2008, 01:04 PM

"The 92,000-seat speedway, run by Bob and Gary Bahre of Alton for nearly 20 years, changed hands Friday in a $340 million cash deal".

Well, maybe now Bahre will be able to spruce up his lakeside house. Finally.

wifi · 01-13-2008, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by This'nThat

Well, maybe now Bahre will be able to spruce up his lakeside house. Finally.

Not if the CSPA has anything to say about it

Weirs guy · 01-14-2008, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

...It seems from earlier posts that the There where some major restrictions on expansion. ...

Hello all 52 people in the town of Canterbury! Its too bad, I'd hate to see money the entire state benefits from run out of town because a small group of people who "view things differently".

LIforrelaxin · 01-15-2008, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weirs guy

Hello all 52 people in the town of Canterbury! Its too bad, I'd hate to see money the entire state benefits from run out of town because a small group of people who "view things differently".

It would indeed be sad if the few ruined it for the majority. However if the original Pact, is transfered to the new owners SMI, as I imagine it was..... it is already a negative.

LIforrelaxin · 11-14-2007, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip

This PACT may prevent the new owners from implementing many ideas they may have towards future expansion.

Skip,

Thanks for posting this article. It is an interesting glitch in what ever maybe planned for the track. It certainly seems to have some huge impacts to what can be done. I think one of the most trouble things in the ariticle, that is in the pact is a limit on the number of days racing with unmuffled vehicles can take place. If NH loses a "Cup" race it might be hard to replace the revenue lost by bring in other series to race..... I am very interested to find out what that limited number of days truely is.....

I also noticed when doing some searching trying to find information on this PACT.... that at some point I didn't grab the date the Bhares had to preserve land at the Raceway as wetlands in order to expand seating.....

All this makes the future very unstable in my mind.....

trfour · 11-15-2007, 09:43 AM

Motorcycle weekS, have been running around here without mufflers and then some 24-7, for how many years now?

Big picture, folks. One night race at NHMS, no problemO... It's all over by 10:00 pm or so, just in time for the big fireworks shows.

11-12-2007, 10:46 AM	#1
moose tracks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Loudon, Tennessee, foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains Posts: 283 Thanks: 340 Thanked 41 Times in 33 Posts	Nhis Bruton Smith brought NHIS to make money, not because he likes New England race fans. To maximize the earnings of SMI, Speedway Motorsports Inc, he probably will take a cup date away from New Hampshire and move it to one of his more profitable tracks. He will probably move the fall chase date to Las Vegas. NASCAR is a big business based on a sport. The France family and Burton Smith are NASCAR. The France family owns NASCAR and 12 of the 22 NASCAR cup tracks. They also own the television rights to NASCAR races and most of the souvenir, apparel and dies cast rights. It should be called “FRANCECAR” not NASCAR. The other big player, Bruton Smith now owns 7 tracks that host NASCAR cup events. Now that Bob Bahre sold out, there are only 2 independent tracks left, Pocono and Indy that host NASCAR cup events. (Dover Motor Sports, which owns Dover Downs, also owns several other tracks. Dover is their only track with cup races.) We should be happy if Burton Smith leaves us with one NASCAR cup event in 2009. __________________ Moose Tracks Last edited by moose tracks; 11-12-2007 at 02:16 PM.

11-12-2007, 11:44 AM	#3
moose tracks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Loudon, Tennessee, foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains Posts: 283 Thanks: 340 Thanked 41 Times in 33 Posts	Nhis The North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina was sold to Bruton Smith and Bob Bahre in 1996. They closed the speedway soon after they brought it and transferred the track's cup dates. They split the dates giving one to Smith's new track in Texas and Bahre got a second date for NHIS. The only reason they paid millions for the track was for the race dates. __________________ Moose Tracks Last edited by moose tracks; 11-12-2007 at 02:11 PM.

11-12-2007, 02:28 PM	#4
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard and NH, Long Island Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,875 Thanks: 1,037 Thanked 892 Times in 524 Posts	Well the truth is no matter what any of us say this is all speculation. There are good points on all sides of every arguement here. As Fans all we can do is wait and see what happens. Codeman brings up a good point that 340 million is a lot to spend with out a plan. So one thing we can be sure of is that SMI has a plan, maybe not a complete plan, but rest assured planning has begun. I am sure that what ever happens we will all see bits and pieces of what we think is going to happen involved in what goes on. Unfortunately the only ones who know what the plans are are Bruton, and SMI and until they open there mouths everything by everyone is speculation..... __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....

11-14-2007, 09:56 AM	#6
EllyPoinster Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 160 Thanks: 13 Thanked 25 Times in 20 Posts	The New GM at Loudon Weighs In Article in today's Union Leader: http://unionleader.com/article.aspx?...6-8001211cd088

11-14-2007, 11:26 AM	#7
trfour Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Lakes, Central NH. and Dallas/Fort Worth TX. Posts: 3,694 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 3,069 Thanked 472 Times in 236 Posts	Great Article Elly! Thank you. To the writers who put a negative spin on NHIS's future. They seem desperate to put food on their tables. By Halloween 2009, their garbage could come back to haunt them. __________________ *trfour* Always Remember, The Best Safety Device In The Boat, or on a PWC Snowmobile etc., Is YOU! Safe sledding tips and much more; http://www.snowmobile.org/snowmobiling-safety.html

11-12-2007, 11:13 AM	#2
codeman671 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,501 Thanks: 221 Thanked 816 Times in 489 Posts	I am not a Nascar person but lets face it, you don't spend $340Mil to buy a track without a plan. Stripping NHIS of everything leaves a shell, an awful expensive shell at that. If LV or one of their other tracks has considerably more seating and/or higher ticket prices where moving a race would make a difference I could understand it, but still $340mil is not chump change and it would take a long time to offset it.

11-14-2007, 05:20 PM	#9
moose tracks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Loudon, Tennessee, foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains Posts: 283 Thanks: 340 Thanked 41 Times in 33 Posts	Nhis I think this may ultimately indicate that the furture of NHMS may lie in the hands of the people of NH and there willingness to invest in improvements to allow the expansion....(e.g. road imporvements and tax incentives for SMI while they grow the facility)..... and additionally to allow other service industries, hotels, etc to expand, and grow.....[/QUOTE] I agree, The people of NH will need to support NHMS to allow expansion if we want to benefit from the track and NASCAR cup racing. __________________ Moose Tracks

01-04-2008, 10:23 PM	#13
trfour Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Lakes, Central NH. and Dallas/Fort Worth TX. Posts: 3,694 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 3,069 Thanked 472 Times in 236 Posts	Good News Jan. 4th 2008 By Joe Menzer, Nascar.com. http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/head...ack/index.html __________________ *trfour* Always Remember, The Best Safety Device In The Boat, or on a PWC Snowmobile etc., Is YOU! Safe sledding tips and much more; http://www.snowmobile.org/snowmobiling-safety.html

01-13-2008, 07:47 AM	#14
moose tracks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Loudon, Tennessee, foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains Posts: 283 Thanks: 340 Thanked 41 Times in 33 Posts	Welcome New Hampshire Motor Speedway Welcome New Hampshire Motor Speedway! On Friday, the track was officially sold to SMI (Bruton Smith). See link to WMUR video: http://www.wmur.com/video/15032971/index.html __________________ Moose Tracks

01-13-2008, 08:26 AM	#15
Skip Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Dover, NH Posts: 1,615 Thanks: 256 Thanked 514 Times in 182 Posts	Still a few "bumps" in the track ahead.... Excellent article in the Union Leader that points out that both the State and local communities must be willing to work closely with the new owners. Of particular concern is that if major expansions are not entertained at the track, at least one race date could be moved to another venue. Anyway, excellent analysis can be read further HERE at the on-line edition of the Union Leader.

01-13-2008, 01:04 PM	#17
This'nThat Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 534 Thanks: 19 Thanked 134 Times in 61 Posts	#340 Million cash "The 92,000-seat speedway, run by Bob and Gary Bahre of Alton for nearly 20 years, changed hands Friday in a $340 million cash* deal*". Well, maybe now Bahre will be able to spruce up his lakeside house. Finally.

11-15-2007, 09:43 AM	#22
trfour Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Lakes, Central NH. and Dallas/Fort Worth TX. Posts: 3,694 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 3,069 Thanked 472 Times in 236 Posts	Motorcycle weekS, have been running around here without mufflers and then some 24-7, for how many years now? Big picture, folks. One night race at NHMS, no problemO... It's all over by 10:00 pm or so, just in time for the big fireworks shows. __________________ *trfour* Always Remember, The Best Safety Device In The Boat, or on a PWC Snowmobile etc., Is YOU! Safe sledding tips and much more; http://www.snowmobile.org/snowmobiling-safety.html Last edited by trfour; 11-18-2007 at 09:18 AM.