Washougal closing!?

J

JJmxr

Member
Nov 14, 1999
122
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I talked to a friend that said he had pretty solid info that the track was sold to devolper on Monday, and this would be the last year. I really hope this is not the case. Maybe someone here has an inside line they could pull, and find out if it is true. He said there was an injured rider lawsuit that was a major contributing factor. Say it ain't so!!
 
M

MXP1MP

Member
Nov 14, 2000
1,845
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I heard something about this happening as well but I heard it was cause the town community was trying to get it closed down. If they did you know how stupid the town of aint nothing here washougal would be for doing that. Lots of lost revenue. I also heard that part of it is cause the huffmans don't want to have the track anymore. There's quite a few rumors that seem to be going around. But I heard it was the town it's self and there was suppose to be some town meeting on it. The guys at lynnwood motoplex definetly seem to be in the know on this.
 

ochster

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Mar 11, 2000
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At a track playday, approximatley a year ago, we were told this was going to happen. There was never any mention of it having anything to do with any lawsuit. It was also also mentioned they had another piece of property ready to go, for another facility. On a side note, this will be good reason for people to go check out Mt. View raceway in Boring, Oregon. It is at a minumum, an equal track layout, and in my opinion nicer.
 
J

JJmxr

Member
Nov 14, 1999
122
0
Sounds like it is probley true, :( :( ! I guess we all better ride there as much as we can this year. I also heard that the Huffmans didn't want to do it anymore.
 
M

MXP1MP

Member
Nov 14, 2000
1,845
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according to someone I know who raced there last weekend not a chance its going to happen.
 
J

JJmxr

Member
Nov 14, 1999
122
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We'll be out there to race on Thursday, and Friday so I'm going to be asking questions.
 

dirty~d~

Resident nudist
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Apr 17, 2002
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Has anyone tried calling the management staff and asking them?

(360) 695-9221
 
J

JJmxr

Member
Nov 14, 1999
122
0
I talked to some people at the national, and they said its not closing. All the riders I talked to though had different feelings.
 
C

crkid

~SPONSOR~
Oct 14, 2001
665
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It better not! I'm on a different coast and haven't had the chance to ride there, but between the perfect looking dirt, the layout, and the scenery it looks like a great place. I'm praying with you guys.
 
M

MXP1MP

Member
Nov 14, 2000
1,845
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Thats what I hear those rumors have been going around for awhile but still I like to know. We don't have supercross anymore and if we lost washougal no more pro's to go and watch. Maybe we should start a petetion or whatever and start bugging PACE about bringing SX back to seattle. I'd like to see mcgrath rip it up on the KTM in person wouldn't you? Its not like Salt lake or San fran is that close.
 
T

Tod

~SPONSOR~
Jul 3, 2002
368
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start bugging PACE about bringing SX back to seattle.
Click to expand...

From what I've heard, PACE isn't the problem. The issue is where can you put on a race in the early spring. The crooked morons that control our local politics had the Kingdome torn down, so the only stadium in town with a roof is the baseball staduim. Even though the vast majority of the funds to build the facility came from the taxpayers, the Mariners control building usage. They decide who can rent the place, how much they'll pay and then they get all the rent money. The Mariners have publicly stated that they would never allow motorsports in "their" facility.

If you live in Washington State remember this when you see Ron Simms or Gary Locke on the ballot. :|

Also, if you spend money on the Mariners, think about who you are supporting and what they have done for your sport. :uh:
 
T

Tracktor2

Member
Oct 3, 2001
17
0
Washougal is not closing down, they are grandfathered in.

Mt View, however, is for sale...............$1.5 mil or so..........anybody want to pony up?

Giles
 
H

HONDA65

~SPONSOR~
Mar 4, 2000
145
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They just went through 2 county meetings to get a conditional use permit (different then their grandfather clause, to lenghty to explain) which they got, so I don't think they are going anywhere. They have invested alot of time and effort lately to the track, so I know its here to stay. Besides, Ralph wants to pass down the track to his kids and grandkids, even if it becomes no more than a backyard track for them. Otherwise he would have sold it along time ago. Wish I had it in my backyard.
 
J

JJmxr

Member
Nov 14, 1999
122
0
The guy I talked to at the nationals said the same thing about selling the track. He said there is the possibility of the nationals going away, but that the Huffmans would have a house on 650 acres before they ever sold the land. Your right though, what a practice track that would be
 

WoodsRider

Sponsoring Member<BR>Club Moderator
Damn Yankees
Oct 13, 1999
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It was a sad day for me when the Kingdome was demolished. I remember way back in the early to mid-70's watching it being built. Unfortunately I don't live in Seattle anymore, but my family does (Arthur Denny was my great-great grandfather). The politics up there are more screwed up than they ever thanks to the California-flight of the late-80's/early-90's.

On the other hand, Safeco Field is no place to hold a SX. It's too small of a venue. I don't blame the M's organization for not wanting to hold a motorsports event at Safeco Field especially since SX season is right when the groundskeeper is trying to get the field ready for opening day. Every other venue is either artificial turf and/or a football stadium.

Maybe you could get the City Council to approve a new domed facility to replace Memorial Stadium. That's still the same run-down, dilapitated facility where I got knocked unconcious playing high school football back in '83. Broadcast live on KIRO 7 too. :ugg:

Good luck!
 

dirty~d~

Resident nudist
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Apr 17, 2002
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Thanks for the painful reminder Woods. Seattle's politics, or rather King County's politics, suck major bootie. Because of how many people live in King County, they pretty much have control over the entire state. There is always the Tacoma Dome for indoor events. It'll be years before they even think of demolishing that. It's smaller than the Kingdome was, but it has supported MX events in the past. They had the Freestylers in there this past weekend. There are too many greeny-support groups on this side of the mountains to allow any building of an indoor structure that supports motorsports. Washington State's politics make me sick to my stomach, for many other reasons besides off-road and MX, but that is another rant for another day.
 
T

Tod

~SPONSOR~
Jul 3, 2002
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Maybe you could get the City Council to approve a new domed facility to replace Memorial Stadium.
Click to expand...

LOL Sorry, just too funny!

I spent a few years watching the internal workings of Seattle politics and can quite confidently say that those folks don't like our kind. The vast majority of them have been "educated" by the Sierra Club, Mountaineers and the Washington Trails Assn and truely believe that all motorsports are inherently evil.
 

WoodsRider

Sponsoring Member<BR>Club Moderator
Damn Yankees
Oct 13, 1999
2,807
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Don't blame the lack of a domed stadium on the GAGs (Green Advocacy Groups). They create enough problems for us without us trying to blame them for more. The problem is domed stadiums are no longer "in fashion" for hosting professional sports. Everyone knows you have to have professional sports teams to attract big business which will bring jobs and boost the local economy. I mean who really wants to watch a team lose in a 30 year-old outdated venue that doesn't even have luxury boxes, right? :D (Hmmm, I wonder how come the Chicago Cubs sell out every game :think:)

The only reason the Astrodome in Houston is still standing is because it was the original domed stadium. The Astros now play in the venue formerly known as Enron Field. The new football team, The Houston Texans, are playing in a new outdoor venue. Now if you've ever been to Houston, you'd know the gawd awful heat and humidity in that place makes watching sports in an outdoor venue downright miserable during certain times of the year. Even though the Astros play in a "convertible" venue, even with the roof closed it can be down right unpleasant in the cheap (affordable) seats.

As for Seattle and Washington State politics in general... get involved and run for office.
 
T

Tod

~SPONSOR~
Jul 3, 2002
368
0
Don't blame the lack of a domed stadium on the GAGs (Green Advocacy Groups). They create enough problems for us without us trying to blame them for more.
Click to expand...

The GAG's are not directly to blame for the lack of facilities, but the same politician that they support and contribute funds to are.

As for Seattle and Washington State politics in general... get involved and run for office.
Click to expand...

I'd like to someday. :) Been a precinct committee officer, attended party conventions, etc. The cost of running for even minor offices in this state have escalated severely in the last couple of years and I don't think I can raise the funding. Ten years ago a Legislative race would cost between $10k - $25k to run. Last election winners were spending more like $50k - $160K for a job that pays under $30k annually. :|

In the short term I'm limited to lobbying the legislature, serving on advisory committees, writing hundreds of letters, serving as an officer in the largest offroad motorcycle club in the state and standing on my soapbox hollerin' alot :silly:
 
H

HONDA65

~SPONSOR~
Mar 4, 2000
145
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Its funny how this thread started about Washougal, and now we're talking about Seattle, the Kingdome and politics. :think:
 
E

E-Ticket

~SPONSOR~
Dec 16, 2000
735
0
Well, I can help drag it back on course a bit.... (grin)

Talked to Rick Huffman this weekend out at the track during Hillsboro Motorcycle's "Play Day." Yup, once a year, the HM owner's rent the entire track for a day for all customers that a new dirt bike from them during the year. And they throw in a free lunch. Is that too cool or what!

But i digress.....

Rick said that they are there to stay. They have doing all the right things, filing all the right paperwork, and going to all the right meetings. He said all the flap is due to 4 homeowners in one area "making all the noiese." In fact, Rick also said that the county is behind them. So things are good!

Cheers! ... E-Ticket
 
C

Camstyn

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Oct 3, 1999
2,246
2
Woohoo!

If you've ever been through Washougal, you'd know that the track is the only good thing the town has going for it.. :)
 
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