SEMA Show

If anyone has not gone to this show, I highly recomend it. We walked for four days and still could not see everything. Here is a shot of me and Johnny Rutherford. He mentioned that he is on the board of directors for a proposed track in Louisiana. He said that it was going to be a one mile oval, drag strip and drag boat lake. I thought that it was a dead issue. Anyone has any news on this?
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It's so dead, the bones have already turned to dust. IIRC, the principle to the deal turned out to be a con-artist.

 

Dave, I had heard the same thing months ago. I wonder if JR is with some other group working on a track? I guess I should have mentioned that to him.

 

I feel pretty safe in GUARANTEEING that there will NOT be a formal racetrack of any kind built in the NOLA area in our lifetime! I've been hearing about this track and that track since as far back as the early 80's. And that's just my boozefogged memory! I'm not saying that it wouldn't be AWESOME to have one, but it just ain't gonna happen, IMO.

 

Actually, if you pull up google maps (or mapquest. Can't remember which I used) you can find an area just south of Kentwood, LA west of I-55 that is being cleared for said track. I've heard that the new investors found a more experienced contractor and are continuing with the project. IIRC the advocate ran a piece on it just a few weeks ago. I think kentwood is a terrible location, but hell, look at Talladega out in the middle of nowhere!

 

I'll have to check out Google Earth and see what that area looks like. Thanks for the info Mike. Rutherford did mention Kentwood.

 

Mapquest: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Kentwood&state=LA#a/mapsprint/l:::Kentwood:LA::US:30.938101:-90.508904:city:Tangipahoa+Parish:1/m:hyb:12:30.898905:-90.528866:0:::::/io:0:::::f:EN:M:/e


Couldn't find the Advocate article but did find this June story in Hammond paper:

KENTWOOD — Nearly a year after the $100 million Louisiana International Speedway project was announced at the governor's mansion, Kentwood property owners have a verbal commitment and evidence of funding for private investors to buy their land by the end of this month, said Bob Basford of the Tangipahoa Economic Development Foundation.

A meeting with investors, architects, engineers, property owners, local and parish officials is set for June 24 in New Orleans.

The plan announced last year includes a NASCAR-style speedway with a one-mile oval track, a half-mile drag racing track and a narrow quarter-mile water track for speed boat racing, stadium seating for 42,000 spectators and 30 luxury suites. Officials said the track could also be used for other entertainment venues such as concerts.

The 1,500 acres are just off Interstate 55 and south of Kentwood. The property currently belongs to members of the Bruce Harrell family. Timber clearing began next year.

Ronald Brion of Kentwood is listed as the registered agent and member/manager for the Louisiana International Speedway limited liability corporation on the Secretary of State's corporate database website. Jerry Lowrie is the CEO and Michael Webber is a corporate vice president. Dean Torrence is one of the investors.

link: http://www.hammondstar.com/articles/2008/08/17/top_stories/business/9351.txt

 

From over a year ago:
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=160423

Look, a track around here would be awesome! (although 90 miles to Kentwood is farther than the 66 to NPR) Just saying we've been here before. If they're just starting to clear trees, there's still PLENTY opportunity for the d ou chebags in BR to F it up!

 

O/T, but... Gerard, thought of you when the '67 Hemi GTX rolled across the stage at Mecum on tv last night and DIDN'T sell for $72,500!! Hurry up and get that car restored!!

 

I just got this one today. We sponsored the opening sesion at the NACE show and Archie was the guest speaker.
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