Yakima Speedway on Life Support
“The value of the land far exceeds the value of using it for a speedway,” [Speedway owner] Pollock said. “The income from a speedway doesn’t match the value of the land.”
Gee, where have we heard that refrain before? How about here, here, here, and here, among many other former, or about to be former American short track sites. (And I should mention this very ugly fight over a closed speedway in Alabama)
Yakima Speedway, located just north of the Oregon/Washington border it appears to have landed squarely in the “about to be” category.
The lease the Yakima Youth Hockey Association had with rink owner Ralph Richardson ended May 31, and the 90-year-old retiree is exploring options of selling the rink and two parcels totaling 3 acres for $250,000 to Yakima Speedway owner Ted Pollock.In an unrelated deal, Pollock is examining the possibility of selling the speedway and surrounding property he owns to a developer.
Both ventures are far from becoming reality. Jill Brown, Richardson’s daughter, is helping coordinate the possible sale of the ice rink. She said her dad has the final say on any possible transaction and is considering Pollock’s offer. The hockey association has first right of refusal
This is sad to see.
Seems to be consistent across the country though, even in the deep rooted south.
See also this report about Montgomery Motor Speedway becoming a parking lot, and as I’ve mentioned in other comments South Hampton Motor Speedway that now sits idle between Emporia and the Norfolk area in Virginia.
As quick as some of these tracks go through owners, it’s possible that they don’t fully realize the responsibilitiy and cost involved until it’s too late.
I noted the Alabama track in the post. That fight is about as ugly as they come with apparent lying and deceit on both sides of the closing.
Yes, most certainly. The only winner there was the dealership.
Thanks for referencing my site. That was nice of you!
No problem Kevin H, I’ve been keeping a eye on your place for about a month.
I had a chance to attend a few races at Yakima, the old Rose City Speedway and Evergreen while spending a year in the Portland shipyard nursing a Navy Destroyer thru an upgrade.
I still maintain an interest in the area despite the distance from the area I currently reside.