2010 Vintage Karting Event At Batavia NY

[Gary Wlodarsky]

Yup, the very same Batavia from 30 years ago with a big downhill extension on one end and 2 monza banked turns added on the other end. It is a really fun track to drive. I will try to get a link of a video on here of a couple of us chasing each other around the track on a play day last month.

We have not decided any rules yet but we will want to include as may vintage type karts as we can.

Scott....I just drove by there when I picked up my Brand X just north of Syracuse...wow...forgot all about...I said 30 years ,,,it was more like 40...
(early 70s)

maybe we can head down to Max Yasgurs farm afterwords...........
Gary

[Jeff Troy]

Hi, Guys,

I visited the track for the vintage event in 2003, and participated in the last two vintage events that were held there, memory says 2004 and 2005. Absolutely fabulous track and very nice facilities. 2003 was packed, 2004 was also very nice, but attendance was poor for 2005. I've heard -- though do not see why -- that there was an issue with moderns running on the same days.

Anyway, if business permits, I'd be there.

I'd love to see this one back on the books. Best of luck with organizing a super event.

Warmest regards,

[Russ Smith]

I sent an email to Jim Pelletterie and asked him about this. Following is his reply:

hey Russ, good to hear from you. I still enjoy the stuff you send. NYS is right behind California as a place not condusive to living but we are doing our best. I still am the president of the Batavia kart club and as of right now I have not had a conversation with our head vintage guy about a race at Batavia. The track is in limbo as the previous owners defaulted on the mortgage and taxes. there is interest in buying the track but it has not gone thru the courts yet. We hope we will be racing there next summer. If I hear any news I'll let you know. Jim

Russ

[Scott Kneisel]

Russ,
Maybe you misunderstood my original post.
I am only trying to see if there is anyone interested in having a vintage event at Batavia next year. I think I was clear that nothing is scheduled yet and the club schedule won't even be determined until the first quarter of 2010. Personally I am confident that the track issues will be rectified but that is neither here no there. I only want to get a read on the interest level. If we are able to pull off a purely vintage weekend and enough karters show up it will mean some good income for the struggling track.

[david a luciani]

hi Scott,

like i said Batavia is a great idea.
if Batavia does wash out lets still find an upper East coast track and have a meet.
i don't know about you but most of the mid country VINTAGE meets are hard for the guys that live on the East COAST to get to because of the expense.
I know there's a track in Loudon NH 1.6 miles that'll at least let us run during their regular schedule on the kart days.
i checked on mapquest and thats about 7.5 hours from batavia for you.
not the best option but i'm just throwing semi local to us tracks out there.
anyway i will definitely go to batavia if there's no conflict.
i have at least two sidewinders i can bring the cheetahs left and right .
it'd be neat to see the difference in the handling between the two i think.
depending on my mood i also might bring the gk1200 , it's running now or my 63 bug sprint which i'm doing the first assembly on, i've replaced the front axle and want to rough built and run it before i break it down for paint.
if hal goes i'll definitely bring one or the other so he has someone to play with.

dave

[Rob Voska]

Avon NY?

[Russ Smith]

Scott,
My only intent was to provide some information about the current state of affairs at the Batavia track. If they are in such dire straights, perhaps some of you East Coast guys could work out a really good deal to lease it??

[Scott Kneisel]

Rob,
I know that you, Bob and I talked about my approaching Avon for an event when I was at TBO. Since then I have found that the Batavia track is very vintage friendly and with Mike S. being a member of the club there it seemed like a good fit and I actually think the Batavia track is more fun than Avon. Mike has previously approached the club at Avon with no response.

If Batavia does not race next year, we will definitely approach the Avon club and also the Cherry Valley club near Syracuse, that is a nice track also. Both tracks only do modern kart races currently but who knows, vintage seems to be getting more popular, maybe they will let us in.

Sooner or later we will have a northeast event.

Dave,
Thanks for the info on the NH track. That would be a possibility for NY, NJ, PA, and New England but we might have a tough time convincing the mid states guys to travel that far. Never-the-less, it needs to be considered.

Russ,
Leasing the track.....Maybe and option if there would still be insurance.

Anyway there are at least 3 of us here in western NY that will be working on this and one from Ohio so I am hopeful we can get something in the works for 2010.

Thanks for all the input,
Scott

[Hal Kolding]

I would definitely be available in July or August (Except last week of August).......I am still teaching shop in June. Count me in to bring a couple of rear engine karts. I would be happy to have somebody ride with me to keep me awake on the drive. Hal in CT.

[Glen Annarumma]

I will be there and we have 4 or 5 other guys who will attend.