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Ocala Speedway Is Taking Shape
by BJ Cavin
Grading underway under the lights Friday night as Michael Peters shows two
racers the continuing work.
As most people are caught up in the hub-bub that the final weeks before
Christmas tend to create, the staff at Ocala Speedway is continuing daily
efforts to get the track ready for some dirt track action early next year. So far
nature has been more than cooperative with that effort, providing warm
temperatures and not a hint of rain. But that all changes for the weekend with
possible heavy rain predicted, so on Friday the lights were switched on and
the work continued into the night. The track will be locked tight on Saturday as
everyone allows the rain to give the staff, and especially track owner Michael
Peters, a much needed day off.
The entire racing surface is now covered with about 14 inches of clay.
However, more clay is needed to fill in at the bottom of the turns, especially in
turns 1 and 2. That clay should be arriving on Monday and will be spread into
place. Meanwhile the task at hand was getting the track somewhat ready for a
possible deluge from the weather, and that involved the first grading of the
clay and a good round of packing. That should hold the clay in place and
allow most of the rain to run off, then work can resume by Monday morning.
Those who raced at Ocala Speedway before the track was paved might be
interested to know that this new track will not be like the old one. When the
track was paved it was thought to be too narrow, so about 10 feet was added
to the bottom before the asphalt was applied. Now that new clay is being
added over the asphalt the track is again being widened, this time by yet
another 6 to 8 feet, making this version of Ocala Speedway a full 16 feet wider
than the old dirt track was. There have been no changes to the overall layout
of the track except adding more racing room down low, and the overall slope of
the banking remains near 7 degrees.
As has been the case throughout the process of resurfacing the track, racers
and fans continually drop by to see the changes for themselves, and Michael
Peters is more than happy to show off his new creation. So far approximately
340 loads of clay have been added to Ocala Speedway, and it is estimated
that up to 60 more loads may be needed to finish the project completely. That
clay is scheduled to begin arriving on Monday, and after it is in place the work
of grooming, grading, and packing, can begin in earnest. The track will be
continually worked until late in January when the first open practice sessions
are planned.
Even with the actual track in place, there are other major projects to tackle
before the gates open in late February/early March. One project is the front
stretch wall which needs to be extended to provide more protection for the
fans. The plan is to install a guardrail above the existing wall, but other
options are currently being researched. The thought is that a guardrail may
obstruct the fans' view of the track so maybe something less bulky might do
the job, especially since the frontstretch is protected with one of the top catch
cable systems in Florida.
Another project is increasing the capacity of the turn 4 retention area and
reworking the drain that allows excess water to flow under turn 4 and out of the
speedway. Once that is done, barriers will be installed to keep cars from
possibly ending up in the retention area, and from crossing the infield at
various points. There is also a plan in place to create a true "winner's circle"
in the infield in front of the flag pole. Water from the retention area can be
used to wet the track, or can be pumped out of the facility if needed. The rest
of the infield is being protected to preserve the grass that is there now, and
not allow the infield to become an eyesore as is the case with so many dirt
tracks. And then there is that figure 8 X in the middle, which at some point will
be used on a regular basis again. While it will not be covered in dirt now, that
could happen sometime in the not so distant future.
Many other projects remain to be done as well, including the continuing work
on the existing facilities with upgrades, cleaning, and other details. A
completely new staff must be hired to accent the staff additions and
modifications that have already been announced, and that process will begin
the second week in January during a week long job fair. More information on
the job fair will be forthcoming. And in addition, Michael Peters is attempting to
field 30 to 50 calls a day on both the speedway phone and his personal phone
as well. Some of those calls and messages have not been answered promptly
because of all of the work that is ongoing, but Peters promises that as more
gets done there will be more time to discuss issues concerning drivers and
fans.
Time is an issue because of the approaching holidays. While every effort is
being made to get the work done, Ocala Speedway is a family and family time
over the holidays is very important. Work will resume on Monday morning and
will continue on a daily basis until the holidays, then resume again after the
New Year. And in addition, the rules are being tweaked and more division
rules are close to being posted at www.OcalaSpeedway.com.
And although many have asked, begged, pleaded, and even offered favors,
Michael Peters insists that no practice laps will be allowed until the first open
practice in late January. But he welcomes drivers and fans who wish to see
the continuing work and want to drop by the speedway on weekdays.
Although the work may not allow him to be as friendly and outgoing as he
might like to be, there is no harm in watching him work.
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