thunder mountain changes name and ownership

[racinrebel]

Thunder mountain speedway is now owned and operated by the nesmith cheverolet crate dirt late model series and they have changed the name of the track to fort payne motor speedway. the nesmith cheverolet dirt late model series will also be moving there headquarters to fort payne motor speedway. they will be having two big crate races. to check out the complete schedule and more on the new fort payne motor speedway go to nesmithracing.com

[bw15]

Is that the only classes they will be running? And will that be the only time they race is the late model events??

[sct23]

if they race every week what night are night are they racing

[5racefan]

i got on there and didnt see anything about the track nor any rules i believe he is gonna be dissapointed in the cars becuase everyone cant just build a ride in one day???

[t39racer]

this came from there website under "schedule"
" The July 4th Holiday weekend will see a return to track it has previously visited with a new name. Fort Payne Motor Speedway will host a two-day 75-lap $5,000-to-win race on July 3-4. Fort Payne Motor Speedway is now owned and operated by the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series, and is being completely revamped."

[27thompson27]

so has anybody heard if fpms is just running crate lates or all classes , and what are the rules,and is there a web site.or are we going to have to travel out of state to get or kicks.

[srt17]

I don't see how they can call it Fort Payne motor speedway.... It is not in Fort Payne..Does Ft Payne city limits go that far ? I know it is just a name thing... But it doesn't make sense to me..

[sct23]

fort payne is there address but i think thunder mountain was a better name but that dont matter i guess. went by there today and somebody was there. i just wished they would let us know if they are going to race every weekend and if so what rules. we just bought another hobby car and since fpms is closer i would rather go there. Boyds Speedway will be kicking off in a few weeks. if we dont hear something soon about fpms i guess we will set our 3 cars up for Boyds. and stay there.

[dirtracer23]

i spoke with mr.ford and he said he would have a website up before the end of the week.he is planning to run all classes but is planning on running on friday nights.thats the only problem i have with the new track and he seemed like a very friendly guy to me.he said he's planning maybe a practice by the end if march.we'll have to see!

[car13]

Thunder Mountain gets new name, new operator
By Lew Gilliland
The Times-Journal

Published January 25, 2008

After sitting idle for most of 2007, Thunder Mountain Speedway will come back to life this spring with a new operator, a new name and a shorter track.

Marvin Ford, a long-time racer from Rome, Ga., has signed a three-year lease agreement and is renaming the dirt track Fort Payne Motor Speedway. Under the agreement, Ford will have the option to purchase the speedway at any time during the lease period, and the lease can be renewed for another three years.

The speedway is in Fyffe but has a Fort Payne address.

“When I found it had a Fort Payne address, then it was a no-brainer for me to change the name,” Ford said.

The address isn’t the only reason for the change. Ford hopes the new name will encourage track visitors to frequent hotels and other businesses in Fort Payne and DeKalb County.

The change will alert visitors of the track’s proximity to the city, he said.

Ford said having a relationship with the local community is a critical part of his plans.

“It’s very important,” he said. “The community is what is going to make us successful or not. I want to do programs with the high schools. We want to be involved with the fire department and with the police efforts. We want to get kids involved. And, we want to bring revenue in the community.”

Ford raced weekly for 25 years before leasing and operating Gadsden Speedway in Hokes Bluff in 1988. He leased and operated Green Valley Speedway in Glencoe from 1989-1996. Since then, he has raced two or three special events per year while also working at various tracks.

Ford will partner with Mike Vaughn of Cartersville, Ga., and David Turner of Dawsonville, Ga., for race operations.

Vaughn is the founder of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. Ford is the series’ technical director. Turner is a long-time racer and private businessman.

Fort Payne Motor Speedway will be part of the NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series, which includes tracks in multiple states. Drivers at each track compete for regional points. At the end of the season, the top six drivers at each track and the top six in each region will be invited to the Fall Nationals at Columbus, Miss., on Nov. 28-29.

Vaughn said weekly racing at the speedway will likely begin in April. He hopes to have an open house — including an auction, trade day and practice session — in late March.

The NeSmith Chevrolet National Series will make stops at the speedway July 3-4 and Sept. 21.

The NeSmith Series began in 2005 as Crate Racin' USA. It was known as the StormPay Series the next two seasons. NeSmith Chevrolet became the title sponsor this year.

The series will maintain an office at the speedway, and that’s not the only change race fans will notice.

The track is being shortened from about fourth-tenths of a mile to about three-eighths. Robby Helm of Athens, Tenn., who serves as series president of operations and communications, said the smaller track should make it easier for fans to watch and help drivers reduce wear and tear on their equipment. He said the change will also make for closer and better racing.

The national series made a stop at the speedway in 2006, and series officials were impressed with what they saw.

“We just thought it was a good race track and was supported well by the community,” Vaughn said. “When you came in the gate over there, you felt welcomed. With the improvements and things we’re doing ... we’ve got an opportunity to really showcase the place.”

Fort Payne Motor Speedway has struggled for most of this decade and featured a limited race schedule last year. Ray Barksdale, Dale Wilkins, Katherin George are the primary owners. There are also some minor investors.

Barksdale said he was happy the owners found someone with the knowledge and finances to run the track, and he had no problem with the name change.

Barksdale said he wouldn’t be surprised if Ford and his partners eventually buy the facility.

“I believe if it does well and everything, that they will,” he said. “They know what they’re doing. Everything looks promising. I think everything they’ve done so far is going to be good for it.”



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[sct23]

Anymore news on website

[lb82]

www.fortpaynemotorspeedway.com/

[27thompson27]

wow, not much difference in a hobby and b hobby rules are they, 6oo cfm carb in a hobby

[27thompson27]

I have all american racer tires, will we be able to use these until a certin date, or strictly hoosier tires from day one ?

[tridgnicar]

I looked up the address and the race track is in Fort Payne, can't wait til we can race on it. I see they are still working on there web site.