Any OG members still around here from back around '03ish. I was living in Tampa for about a year and met a bunch of cool people, wondering if any are still around here or would remember me an my E46 M3. Used to run the Spectator drags at what now is the Freedom Factory

 

How about some of what you know about the spectator drags and Freedom Factory?
Maybe starting with what city?
Newer members don't know any of the stuff that was done back in the day.

Tampa Racing has been collecting some racing history stories and videos.
here is where they are:
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Abandoned tracks in Florida area and other places (updated)
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...s-fl-area.html

Bonneville History
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...e-history.html

Daytona History
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...a-history.html

Drag Racing History
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/dr...ml#post9366328

This link has some historic drag racing pics.

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/dr...pics-ever.html

Local historic drag racing track Twin City Oldsmar

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...florida-4.html

Indianapolis History

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...ml#post9373490

24 Hours of Lemans history

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...s-history.html

Lime Rock Park history

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/au...rock-park.html

Pikes Peak racing history
Is Pikes Peak a road Race?

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...ml#post9362624

History of Race Cars

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...ml#post9370578

Road Racing History
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/g...g-history.html

Sebring history

The way to part 2 "A brief History of Sebring Raceway" is here:
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/g...-40-posts.html

This was the original brief history of Sebring part 1
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/general-car-chat/816701-sebring-raceway-brief-history-part-1-has-now-exceeded-40-posts-115-posts.html
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A bit of stock car racing history

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...ml#post9362625

Tying some Tampa Racing history together with links: Tampa International Raceway (Fair Grounds)

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...l-raceway.html
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At the shop forum, all videos are free.

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/t...ml#post9438226

At the shop forum, all videos are free.

37k shares

Welcome To The Freedom Factory: Cleetus McFarland’s Racetrack

By Brian Havins February 03, 2020We’re willing to bet that most of you grew up playing with cars, trucks, and other automotive toys as kids. Digging around in the dirt, jumping cars, while making engine sounds was a typical Saturday for us. Over the years, our passion transitioned from small toys to real ones, and we can be found working on them every chance we get.

One YouTube star that goes by the name Cleetus McFarland is into cars as well. He has built some insane creations which he races, does massive burnouts, and even drives on the streets. But here lies the problem. If you need to make YouTube content with your crazy fleet of vehicles, you only have a couple of options. You can either wait on race events or take your chances on the streets. While most YouTubers have done both. The streets are not a haven when it comes to entertaining content. Sure, you can get away with some stuff, but sooner or later, these actions will catch up with you.

So what’s a famous YouTube gearhead to do? If you’re Cleetus McFarland and you want to do hoonigan things with your friends, the solution is simple. You buy a racetrack. While this may seem like just a dream for most of us, McFarland made it happen.



McFarland and crew were able to purchase an abandoned race track formally know as DeSoto Speedway, which is right next to Bradenton Motorsports Park. A quick google search tells us that this 65-acre property with the racetrack was opened in the 1970s and has changed hands several times over the years. The property was foreclosed and went up for auction in March of 2019. While we don’t know the details of the transaction, it’s evident that McFarland and crew were able to snag this jewel, which they have dubbed, the Freedom Factory.

We are looking forward to what Cleestus McFarland has in store for the Freedom Factory. The team will now have this newly owned property to shred tires, spool turbskies, and release all of the bald eagles possible while not having to deal with the common problems associated with streets.

 

YouTube star Cleetus McFarland buys Desoto Speedway in Manatee County

YouTube Star Cleetus McFarland Buys DeSoto SpeedwayBy Rick Adams | January 31, 2020 at 10:22 PM EST - Updated February 3 at 9:52 AM MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) -

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2020/02/0...anatee-county/

There will once again be a lot of action at the Desoto Speedway in eastern Manatee County. A YouTube star is now the proud owner of this property.

It’s always been a dream for Cleetus McFarland to own a racetrack. That dream is now real for the popular YouTube sensation and car enthusiast.

“We’ve been on an everlasting search for a place or a playground for our creations our cars that we build everyday, for our shows on our YouTube channel," said McFarland. "What better than an abandoned speedway that we can fix up and make exactly how we want it.”

The 63-acre speedway site opened back in the 1970s but has sat empty for the last two years. The plan is to have a place for fans of McFarland to come and he has many. More than 1.7 million people subscribe to his YouTube channel. They will now shoot a lot of their videos here and eventually host speedway related events that the public can enjoy.

“We hope to run some very successful events, boost the economy in the town, bring people in from all over the world and show them how great of an area Bradenton and Sarasota is,” said McFarland.

McFarland and his team says they will refer to this racetrack as the Freedom Factory.

“We’re hoping to put on a show for the people out here, you know bring back the legacy of this American historic racing track,” said McFarland.
The purchase price of the speedway has not been disclosed.

Cleetus and Cars will be the first public event at the Desoto Speedway. That event is scheduled to take place on November 20th and

 

Get ready! It’s the Freedom 500 – a Redneck-style Daytona race with me, Cleetus and my friends racing 21 NOS equipped Crown Vic’s in a 100-lap race around our new home track, the Freedom Factory.

RACE INFO:

• Thursday Night April 2, 2020
• Broadcast starts at 7pm EST
• Race starts at 9pm EST
• 100 Laps at Freedom Factory
• 21 Nitrous-equipped Crown Vic’s
• Cleetus & Friends, 21 drivers entered

The Freedom 500 Pay-Per-View Event

So, you wanted this, and this is how you’re gonna get it! Figure out which one of your friends is going to foot the bill. Then click the “buy ppv” button above and create your account. Remember, this is ONLY a PPV event… no spectators!

On the day of the event, get all your buddies together and come back to this page. Log in and you’ll be able to watch the event right here. For a better viewing experience you can hook up your laptop to a TV or airplay it to a monitor. That way your friends aren’t leaning over your shoulder spilling Mountain Dew on your laptop.

Below are some ways you can get help if you’re having any issues viewing the PPV event or have questions regarding your account. The best and easiest way to get help is to use the Customer Service chat by clicking on the little red circle in the bottom left of the page.

The Drivers

Get ready for Freedom. All my buddies and your favorite YouTuber’s… all live, real live positioning, tracking, announcers, plus some crazy insane surprises. Cleetus has dropped the money on the cars, upgrades, roll cages, and the production staff to try to pull off the most epic race in history.

With a combined 14.5m+ Social Media followers, these drivers have plenty to prove and nothing to lose… so get ready to watch em’ let er’ rip!

FREEDOM 500 DRIVERS LIST

1. Cleetus (of course)

2. James

3. Cooper

4. Kyle (Boostedboiz)

5. Emilio (Boostedboiz)

6. Brent (PFI Speed)

7. Jamie (PFI Speed)

8. Adam LZ

9. Blake Wilkey (Shreddy Lyfe)

10. Jeremy (Fasterproms)

11. George (Fasterproms)

12. Leo (SXSBlog)

13. Nick (SXSBlog)

14. Doug (SXSBlog)

15. Justin (Street Car Takeover)

16. Mike Vargas (Angel Motorsports)

17. John Vargas (Angel Motorsports)

18. Justin (JH Diesel)

19. Bad Chad (JH Diesel)

20. Victor (Bradenton Motorsports Park)

21. Taylor Ray (drift boi)

The Track – FREEDOM FACTORY

McFarland and crew were able to purchase an abandoned race track formerly known as DeSoto Speedway, which is right next to Bradenton Motorsports Park. A quick google search tells us that this 65-acre property with the racetrack was opened in the 1970s and has changed hands several times over the years. The property was foreclosed and went up for auction in March of 2019.

Cleetus McFarland

TEAM CLEETUS

Cooper Bogetti

TEAM CLEETUS

James Taal

TEAM CLEETUS

(Info subject to change)

 

His commercial ends around 1 min 30 seconds.....
The track potholes start around 9 min 30 seconds.....

 

Cutting a new hole to the track....
Removing a wall.....
Laying new asphalt....
Food and alcohol license....
and paid admissions!

 

 

Renovating an Abandoned Race Track part 8

 

Renovating part 9