I've been out of the drag loop for a long time, (since sunshine went 1/8 mile) so what's the reader's digest version? This Todd guy run the place, lost his lease so he trashed it? and what is the tie in between him and Desoto (now called BMP I guess). I know the roundy round stuff went to Punta Gorda after the hurricane wiped out their stuff but I understand that it's going to open soon as well. I know the kart racers would sure like to be back there.

 

Todd ran Sunshine (now Showtime) as well as events at Bradenton. Yoho outbid Todd for the lease, so Yoho took over. Todd decided to take most of the track with him . All the way down to torching the time boards at the back of the track. The track needs to be updated badly so some of what this guy did helped, a lot did not though.

Todd moved the 1/8th mile events he was running to BMP along with cement barriers etc. that he took from Sunshine. The good standing bleachers he gave to the dirt bike track next door. Basically the way I see it, he is so spiteful about having to leave he does not give a rats ass about the racers/community, so in his own selfish rage he puts the new leaseholders months behind by demolishing the track.

The circle track will be open soon as well with drift events and regular weekly points races, karts will be back, a lot stuff will be back to how it used to be years ago hopefully. The circle track is in pretty good condition, it's been used for years as a Toll testing center for sunpass etc., so the city just has to vacate and remove some equipment, but not a lot.

The 1/8th mile is getting NHRA events and will be a HUGE boost to the local economy. It could have already been this way but the previous owner just did not care. The 1/8th mile scheduled opening was June 1st from what they said at the ground breaking ceremony, I see someone posted they said May 1st on the news though, so maybe something has changed.

The owner/leaseholder Robert Yoho does not have experience running a track, but his brother runs the Dade City Motocross which he's been doing for about 30 years so he does have a great mentor to help him with things. Robert owns a pretty big towing company as well.

Robert Yoho seems to be a good ole' southern boy. He also seems honest and sincere about doing what he's intended to do. The damage that was done hurt his budget a bit so that could delay things. He explains that he doesn't expect to make a lot of money out of this project, but he wanted to see the area get back to the roots it's been so widely known for.

 

i went to school with Yoho's son. kid was a major asshole.

 

Anyone heading out there tomorrow

 

Meeting went well.... Cant wait for opening day