''I'm one degree smarter than an idiot."

[OreoGaborio]

Ya got that right, Mr. Bahre... ya bastid

http://www.boston.com/sports/article...tting_wealthy/

[Ken C]

Interesting. Actually, I'm going to see NASCAR this weekend with my mom and brother, who scoffed up some tickets. It should be interesting.

[a13x]

I posted this on the NEAR-List but I'll put it here as well:

From the Boston Globe:

Yet it was only several years ago that Bahre's track was under fire for conditions that were perceived as less than stellar. Within the span of two months in 2000, Adam Petty and Kenny Irwin died at NHIS in similar accidents entering Turn 3. In the September race that year, NASCAR fitted the cars with restrictor plates to slow their speeds, creating a snoozer of a show that Jeff Burton led from start to finish.

To improve NHIS, Bahre repaved the surface, widened the turns, and installed soft walls. Since then, NHIS has become one of the most sought-after racing facilities in the country -- and the 78-year-old Bahre said he isn't selling. NHIS is one of three family-owned Nextel Cup tracks, along with Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Pocono Raceway. The other Cup tracks are owned by International Speedway Corporation, Speedway Motorsports, and Dover Motorsports, all public companies, and Bahre said he enjoys not having to answer to a board or shareholders.

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This is interesting just due to the fact that it's the current situatin that Bahre currently faces with the AMA. He had to spend money to get the track to the point the premeire race came to town (or back to town). Granted NASCAR money is way way way bigger so your cost/returns are much larger.. but as it's been stated - Bahre has the money, he doesn't need anymore, and he's at least 'entertaining' the idea.


Wishful thinking I'm sure, but a interesting parallel.

[benVFR]

It'd be very interesting to know if tracks which are owned by the publicly traded companies are MORE likely to make safety improvements because of differences in liability, or less likely to make improvements in safety because it affects profitability?

Of course increased safety may increase profits, but the thing is motorcycle racing just isn't popular, which sucks cause the racing seems to be so much better then most car racing right now.

[a13x]

Originally posted by benVFR
It'd be very interesting to know if tracks which are owned by the publicly traded companies are MORE likely to make safety improvements because of differences in liability, or less likely to make improvements in safety because it affects profitability?

Of course increased safety may increase profits, but the thing is motorcycle racing just isn't popular, which sucks cause the racing seems to be so much better then most car racing right now.

I'd say Less Likely to make Changes due to Profibility if it's publically owned.

Personally I work for a huge privately owned company (1 guy) and we do TONS of things that a publically traded company probably never would do. It's great!

[Hardcore]

Originally posted by a13x
I'd say Less Likely to make Changes due to Profibility if it's publically owned.

Personally I work for a huge privately owned company (1 guy) and we do TONS of things that a publically traded company probably never would do. It's great!

can I get a job with you?