The hopes for racing at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl for the 2017 season took a strange turn for the third consecutive day late Tuesday.
A statement released Tuesday evening pulled back on a Sunday announcement that the track would soon be leased and that racing would likely begin before the end of June.
Chuck Coursey, a spokesperson who is working with a law firm representing track owner Bruce Bemer, said in a statement: “Although any announcement regarding a possible aggreement to lease the New London-Waterford Speedbowl for the upcoming season is premature, management is working to preserve the upcoming season and jobs at the Speedbowl.”
Just before 11:30 p.m. Sunday the hopes of those around the New London-Waterford Speedbowl racing community rocketed when an announcement was posted on the track’s Facbeook page and website.
The text of the posting that was made on Sunday is below:
NEW LONDON WATERFORD SPEEDBOWL RELEASES RACING
PLANS FOR THE 2017 SEASON
The Management of the New London Waterford Speedbowl is pleased to announce that there is currently a working agreement for the Speedbowl to be Leased for the 2017 racing season. Additional information will follow within the coming weeks but it is anticipated that racing will begin before the end of June. Updates will be posted on our website as well as our Facebook page as details are confirmed. An open practice will be scheduled prior to opening weekend. We thank all of our staff, drivers, fans and supporters for their patience and love of the race track and ask that you continue to be patient as final details are made. In the meantime …… LETS GET READY TO GO RACING!!
Mystery and questions have been the overriding theme concerning the immediate and long term future of the track since the legal issues were made public for Bemer in March, and that theme has held true since Sunday night.
At some point Monday afternoon the announcement was removed from the track’s Facebook site. It was also removed from the track’s website.
Track management was unavailable for comment on Sunday evening concerning the announcement, nor on Monday concerning its removal. Then came the statement on Tuesday night.
The track was originally scheduled to open May 6-7 for Blastoff Weekend. Track officials announced the postponement of Blastoff weekend on April 26. Until Sunday evening’s now erased announcement, there had been no other announcements made concerning the 2017 season since the April 26.
It is open already
Just for food though
I got a funnel cake and I ask if racing wi)l be here soon
They replied no but we have French fries to
A close source to me said that the track was never there
TC ROCCO DOUG ROWAN
THE 4 THAT ARE THE BEST EVER
WHEN STEFANIK WON HIS RACES
The tech guys did not look at cars like they do today
He was good too though
I like for young guys right now is Johnny walker in the legends and dare stock
Well I would say this is good news, may not happen as quickly as we all would like but sounds like something positive will happen at some point this season
Doesn’t look to promising at this point. Any one looking for two race ready S K L cars? 96′ and 08′ troyer. Too disgusted with this whole deal at Waterford . We have been waiting to hear anything definite. I ran there in the 80’s and now my son was racing there. we raced Waterford only . That is what our schedule allowed. Sadly we may have to sell if nothing soon is decided.
One thing is for sure. It’s time to stop using words like strange, puzzling or odd to describe anything related to the historic track. All those adjectives can be replaced by normal at this stage.
Steve is right. It’s worse then it was on Sunday night but still better then it was a week ago when no one was saying boo and hope nonexistent. What’s wrong with being optimistic? In the meantime I’ll be appreciating the SK’s and SK Light cars that have come to Stafford and provided awesome car counts and competition.
Where did you get your statement from?
Its not on the website, nor Facebook, or any credible news source.
You seem to be the only one who is reporting this, is it an exclusive?
Anyone working on those grandstands? That was the big reason for the delay….right?
The Trump campaign/administration make this Waterford debacle look normal.
Diversions, distractions, lies, BS, retractions, trumpery, promises, empty promises, walk-backs, yada-yada-yada, blah-bah-blah-blah-blah.
Doug, being optimistic is wonderful. Being delusional is something else.
Teams, the employees, staff, fans, sanctioning body, fans, series, fans, etc. have all made it clear they are not supporting the track as long as Bemer is still the owner. They have pulled out and made it clear they are not going to be involved with the track. Without the cars, teams, series, staff, etc., and oh yeah, those paying customers, there is nothing going on at the track. Nothing.
At this point, Bemer would be better off to just go radio silent for a few months and let this blow over. All these false starts are hurting the cause.
Hardtobelieveanything,
It came from track management. It’s stated pretty clearly in the story. If you don’t believe it to be true or don’t consider this site to be a “credible news source” I’m sorry to hear that. Not sure why you would be here reading the information or commenting in the first place if you don’t think this is a credible news source or you think we would just make up a statement out of thin air and publish it.
And how soon before the retraction is retracted?
It’s funny that the people that are all complaining about Shawn writing about “negativity” are the same exact people that constantly spewing negativity about any race track or series that’s currently open, and when the Speedbowl does finally open those same people will spend every week posting negativity about that track too because that’s exactly what they did before the Bemer arrest and that’s what they will always do.
Shawn was right when he first wrote about the odd timing of the original post by the Speedbowl and he’s right now.
Is anybody really surprised by this? This is not rocket science people. This is how I see it, apparently the track is not frozen or none of this world be talked about, apparently there are people that have serious interest in the track so it is pretty obvious that there is something stopping any and all scenario’s of getting something accomplished. There are but only 2 inevitable announcements that matter. Eventually it will be announced that yes racing is on for what ever date,or sorry folks no racing this year. Until either of those are announced then it’s all jibber jabber.
The fact that there are possibilities of opening is a good thing as it means it’s not a dead issue……..yet
Hey Da-Real-Liberal-Fella! Quit ya whining about ypur Liberal crook hillaries loss, go get your Pocahontas in 2020 sign for the front lawn and keep waiting for your monthly handout check that society owes you to arive in your mail box!
At this point, the track has to be sold. It will not operate or survive under the present ownership.
Since the court is acting as a custodian and overseeing the assets of Bemer, the court has to realize that fair market value of the track has been destroyed by this situation. Bemer will have to accept that he is going to realize a huge loss on the sale of the track. No avoiding it. That loss on the sale is probably the smallest loss he can experience, and he will see far greater losses if he attempts to operate the track.
An immediate sale of the track to a reasonable offer is probably the best that could happen for Bemer, and actually reduce his future accumulated losses associated with the track. His expenses and losses on the track are piling up day by day. He has to realize soon that he will never operate the track again, and he has to cut his losses.
Finally, a real statement. That wasn’t that hard. That’s all they needed to do. Obviously some people on here think Facebook ramblings are official statements. Nothing you can do about that. So, essentially if they aren’t opening this year they don’t have to say anything further.This statement covers it. No promises, nothing saying there will be future announcements. Just states there is nothing happening now. PR 101. Most folks have figured out it ain’t opening this year. The rest are living in fantasy land.
NH Mark, when the staff left, sanctioning left, series’ left, teams left, etc., it was obvious the track was not opening. The track cannot operate without those participants. There are many completely clueless Deplorables that think they are “owed” something, that they are the victims, and that Bemer will open and operate the track at enormous losses just so they can go play cars. They are oblivious to the obvious.
The track will never operate with Bemer still owning it. The track has to be sold before it will operate again.
You want to hear some real optimism how about this. As a kid growing up the Danbury RaceArena was the perfect way to spend a Saturday night. Very successful racing venue even when it closed. It closed because they were putting up a mall. Ironic seeing as how the web is killing malls across the country but the point is there was no coming back from that. There is definitely hope coming back for Waterford. Sooner prehaps but assuredly at some point it is almost certain the track with continue.
There indeed is a glimmer and only a fool would state unequivocally that the season is doomed since we know work is going on behind the scenes. And only a fool would state unequivocally that people and teams would not turn out. It’s the Speedbowl man. Iconic.
Read what the attorney rep said. Unless I am missing something, they are not saying they are leasing it, they want to preserve the season however they are not selling it either. They are leaving the situation is wide open. Beamer will not sell and there will be a new front man in charge. The track will open for a couple of special events to satisfy the grandfathers clause and my guess they are the MTS and MRS events using their staff assisted by what staff the Bowl can put together with catered food and beverage. My opinion.
I hope Bemer isn’t spending too much on legal assistance with all the free rock solid advice Dafake is offering up. What a wealth of knowledge. No one knows what will yet transpire and you might as well change this site to SpeculateCT .
It should be darealdaknowitall……….
You are missing something humphry. Lease arrangement, premature. It’s still on the table. But the observation about limited events for what ever reason is very good speculation. And speaking of speculation and what if’s what’s wrong with that. You want hard news read the article and be done with it.Message boards are specifically designed for speculation and what if’s. The only thing less valuable to a conversation is a self righteous person speculating on why speculating is bad in a place specifically designed for speculation.
The sole reason the track gave for not opening was the grandstands. Are they fixed and are we ready to go?
Optimism is good. But there comes a point where you gotta get real.
With all that has transpired online in various forums, here, FB, etc. it is conclusive beyond reasonable doubt that the track cannot survive if owned by Bemer. Just the other day, the FB post was flooded with FANS saying they will never attend the track as long as Bemer owns it. The track promotes itself as a family fun place, and what Bemer has admitted to is not exactly family fun for the general population. Hence, the paying customers are staying away while Bemer owns it. Folks, a business needs customers. Bemer repulses customers.
The staff quit, sanctioning body pulled the sanction, race series cancelled their events at the track, fans won’t go, … what else do you need to understand that the track won’t survive with Bemer ownership? As it was with the “good” attendance levels, the track was barely surviving. That is evidenced by the poor maintenance. What will happen if only a small percentage of people show up? Far less revenue and the track implodes, bankruptcy.
Nobody is going to go to the track until they read in the news that the track has been sold. Well, maybe a couple cars will show up, and they will wonder why nobody else is there.
A lease agreement doesn’t help. Bemer will still own it, and people don’t want their money getting to Bemer in any way. That was made loud and clear online. The lease announcement was trashed and pulled in no time. A lease will not hide that Bemer still owns the track.
Those of you that are just blinded with rage that you are victimized and being punished for the track not being open have to get a grip. This isn’t about you.
The best thing that could happen for Bemer and the track is that Bemer sells the track, even at a loss, because he will never be able to operate the track under his ownership and not lose money on a recurring basis. He will end up losing more if he continues to own and attempts to operate the track. Once he attempts to operate the track and it fails, it will indeed be a very distressed property and he will not get offers anywhere near what he paid, he will lose even more. Bemer needs to sell now before he loses even more.
Speculation requires judgement, incite and a touch of humility. Speculation concluding in certainty is a fools errand.
Who can forget those classic battles of Loyd and McCarthy side by side in Street Stocks.Lap after lap, slipping and sliding with neither giving and inch on one of the worst paved surfaces ever. It’s a newer surface and if I lived near the track I’d be there every week cause the racing is spectacular. Support will only enhance the chances of the tracks continued operation that in the longer term will certainly be under new ownership. Don’t support it if it opens and it may die for good
For all of you here that are not sure it’s spelled BEMER not BEAMER . At least get the owners name right .
As much as I love the Speedbowl, that man is a sicko. He deserves everything he gets. Even if it were to open I would not spend one red cent to support anything that has to do with him.
It’s been a long time. Could have replaced the grandstands by now.
Any status on the grandstands?
Patty, totally respect the emotion behind you comment. Here’s an alternative view.
At 63 and having admitted to the crime, the accused’s life and fortune is effectively over. Lawyers and victims will divide his wealth and his only fight left concerns the plea bargain and the reception in prison that I have heard is not friendly to those that have committed this type of crime. There is no red cent that that he could benefit from.
What yo9u are doing is punishing a lot of people. Teams, drivers, the employees at the track including the guy that fries the onions if they still do that. The engine builders, chassis fabricators, parts suppliers that make the competitors cars go. And you’re hurting the legacy of the Speedbowl and the chances of it’s survival. All for a red cent he’ll never see.
dareal that’s what I keep asking about. Nobody wants to say anything. Keeping pretty tight lipped about them. Maybe it’s a big surprise and they will be state of the art when they do open. Like the new stands at Daytona maybe.
Remember, that is the only reason they didn’t open.
This Doug clown not only is a warped creep but also has a brass pair.His alternative view is disgusting and no one has to respect it.
The poor guy who fries the onions.Are you kidding me.Sickos,and deplorables.That seems to be the order of the day at the glorious speedbowl.I continue to be blown away.I would never go to the speedbowl.It might be contagious.
Doug, Patty isn’t doing anything you said. People that refuse to spend money at the ‘Bowl are doing what they want, and that is protesting against Bemer. Bemer brought this all on himself. Blame Bemer for all the problems. It’s a version of voting with your wallet or purse. If the track goes away, blame Bemer, he did this.
I don’t know if the Speedbowl will open or not but am pretty confident if it does the people that enjoy it’s entertainment will attend at acceptable levels. As it should be.
If you are paying attention you may have read that legal action is currently in play to freeze the assets and put them under the oversight of the court. The first step in eventual dissolution of the assets. The court appoints a manager to oversee the asset(s) until civil suits run their course. So it follows that the more you vote with your dollars against the assets the more you penalize the eventual beneficiaries of the civil suits that are sure to win.
RacedayCt being web based invites comments from far and wide. Many from people that don’t attend the races there and therefore can afford to have a rich reservoir of self righteous moral fervor to draw on having nothing to lose. That’s fine.
People are smart. They’ll find out the accused is irrelevant in the equation and the Speedbowl hopefully will survive.
Doug wrote: “So it follows that the more you vote with your dollars against the assets the more you penalize the eventual beneficiaries of the civil suits that are sure to win.”
Sweet Jesus… now you are trying to say by not going to the track, the victims are being penalized? LOFL!!! You are pathetic. And profoundly selfish. So we should support the track to give more to the victims? LOFL!!!!
First of all, Bemer is charged with a Class C Felony, punishable by 1-10 years. Hiring people for sex is not something that is loading up the prisons. If so, much of the male population would be living in prisons right now. And Bemer is not going to be left destitute. So the victims are victims, they will get what they get, and patronage at the track if it should ever open will not change that at all.
I don’t think attending the track is a factor in a persons morality.
The information is all available on line. Some will have you believe that this is equivalent to patronizing a prostitute on Saturday night and getting caught in a sting operation. Generally human trafficking charges involving mentally disadvantaged young people and $500,000 bails involve something more. The civil suits, attempts to freeze assets, it’s all there. Even reference to attempts to turn the assets over to the court. And really, isn’t it pathetic to say the entire situation is monstrous on the one hand then to represent the actual charges as just one rung above a misdemeanor.
I support the every day people that have made the Speedbowl an iconic bull ring that has struggled through hard times and made it through. This is just one more chapter in the drama. To all the phony self righteous know it alls that would play the morality card using a fraction of the full story and have no connection to the tracks heritage you really are irrelevant.
Don’t let the naysayers get you down Speedbowl fans. People are bad, not race tracks.
Big show at Stafford tonight featuring the SK Lights postponed thank goodness. Those guys deserve a clear night to show us the goods and I can’t wait.
OMG dareal, much of the male population would be in prison right now for hiring people for sex. You need to stop and think before you throw that bomb out there. I am sick of reading your BS so do us all a favor, sign off and call it a day before you piss off more people!
Doug graduated from Trump University.
Doug, I’m glad to see you understand this is more than the regular Saturday night prostitute deal.
Why then can’t you understand that because of the extraordinary and heinous conditions with this case that people don’t want anything to do with the track as long as the current owner is associated with the track? The isn’t the “normal” prostitution, the world’s oldest profession, between consenting adults that you read about regularly. This is very different.
Good night, humphry.
Humphry, I think most people are well past the point of being pissed off at duh-real. It is clear where his opinion stands for the TRACK so I don’t think we will have to worry about him showing his face one the Bowl opens. Although I’m sure he will still be there with his tail between his legs paying to get in
Another alternative view.
Clearly I am not privy to the finances at NLWSB. However I think most people that have followed it would agree it is not a money maker. Racing enthusiasts with deep pockets have taken a gamble at intervals and come away dispirited and broken. The foreclosure and auction that went on forever. The never ending list of deferred maintenance and repairs there simply is never enough money to catch up with. Every owner has tried but in the end the Speedbowl could never be Stafford quality and all you could count on was good food, cold beer and great racing.
It’s not a stretch to say in a good year the facility makes very little money. Money that is quickly gone with more emergency repairs like the stands. And in a typical year when things go wrong as they always do the track is a historic loser. It therefore follows that if you indeed are successful in closing the track until an owner can be found that has the moral fiber you deem a prerequisite to lose money in the way you find acceptable you are indeed saving current ownership from additional losses. Shame on you.
The whole issue is Bemer. If he is not associated with the bowl, it has a chance. Hopefully it works out that way, we don’t need to lose a short track, because we all know there will not be one built to replace it. You can’t blame spectators and/or competitors and/or employees for not wanting to be associated with the situation. To say that by not going you are hurting the victims is absurd. They are victims, and if our legal system works they will be compensated for what that is worth. There is no monetary value for what alleged transpired. Hopefully, but not likely, this will come to a resolution sooner rather than later.
The Bowl could be a gold mine with the right team in place and as the saying goes “you have to spend money to make money”.
You also might want to do a little research and if you do I believe you will find the facility is grandfathered to operate as a race track in the Town and if it does not open during the season it will it loose that ability to operate as such.
Feel free to check it out! I think planning and zoning @ the Town Hall could help you out with the question. And if I am wrong about the grandfather clause then I stand corrected.
I stand corrected. Doug did not graduate from Trump University. He was one of the top professors.
The actions of the current ownership of the Speedbowl clearly is reprehensible and will be dealt with appropriately over time by the proper authorities.
Some would have us believe that the Speedbowl is an evil place. That if you are a competitor, work at the track or even go to one of the events should they have them you are also morally bankrupt as well. There’s bankruptcy afoot here. It’s the phony moral declarations of petty people seeking to punish the many that have done nothing wrong for the deeds of one person. One solitary person.
There is no pot of gold to be harvested if the season comes to life. That is the one issue naysayers have and it’s nonsense. A straw man to huge at night that justifies their sanctimonious ways. Only financial losses await the current ownership. What there is here for we fans is good food, cold beer, great racing and the resumption of a shoreline tradition. In the longer term there is proof that the facility is viable which can only enhance the possibility of a new owner taking the reigns and making a fresh start.
If they open go, don’t go it’s your choice as always. But if you think anyone cares about your judgment either way you would be wrong.
Doug said: “Another alternative view.”
See, he is one of those ‘alternative facts’ types.
There is no need for all these alternative views. There is only one fact.
Bemer.
This problem was caused by Bemer. Nobody wants to spend money at the track because of Bemer. The track is not viable without fans, also known as CUSTOMERS.
If you want to dream that Bemer will operate the track at a recurring loss, go ahead. You are facing a very rude awakening.
Those grandstands all ready to go?
Between doug and dareal I am not certain who can pile the BS higher. The philosofical crap that they throw out there is absolutely mind blowing! Let’s just turn this story over to them, sit back and watch the fur fly and may the biggest BS artist win.
I’m good. Said my piece and enjoyed the banter. I try to be entertaining and bring something to the table but if you are offended or disagree oh well.
I don’t know what everybody knows. Seems to me the Waterford faithful are scrupulously silent with regard this chit-chat. They as i will be faithful to the Speedbowl if it opens and will not give a thought to the the drama surrounding ownership. Good food, cold beer and great racing is what we are there for and let the judicial system sort out the rest.
So I’m in the shower washing a tough day of grading and prepping for mulch that troublesome area we all have in our yard and it hits me. humphry, a dagger. Right where it hurts. “The philosophical crap that they throw out”. Man, that’s painful. When I read “everyone says” I think High School 1968. Everyone says Shiela isn’t teasing her hair enough and it looks terrible. That’s philosophical? Everyone says.
The Speedbowl lives!
Doug, TMI on the shower LOL and obviously the dagger did not hit a vital organ or you would not be posting. I don’t get into the “everyone says” and I don’t believe I ever said that. Whether people support the bowl or not, that is their personal decision and like someone else said the courts will sort the rest of the BS out.
Happy Memorial Day everyone, Humphry out!
“Everyone says” was a reference to another post. Not you humphry. I was trying to get a chuckle out of you comparing my comments to someone I consider perpetually judgmental. Clearly I missed the mark cause you didn’t chuckle..
All of our personal decisions with no judgement. Bravo. That’s all I’m saying so agreed in full.
Oh you must mean darealdaknowitall, he’s my favorite, LOL! Good chatting with you and it is all good……
I fear this latest Speedbowl controversy was caused when the Russians hacked the Speedbowl FB page and spread fake news concerning the 2017 racing season. Perhaps after colluding with those “deplorable” Speedbowl supporters. As an American patriot I demand a special counsel be appointed to spend taxpayer money and investigate the situation. Heck I even heard a rumor that there is a confidential communications line between the Speedbowl “deplorables” and Russia! Be right back, the wind just blew my tinfoil hat off.
How is the repair and construction of the grandstands going?
Done yet?
If you are so interested about the grandstands dareal, get your butt out from behind your computer, get in your vehicle, drive down to the Speedbowl, check things out, demand an explanation of what is going on and an anticipated date for the completion/inspection of the project and and let us all know.
We will all eagerly await your response and good luck.
It’s thin but the New Haven Register had a story several days ago featuring an interview with one of the Speedbowls royal family, Adam Gada starting with this.
” Adam Gada is not sure he’ll ever race again at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl, a small Connecticut racetrack that has been part of his family’s life since it opened in 1951.”
Essentially he and I assume his entire clan have given up all but the most faint hope there will be racing this year. I would think the Gada family would know.
It’s been weeks since the grandstands were identified as the explanation the track not opening for the season. It’s been a long time, plenty of repairs and replacement could have happened, and a new opening date could be announced. After all, all those teams need time to get the cars ready, so a considerable lead time would be appropriate.
But still, I doubt a viable crowd will show up unless the track is sold.
So dareal, when will you be visiting the Speedbowl to give us an update on the progress of the stands? I am waiting for the darealdaBSartist report. Let’s go here and get us the unadulterated truth!
Dareal, the cars don’t need to be readied, they are. The drivers, crews and haulers are ready all that needs to be confirmed is a race date. You need to get down to the bowl and get a report on those pesky stands that seem to be holding everything up. Come on let’s go here!
humphry, you can’t handle the truth.
In an interview Hillary says the grandstand problem at the Speedbowl is one of the reasons she lost the election. We need some facts!
Make the speed bowl great. The grandstands are being expanded for all the millions of new fans Trump is bringing to the Speedbowl. These are new fans with plenty of disposable funds that will buy many great hot dogs, and a tremendous amount of huge, beautiful pretzels. Buhlieve me. It’s gonna be great.
Oh trust me dareal, I can handle the truth so why don’t you enlighten us what it is relative to the stands. What I can’t handle is the BS you consistently spew on a regular basis and a perfect example of that is Trump, hotdogs and pretzels. You are absolutely precious!
The bowl would open if the concession stands would serve up an awesome piece of chocolate cake.The best we’ve ever seen.