Ok, Jeff, RR, Bell & Bell....

Yesterday, the owner of the Colonial Downs horse race track in Virginia between Richmond and Hampton on I-64 announced he was suspending horse racing at the track because of a dispute with the Virginia racing commission.

This nice little mile and 1/4 dirt track (flat) has already hosted AMA Flat Track Motorcycle racing and is just waiting to hear the rumble of stock cars! What kinda gear do you run on dirt 1,290 foot straights? Site already has enclosed heated and air conditioned seating to keep the dust off the dirt fans! Here's your chance!

Colonial Downs owner: Racetrack to shut down Nov. 1

P. KEVIN MORLEY/Times-Dispatch

Thoroughbreds won't be racing at Colonial Downs in the foreseeable future after the owner said the track will shut down Nov. 1

Posted: Wednesday, October 15, 2014 10:45 am

BY CAROL HAZARD Richmond Times-Dispatch

Colonial Downs racetrack in New Kent County will cease operations Nov. 1.

Jeffrey Jacobs, chairman and CEO of Jacobs Entertainments Inc. of Golden, Colo., which owns the racetrack, told the Virginia Racing Commission this morning that he has turned over his operating license for Colonial Downs, making good on a threat he made earlier this month.

"Dramatic change is necessary to move Virginia racing forward," Jacobs told the commission. "The glory days have faded into memory and the Virginia Thoroughbred is well on its path to to demise."

He took the action at the beginning of the racing commission's meeting, before the panel had a chance to vote on a proposal backed by Colonial Downs to support a new separate horsemens group the Old Dominion Thoroughbred Horsemens Association. Colonial Downs had said the new group shares its vision for fewer thoroughbred races and higher purses.

Jacobs said he determined the racing commission didn't intend to support the new group.

Colonial Downs and the original horsemen's group - Virginia Horsemens Benevolent and Protective Association - have been arguing over the length of a racing schedule since January. There was no racing this summer as a result, for the first time in the tracks 17-year history.

Once Colonial Downs closes, Jacobs said it is doubtful that the track will reopen, even though he still plans to hold onto ownership of the track to see what happens.

By closing on Nov. 1, it will allow the current harness meets to continue without disruption.

Colonial Downs said its 75 employees at the racetrack and the remaining three off-track betting parlors, including the one on West Broad Street near Staples Mill Road, will have their jobs eliminated Nov. 1.

The commission - whose mission is to promote, sustain, grow and regulate a native horse racing industry in Virginia - is meeting this morning at the General Assembly Building.

Colonial Downs is the only track in Virginia with an unlimited license to run a pari-mutuel wagering race course in the state.

Colonial Downs said earlier this month it would to shut down unless the commission approved its 10-year contract with the fledgling Old Dominion Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association.

Its deal with this new group called for three days of racing with purses of $1 million or more and 17 additional days of weekend racing.

In years past, summer racing at Colonial Downs was eight to nine weeks with 30 to 45 race days. Last year, the schedule was shortened to accommodate the trace to five weeks and 25 race days.

While Colonial Downs is the only track in Virginia with an unlimited license to run a pari-mutuel wagering race course in the state, the Virginia Gold Cup applies for a limited license for each spring and fall meet.

The Virginia Gold Cup runs two Thoroughbred races a year one in the spring and the other in the fall at its Great Meadow site in The Plains. The next race is Oct. 25 with a purse of $280,000.

chazard@timesdispatch.com

I'd race it! Where's my sprint car at?

Eric, a Sprint car on a flat track? with over, way over a quarter mile straights? and you would have to back a car into the turn to even navigate it starting just after the flagstand. O wait thats how they do it in Syracuse but its only a mile . I can only imagine the thrill of backing into a corner there with no wing.

Now as far as spectators go that grandstand would be a winner even in the chilly spring or fall OR the dead heat of the summer.

The garage area,would it be in stalls?

Now how about full bady vehicles? You see the trucks at Eldora, now imagine that at Virginia Horsetrack.

Yup I can see Bobby in that 300 hanging it out to dry or The mighty Bill Tripp and the 6 pac to go screaming down that back stretch. Even the Bell n Bell #39 hang ten on the far turn coming to the flag.

Or the quiet spoken black 40 Ford #2 of Bill Blair giving chase to another healthy Flathead like maybe David Pearsons neat flathead sedan.

Hey Dave you could work your PR magic there and have a heck of a blowout, just think no jeans or cigarettes, just good ol;d time fun -- Now that will sell!!!

A young man's project, Johnny! Then again, "Money talks, nobody walks!"

Here's what the motorcycles looked like on the horse track earlier this year:

The horse track would be just a nice little day trip tow from Shallotte and Myrtle Beach, with time to stop in Wilson for BBQ!

We were there for both AMA flat track races. It is a beautiful facility. We were fortunate to get seats in the fourth floor Jockey Lounge both years, closed circuit TV, bar, buffet, balcony...outstanding show and accommodations. The pits would require some major rework to accommodate cars, but I believe there is plenty of space to work with. It could be a major attraction as an auto race facility plus I am told that perhaps two AMA flat track events are in the works for 2015. The location and the existing facilities could be a real crown jewel for motor sports in this area. I would love to see that happen. Entering the grounds reminds one a little of VIR....some woods, a road, and all of a sudden this grand facility comes into view.

Thanks for the description, Dickie. I always wanted to get to Colonial Downs, but never did. Sounds really nice.

If you'd rather buy a road course, Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, SC is on the market:

CAROLINA MOTORSPORTS PARK SEEKING NEW OWNERSHIP