66 replies to this topic

[Champion 507]

6/26/10 update:

Since I had to be out of town Saturday starting at 7am, I missed all the race action and wasn't able to get to the track until 10pm that night. Sorry I don't have any race results. According to Steve some of the racing got kinda rough at times.

While I was there I saw Slotblog members Les Wright, John Batson and John Polk. I've known John Polk for many years and I remember seeing Les at several of the warmup races prior to Tulsa hosting the NATS in 2004. John Batson walked up and introduced himself and it was great to meet him.

What a difference 2 days makes. The place is really taking shape now. Here is my usual opening shot by the front entrance.




And the shot from the back of the room.







Here is Bobby working on a car and his counter/sales area.







Monitors everywhere... The 45.361 on yellow is more my speed










I have things I can't get out of doing, so I will be unable to attend any of the racing on Sunday. I will try to get some results posted early in the coming week. Happy racing!

[Michael Rigsby]

Doug, Tell Bobby that his new place is fantastic looking. Plenty of space, looks like some very nice tracks, and I hope that the racers really appreciate the very nice chairs he got for them. Those will be very easy on the back when working on the cars. A very super looking facility.

Michael Rigsby

[Mr. BB]

The place was first rate. Bobby, Steve, and everyone that helped, did a great job in three months time.

[brane]

A great place to race. I bet they spent a fortune on chairs, but they sure are nice.
With Bobby's wifes restaurant next door, there's plenty of good food for the hungry racer.

[Champion 507]

I went by Bobby's yesterday hoping to get more pics but he was closed. They were supposed to have their first race on the drag strip Friday night. If you have been following this thread for any time you know the drag strip is located on the side of the room opposite the front door. Since all the lights were off and the sides of the drag strip are black I really couldn't see it while looking through the front doors. I did see they had the tri-oval standing up on the legs, it just wasn't bolted together. I'm hoping to get back over there soon after everything is all set up and ready to go and maybe put the wraps on this thread.

You people from other parts of the country who pass through Oklahoma really owe it to yourselves to stop in and check the place out. Bobby will be having more big races in the future so more people will be able to see the place first hand.

Have a safe 4th everybody!

[Champion 507]

Bobby's current racing schedule:

Sunday Glue races; USRA and Cobalt
Monday Closed
Tuesday 1.0 and 1.2 heads up drags
Wednesday Spray Glu; F-class and USRA
Thursday Test and Tune
Friday Late Model on Oval and Bracket Drags
Saturday Nascar and Wing Flexi

Once a month 2 hour mini enduro with Nascars on 4" flexi chassis with Falcon 7's.

[Cobbler]

It's Beautiful. What are those white things on the ceiling? Could those actually be light bulbs that actually work? Hint.....hint.....my track.
You racers there have a very nice facility.

[Champion 507]

RACERS **********

THE OKIE OPEN IS THIS WEEKEND AT BOBBY'S. YA'LL HEAD THIS WAY!!!

While at the Okie Open be sure to visit Bobby's wife's restaurant out front - the Kari-Okie Cafe & Bakery. If you go away hungry...it's YOUR fault

[Alchemist]

Hi Doug,

Would you have any recent pictures with all the tracks up and running.

I'd sure like to see what the restaurant looks like too please? Makes me hungry thinking about it - LOL!!!

Thanks for taking all the pix Doug - it's appreciated!!

Ernie

[Champion 507]

Ernie,

I'll get some new pics soon and post them here. Thanks for your interest.

[Vay Jonynas]

Wow!



Now there's a track just begging for little race cars!

[Champion 507]

All good things must come to an end. I received this post from Bill from NH today. It is from the OWH website:

 

Olgivie Blue King Track For Sale

 

 We are selling our Olgivie Blue King Slot Car Track. The current location will be vacated by February 1st. The track is up and running currently. It will be taken apart and put in storage after January 15th. I would like to find it a good home. It is a great track and in great condition. This is the same track that the 2004 Nats were held on. It held every world record and was the first track to go under 1.5 seconds. The track has five taps and comes with four rivergate supplys and two semi batteries. We run a separate dc power supply for the relays. The track has been part of the Texas Slot Racers Series the past five years. Pictures are available and can be viewed on facebook at Bobby's Hobbies. The blue King is currently located outside of Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

 

I have seven glass display store cases, tables, chairs, race director booth, cash register, signs, counter tops, etc.

 

Price is $7,500 for the track, power supplies, computer, printer, and directors stand. Should be everything you need to set up and race. The track will be together until January 15th, so you can come race on it and see how nice it is. We have taken great care of the Olgivie.

 

Will sell the business for $8,500. That includes the track, seven display cases, cash register, chairs and tables, signs, everything you need to run the shop.

 

Contact numbers are: 

 

cell phone 918 261-7396 
Business phone is 918-321-2535. 
EMAIL is slotracerbobby@gmail.com

 

[Half Fast]

What a bummer!

 

Less than four years from beginning to end. It looked like a beautiful facility.

[Joe Mig]

What a shame... Why does this happen? Was there not a busness plan, not enough busness, family issues, nasty to the customers?

All that work for what just a few years?

What does it take to have a slot car busness that would thrive, maybe birthday parties, promoting?

[slotcarone]

Unfortunately the average run for a raceway these days is usually three-four years so this is not unexpected.

[Big Durl]

Really heartbreaking to read this thread from beginning to end. It seemed like the model most of us would employ if we had a lot of money to spend. Brand new building, laid out just the way we want to, good location, and an excited customer base. All done with the idea that if they have a great place to race, they will come and business will be enough to at least keep the doors open and at best, make a business out of it.

 

I don't know what happened, but this valiant effort is to be commended.

[Brian Davis]

Unfortunately... there isn't any money in slot car racing. I watched my dad struggle for years with his raceway. His racers were always his first priority though; It eventually fell through. 

 

In order to support a world class facility you NEED outside money able to contribute to the business when things are slow. It costs more money to keep the electric on per month than it does in track time rentals. 

 

Big races bring big money but you need a reputation first. 

 

This facility and the track are gorgeous, filled with cleanliness and class, something not too common in the slot car world. 

 

The even bigger truth is that hobbies take a back seat to real world responsibilities. Couple guys stop coming, motivation gets lost for the other racers, things slow down. Everyone loses.

 

Sorry to see this place close. All I can say is I've seen it firsthand and I wish you all the best of luck and hope that track gets bought.