Slot car fun racers called me and said the windows are papered over. Any idea what is going on? Several races cancelled. Racers should be notified ASAP.
What happened to Mid-America Raceway?
Started by
JohnnySlotcar
, Jan 04 2014 11:24 AM
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36 replies to this topic
#1
JohnnySlotcar
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Posted 04 January 2014 - 11:24 AM
John Austin
#2
Dave Fugate
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Posted 04 January 2014 - 11:55 AM
The website is down as well.
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#3
Gator Bob
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Posted 04 January 2014 - 12:11 PM
Oh boy.
Bob Israelite
#4
Mike K
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Posted 04 January 2014 - 01:19 PM
Moving to a new location?
So much DRAMA for such small cars....
Mike Kravitz
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#5
Dave Reed
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Posted 04 January 2014 - 01:35 PM
Try the phone. He is closing... personal reason.
#6
Dominator
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Posted 04 January 2014 - 01:41 PM
Sorry to hear this.
A motor is only as fast as the chassis it's in.
Dominic Luongo
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NERR photos from 2016 to now
#7
Tim Neja
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Posted 04 January 2014 - 02:01 PM
I'm so sorry to hear this!! Roger is certainly one of our "good guys" in slot racing!! I hope he can recover and re-open some time in the future!! Good luck to you, Roger - God Bless!!
- Dave Reed and Steve McCready like this
She's real fine, my 409!!!
#8
HarV Wallbanger III
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Posted 04 January 2014 - 02:35 PM
Take care, Roger... Let us know if there is anything we can do.
Barney Poynor
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#9
Zippity
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Posted 04 January 2014 - 04:40 PM
This is very sad if true. 
Rog was always there over the years to offer friendly advice whenever I had a question.
Be well, my friend.
Ron
Rog was always there over the years to offer friendly advice whenever I had a question.
Be well, my friend.
Ron
Ron Thornton
#10
Ramcatlarry
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Posted 04 January 2014 - 04:52 PM
D-I-V-O-R-C-E...
Larry D. Kelley, MA
retired raceway owner... Raceworld/Ramcat Raceways
racing around Chicago-land
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#11
Dennis David
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Posted 04 January 2014 - 05:00 PM
Oh this is a shock. To lose one of the premier facilities in the country is sad news, made even more sad if this is tied to some personal issue.
Dennis David
#12
Arne Saknussem
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Posted 04 January 2014 - 05:11 PM
D-I-V-O-R-C-E...
Say no more.
Pete Varlan
60 years a slot racer
#13
havlicek
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Posted 05 January 2014 - 09:38 AM
All I can say is that Roger has always given great service and treated me fair and square. As a businessman, that's about the best you could ask for. I sure hope he gets things sorted OK, not for selfish reasons (although he has been a trusted source for sure), but just because I ALWAYS want the good guys to come out OK in the end.
Roger, if you're looking in on this and there's something I can do... just ask.
-john
Roger, if you're looking in on this and there's something I can do... just ask.
-john
- Roger Schmitt likes this
John Havlicek
#14
kvanpelt
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Posted 05 January 2014 - 09:42 AM
Slot car fun racers called me and said the windows are papered over. Any idea what is going on? Several races cancelled. Racers should be notified ASAP.
It was one of the premier tracks in the country, hosting some of slot racing's biggest races. A really sad time here in Chicago!
BTW, John, show me a link to the post announcing the closing of Lake Barrington Raceway.
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Kevin VanPelt
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#15
Michael Rigsby
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Posted 05 January 2014 - 09:56 AM
Sad to hear. I've known Roger for some time and have purchased stuff from his raceway, and his slot car business was a big part of his life.
I hope for the best for Roger and his family and hope they can get through this amicably.
Mid-America was one of the premier slot facilities in the USA.
I hope for the best for Roger and his family and hope they can get through this amicably.
Mid-America was one of the premier slot facilities in the USA.
- Steve McCready likes this
"... a good and wholesome thing is a little harmless fun in this world; it tones a body up and keeps him human and prevents him from souring." - Mark Twain
#16
MG Brown
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Posted 06 January 2014 - 11:22 AM
Roger, if you're looking in on this and there's something I can do... just ask.
Yes, I will make myself available for whatever is needed also.
No matter your feelings on the people involved, this can only be called a tragedy for the slot car racing community; two Chicago area raceways (62 lanes combined) closed in 2013.
In these sort of situations, only the lawyers come out ahead.
- Steve McCready likes this
That's thirty minutes away. I'll be there in ten.
#17
Dennis David
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Posted 06 January 2014 - 12:12 PM
Unfortunately reality keeps intruding on our hobby no matter what we try.
Dennis David
#18
Rich Goucher
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Posted 06 January 2014 - 12:48 PM
What a shock. Been my intention all along to get good enough at this to be able to race there someday.
Rich Goucher
"I want to go like my grandfather, in his sleep. Not screaming, like the passengers in his car."
"I want to go like my grandfather, in his sleep. Not screaming, like the passengers in his car."
#19
Brian Russo
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Posted 07 January 2014 - 12:38 PM
Mid-America was the coolest place I've ever raced! The Mecca of slot racing. Roger treated me well while I was there. I had no problems at all doing business with him.
I wish him good luck and God bless.
Brian (AKA Pappy)
#20
Jeff Bechtel
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Posted 09 January 2014 - 08:54 AM
MG,
What was the other track that closed in Chicago?
What was the other track that closed in Chicago?
#21
MG Brown
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Posted 09 January 2014 - 09:28 AM
Jeff: Lake Barrington Speedway also closed in 2013. The grandstand is up and running in South Bend now, and I am not sure where the tri-oval is. Perhaps Johnny Slotcar can chime in with some information.
That's thirty minutes away. I'll be there in ten.
#22
JohnnySlotcar
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Posted 09 January 2014 - 11:28 AM
Tri-oval is still at the Lake Barrington Fieldhouse and is for sale, believe $800 takes it. Bunch of controllers and rental cars, too.
John Austin
#23
MG Brown
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Posted 09 January 2014 - 11:38 AM
Thank you, John. That sounds like a deal for someone that would like to start a business bringing slot car racing "on location" to special events and parties. If I had a vehicle that would haul it, I'd consider writing you a check.
That's thirty minutes away. I'll be there in ten.
#24
JohnnySlotcar
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Posted 09 January 2014 - 11:50 AM
Not me, it belongs to the Fieldhouse. I sold it to them to finance the Grandstand years ago.
JK used to take it to real car races as a rental site. Sets up in less than an hour.
John Austin
#25
MG Brown
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Posted 09 January 2014 - 12:51 PM
JK used to take it to real car races as a rental site. Sets up in less than an hour.
Yes, I was aware of this. I have a friend in Michigan who takes a track "on location" to people who have special events and parties. He makes a good living from it.
That's thirty minutes away. I'll be there in ten.
