16 replies to this topic

[Cheater]

Reposting from Facebook:
 
"It is with much sadness that we must announce our final race will be April 28, and we will be closing the doors for good on April 30, 2019.
 
We wish to thank all of the racers and customers who have supported us over the past three years and we wish them all the best.
 
Sincerely,
The Haven Family"
 
This is terrible news, as a lot of history is embedded in this raceway. It is in the same building that was for many years the site of The Slot Shop owned by Paul and Donna Hubbell and their 165' Ogilvie Hillclimb was formerly the Parma 'house' track.
 
It's always very sad when a good raceway run by good people goes out of business.

[Cheater]

Haven Raceway & Hobby was operated jointly by Matt Porter and his son Justin, and here's what Justin posted to Facebook after the closing announcement was put up. There is actually one bit of happy news related in the post.
 
"Wednesday, I had some of the hardest news I've had to take in a long, long time. After a brief conversation with Dad midday Wednesday, he informed me he had made the final decision to close Haven Raceway & Hobby after just shy of seven years of operation. 

Anyone who knows me knows that the shop has been my big passion. Something I poured myself into and thrived upon. It's absolutely gutting me to know the doors are closing and there's not a thing I can do about it. If I had any power, any say in the matter, this wouldn't be the case. 

I truly feel awful to know those doors are closing. There are so many people I've gotten to know through shared interests and pastimes because they've come to my counter, or what I thought of as my counter. 

You're all fantastic friends, an extended family, and your support has been incalculable.

Oriah McKinnon and I have talked for some time, and we've agreed that while for now we have other, more important matters on the way to attend to – either a new son or a new daughter is expected by our math in December or January, I am thrilled to say. We've both agreed that we'll make our own attempt again in the near future. 

This is what I love doing and you all are the people I love. Thank you all for this chance and I look forward to seeing you again soon."

[Steve Deiters]

Very sad. 

Assuming the track is going into storage? That Ogilvie had to be the most "mint" used track out there today.

[Cheater]

Steve,

Hopefully Justin will drop in to this thread and respond to your question.

[Justin A. Porter]

Thanks for posting this here, Greg.

As of right now, winding down Haven doesn't have very much of a fixed plan. There are several avenues including storing the track for future use or selling the track to local racers who have expressed an interest in keeping it local and insuring slot car racing doesn't leave Lorain County again.

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

Hate to hear this, Justin. Very sad when anything happens that shrinks this already-endangered hobby we love.

Hopefully you can reconstitute the raceway in some way and get back to racing.

Call if I can help in any way.

[MattD]

Justin, sorry to hear this. I know from this blog that you ran a great operation and gave it 100%. Enthusiastic owners seem in short supply in the slot car business. 

I hope you have some success with future plans.

[911GT3]

So sorry to hear the track is closing. Congratulations on the upcoming bundle of joy.

[Tim Wood]

Congradulations and sorry to hear about Haven Raceway Closing. Justin, I know you and your Dad Matt worked hard to make a great fun place to race and visit.

Good luck to your family. Thank you.
 
Tim Wood

[Justin A. Porter]

We're happy to report that as of this morning, agreements have been reached to allow Haven Raceway & Hobby to continue operating for the foreseeable future.
 
There will be more details to come in the near future, but rest assured 442 Cleveland St. will remain a home for racers, builders, hobbyists, and other assorted fun-seekers.

[MG Brown]

Fantastic - thanks for sharing the good news, Justin!

[Cheater]

This is terrific news!

[Bernard Powell]

Wow, Justin, that's terrific news and the better news is your new one coming. Congratulations to you and your wife.

[MG Brown]

Latest news dated 4/29/2019 is that Haven Raceway is scheduled to close its doors May 26, 2019 and that the track, etc. are currently listed for sale on eBay.

 

Sincere thanks to Justin and his staff for the years of work and effort that they have put in an effort to keep the raceway open.

[Justin A. Porter]

Afraid I have to confirm that. Ultimately our investor backed out and we're closing the doors.

 

I still look forward to continuing in the sport in whatever fashion I'm able to but this has been an amazing chapter of my life for the past seven years. 

[Cheater]

Real sad it didn't work out, Justin.

[Mad Mexican]

Hola Amigos,

 

It's very sad that in my area Cleveland, OH, that we keep losing good tracks. But it's is sad sign of the times that our analog hobby is going to the wayside.

 

Adios, Amigos.