Tim W.

iTrader: (1)

What ever happend to the old Ranch pit shop track

is it still open or has it closed down

Scrubb

CLOSED

Turbo Joe

iTrader: (41)

I'm relatively new to RC (few years)...where was it? I've heard it was in Pomona, but where exactly was the track? If someone can get me an address, I'll go by and take some pictures of whatever is there now.

Tim W.

iTrader: (1)

what year did it close in

nc-hopsing

iTrader: (6)

The ORIGINAL RANCH PIT SHOP was in Del Mar (San Diego), CA. It was a part of the Ranch Skate Park. I believe Alan Losi and Gil Jr. were heavily into skating during that time (early-mid 80's???), and I do remember seeing the Losi name in some skate mags of the day. My understanding is that the Losi's also started Variflex skateboards (they have long since sold the company). I'm not sure when, but the Losi's then moved The Ranch to Pomona. The track itself actually stayed for awhile in Del Mar I guess, and I think was called E&L Raceway for several years. I got to race at the Pomona Ranch a bunch of times during the early-mid 90's. I believe it was on its way out about the time I stopped racing in 1997? That place was awesome though. If anyone has more accurate info, feel free to post, this info is based on what I heard (and remember) over the years.

TimF

iTrader: (105)

It closed in late '97 or early '98, A year or two before Losi became part of Horizion Hobby. The location became a Tile Shop. It has nothing to do with R/C anymore. It was on Mission ave in Pamona between the 71 and Monte Vista.

Tim W.

iTrader: (1)

Interesting

does anyone know why it closed

nc-hopsing

iTrader: (6)

Well here is a little more info that was PM'd to me. This is from a very reliable inside source! But if I told you, I'd have to kill you.

"The Losi's still own Variflex, (Gil Losi Sr's father started it) and the first track they owned was at the skate park in colton. The second track was when they bought the old thorp raceway. The third track was del mar at the sport complex."

Dont you just love History?

dpalXRC

Here is an aerial view of the Ranch Pit shop.

http://www.terraserverusa.com/image....Lat=34.0597014

You can still see the old on-road track that the Ranch started from. The off-road track that most people remember just befored they closed was built over the old on-road track.

I used to race there a lot too. It was a fun place to go. It was sad to see it go, but the area isn't the best place to race RC cars. The track was, but the neighborhood around it was pretty run down.

It's actually less than a mile around the corner and down the street from Revelation Raceway.

http://www.terraserverusa.com/image....Lat=34.0597014

nc-hopsing

iTrader: (6)

I cant believe that they didnt resurface the lot to cover up the on-road track. That pic was from 2004 according to the website. If I remember correctly, the original off road track was at the top of the pic in that dirt section, right? Then they moved it onto the on-road part when off-road was getting really popular. Cool pics though!

Tim W.

iTrader: (1)

around what year did they turn the on road track into the off road track

dpalXRC

Probably around 1993-94. I remember going there for my first time in 1992 and the old off-road track was in the back still (yes they still held races on it). It was small with curbs kinda like the way Tamiya's on-road track is. But with dirt on the driving surface (cement on the islands and curbs).

nc-hopsing

iTrader: (6)

I remember racing in the back too. The track was kinda loamy from what I remember. And I remember the concrete "curbs", I started racing in 1992 as well. Wow, those were the days!

Tim W.

iTrader: (1)

But why did it shut down

nc-hopsing

iTrader: (6)

Wow, this is just killing you not knowing why they closed, isn't it? Well, it closed I believe after the Losi's sold it. More than likely, poor management, loss of interest by the owner, or loss of interest by the public brought about its demise. Pretty much for the same reasons every other shop/track in this country closes.