Originally Posted by
diablo243
I have explored this business plan over the years and it seems for what ever reason nothing ever grows legs here. I grew up in Waterford and have lived all over and keep ending up back here, so I have looked at this several times since the 80s. With the Navy base in the area one would think you would find a good lot of interested candidates that would keep a facility going year round, but despite that market and the local non-military nothing ever has staying power and that even includes, casual parking lot meet ups or races. Rumor has it there will be an outdoor dirt track next year in the Mystic area, the guy that built the paint ball place out there in the woods has a pretty good chunk of left over land, all the equipment needed to build a track and is gonna have a go at it. He has been asking around Lee's Toy and Hobby and I know they have offered support and even sponsorship for a track in this area. So after that dissertation the long and short is if you are going to really have at it, get in contact with me and I would be very interested in working with you to bring this to fruition. Also give the guys over at Lee's a call, love or hate them they have been around a LONG time and do have a good idea of whats come and gone and what the pulse might be for local desire or need. Good luck!
From what I have heard from Lee's, the town of Groton is VERY stingy about giving out land for RC etc.. Not sure about the areas outside of Groton, but it seems like going private is the most realistic way to do it.
When I was a kid like around 25 years ago, my father worked with the town of East Lyme and got some land to make a non-profit track. all proceeds were used to maintain it, build a drivers stand, and lap counting software etc..
It was a huge hit, we often had 40+ racers a weekend for years... Eventually I lost interest for a bit, so did he, and it eventually shut down, but there is/was a market for it. I dont see now being any different....
I think the big issue is making enough $$$ to maintain it.. I thiunk that the shops that run tracks make the most $$ off of parts breaking etc, and emergency repairs, not so much the actual racing fees.... I could be wrong. If Lee's were to help, perhaps they would be interested in setting up a parts-for-sale area at the track.. Its an idea.