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Wednesday’s Roy Bradbury Memorial Pit Party – a rally of sorts to support motorized racing at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds – included an array of cars and a large collection of memorabilia documenting racing history in northern Indiana.
What was lacking at the race track at the fairgrounds was a significant turnout of race fans.
Intended to replace the Roy Bradbury Classic race, which was cancelled as a result of a court injunction blocking motorized racing until a lawsuit is settled, the pit party at the Warsaw Motorsports Complex attracted a slender number of onlookers over the course of a few hours Wednesday.
At times, there were about 15 fans sitting in the stands, watching a big video screen that spotlighted old photos and video of past races and activities on the race track.
The event included a quick tour of race cars through the crowded fairgrounds and a collection box at the entrance to support the fair board’s legal expenses connected to the lawsuit.
Racing at the track had been stymied for a quarter century after the fairgrounds settled a dispute with nearby homeowners who sought to silence the races.
Race activities returned three years ago and resulted in new concerns from property owners who have filed suit to stop motorized racing.
The fair board contends racing is a crucial revenue source and are fighting the effort.
The court injunction led to the cancelation of two racing events during this week’s fair and others scheduled for later this summer.
The injunction came May 16, and the fair began July 8.
Organizers expressed disappointment over the lack of turnout, but pledged to push on with hopes that a motorcycle event at the fairgrounds in August will result in stronger support.
“I’m a little disappointed tonight,” said Randy Shepherd, a former fair board president who helped organize the event. “But it’s the middle of the week and guys are working and everything.”
Shepherd had two brothers who used to be involved in racing, but his chief reason for supporting the track stems from his role with the fairgrounds.
“It’s the best avenue for funding,” he said.
Sandy Atkins, who oversees a Facebook page, “We Want Another Warsaw Speedway,” said the event had a decent number of visitors late in the afternoon, but admitted the overall turnout was not what she had hoped for.
Her late brother, Bimbo, and her father, Clarence, both raced at the track and she’s tried her hand at powder puff racing for women.
She thinks there is room for compromise between the two sides in the legal battle.
Efforts recently to find a judge outside of Kosciusko County to hear the case have been slow.
A judge from Elkhart County disqualified himself Friday from hearing the case.
“I?hope it gets dropped and they open up the track,” Atkins said. “No judge wants to touch it.”
Shawn Bone, 38, a race driver and native of Warsaw who lives in Fort Wayne, currently races in Plymouth.
If motorized racing returns to Warsaw, he said he’d consider the facility his home track.
He said he’s hopeful that the two sides could come to a compromise.
He considers racing a good family activity that can help the town and fairgrounds economically.
“I’d like to see it come back. I grew up here,” Bone said.
Jackie Rich, who lives south of town, brought his grandson, Ethyn Mulldune, 8, to the pit party.
Rich said he used to live just a few blocks away from the track and was a regular visitor to the track in the early 1980s. He raced at New Paris in the early 1990s.
He said he made a donation to the legal fund.
“Just thought I’d come down and introduce myself to some of the guys,” he said.
He said he supports a return to racing in Warsaw.
“To take away something like that is a shame,” he said.
Race track supporters are now banking on the success of an upcoming motorcycle ride fundraiser on Aug. 5 to generate money for the legal fight. The event will include a motorcycle ride, food and three live bands at the grandstand.
Shepherd expressed confidence that, eventually, the court will rule in their favor.
“I got good feelings about it,” he said. “I think we’ve got a strong case and I think we’ll win.”
