CANEY — The roar from racing cars has returned to the summer skies of Caney on Saturday nights.
And, that noise brings a smile to the face of Kerry Gorby.
Gorby is the promoter and brains behind the rebirth of the Caney Valley Speedway, which is enjoying a resurrgence of popularity among racers and racing fans.
Last Saturday was the third consecutive week for the speedway to be open for the 2008 season. So far, more than 1,000 spectators have packed the renovated speedway for an evening of racing action, and as many as 75 racers have brought their cars to the 1/4-mile oval track for an evening of spinning dirt.
“It’s good entertainment for the family,” said Gorby. “So far, the response from the racers, racing crews and the racing fans has far surpassed my expectations. It’s been great.”
Gorby is no stranger to the racing circuit. The rural Havana man has spent most of his youth and adult life not only as a front-row spectator at racing venues but as a pit man and racer himself.
“My dad owned the speedway when I was a kid, so the speedway was like a second home to me,” he said. “And, later on, I worked in the pits and also owned my own race car. I still own a race car and have a driver. So, I’ve been involved in a lot aspects of the racing business. Now, I just want to bring back the tradition of racing at the Caney Valley Speedway on Saturday nights.”
So far, the return to tradition is paying dividends.
The Caney Valley Speedway has sat silent for several years after the track was unable to compete with neighboring tracks and their larger prize purses in the southeast Kansas/northeast Oklahoma region.
When Gorby agreed to lease the facility from owners Ed and Phyllis Johnson earlier this year, he knew he had a tough challenge ahead. For starters, the facility was in dire need of attention. Several years of dormancy has taken a toll on the bleachers, restrooms, pit area, concession stand and press box. The
sad-looking track looked as if it had seen its last race.
However, Gorby repacked the banks of the track, painted the pipe fencing surrounding the parking area and pit area, improved the concession area, erected new restrooms, and built a new press box.
Plus, he improved the size of the purses for the racers — a big drawing card for the weekend racing enthusiast.
“We get a lot of the racers from the Chanute and Iola area who compete at a track in Humboldt on Friday nights,” said Gorby. “Now, we’re getting a lot of the racers who competed at the track in South Coffeyville on Saturday nights.”
Gorby says he has hopes of having several special races for the remainder of the 2008 season, which ends in late October. He says he is toying with the prospects of having a special Thanksgiving weekend race.
For the Labor Day holiday weekend, the Caney Valley Speedway will step away from its usual Saturday format and host races on Saturday, Aug. 30 and Sunday, Aug. 31 .Headlining the Saturday program will be USRA-sanctioned Modifieds as they will be battling for track and national points in the USRA Casey’s General Stores Weekly Racing Series. Also on the racing card will be Street Stocks, Factory Stocks, B-Mods, Pure Stocks and Turf Cars.
Sunday’s racing will include action in five classes. Headlining the program will be USRA-sanctioned Modifieds as they will be battling for track and national points in the USRA Casey’s General Stores Weekly Racing Series. Also on the racing card will be Street Stocks, Factory Stocks, B-Mods and Pure Stocks.
For more details about the speedway, go to the Caney Valley Speedway website at www.caneyvalleyspeedway.net.
About this weekend’s races at the Caney Valley Speedway:
• On Saturday, Aug. 30: Pit and grandstands gates will open at 5 p.m., with hot laps slated for 7:30 and racing action to kick off at 8 p.m. Adult ticket prices are just $8, seniors are $5, kids ages 6-12 are $4 and children under 6 are admitted free of charge. Pit passes will be $25.
• On Sunday, Aug. 31: Pit and grandstands gates will open at 4 p.m. on Sunday, with hot laps slated for 6:30 and racing action to kick off at 7 p.m. Adult ticket prices are just $8, seniors are $5, kids ages 6-12 are $4 and children under 6 are admitted free of charge. Pit passes will be $25. Two-day grandstand passes are $12 for adults, $6 for kids age 6-12, $8 for senior citizens, and free for children under the age of 5.
