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From: The Afton Driving Park & Agricultural Association, Inc. - Board of Directors
As of March 20th the Board of Directors of the Afton Driving Park & Agricultural Association, Inc. have terminated all negotiations and discussions with Chuck Knowlton in regards to his leasing the speedway as promoter for the 2007 race season.
This decision comes after months of negotiations with Chuck Knowlton and of meetings scheduled where Chuck failed to show up. During the last couple months there have been many comments and speculations among race drivers, fans and sponsors as to what is going on at Afton and will there be racing. The bottom line is that the “Afton Driving Park” board of directors had come to agreement with Chuck on arrangements to the contract, which Chuck finally signed on March 1st, which was not official until all owners of A.R.M., LLC signed as well. Chuck set up a “Driver’s meeting” for Sunday, March 18th at the Blind Tiger, in Afton, and stated that he would have the other parties present to sign.
Chuck never showed up for the Driver’s meeting on March 18th, nor did he call any officer of the “Afton Driving Park” to make other arrangements. As a majority of you may be aware, permits are also required by the Village of Afton in which arrangements need to be made, initially, at a Village board meeting held the second Monday of the month. Chuck was very aware of this meeting and knew that March was the meeting he needed to attend in order to secure the permits needed in order to open and run in April. Again he did not attend, four directors were present from the “Afton Driving Park” in order to provide support for Chuck’s request to an extension for one race to run beyond curfew. Without Chuck’s presence before the board this was not acted upon by the Village.
Chuck Knowlton has had the finalized contract in his hands to sign since the first of February, has not signed it, but has lead everyone to believe it was signed via web site, newspaper and racing news blogs. Chuck Knowlton had three set up meetings with the directors of the “Afton Driving Park” during that time where he did not attend to discuss or sign the contract.
There has been curiosity from some as to why the Directors of the “Afton Driving Park” were at a Driver’s meeting. The answer is simple, we received a call from a driver at 2:15 p.m. inquiring where Chuck Knowlton might be as he was not at the meeting, he called, and there were many driver’s present that were disturbed by the situation and could we come over to discuss with them what is happening and where racing stands.
There was a board meeting held by the “Afton Driving Park” on March 20th to terminate further negotiations and considerations with Chuck Knowlton for use of the speedway for the 2007 season.
In regards to another Promoter coming before the board with desire to run car races for the 2007 season, there are contracts available at the Water Control Office, Mon.- Wed. and Fri 9:30 am until 11:30 am. We are also available during those hours for phone inquiries (607) 639-2374.
Be quick about this if you are serious for the 2007 season as there are contracts and permits to secure, which are not to late to secure, providing one gets to it. Don’t forget the promoter will also need insurance coverage which may be your largest hurdle, given the present schedule should they continue that time frame.
We truly feel sad for all the good people, drivers, sponsors, fans and workers that put their efforts into a Race Season at Afton this year, hopefully you will be able to come together with a promoter that will think more highly of racing and you. The “Afton Driving Park” directors are willing to work with Car Racing. The last board of directors of the “Afton Driving Park” with the Jordan’s and Smith’s took a lot of time, energy and costs into creating a good track..
We look forward to working with a promoter who is serious about racing and public relations. |
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