Flat track racing in Ohio will no longer be forced to decide where to go on September 16 as Mansfield Motor Speedway is “Taking the high road” as speedway representatives indicate. The flat track event originally scheduled for September 15th/16th this year is now being removed from the schedule, citing a direct conflict with another professional series of flat track racing being scheduled in Cortland, Ohio on September 16th less than two hours away.
The original idea of the “END OF YEAR” race in Ohio at Mansfield was designed specifically around the AMA All Star Series availability of dates and selection of dates that did not conflict with AMA Pro Scheduling across the country as well. Mansfield selected the September date at a time where no conflicts appeared to be evident or expected and all eyes for Flat Track racing were expected to be in Mansfield, Ohio. However, simultaneously a new start up Flat Track Racing Series was created and had been scheduling event dates at competitive tracks in the area and region. Mansfield Motor Speedway has indicated that it is solely in the best interest of the riders and the motorcycle fans in the area to not divide and fight over fans and riders and instead wishes everyone the best of luck next month.
“Sometimes you have to take the high road and do what makes the most sense for everyone involved. A lot of times in the motorsports business, fellow tracks and promoters fight vigorously over dates, fans and teams and in the end they only end up hurting everyone involved with low car counts or rider counts in this case, as well as a divided fan base” said Mansfield Motor Speedway President Cody Sommer.
“We know that our venue is an ideal location for this type of event and really wanted to make it happen in our first season #BACKTODIRT. However circumstances just won’t allow that this year, so we will be sure to get ahead of scheduling for 2018 and hopefully prevent anything like this again and get flat track racing solidly on the schedule in Mansfield” said Sommer.
As for the remainder of the 2017 season, Mansfield Motor Speedway will be putting their focus on their sole remaining event of the year on Friday October 13th for the “All Star Double Down” when the All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car Series returns for a double header main event.
Source: Mansfield Speedway; Photo: Creative Commons License
