Checkered Flag Raceway to Move to Vancouver (Page 2 of 3)

Bill Veeck was the owner of the St. Louis Browns at one time.  Attendance was poor on the good days.

The telephone rings in the box office.

Veeck: "Hello, St. Louis Browns".

Phone: "What time is the game"?

Veeck: "What time can you be here"?

Depends on the day

Today Howie and I made a trip out to Bob McFarland's to work on getting the track ready to move. We spent about 4 hours on disassembly, way more time than I'm used to for WORK! And work it was as it did not come apart as easily as we were anticipating. We knew where to break it apart we were just unaware of the hidden screws in the track surface. Once we finally found out how many there were and where they were located we dug them out. Of course they were bondo'd in for a very nice and smooth finished running surface. And when the track re-assembly is completed they will again be re-bondo'd for a nice smooth finish!

We started work on the 180 degree turn exiting the banked curve. This is the smallest piece and attaches to the largest portion of the track table.

And these are the holes that used to be filled with the dreaded hidden screws!

This piece actually fit into the back of my Nissan to make the trip to its new home.

Here's a very rare shot! The first vehicle to park INSIDE the shop!...........And probably the last!...at least for a long while!

But it is proof positive a vehicle or two, or maybe even three will fit in the shop!

The first track piece to arrive at its new home!

Kirk Smith built this track to be rugged and able to withstand most anything! This is just a small sample of the heavy duty construction!

I can see Diane standing there thinking, " So it begins, again."

Those are two options I have yet to explore. I'm not sure turning it on its side will work as that will make the overall height just under 8 feet. I have to take some measurements to see what kind of height there is to work with in an enclosed trailer and or a box truck. Taking the legs off to go into the truck or trailer at an angle may be an option. I have found trailers and box trucks that measure 8 feet in width inside. It's the door opening where clearance is reduced.

I'm with ya there Chris! Shouldn't be a problem, this is one BIG track! Sad news for me is I will have no place for the Kouba three laner.........

Well we're movin' on up (movin on up)
To the east side (movin on up)
Took a whole lotta tryin'
Just to get up that hill.
Now we're up in the big leagues

l

Someone’s been busy, the question is: where did it all go?

A huge thanks to all the folks that came out today to help with the track move! I am very lucky to have such great friends and to be part of the awesome slot car racing community here in the Northwest!

Thank you Bob McFarland for allowing me to take over the stewardship of Checkered Flag Raceway! I will strive to continue its great tradition and PASER heritage, and to make it available for slot car racing enthusiasts throughout the Northwest.

Thank you to Howie for these photos from the move:

Yes, it was as close as it looks in the photo! Howie had less than 3 inches from either gate post, and about 2 inches under that TV dish! Awesome backing job Howie! It was about that close backing in the 20 foot U-Haul also! It was definitely a team effort getting the rigs backed up to the shop!

Looking like it a ready to race on great job.would of been there to help but had to work.what time did you all finish up