Lake Hill Speedway?
- Thread starter Guza
- Start date
bryanracing55
New Member
Good question what about another reunion KEG Maybe a mid summer thing or have one of the tracks banquets there? I don't think closing time will be a problem when its cold outside. Kinda like last year. If so please make it a Sunday thing.
rescue_flagger
REGISTERED USER
I for one would like to see some life breathed into the old track. Maybe someone could host an annual or bi-annual Lake Hill Speedway party? It just saddens me to hear that the place is full of water again. Has anyone tried getting the Wallaces or the Schraders involved in saving the track? Just a thought.
car show and auto flea market and boat race
It would be great to have a car show and auto flea market held there when the weather is better. I would like to see more booths with pictures and lists of drivers and crew and fans with stories from each area and community that visited Lake Hill Speedway as the track and cars and rules changed through the years.
Maybe stock the lake with big tagged fish and have a fishing contest, followed by trolling motor jon boat races, or a remote controlled boat race.
RWL in Collinsville,
It would be great to have a car show and auto flea market held there when the weather is better. I would like to see more booths with pictures and lists of drivers and crew and fans with stories from each area and community that visited Lake Hill Speedway as the track and cars and rules changed through the years.
Maybe stock the lake with big tagged fish and have a fishing contest, followed by trolling motor jon boat races, or a remote controlled boat race.
RWL in Collinsville,
rescue_flagger
REGISTERED USER
LOL not a bad idea! If we cant keep the water out of the track, why not utilize it.
bryanracing55
New Member
who are we? I would guess some of the people that went to the renuion might help. Got to try or just forget the whole thing.
rescue_flagger
REGISTERED USER
Personally I would help if I could. But due to very few employment opportunities opening up, I am majorly strapped for cash. But we just can't give up on the old speedway. There is too must history in it to let it go by the wayside. There has to be something that can be done to raise the money.
wackymac19
Member
Lakehill
Nobody has forgot the track. We will have something at the track trying to work out the details out!!!! As soon as we have them worked out we`ll let you know!!
Thank You
Michael McGinnitey
Nobody has forgot the track. We will have something at the track trying to work out the details out!!!! As soon as we have them worked out we`ll let you know!!
Thank You
Michael McGinnitey
bryanracing55
New Member
Now that is the best news I have heard in a long time. You might want to let some of it out, There are people like me that will help if just asked. (Like I did from the start) I was there when the track was full of water and the tree's were thick and would do it all over again if needed.
Larry Phillips
probably the greatest short track driver. May he rest in peace. Not much is said on here about him. I remember one night John elliot thought he might just win a race if he could drive Larry's car so they traded cars well larry still won the race with Johns old ford and john finished his usual last maybe 1 or 2 laps down by larry in his own car. Man he was sure mad. I remember Larry would actually get laps ahead of the field stop smoke a cig. go back onto the track and still win. What a driver. My aunt was a trophy girl at the track a few times and think she might of dated Butch Cooley.
probably the greatest short track driver. May he rest in peace. Not much is said on here about him. I remember one night John elliot thought he might just win a race if he could drive Larry's car so they traded cars well larry still won the race with Johns old ford and john finished his usual last maybe 1 or 2 laps down by larry in his own car. Man he was sure mad. I remember Larry would actually get laps ahead of the field stop smoke a cig. go back onto the track and still win. What a driver. My aunt was a trophy girl at the track a few times and think she might of dated Butch Cooley.
Old school Fan
I would also love to see something happen again. I missed the last reunion had to work all day.
bryanracing55
New Member
No news to me. Maybe I will try to drive by the track Monday and call Kim (track owner)
Larry Phillips was the greatest driver to hit the St. Louis area in many a year. I used to call him Larry (Bang, Bang) Phillips whenever he showed up at Lake Hill or Tri-city speedway. I remember one of our drivers nick-named "King Farouk" purchased Larry's car #82 and although it was fast down the straightaways, he never could drive it like Larry. Larry was one of a kind.....Old Announcer...Bruce.
no1drtcrfn
no1drtcrfn
Dreams from Farmington, Mo.
I hope all this enthusiasm for keeping Lake Hill somewhat intact does not go untapped. It’s been amazing to me the love shown for the old speed plant in the last year. I attended the reunion and it was a great time, even though my lovely wife sent me up there with a digital camera with dead batteries!!!!.
Now reality sets in and we historians and race fans must come up with suggestions or a format to move forward.
Number one on our list should be that all of us should be thankful to God (or Buddha, or Muhammad, The Dahlia Lama, King Tut, Bill France, and if you don’t believe in a higher power, maybe you should consider doing so in this instance) for having a person such as K E G with his hands on the title to this parcel of history. If it were not KEG being open to a discussion of this nature, then all would have been lost long ago. So A REAL big KUDO should go out to K E G. Can you imagine having someone who could have cared less what a bunch of gear heads thought about an old patch of asphalt?
KEG undoubtedly bought this parcel with the intent of MAKING MONEY in some way or another. Aren’t we glad have an inside chance to (try) convince him and a group of investors that there is way to make them money on their investment. and still keep our treasure?
Now I can throw some ideas out there, but remember any idea of mine or anybody else’s for that matter must have the bottom line as PROFIT FOR THE INVESTORS. So let’s get creative and put your CAPITIALIST thinking caps on for this discussion.(this may be difficult for a few of you)
I’ll be first and then all you other protectors of our St. Louis Racing History can chide me or agree with or pu- pu any or all of my thoughts. Irregardless of what you think of some of mine, put yours out here for the rest of to mull around and then, hopefully between us, we will be able to come up with some ideas that K E G can put forth to a yet unnamed group of investors
Sorry guys, but I think the idea of ever having a competitive race of any kind at the Hill is lost . Reasons---------No catch fence, no stands, not enough parking , noise, traffic ,city hall, and the list can go on and . Can investors make enough back on there money after bringing the track up to minimal safety standards?? (couple of races a year to realize a return on investment? I think not) ---JMO (not starting out , anyway)
My thought for the place would be to have a Racing museum. It would be housed in a structure large enough to house a quantity of old race cars and exhibit and pictures, etc etc. the old race cars could be rotated so as to give all owners of historic race cars the chance to have there car on display. Maybe some owners would donate there cars and or memorabilia to the museum. This building would be open all year around, or at least until late fall each year to provide a revenue stream. Admission would be a separate ticket after you enter the grounds. I believe the overhead to keep it open past he summer would be manageable.
Just think---- “THE DON KLEIN ROOM” ---or THE KEN SCHRADER ROOM”---- THE WIB SPALDING ROOM”---The TUBBY BLACK ROOM” “THE LARRY PHILLIPS ROOM”-- and the list of our great hero’s can go on and on. Even in my old, decrepit, mind I can picture these grand displays with hundreds of memories saved forever. ( ok-ok Herman Wallace and Rusty too)
Within the same structure (a pole type structure comes to my mind as they are the least expensive, but then we have the St. Louis County building codes to contend with; dang it ,nothing is easy, is it? ) would be an arcade to include video games, race simulators, inside batting cages pinball’s etc, etc. The theme of the inside would be Racing and Racing History in Missouri and Western Illinois. The walls could be covered with memorabilia and old gas station stuff or old race tires. You guys get the picture??
Parking for the “LAKE HILL AMUSEMENT PARK AND RACING MUSEUM” would be just across the entry bridge. I don’t have engineering credentials, but I would bet that it would be big enough to handle that part of the picture. I do know an architect that may be interested in getting involved. in developing a proposal for K E G to look at. He is into racing a bit. I’ll ask him real soon.
The grounds at the HILL would be transformed into a group of Batting Cages, one or more 18 hole putt putt golf courses, maybe some small amusement rides for the real little race fans. All these small rides could be raced car themed in keeping our memories alive there. Picnic tables, could be provided for resting in between the folks spending more MONEY. Hey boys and girls, making money this legal way is not a bad thing as some in this country would have you think. Help me out her in some other ways people can spend a couple hours and spend a few bucks!!
The old tunnel should stay just as is. This is a no brainer for me. Also the old ticket stand must stay and the old beer stand must remain!!!
Now comes the one you cats have been waiting for------the TRACK.
The idea I have is to leave the existing track intact. Construct a Go Kart Amusement Track using parts of the turns and some of the straights .It is my belief that using just the oval won’t work very well for rental karts. But I am not an expert on go kart track design, so I would leave this decision to the experts. You would have to construct a work/small kart storage shed somewhere in the pits or close by for the ride operators. A barrier or fence of some sort would have to be built to keep guest out of this kart track, but I believe a chain link could be utilized. I realize liability insurance is high for these kart tracks, but I believe it can make money if operated right. Give them fairly brisk ride and have electronic timer for the length of the ride to insure that everyone gets his/hers fair share of laps. I would work with the local high school to staff the park, awarding/offering employment, and a few perks, to the students who excel in there studies. I believe in rewarding hard work and this would be a great message to the community about K E G‘s commitment to operating this business within the city limits of Valley Park.( do you think KEG would hire me in his PR dept. or as Construction Manager? I’d love that gig!!)
I believe there is a small pond on the property; maybe, just maybe, we could have a paddle boat arcade/rental for young lovers or we old married guys to paddle there loved ones around the pond for a bit … OR---- Pay to fish, anyone??
You would have to figure in a museum curator salary to keep this museum up to snuff.
Also, facilities, water, sewers etc have to be considered. I don’t have a clue what the city would be wanting a developer to do to get building permit for this type of thing.
The reunion can still be held every year and we still could use the track to cruise around with the old race cars. What do ya think? Lake Hill Speedway would be preserved, maybe not in the way all of us agree on , but the track would still be there and it would have motorized machines going around it!!
I’m really DREAMING now, aren’t I
My final thought would be in the name of security.
The museum would have to have year around security because of the nature of the exhibits and memories stored there. I like the idea of armed guard. Can that expense be within budget??? Hopefully yes. If not, no racer or fan would ever donate memorabilia to our cause and my idea goes out the window!!!!!
The bottom line is that K E G must be able to make enough money to cover operating cost, and to put some PROFIT in the developers/investors bank accounts.
We must keep this in the forefront of any development---if not---it’s bye bye.
Let’s try to get one idea, improved by all our thoughts mixed in to one grand plan. Can it be done?? We‘ll never know if we don’t at least try to build a consensus among us for KEG to SERIOUSLY consider .
In addition I would advertise nationally about the museum in print media/magazines. Race fans from all around the country would love to see this display
Ok race fans,,it’s your turn.
I hope all this enthusiasm for keeping Lake Hill somewhat intact does not go untapped. It’s been amazing to me the love shown for the old speed plant in the last year. I attended the reunion and it was a great time, even though my lovely wife sent me up there with a digital camera with dead batteries!!!!.
Now reality sets in and we historians and race fans must come up with suggestions or a format to move forward.
Number one on our list should be that all of us should be thankful to God (or Buddha, or Muhammad, The Dahlia Lama, King Tut, Bill France, and if you don’t believe in a higher power, maybe you should consider doing so in this instance) for having a person such as K E G with his hands on the title to this parcel of history. If it were not KEG being open to a discussion of this nature, then all would have been lost long ago. So A REAL big KUDO should go out to K E G. Can you imagine having someone who could have cared less what a bunch of gear heads thought about an old patch of asphalt?
KEG undoubtedly bought this parcel with the intent of MAKING MONEY in some way or another. Aren’t we glad have an inside chance to (try) convince him and a group of investors that there is way to make them money on their investment. and still keep our treasure?
Now I can throw some ideas out there, but remember any idea of mine or anybody else’s for that matter must have the bottom line as PROFIT FOR THE INVESTORS. So let’s get creative and put your CAPITIALIST thinking caps on for this discussion.(this may be difficult for a few of you)
I’ll be first and then all you other protectors of our St. Louis Racing History can chide me or agree with or pu- pu any or all of my thoughts. Irregardless of what you think of some of mine, put yours out here for the rest of to mull around and then, hopefully between us, we will be able to come up with some ideas that K E G can put forth to a yet unnamed group of investors
Sorry guys, but I think the idea of ever having a competitive race of any kind at the Hill is lost . Reasons---------No catch fence, no stands, not enough parking , noise, traffic ,city hall, and the list can go on and . Can investors make enough back on there money after bringing the track up to minimal safety standards?? (couple of races a year to realize a return on investment? I think not) ---JMO (not starting out , anyway)
My thought for the place would be to have a Racing museum. It would be housed in a structure large enough to house a quantity of old race cars and exhibit and pictures, etc etc. the old race cars could be rotated so as to give all owners of historic race cars the chance to have there car on display. Maybe some owners would donate there cars and or memorabilia to the museum. This building would be open all year around, or at least until late fall each year to provide a revenue stream. Admission would be a separate ticket after you enter the grounds. I believe the overhead to keep it open past he summer would be manageable.
Just think---- “THE DON KLEIN ROOM” ---or THE KEN SCHRADER ROOM”---- THE WIB SPALDING ROOM”---The TUBBY BLACK ROOM” “THE LARRY PHILLIPS ROOM”-- and the list of our great hero’s can go on and on. Even in my old, decrepit, mind I can picture these grand displays with hundreds of memories saved forever. ( ok-ok Herman Wallace and Rusty too)
Within the same structure (a pole type structure comes to my mind as they are the least expensive, but then we have the St. Louis County building codes to contend with; dang it ,nothing is easy, is it? ) would be an arcade to include video games, race simulators, inside batting cages pinball’s etc, etc. The theme of the inside would be Racing and Racing History in Missouri and Western Illinois. The walls could be covered with memorabilia and old gas station stuff or old race tires. You guys get the picture??
Parking for the “LAKE HILL AMUSEMENT PARK AND RACING MUSEUM” would be just across the entry bridge. I don’t have engineering credentials, but I would bet that it would be big enough to handle that part of the picture. I do know an architect that may be interested in getting involved. in developing a proposal for K E G to look at. He is into racing a bit. I’ll ask him real soon.
The grounds at the HILL would be transformed into a group of Batting Cages, one or more 18 hole putt putt golf courses, maybe some small amusement rides for the real little race fans. All these small rides could be raced car themed in keeping our memories alive there. Picnic tables, could be provided for resting in between the folks spending more MONEY. Hey boys and girls, making money this legal way is not a bad thing as some in this country would have you think. Help me out her in some other ways people can spend a couple hours and spend a few bucks!!
The old tunnel should stay just as is. This is a no brainer for me. Also the old ticket stand must stay and the old beer stand must remain!!!
Now comes the one you cats have been waiting for------the TRACK.
The idea I have is to leave the existing track intact. Construct a Go Kart Amusement Track using parts of the turns and some of the straights .It is my belief that using just the oval won’t work very well for rental karts. But I am not an expert on go kart track design, so I would leave this decision to the experts. You would have to construct a work/small kart storage shed somewhere in the pits or close by for the ride operators. A barrier or fence of some sort would have to be built to keep guest out of this kart track, but I believe a chain link could be utilized. I realize liability insurance is high for these kart tracks, but I believe it can make money if operated right. Give them fairly brisk ride and have electronic timer for the length of the ride to insure that everyone gets his/hers fair share of laps. I would work with the local high school to staff the park, awarding/offering employment, and a few perks, to the students who excel in there studies. I believe in rewarding hard work and this would be a great message to the community about K E G‘s commitment to operating this business within the city limits of Valley Park.( do you think KEG would hire me in his PR dept. or as Construction Manager? I’d love that gig!!)
I believe there is a small pond on the property; maybe, just maybe, we could have a paddle boat arcade/rental for young lovers or we old married guys to paddle there loved ones around the pond for a bit … OR---- Pay to fish, anyone??
You would have to figure in a museum curator salary to keep this museum up to snuff.
Also, facilities, water, sewers etc have to be considered. I don’t have a clue what the city would be wanting a developer to do to get building permit for this type of thing.
The reunion can still be held every year and we still could use the track to cruise around with the old race cars. What do ya think? Lake Hill Speedway would be preserved, maybe not in the way all of us agree on , but the track would still be there and it would have motorized machines going around it!!
I’m really DREAMING now, aren’t I
My final thought would be in the name of security.
The museum would have to have year around security because of the nature of the exhibits and memories stored there. I like the idea of armed guard. Can that expense be within budget??? Hopefully yes. If not, no racer or fan would ever donate memorabilia to our cause and my idea goes out the window!!!!!
The bottom line is that K E G must be able to make enough money to cover operating cost, and to put some PROFIT in the developers/investors bank accounts.
We must keep this in the forefront of any development---if not---it’s bye bye.
Let’s try to get one idea, improved by all our thoughts mixed in to one grand plan. Can it be done?? We‘ll never know if we don’t at least try to build a consensus among us for KEG to SERIOUSLY consider .
In addition I would advertise nationally about the museum in print media/magazines. Race fans from all around the country would love to see this display
Ok race fans,,it’s your turn.
