Federated Auto Parts Wayne County Speedway
1083 N. Carr Road
Orrville, OH 44667
Office Phone: 419.522.8761
Track Phone: 330.682.7435
Fax: 419.522.0463
Ernie Coffman/Promoter - 419.522.8761
Chuck Griffith/General Manager - 419.496.9775
Email: info@waynecountyspeedway.com
April 29, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Federated Auto Parts Wayne County Speedway Closes For Two Months
Orrville, OH --- Management of Federated Auto Parts Wayne County Speedway in Orrville, OH regretfully announce that due to the Saturday April 21 fire that destroyed the track’s concession stand and former office in addition to causing significant damage to the electrical bank it will likely be tentatively two months before the track will be able to reopen for dirt track racing. Management will have to rebuild not only the concession stand but also replace a significant portion of the electrical system and bring all renovations up to current county and state codes.
“Well, the fact that this place was built in 1965 and in order to come up with today’s code we have to jump through a lot of hoops and we’re willing to jump through a lot of hoops but its just going to take us some time, which we hate, but there isn’t anything we can do about it,” commented Ernie Coffman, owner and promoter of Federated Auto Parts Wayne County Speedway.
Coffman cited having to get clearances, permits, inspections and approvals from a variety of government entities in addition to actual construction that will cause a tentative two-month delay in reopening.
“Any time that you rebuild you have to bring everything up to code,” explained Coffman. “We have to deal with the local government like the health department, the building department, the electrical department, in addition to the Environmental Protection agency (EPA), all have their hand sin this thing and all of them have to give us their blessings.”
On Saturday evening April 21 around 10:30 PM the Modified and Mini Stock features were postponed due to the fire that started in the concession stand. The concession building and its entire contents were a total loss. Firefighters from the Orrville Fire Department and Apple Creek Fire Department responded and brought it under control. Apple Creek Fire Chief Les Durstine said the fire began in the deep fryer unit, the range hood, or in its vent pipe to the outside. The concession stand, located in the northwest corner of the grounds, was a total loss.
Coffman and his son, Clint Coffman, have been in meetings since the fire with different government agencies and others trying to get clearances and a game plan to renovate the facility. Coffman indicated it hasn’t been a total unpleasant experience dealing with the county agencies.
““Actually to be truthful they have been very, very sympathetic and have worked real well with us,” commented Coffman. “Tim McClintock in the building department has been really helpful. With the businesses that are dropping like flies in the Wayne County area and State of Ohio I am sure they want to work with us. We have a good, striving and healthy business and we need to get it back and running. But they have been very good about it.”
Coffman also acknowledge some of the representatives have acknowledged the economic impact a race track has on the region. “Oh my world, like you wouldn’t believe,” said Coffman. “We have thousands of people there every Saturday night and they have to buy gas, sometimes they stay over for the big shows, we have employees who are paid, yes, we make an economic impact in this region.”
Coffman bottom-lined the situation. “It’s our goal to be running again in 2007 and that’s what we’re shooting for.”
Coffman also gave high marks to the Apple Creek and Orrville fire departments that responded to the fire. “The fire department people were very professional and very kind,” said Coffman. “I’ve never been involved in any kind of fire so it took me by surprise and how fast it was and how devastating it was but those firefighters did an excellent job. They were very professional, very professional.”
REACTION TO FIRE & DOWN TIME:
“I was shocked to hear of the fire and the damage it caused,” commented Bret Emrick, Race Director for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series who was scheduled to race at the track on May 5. Emrick is also a former long-time Federated Auto Parts Wayne County Speedway announcer. “The most important thing is that no one was injured. It's too bad.”
“Wayne County Speedway seemed to be really turning the corner after a few down years. To have this now happen will really throw a wrench into keeping the upward swing going. I'm sure Ernie and his staff will get back as soon as they can. From what I've learned there will be major work to get done just to salvage the season the best they can.”
“It's a tragedy not only for Wayne County Speedway's race teams and fans. It also means the touring shows like the World of Outlaws Late Model Series won't be able to put on a show this year. Personally I was really looking forward to getting back to my old stomping grounds.”
“I am very hurt to see Wayne County go through this and hope they get the permits going as fast as possible,” commented Bob Schippers, owner & promoter of Lakeville Speedway in Lakeville, OH. “This race track pays way more then $10,000 in taxes and has only five months to try to make money. They employ over 50 people and have a county impact of thousands of dollars for businesses in the area.”
“Ernie owns his race track outright but what about all other race tracks making payments? This fire could put them out of business. I feel with all the lost jobs in Ohio every government agency should be jumping through hoops to help this man get this track back open as quick as they can. We need this track opened quickly.”
Among those who witnessed the fire was Lora Markham, wife of former track champion and Super Late Model driver Ryan Markham. “(Our daughter) Emma and I were on our way back to the pits after the Late Model feature and I smelled something,” recalled Mrs. Markham. “At first I thought it was a car, but then I looked at my friend, Jamie, and said, ‘It smells like something has been in the fryer too long’.”
“Then I noticed a little bit of smoke as we walked by the concession stand, within minutes of us getting back to the hauler there was tons of smoke up in the air and then big flames started shooting into the air. It was a very scary thing
to see.”
“I guess I was shocked that it happened too because I have never
seen anything like that. I am sad for the track because of the damage, but
very thankful that no one was hurt. You can replace buildings, but you
can't replace people.”
“Watching the whole thing happen, it was just hard to believe what we were watching and it was such a shock.”
One track staff member, who was working his first night at Federated Auto Parts Wayne County Speedway, recalled what transpired that evening. “We were running the Modified feature, and had just restarted the race after a caution period,” explained Rich Berry, head scorer. “The leaders were in turn two, and there was a call on the radio that there was a fire in the concession stand. The flagman, Don Carnes, immediately threw the red flag and the fire crew in the infield was instantly on their way. We opened the tower door and we could see a glow coming from inside the building.”
“Looking back at it now, I guess I was convinced that since the fire crew was so quick to get there that they would knock it right out, and it would only be a minor inconvenience.”
“But as we watched, it was unbelievable to see how quickly the fire spread. Within seconds, that small glow had turned into a bright, visible fire inside the building. And within minutes, the flames were visible coming up over the sides of the roof. By the time the fire department got there, the building was burning from one end to the other. I just can't believe that it spread that quickly. It was sad to watch, it was just a helpless feeling watching the fire spread so quickly.”
“Any kind of interruption of the racing season is difficult business wise. Even losing a week to a rainout is tough. Race teams planned all during the off-season to race here for the full season. Now their plans are messed up. It's the weekly racing fix for many of our spectators. The track brings a lot of people to Orrville and Wayne County area. Gas stations, restaurants, and even stores and motels, they will be missing out on some business that they would be doing if the track was in operation.”
“The whole thing is disappointing. The Coffman's are such nice people. I'm new to the team there and they are so nice that I feel like a member of the family already. They have worked really hard to make the track a success, and it's tough when a freak incident like this happens. (General Manager) Chuck (Griffith) has put in so much work, I'm sure it is devastating to him also. It's a big setback to the track. It not only affects all of the hard work that they put in, but now it gives them a whole lot more work to do to replace things that were lost. It's tough, but I'll do whatever I can to get us back up and running.”
“I hate seeing the track have to close because of it, but understand,” stated Al Hutchison, Jr., who works as a pit steward. “Opening night was going so good. We will get through this and it will be better than ever. Just got to give it time. Everyone just hang in there, we will be racing again. I can't wait until Federated Auto Parts Wayne County Speedway opens again!”
To keep up-to-date on any new developments check out the track’s website at: www.waynecountyspeedway.com or call the track office at: 419.522.8761.
Federated Auto Parts Wayne County Speedway is located nine miles east of Wooster, OH on US Route 30 or 15 miles west of Massillon, OH on US Route 30 then one mile north on Carr Road. For more information contact: 330.682.7435 (track), 419.522.8761 (office) or GM Chuck Griffith can be contacted at his office at: 419.496.9775 or via email at: info@waynecountyspeedway.com For more information on WCS visit: www.waynecountyspeedway.com
-Prepared by Lehman Motorsports Services
