I am writing this letter to all racers to update you on some of my concerns and some changes for Atco Raceway for 2012. Before I get started I would like to ask each of you to send an email to me at jsway1015@verizon.net .If you have comments or questions that I can answer I will send a reply. If not still send an email so that we may compile a racer email list to use in the future for communication. This will help save money on paper and postage. We will be sending this letter out to thousands of racers and some might not be in our address file so please pass the word and the email request.

The last three years we have been affected by the economic downfall and the affect it has had on the sport of racing. Our Number one problem has been the weather…we lost 15% of the events scheduled in 2010 and 37% of the events in 2011 to weather.

The main issue that provoked me to write this letter is the rumors and the amount of them I heard from this past year. Back in the 80’s it was Maple Grove, 90’s and 2000’s E-Town, the last couple of years Cecil and 2011 was Atco’s turn… IS THE TRACK GOING TO CLOSE and IS THE TRACK FOR SALE? ________of course for the right amount of money any business on the face of the earth is for sale…for a price. The only track closing is the Motorcross track which will be explained later in this letter. Obviously some of the rumors were concocted by the “thinkers” that are participants here at Atco Raceway.

Since 2005 we have spent over 1.7 million in various improvements to the facility; grandstands, safety equipment, timing tower, fiber optics, walls, parking and products used to ensure the track is maintained at all times. In 2012 one of our goals is to improve the lighting on the track and the shut down.

We went into 2011 advertising events very cautiously and we did not promote or advertise many of the events as heavily as we did in the past. This in hindsight was a good move because of the economy and horrible weather we had this year it would have been a lot of money wasted.

For 2012 we are diligently working on numerous promotional ideas and programs. We need to bring more people into the sport of drag racing. We had a considerable drop in the fan base on all events and car count on open street night. We are planning to give more incentives to the racers who bring friends and family. We have two Thrill Shows this year…a 4th of July and an Anniversary Show. We have 6 Super Saturdays, two NHRA races and much more…

We are utilizing certain Thursday nights to educate new drivers on how to drag race, have more interaction with the racers and add a cruise night. We are looking for some volunteers to help with this and unfortunately it is an unpaid job, it is to help the sport survive. We have some new entry level races planned for the newcomers. Some ideas from back in the day—class winner stickers, a trophy class and establish an easy heads up race system for the new people learning how to race.

On a bit of a negative note we are eliminating the Atco Motorcross track. Mainly because our special events Lucas Oil, Pan Am, Honda Day and Thrill Shows have caused some parking and traffic issues which need to be resolved to maintain a good relationship with Waterford Township.

We have many other ideas and changes we are going to initiate into the 2012’s race season. We would also take any practical, positive and beneficial suggestions into consideration.

Sincerely,
Joe Sway
Owner
Atco Raceway

**We are running a special on gift cards for December 1-December 31…
Purchase a $50 gift card and get a $10 gift card free
Purchase a $100 gift card and get a $25 gift card free
Gift Cards can be used anywhere in the track even racer entrance fees.

**Racer Banquet for 2012…February 11, 2012…tickets available January 16th -Feb 9th on the web site atcoraceway.com or call the office 856-768-2167 at Shannon’s Country House.

**Racer Meeting Sunday February 19th

**2012 Schedule will be posted on the website January 1, 2012….atcoraceway.com

Have a safe, happy and healthy Holiday and New Years!!!

Please don’t forget to send an email to Joe………….. jsway1015@verizon.net