Live Updates from Shady Oaks Speedway, 10-31-09

October 31, 2009

BOO!

LSS will be doing Live Updates from Shady Oaks Speedway’s Halloween Havoc (which will a Benefit event for injured track owner Jim Scribellito).

Lots of cars from all over coming to this one. I may have to do some scrambling to get the names matched up to the numbers, but I’ll do my best.

I should be firing up the software around 5:00 p.m. so plan on meeting us then.

Posted by NickHolt · Filed Under Dirt Tracks, Live Blogs | Leave a Comment 

Shady Oaks’ “Halloween Havoc” to benefit injured track owner, Jim Scribellito

October 26, 2009

Excitement is building in the air as the countdown to October 31st and the Halloween Havoc at Shady Oaks Speedway in Goliad is fast approaching. A long held tradition at Shady Oaks Speedway during the 90’s, the 2009 Havoc will be the first held in almost a decade.

While the rebirth of the Havoc is news to celebrate in itself, what’s of special noteworthiness is the fact that the 2009 Havoc will double as a benefit event for injured track owner Jim Scribellito.

Jim, wife Laurie and their two children moved from California to Texas in October, 2008, to follow a dream that Jim held for most of his adult life. Jim’s dream, which most people would never desire to chase, was to own and operate a race track. Interestingly enough, Jim found the famed Shady Oaks Speedway listed for sale on Ebay in the summer of 2008. As a team, Jim and Laurie kicked their plans in gear by selling their business interests in California, and pursued the purchase of what in its heyday was known to be one of the fastest dirt tracks in Texas with its red clay racing surface.

Within just hours of arriving to the property in Goliad and setting up camp, the Scribellito’s were greeted by various racing enthusiasts ready to jump in and volunteer in various ways to lend a hand in assisting with the re-opening of the famed raceway which had sat in hibernation for almost 10 years. A unique and unparalleled character, Jim set out in a fashion that would rival P. T. Barnum with the desire to assemble the greatest show on earth.

Jim and Laurie embarked on creating a full motor sports facility with plans to host not only dirt oval racing, but also moto-cross events and tough truck / mud drag competitions, and even lawn mower races. With long hours poured in every day from dawn to dusk from the day of arrival, the family and the force of volunteers were set with a grand re-opening scheduled for March, 2009. Much like the movie Field of Dreams with the words “build it and they will come”, sure enough, the people came out in mass to watch races at the grand re-opening.

Soon after the dirt oval racing program was firmly planted and underway, Jim embarked on the construction of the moto-cross track. Making incredible leaps and bounds from one project to another, word was spreading across the nation that Shady Oaks Speedway was back in action and was a premier facility.

With incredible progress made in such a short time frame everything was headed in the right direction until a tragic curve ball was thrown in early August. Jim, being a racer himself, promoted a special event titled “Beat the Boss” for a particular class of cars. Jim competed in the event and as fate would have it, his car rolled over during competition.

In an accident that many times witnessed a racer would walk away from, Jim suffered severe bruising and swelling on his spine, as well as other injuries, and after facing the initial hospital stay is now working through significant rehabilitation.

In spite of what was viewed to many as the possible end of the program, Jim demanded “the show must go on”. Laurie stepped in and took a front line role, and the tracks Director of Competition, Brian McDevitt, was quickly drafted to move up to the capacity of acting Promoter. Brian’s greatest challenge was the quick manner in which he had to indoctrinate himself into operating the complete racing program. But, as Jim requested that “the show must go on”, go on it has!

The speedway staff never missed a beat, continuing to host the scheduled events, and now the countdown has begun for the 2009 Halloween Havoc.

The speedway has received word of several known racers coming in for this benefit event. Racers will be running for increased purses including $1,500 to win in Moifieds and $800 to win in Limited Modifieds. And racers will have the opportunity to give back some or all of their race winnings for the night towards the benefit if they desire. According to Laurie, “It’s the racers choice if they want to give back some, all, or none of their winnings and it will be completely anonymous through a drop box”.

Not only is it a night that will see notable racing names converge on the speedway, but volunteers have assembled several other fund raising techniques for the event. There will be special designed event t-shirts on sale with all proceeds being donated, bar-b-que plates for sale with proceeds going to the benefit, a silent auction, a classic car show in the afternoon, and trick or treating for the kids on the front straight-a-way during intermission.

There is no doubt that the 2009 Halloween Havoc will be one for the record books. A night well worth the price of admission with racers from across the region, trick or treating for kids, and most of all a benefit for a track owner who set the tone for others to model in the racing world.

For information about Shady Oaks Speedway or the Halloween Havoc, contact Brian McDevitt at 361/ 676-5746 or via email at brian@shadyoakspeedway.com

by Monty Chamberlain

Posted by NickHolt · Filed Under Dirt Tracks, Top Main | Leave a Comment