3/16/2001
THOMPSON ICEBREAKER POSTPONED DUE TO SNOW AND ICE
The management team at the Thompson
International Speedway today announced that ICEBEAKER 2001 will be postponed
until the weekend of April 21st and 22nd. The
postponement comes as a result of snow and ice conditions that continue to
cover the speedway complex.
"We have been keeping a close eye on the melting of the snow
over the past few days and, after much consideration, have reached the
conclusion that it will be virtually impossible to have this facility ready
to open for a show the size of the ICEBREAKER by the scheduled date of March
31st. We still have
nearly two feet of snow covering most of the facility with ice beneath
that," stated track owner Don Hoenig.
The veteran promoter continued by saying that the snow cover was only
half the problem. "Under the snow cover we have nearly two feet of
frost to contend with. Once the snow melts the frost will then begin to come
out of the ground and everything that is not covered with asphalt will turn
to mud. If this were a regular weekly show that we were going to be opening
with, we might stand a chance. However, a race program the size of the
ICEBREAKER brings in hundreds of campers and requires the use of large
sections of grassy portions of the pit area. These areas will be impossible
to use until the frost is gone and the ground has a chance to dry.
ICEBREAKER 2001 has eight different racing divisions scheduled and we simply
would have no place to put the race cars or the campers we expect to be on
hand," Hoenig concluded.
The decision to re-schedule the ICEBREAKER this early was also made
to accommodate race fans planning on a making it a racing weekend. By
announcing the new date now, fans will have an opportunity to make plans in
advance rather that letting them know at the last minute.
Hoenig did say, however, that he would continue to try to conduct one
or two open practice sessions prior to the running of the now re-scheduled
ICEBREAKER. Competitors are asked to stay in touch with the track for up to
the minute conditions. That information will also be posted on the track's
web site which may be found at www.thompsonspeedway.com.
The re-scheduled ICEBREAKER 2001 will still feature eight divisions
of race cars. The show will be run over the two-day weekend of April 21st
and 22nd and will be the first race run on the track's brand new
surface. Fans can also enjoy the traditional ICEBREAKER breakfast on both
Saturday and Sunday mornings plus the annual ICEBREAKER dinner and dance
Saturday night. All of these events are to be held at the Speedway Clubhouse
located on the grounds of the speedway.
For more information, call the Thompson International Speedway office
at (860)-923-2280 or visit the track's web site at, www.thompsonspeedway.com
