Empire State Development/Steuben County Shut Down Woodhull Raceway’s Attempt At Practice
Media Contact: Steven Ovens - woodhullracewaypr@gmail.com For Immediate Release – May 14th, 2020 –
(Woodhull, NY) – It is with deep regret that Woodhull Raceway owners Nikki and Terry Brewer announce that Saturday May 16’s Open Practice session has been cancelled indefinitely. It is not yet known when practice or racing will be able to be resumed in 2020.
The announcement comes after Woodhull Raceway was advised by Empire State Development and Steuben County that the raceway was being shut down from holding any events. If they moved forward with plans to hold any kind of event, they would be cited by the county and New York State which would carry a hefty financial penalty and open the track to further regulatory scrutiny.
This comes after the track has worked for weeks with Senator Tom O’Mara’s office, submitted plans that follow CDC guidelines to Empire State Development and several discussions and submitted plans to Steuben County Manager Jack Wheeler. Wheeler also sits on the Southern Tier “Control Room” panel that advises New York State on businesses that are prepared for Phase 1 reopening.
Although the track has submitted plans that follow guidelines that are no different than the Elmira Drive In Movie, which will begin operation on Friday, track ownership cannot get a defined answer as to why their plans are being rejected and their raceway shuttered for events.
“This is devastating and heartbreaking for us, our drivers, our fans and our sponsors,” said Woodhull Raceway co-owner Nikki Brewer.
“We have done everything asked of us, have made phone calls, written emails, submitted online forms and have a plan that follows what is being asked of businesses that will be reopening this weekend. It is frustrating beyond any measure that though we have shown this, we cannot get any answer as to why or why not from New York State and Steuben County leadership.”
Woodhull Raceway, like other tracks and businesses across the state of New York, has been deemed non-essential by the State. There was also a complaint submitted by a member of the community to the New York on PAUSE complaint form on the state’s website in regard to the planned practice session, that put the state/county shutdown in motion on Thursday.
As information becomes available on any 2020 activity at Woodhull Raceway, news will be released on their website www.woodhullraceway.com. This is and has been a very trying time and the Brewer family wishes to thank their loyal race teams, fans and sponsors for the patience and support during this uncertain time.
For more information race over to www.woodhullraceway.com, Like Woodhull Raceway on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WoodhullRaceway or Follow Woodhull on Twitter @WoodhullPR.
Woodhull Raceway is located in Woodhull, NY, just 30 minutes West of Corning, NY and competes weekly on Saturday nights from mid-April through Labor Day Weekend. The track offers several special events including the ULMS Super Late Models in June, Patriot Sprint Tour 360 Sprints in May and August and the Short Track Super Series Modifieds in early-August.