By Greg Hertzog
WHITE LAKE — August 29, 2006 — This past week has been a roller coaster of emotions for everyone associated with Catskill Mountain Speedway.
Things went south when then promoter Michelle Gannon announced that, financially, she could no longer manage the speedway. But in a span of just seven days, the situation has come full circle.
Effective yesterday, Donna Aumick took over the helm of the Sullivan County 1/4-mile asphalt oval under its new name, White Lake Raceway.
“Racing resumes with a new attitude,” said Donna’s husband Mike Aumick, who is leaving his racing seat to help manage the speedway.
The Aumicks bring decades of experience in the racing business and certainly hope to parlay that into a successful stint at race promoting.
They’re fully aware of the challenges they face trying to get fans and drivers back to the track. In an effort to do just that, the adult grandstand admission price will be lowered to $10. Past track employees are still being contacted, so their full operations team has not been finalized.
Racing could return to the speedway as early as this coming Saturday night, September 2.
The biggest obstacle Donna Aumick faces in making that happen is to transfer of all the necessary operating permits into her name this week.
Since there are only eight events remaining on the existing 2006 calendar, racing would continue with the current regular divisions of CMS Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Street Stocks, Pure Stocks, and 4 Cylinders. The semi-regular Legends will also stay on the remaining races.
Donna Aumick will determine what other touring divisions will remain on the schedule and will be contacting them individually. Her main goal for the rest of this year is to prove the financial viability for next year. It has yet to be determined if there will be any changes to purse, but the remaining races will be non-points events.
Donna Aumick will be meeting with Gannon in the coming days to go over the purse structure and other financial details.
“Michelle’s been extremely helpful getting me up to speed quickly,” Donna Aumick said of her indoctrination.
Since word of the track’s brighter future began circulating through the small racing community, the Aumicks’ phone has been ringing off the hook.
Any questions regarding the remainder of the 2006 season should be directed to Donna Aumick, either by phone at (973) 764-9893 or by e-mail at daumick@warwick.net.
Track photographer Lisa Andresen has graciously offered her Web site (www.photosplusbylisa.com/) as a place where fans and drivers can go for up-to-the-minute track information.