Episode 429
June 25, 2023
Spud Speedway ownership announcement.
Aerial photo of the September 11th remembrance ceremony held on the front stretch of Spud Speedway prior to the PASS SLM 150 lap race. Take a good look since much will change in the next 60 days. (Derek Patten Drone Photo)
This is the official announcement from Spud Speedway owners:
New partners at Spud Speedway have big expansion plans that promise to bring economic growth to the Caribou area. Jim and Michelle Gamage are proud to purchase 50% of Spud Speedway.
“What an exciting opportunity,” says Jim Gamage, Jr.
Together with Spud Speedway owner Troy Haney, Jim and Michelle Gamage pulled off the first annual SnowBowl last March in downtown Caribou and at Spud Speedway. This mostly free event brought between 8,000 -10,000 people to the 4-day event.
Professional snowmobile snocross racers, a Rave-X snowmobile stunt show, groomer rodeo, poker run, and fireworks were just a few of the amazing events that happened throughout the weekend. Now they are busy planning the next event called the Dustbowl to be held September 14th through the 17th.
Expectations are that this second event will draw even bigger crowds. The event will bring Rave-X back to flip 3 dirt bikes, as well as grass drag races, truck and tractor pulls, a zip line, mechanical bull, fireworks, and a laser light show just to name some of the exciting events in the works.
Snowmobiling brings over six hundred million dollars to Maine’s economy annually. ATV registrations topped 80,000 in 2022, showing record growth in the sport. The Snowbowl highlights the snowmobile industry, and the Dustbowl will highlight ATV’s, dirt bikes and all things outdoor recreation.
With the best trail systems in the Northeast, this was a no brainer idea just waiting to take off in Aroostook County. Spud Speedway, with its ideal central location that connects with the ITS trail system, is now home to these two super events, breathing new life into this iconic track built in 1964.
But this is just the beginning of what Spud Speedway will become. It will be an event center, offering a perfect location for other types of events to be held – proms, weddings, sporting events, corporate outings, equipment auctions, outdoor roller-skating, drive-in movie nights and more.
Current plans include new fencing, lighting, sound, clearing land to construct and install a grass drag track and certified pulling track for the coming Dustbowl.
Phase two includes 10 onsite tiny cabins to offer those coming to the area a great place to stay near all the action. Owners would also like to build an event center at Spud that would offer a place to have a restaurant and bar and space for endless rental opportunities.
Spud Speedway is proud to offer community-based events that draw people to our area while still providing quality entertainment to our local community. Spud Speedway looks for ways to add to the long tradition of charitable events, including, but not limited to, Feed the County Race that has helped raise over $100,000 from 4 separate races for local food banks. Spud Speedway owners will continue to explore ideas for cool, fun things to bring to the track. They are thinking big and we can’t wait to see what they will bring next to Caribou. Stay tuned!