2002kamp.htm
THE SLEEPING BEAR AWAKENS
(10/17/02) Some fifty years earlier, a dirt race track
sitting amid the farm fields of West Central Indiana near tiny Boswell, was
drawing drivers and fans to it’s circle- shaped arena for racing venues which
would bring in some of the better competition of that era. As a young man,
living then in Northern Illinois, this writer remembers traveling to Henry’s
Speedway to watch his favorites from the Chicago area do battle with the local
heroes, who took a backseat to no one in those days. Many drivers competed at
that track which vaulted them into the dirt track limelight during the fifties
and sixties.
The inaugural opening of the track is not in my grasp at
this writing, but founder Avery Henry, over more than several decades molded
the facility into a respected site for fans and drivers alike. Young drivers,
such as Roger Long and Bob Pierce, to name two, learned the ropes at Henry’s
Speedway in those early years.
Sometime, in the mid-seventies, Henry made a decision to
pave the track and dirt racing died in Boswell, Indiana. The track continued
it’s racing saga under Henry, and after his passing, under several other
promoters until some new people stepped in as the track struggled for
popularity. And in 1997, the decision was made to pull up the asphalt and go
back to dirt track racing. Dirt racing fans were overjoyed, asphalt fans cried
foul, and Benton County Speedway under the new owners went racing on dirt. A
three-year battle to keep the track well manicured for racing, please the fans
and drivers, and make a profit spelled doom for the latest owners.
Now enter Bob and Gayle Kamp of Lafayette, IN., better
known as K-Motion Racing. The Kamps have been a well-known fixture at race
tracks throughout the Midwest and over the years since establishing K-Motion,
Bob has contributed in a large fashion to sponsoring drivers and advertising
at area tracks
“ I have always thought of this track as a little Eldora,
Kamp stated. It’s right in the hotbed of dirt track racing, with a close
proximity to Eastern Illinois and upstate and downstate Indiana.” Kamp went on
to say that since 1970, when he started K-Motion, this track has always been
family to him.
And in June of 2002, the racetrack with a long history
became Kamp Motor Speedway The Kamps purchased the weeds and all at the Benton
County sheriffs’ sale. “This would not have happened without Gayle’s
involvement, he said. She’s an important part of our whole operation.”
Now it was time to get dirty. The hauling in of new clay
for the track has been a giant task. 220 loads of Kentucky’s finest were
ordered and only 40 or 50 remain to be delivered. “The clay has been a big
holdup, he said. I want to go racing and so do the fans and drivers, but it
takes time.” He went on to say there were three ingredients to running a
track. One was the preparation and upkeep of the track. Another was offering a
good purse to the drivers and the third was treating the fans and drivers
well
“If you follow these guidelines, in return you will get
the fans and drivers to attend.” Over the past years, Kamp has witnessed
disgruntled drivers and fans and is determined that this is not for Kamp Motor
Speedway.
It should be noted that asphalt is back in the picture.
Drivers pulling into the pits at Kamp Motor Speedway will be pitting on a
completely enlarged and blacktopped pit area. And not to leave out the fans,
the parking lot on the east side of the racetrack is also completely paved.
With a 5,500 seating capacity, the bleachers have all
received a facelift and restrooms have been remodeled. The concession stands
are being updated and there is a new scoreboard in the infield. The infield
will be all grass except for a full length of asphalt for drivers to weigh in
and exit off the track
And for those who remember the track layout from before,
the front straight wall is now about 25 feet in and away from the catch fence.
The back straight wall is in about 10 feet. The turns are configured so that
the track is exactly 3/8 of a mile measuring in the middle groove. Cars will
enter the track thru a new entrance and exit thru the existing one. The
overhead lighting has been updated and the audio system is new.
Kamp Motor Speedway has most of their officials in place at this date with Jerry Danford as track manager. Danford is a veteran UMP Modified driver with track knowledge. Late Model driver, Jammie Wilson, will operate the parts trailer.
Jeff Houchens will be the track tech supervisor and Jimmy
Brown will be the track safety co-coordinator. Veteran flagman, Rick Isaacson,
will be on the flag stand and Michelle Powell will head up the concession
areas.
And now, with the news of what is happening. Weather
permitting; November 9th is the date for a Test and Tune
afternoon for drivers. An announcement will be made as to the time and
weather.
The first Saturday in April of 2003 will be the opening date for regular racing. Admission price will be $10.00 on regular race nights. And for drivers competing, the purse for regular race nights will be around $16,000. Ump Late Models will pay $1,500 to win and $200 to start. UMP Modifieds will pay $600 to win and $100 to start. Super Streets will pay $400 to win and $75 to start. Bombers will pay $200 to win and $50 to start.