Not good news:
https://autoweek.com/article/car-life/bondurant-school-bankrupt?utm_source=DailyDrive20181004&utm_medium=enewsletter&utm_term=headline-top&utm_content=body&utm_campaign=awdailydrive
:(
Hopefully they will be able to come out of it. A great school .You could almost call it a national treasure IMO.
Down side is there is a driving school/experience at every big track in the world now. Ford pulled out when Bondo added gokarts.
That really, REALLY sucks. :'(
My memories are a great experience for us mere mortal drivers. Hopefully they can find a solution.
In related news, iPhone gaming schools are turning away applicants.
Qualified for my SCCA from Bob's school in Feb 2007. Great fun and a really nice guy. Hope they can reorganize and get back in the right direction.
Quote from: 2112 on October 18, 2018, 09:48:07 AM
In related news, iPhone gaming schools are turning away applicants.
...For the times they are a-changin'
Bob Dylan
No one should doubt it's hard to maintain a driving school in todays world, Bondurant joins Skip Barber as recent schools filing Chapter 13.
I have been going to Firebird raceway since the early 80s Dragstrip,boat races, open track events to name a few. What I have noticed is that as the years go by NO money is put back into the business. The track and facilities are dilapidated, I know first hand Bob and a few others live a very comfortable exisistance but the rest of it has gone to hell. Probably mis- appropriation of funds might have something to do with it. It has been taken over by the native indian tribe in that location and they have made a very nice shopping center and hotel complex next to the race track. The rag tag group of mechanics and drivers and engineers and designers from back in the day known as SHELBY AMERICAN were an anomaly and is what our memories of these fantastic cars are built from. The prices charged for these schools should allow for some money to flow back into the business, if not it too will fade into the distant memories of the greatest generation that could get things done.
Quote from: CSX 4133 on October 18, 2018, 01:42:54 PM
No one should doubt it's hard to maintain a driving school in todays world, Bondurant joins Skip Barber as recent schools filing Chapter 13.
I believe The Bondurant school filed for chapter 11 protection which allows for reorganization hopefully. If things don't work out then on to chapter 13 where everything is liquidated in a organized fashion to pay off creditors. Just my basic rudimentary understanding so anyone in the know please help me if I'm wrong.
A judge can deem the Ch 11 plan unworkable or in the case of Toys R Us they burned through their money too quickly under 11 and had to liquidate.
Hope Bob can pull things together.
I don't know what the contractual agreement between the race track and the TRIBE is but I have heard they would rather get rid of all the racing activities and make a major (outlet) shopping center. Another race track might bite the dust ,lets hope not for the left coasters are running out of places to go! :-[
If they want to look to the future, they may want to offer classes for high performance autonomous driving.
Even shopping centers are on their way out.
Ever hear of Amazon?
Funny that you mention that.
Do you remember a track called Riverside International Raceway?
That parcel was developed in 1987. The shopping center has since been through bankruptcy. Visit today and it's a ghost town.
As for an outlet mall, Irwindale Raceway was supposed to close in January. The owners renewed a multi year lease. It appears the raceway was the best land use, instead of a mall across the street from a land fill.
Amazon indeed.
Quote from: 2112 on October 21, 2018, 12:17:56 PM
Even shopping centers are on their way out.
Ever hear of Amazon?
Welcome to the future...
Quote from: Sfm6sxxx on October 20, 2018, 11:13:07 PM
If they want to look to the future, they may want to offer classes for high performance autonomous driving.
Haaaaahaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!! Good one!
May not work after the autonomous Uber car accident. Testing group has left Arizona. They were also based in the same county as the track, Chandler, I believe. 8)