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Mississippi's Columbus Speedway Set To Reopen After A Year Off
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Columbus Speedway will host races in 2016, according to a report in The Dispatch.
While an indefinite closure of the landmark dirt track in Lowndes County (Mississippi) lingered from February through all of the race season, racer, contractor and former Magnolia Motor Speedway affiliate Rod Taylor was devising a strategy to not only reopen the track, but also renovate and enhance a venue in dire need of a facelift, the paper reported.
Taylor confirmed Saturday that he has leased the track through the end of this year and for the 2017 season. Columbus Speedway will host races on Saturday, Nov. 12 and a practice session on Nov. 11. On race night, the track will host "family night," a celebration that will include an outdoor movie theater and inflatables for children.
"We'll be a fully-sanctioned track by NeSmith, and that paperwork is coming next week," Taylor said. "We have two sections of a wall that was damaged that are going to be replaced, and we plan to upgrade the grandstands. We're looking to put Columbus Speedway back on the map."
Taylor said Columbus will host races on Friday instead of Saturday, which will help NeSmith drivers race at both Columbus and Magnolia each weekend.
Taylor organized a track cleanup Saturday in preparation for the first race at the track since November 2015.
Taylor, who has more than 25 years experience in the decorative concrete business, spent the last three years as a project supervisor on various multi-million dollar projects across the Southeast. He designed and constructed parts of Magnolia Motor Speedway when it opened in the early 2000s, when he owned a construction company in the area. He has since returned to the Golden Triangle to continue his business.
While an indefinite closure of the landmark dirt track in Lowndes County (Mississippi) lingered from February through all of the race season, racer, contractor and former Magnolia Motor Speedway affiliate Rod Taylor was devising a strategy to not only reopen the track, but also renovate and enhance a venue in dire need of a facelift, the paper reported.
Taylor confirmed Saturday that he has leased the track through the end of this year and for the 2017 season. Columbus Speedway will host races on Saturday, Nov. 12 and a practice session on Nov. 11. On race night, the track will host "family night," a celebration that will include an outdoor movie theater and inflatables for children.
"We'll be a fully-sanctioned track by NeSmith, and that paperwork is coming next week," Taylor said. "We have two sections of a wall that was damaged that are going to be replaced, and we plan to upgrade the grandstands. We're looking to put Columbus Speedway back on the map."
Taylor said Columbus will host races on Friday instead of Saturday, which will help NeSmith drivers race at both Columbus and Magnolia each weekend.
Taylor organized a track cleanup Saturday in preparation for the first race at the track since November 2015.
Taylor, who has more than 25 years experience in the decorative concrete business, spent the last three years as a project supervisor on various multi-million dollar projects across the Southeast. He designed and constructed parts of Magnolia Motor Speedway when it opened in the early 2000s, when he owned a construction company in the area. He has since returned to the Golden Triangle to continue his business.
