Extension Of NYS Governor’s Executive Order Forces Ransomville To Cancel 2020 Season
Story By: DAVE BUCHANAN / RANSOMVILLE SPEEDWAY – RAMSOMVILLE, NY – The continued extension of Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order number 202.32, which prohibits spectators at auto racing events, has forced Ransomville Speedway management to announce the cancellation of its 2020 racing season.
The order, which has been continually extended for the past two months, was extended recently to August 29. With so few scheduled events remaining on the schedule after that date, and with the unlikely scenario Cuomo will not extend his order yet again, the speedway is forced to make this decision.
Sadly, like many other businesses throughout the state of New York, the speedway was ready to open effectively in late June when the Governor’s Phase 4 rollout was to begin. Phase 4 was to include low-risk outdoor activities and entertainment but it was not to be.
“Like many other tracks and businesses across the state, we waited patiently in the spring for phase 4 to begin and used that time to develop the appropriate safeguards at the track to be CDC compliant,” said general manager Jenn Martin, “We have been prepared to open with a safe environment for our racing family for two months, unfortunately, the Governor’s ‘phase 4’ appears to be little more than fiction.”
Ransomville Speedway is one of approximately 50% of the motorsports facilities in the state that has not hosted an event in 2020. Several tracks have opened for a limited number of events with varying success. While Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order that was released on June 1 permits racing without fans, it simply was not appealing to most New York State tracks, including Ransomville.
“Hosting successful events is dependent on three major components – participants, fans and sponsorships. It is challenging to successfully operate when fans aren’t permitted and sponsorships are so dependent on crowds,” said Martin. “Short tracks like ours need all things to work in unison to be successful. Plus racing at Ransomville is just not complete without all the excited fans joining us every Friday Night. It just wouldn’t be the same”
Track Management would like to thank all the competitors, fans, sponsors, officials and staff for their patience, understanding and support during this time of uncertainty. Most of all, for all to remain healthy and safe as the COVID-19 pandemic begins to wind down. Speedway management will begin planning for the 2021 racing season, with announcements to be released as they become available.
