DeBary Glen closing down soon

[Modlerbob]

My grand experiment in having a 1/32 racing venue will soon be shutting down. My hope that I would find at least five or six other local racers who would form a club and help me pay the rent was never realised. Attendance has been sporadic and we have only managed to have less than ten events since I opened up. Since Marty's health started getting worse there have only been a few occasions when someone other than me has been at the track.

The bottom line is that after July I will not be able to afford the rent as I will be turning 66 and my disability insurance payments will terminate leaving me with only my social security check to support me. I hope I have sold the Scaley plastic track and if so it will be moving to Jacksonville, Fl. I plan to reduce the size of the mdf track so that it will fit in my Florida room. The table will be reduced to 16' x 6.5' and the track length reduced from 65' to about 55'. So, in a way, DeBary Glen will live on, just in a new location and with a smaller footprint.

[munter]

"Change is the only constant".......curse it.
I constantly fight to maintain "my" status quo.

[chappy]

Wishing you all the best Bob.
Bob C

[Modlerbob]

One good? thing will be that the only regular driving I will need to do is to the grocery store and my doctor's office. So hopefully I will be able to drive to Jacksonville on occasion and visit my old track.

[TsgtRet]

Sorry to hear it Bob but at least you'll be able to have a track at home. BTW is the room where the new track will be air conditioned? I remember you having a problem with that at your present location.

[HomeRacingWorld]

The size reduction isn't that bad Bob. I know plenty folks that have less and still have fun with the hobby.

You have your silver linings as you mentioned. All we can do is focus on the good.

[dreinecke]

Bob - I know you've worried over this for awhile now. As nice as the track is it will be equally nice even with a few feet removed. I just reduced mine when moving, so at first it seems a little odd but after awhile I actually like it more. I'm sure you'll be the same.

I'll try to get by this year if I make it down again!

[Modlerbob]

[Abarth Mike]

It may not have succeeded but at least you know you tried. As they say better to have tried... than never to have tried at all. One door closes another door opens.

[Audi1]

[bobbyraz49]

I am so glad you invited me over to race and value your friendship.
Meeting you and Marty were a blessing.
As you move the venue look at the positive...AC and no debris on the track. AND...no travel !!!!
You have an amazing collection of cars and you will have an amazing track.
Best wishes from Buffalo.....Bob.

[Kemtronracer]

Sorry to hear that, Bob. It seems like everyone I know is having trouble finding others to run with on their tracks. If I ever get back to Florida, I'll make sure to check in with you.

Best regards,

[ElSecundo]

Sorry to hear the news, Bob. In the end, hopefully, you may find that leaving out of the hobby will bring the fun level up. I tried something similar when I started, but learned in pretty short order that it wasn't going to happen the way I hoped -- and frankly, I'm glad it didn't. Slot cars are more fun when there's nothing riding on it.

Maybe finding some niche, like setting up a lathe and machining some wheels could bring in the extra income you were hoping for. Or making plastic-to-wood adapter tracks, or something else equally unusual. Doing your own decals and selling them may be up your alley.

Anyway, best of luck in the new place!

[indybob007]

Yes finding people to race has always been a big problem' Living in a rual area does not help either. If it was not for family and all my grandkids who love to race I would just tear my track down and use the space for something else. Racing alone just gets boring. But good luck on the new track. Indybob

[Modlerbob]

I live in a retirement community and there are a lot of guys my age here. Even though I was unable to get any of them to drive three miles to where my track is currently located I might be able to convince a few of them to come by my house and try it out. To me it beats going down to the clubhouse and playing bingo on Wednesday night.