WISCASSET RACEWAY SOLD TO FARMINGDALE BUSINESSMAN DOUG WHITE
After 18 years under the ownership and guidance of David & Sandra St Clair, Wiscasset Raceway has been sold to businessman and former racer Doug White of Farmingdale. St Clair, with White at his side, made the official announcement at noon on Saturday June 2nd at the track that he and his family have called home since June of 1990.
Financial terms were not disclosed at the press conference, but the transition of ownership should be completed by mid September. “It’s something that Dave and I have talked about and joked about for several years”, said White. “I thought he was joking again this time. But I talked to Sandra at the Coastal 200 and I realized they had made up their minds to close the place if they didn’t have a buyer. I’ve always loved this track. I wanted to do this a while back, but I had the dealership to run.” White became a successful businessman and promoter as a co-owner of DNK Select Used Cars of Farmingdale. “Charlie (Clark) bought out my share a year and a half ago and I went into semi-retirement. Now the time is right for me to do this…. And we’re excited”. White made sure to stress that he plans to keep the raceway staff in place and keep the current divisions and rules intact. The only immediate significant change White mentioned was the likelihood of the return of the Pro All Star Series (PASS) in 2008 to Maine’s fastest track. “We don’t plan to bring Prostocks back as a weekly class, but we will bring in the PASS tour with three or four marquis events next year. We may look into some other touring series to bring in for next season as well. Thanks to Dave and Sandra here’s a good core to work with here, we’re just going to add to it.”
White and his wife Becky plan to spend the next few weeks shadowing David and Sandra St Clair to help create a smooth transition for the track’s weekly operation. When asked of his thoughts on the sale, St Clair was resigned to the fact that the time was right. “I had told myself that last year was going to be it. Then at the banquet I committed to open again this year. There have just been so many loyal people who have raced here over the years and I didn’t want to let them down. But, we decided we were going to close it down if there was no buyer this year. I’m glad that it’s been sold to someone who will keep it open as a racetrack.“ When asked what his plans were after the sale was complete, St Clair smiled and said “Sandra and I are going to get in the motorcoach and travel across the country”. St Clair added that he and his family, including his son Puncin, his grandson Josh and granddaughter Cassandra will continue to race from time to time at Wiscasset Raceway.