Tempers flared Thursday, Jan. 19 at the Shasta District Fair grounds as local racers confronted fair board members about the future of Shasta Raceway Park.

“The purpose of this meeting is to let people know what’s going on,” said Shasta District Fair board member, and race track committee chair, Bill Gibson. “If we’re going to have races, we need someone to step up.”

According to audience members, it might be too late for that.

Several people expressed concerns about the race schedule, which has already been set at other tracks, thus allowing for slim pickings for the 2012 race schedule at Shasta Raceway Park.

More than a few audience members couldn’t get past what had happened to the previous track promoter, Rick Faeth.

“Why did you terminate the contract (of the previous promoter)?” asked Ukiah track manager, Blair Aiken.

The answer to that question seemed difficult for audience members to grasp, but boils down to two things: A legal contract between previous track promoter, Rick Faeth, and the fair board’s inability to amend that contract without violating state law.

As previously reported by the Valley Post in November 2011, the changes Faeth requested from the board of directors were simply too substantial to grant as per the board’s Contract Policy and Procedure manual.

“We did not fire Rick Faeth,” insisted board president, Brad McDannold.

“We were hoping (Faeth) would take the same Request for Proposal and resubmit,” added Gibson.

Faeth did not. That has left the track in a tough situation.

“Every race brings a crowd of their own,” said local driver Joe Bartolli. “So you first need races.”

That might be a challenge for future promoters. “I’m concerned about the race track,” said Ben Briggs who races hornets. “There hasn’t been a year I haven’t been here. I’m concerned if it shuts down, It’ll never open up here again.”