PARAGON STUDIOS

Irwindale Speedway Final Thoughts

H.W.L

12/13/2024

 

Paragon Studios - Laguna Beach, CA

paragonbusinessofficial@gmail.com

(714) 497-3254

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 What began, four weeks ago, as a gesture of resistance has now developed into some of the most unbelievable results. 

 

Backstory:

 

   In early November I learned about the planned closure and demolition of the Irwindale Speedway. Something which had actually been in the works for several years, but routinely shelved or could never come to fruition; for one reason or another. That failure to execute had finally reached its end and it rapidly became official that this was unfortunately not those other times. Regardless of reality, I knew I couldn’t sit idly by and allow this malicious devastation of California Automotive history and culture take place. The flood of memories returned to me as I recalled my father taking me to Nitro Revivals or Moon Eyes’ events and even Circle track way back in the day. This affinity for the Speedway never left me as I grew older either. With such a short, yet rich history including dozens of drag racing legends using the strip to burn rubber, hosting of the innovative formula drift, and being a launchpad for so many unique automotive events like PowerTour. It not only ingrained itself as a legendary staple of the Southern California Automotive community, but a place of camaraderie that would/should be around for generations to come. 

   These are not idle words either, shared by myself alone. After learning of the planned demolition, I made sure to be first in line for what would become the final Nitro Revival at Irwindale Speedway. I had to know if I was alone in my feelings on the matter. If I was the only one who cared enough to do something-no less say something. Quickly I learned through several interviews throughout the evening that my feelings were not seldom, but shared by literally every single person there; that is not hyperbole. How could the decisions of a few and the sway of money affect the lives of the 99%? Not only was it foolish, but in all categories it was immoral and would lead to a butterfly effect of future problems. My final straw had broken when I spoke to Automotive Performance legend, Jim VanGordon, and he told me,” There was a piece of time where things were just simpler. You worked, you went home, you played. Now, you work and go broke-you’re upside down from the beginning. Until that changes it’s going to be quite tough for us and will be a battle. A battle to hold onto the roots of what is a great American past-time.” If we continue to rely on factors outside of our means, to facilitate our way of life-it will continually erode away until it’s unachievable for anyone. We must strive to implement revolutionary means of preservation. Parallel markets, fixed oil and fuel prices, historical site status for our places of recreation, elimination of emissions testing for classic vehicles, incentivizing American-made manufacturing, design and safety deregulation, and the list simply goes on. If we seek to absorb a new generation who will take over the care and preservation of our automobiles, tracks, museums, companies, and love the culture just as much as we do. We have to make it feasible again. That doesn’t mean making it easy, it just means it needs to be affordable enough to achieve. 

 

Outcome:

 

   That was final and so I got to work. Building a new website page to host all info and lines of communication, creating a petition for folks to make their voices heard, producing a short-form video to bring attention to the issue, and coordinating with other influences in the SoCal Automotive sphere like the renowned Twins Custom Coaches-to advertise and distribute more broadly. Weeks of work overhauled in a matter of a few days-we had no time left to spare. Almost overnight the petition garnered 100 signatures, then as the weeks creeped by 200, 300, and now, as of publishing this, we remarkably rest at 450 verified signatures. A remarkable feat for a grass roots petition with no financial backing or large base of followers. It is simply the indomitable spirit of the motorist and their allegiance to the community. 

I would like to share some of the statistics of the outcome of the petition:

• 506 Verified Signatures

• 5,765 petition views

• 280 petition shares

• 31% of signatures were organic

• 16% of signatures were from our promoters' donations

• A whopping $400 was donated to promote the cause

 

Final Statement:

 

   The measured success of a movement is not predicated on whether or not it can win the battles. Instead, it’s predicated on whether or not it can endure the long struggle-it can overcome the war. That’s exactly what we aim to do. We must first understand that we are in a war-this is going to be a long struggle. It will be hard, it will demand all our resources, all our energy, and everybody coming together to fight. The Irwindale Speedway is not the first to fall and it’s not going to be the last. But maybe Irwindale is enough of a wake-up call for all of us to understand what is at stake. That this machine of ever-encroaching elimination and death of our culture is not going to stop. They just keep adding fuel to the fire and it’s going to keep chugging along until we say,” No more,” and throw a wrench in the gears. Are we willing to do that? Are we willing to endure? Let us not take Irwindale as a total blow or believe it to be some existential final defeat. Instead let us view it for what it is, a wake-up call. We do not have a lot of time-this is extremely pressing and urgent; so let’s not kid ourselves. But let’s take the time we do have and use it to the best of our advantage. Let us be calculated and wise. So we can organize when another Irwindale is in its infancy of happening. To plan, to establish our bulwarks of defense, and enrich our reserves and treasury. This applies to anywhere in the nation-it isn’t just reserved to California. Any track, any drag strip, any historical or non-historic place of recreation. To band the entire national automotive community together to protect it. Let’s not have another Irwindale. No More Irwindales. We have to fight, we have to keep fighting, we have to make demands, we have to be stubborn. Everything is at stake and this could be the end of the line if we will it. But if not, if we’re a band of pushovers, too soft, and too willing to heed the demands of those who seek the destruction of our culture. Then whatever fate is given to us is the fate we deserve. But I know we’re bigger than that and our history is full of fight and grit. We can endure this-so let’s do just that. That is exactly what Sun&Petrol is for-to preserve Automotive Culture for generations to come. Sun&Petrol is right behind you, we will be the banner you carry into battle time and time again, we will be defending these places of recreation, we will be defending our culture, our history, and our people. There is no greater cause than this and the war rages on now-so let’s get to work!

 

To Our Supporters: 

 

   Thank you to every single person who signed, donated, and rallied your friends and family to support the cause. We encourage everyone, if they haven’t already, to begin a conversation with your community about automotive preservation. How urgent such a cause is and what you can do as an individual to impact the process. Take a young man or woman under your wing and teach them what you know. Get out and get active at the car show, car cruise, race, or any car related event; we have to infuse and circulate money into our community. Contact your representatives and demand comprehensive legislation to protect your automotive scene, including, raceways, emissions leniency, car club integration into local events, and automotive workshops for youth engagement. There are so many things you can personally do to leave a lasting impact in your community and we are in desperate need of visionary community leaders; regardless of age. Keep fighting and never be discouraged! The future is bright and it belongs to those who show up! So, let’s show up!

 

Stay In Contact:

 

   Please come follow us and our mission at www.paragonofficial.com/sunandpetrol for all Automotive Preservation related subjects. Follow the development of our television program [Sun&Petrol] too-that will explore this topic heavily and shine a light on the past and future of Automotive Culture:

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“  Follow third-generation Hot Rodder, Hayden Larson, as he embarks upon a West Coast automotive adventure. To discover the historic past of automobiles, their influence throughout the American West, the forgotten legends of the drag strip and local town heroes, and defining how it has shaped the identity of the Grand American Expanse. Going town to town, state to state, and engaging with the folks who experienced this history firsthand. You can expect a road trip filled with adventures, candid encounters, laughs to be had, and a never-before-discovered insight into this deeply American institution.”

 

Sincerely,

Hayden W. Larson

Paragon Studios

paragonofficial.com