Car club · Spokane, Washington

Inland NW Pontiac Club

Marque Club

The Gator Region of Northeast Florida rented the track every year from the mid-1960’s through 1971 to hold National races, which was a big event for the Gator Region. For 1972, the Gator Region asked Tom Nehl, a member since 1967, to be Race Chairman. Organizing a National race is quite an undertaking, and those who have done it know how much work is involved. We were required to furnish insurance to the property owner and arrange to rent the track. The track was by then owned by the Savannah Foundation. In the process of delivering the race insurance to Mr. Marvin Davis, President of the Savannah Foundation as well as the President of the Council for Traffic Safety, Mr. Nehl got acquainted with Mr. Davis, who was impressed with the business-like way everything was handled. After we ran the race in 1971, Mr. Davis contacted Mr. Nehl and asked if he would like to take over the track, rent it, and operate it. After a few seconds of thought, Mr. Nehl said “I don’t think I want to do that. But I might buy it from you.” Mr. Davis said “Make us a proposition.” After studying all aspects, Mr. Nehl put together an offer designed to be attractive consisting of cash plus contributions for the next five years to complete full payment, plus a promise to unite the Savannah and Gator Regions to manage the track and a pledge to keep it operating for at least five years.