ROCKINGHAM — A tire shortage has led promoters and track officials to postpone what was to be the big comeback event at Rockingham Speedway.
The LeithCars.com Race the Rock 125, scheduled for Nov. 6, will have to be pushed back due to an ongoing tire shortage for Hoosier tires.
Short Track Scene reported on the shortage in late May, with the blame being laid on a “combination of supply chain issues and a labor shortage.”
The racing news website also reported that other tire companies, including Dunlop Tyres, have “struggled to meet the growing needs of their consumers.”
In a joint statement from the CARS Tour Racing Series, the speedway and race promoters Charlie Hansen and Mike Stodder, the postponement was called “ a definite kick in the gut.”
“As many of you know, because of the pandemic, there is a serious issue with race tire supply that has been ongoing for quite some time,” the statement reads. “We were hoping to get ahead of the curve for this event, but in the end, Hoosier simply did not have the required staff or materials to make it happen.”
The statement also offered thanks to the sponsors “for stepping up and supporting racing at Rockingham.”
Anyone who has already purchased tickets for the race will receive a 100% refund within the next few days, according to the statement.
“Our plan moving forward is to closely evaluate the tire situation after the first of the year before consideration of rescheduling another event,” the statement reads. “The effort put in by the speedway has been nothing short of amazing.
“…this unfortunately is a sign of the times. It would be easy to point blame here or there, but the fact is, we are extremely proud of the effort that has gone on to bring racing back to The Rock.”
“We’re disappointed in this bump in the road,” said Justin Jones, vice president of operations for the speedway. “We’re going to get over it and move on.”
This is the second time the date for the race has been moved.
When it was first announced in November of 2020, the date was slated for March 6.
However, after several tire tests, Hoosier decided to go “back to the drawing board” to create a new compound to handle the track which has long been notorious for wearing tires.
Despite that postponement, Jones said the speedway has events nearly every weekend through Dec. 4 — starting with a volunteer day this weekend.
Jones said track officials “are beyond humbled and excited” about the response with people and groups committing to lend a hand, supplies and food. He added there is a plan to make it an annual event.
The following weekend, MB Drift returns for its Party at Little Rock Drift Funday, where spectators 18 and up can take ride-alongs with drivers.
MB Drift made Rockingham Speedway its new home this year and has had several open days in addition to its four competitive events, which wrapped up last month.
Motorsport 4the Masses, which has also held several events at Rockingham, will be using the roval on Oct. for its race course driver’s education.
The second weekend in October, Rockingham will host the Trucks Gone Wild East Coast Jeep, Truck and Off-road Festival.
Jones said that every weekend from September through mid-December of 2022 is also already booked.
“It’s going really well,” he said.
