Topgun Drag Strip Repairs

Dear Racers,

We are asking that we all come together as a community to help fundraise in order to rebuild the track. Below you will find updates provided by our President, John Stauverman which tell the story of how this destruction occurred. He and the staff have been working tirelessly to rebuild the track while providing transparent cost information. The Top Gun race track is more than just a drag strip. It is where we make memories, teach our children good sportsmanship, attention to detail and many more life skills. Many of us grew up out here and would hate to see this unheard of historical event ruin future memories for racers and their families and friends. This hits near and dear to our family specifically as we consist of three generations of racers. We would like to help the track so other families have the opportunity to build a legacy too.

Please consider donating and sharing with friends and community partners.

**Most recent update**

Today we received some upsetting news from the well company. After many failed attempts, broken pipes and frustrations the failed well pump is still in the well. 150 feet closer to the top, however still in the hole. A camera was sent down the well to inspect and determine the reason the pump keeps getting stuck in the casing on the way up. The well casing has collapsed. The camera tells all. I guess 30 plus years and with high alkali not only in the ground but in our water as well, has damaged the casing beyond any hope of repair. No room to run a sleeve down the old well. The only remaining option is to simply drill a new well. Drilling the well is the simple part. Paying for it is the hard part. The cost exceeds our available funds, by a lot, however we will overcome this obstacle as we have overcame many others.

Our dirt work has begun, but the current situation will certainly put a delay in the progress. We must have water to clean and according to the contract, we are to provide water for the cleaning, something we absolutely cannot do at this time. We will get a well dug, dirt moved, holes filled and get the racing surface washed and cleaned soon as possible.

History of Events:

All of you deserve an update of our situation and our future plans at Topgun Dragstrip for the 2023 season.

As you are all aware we started the year out with an unexpected computer failure at our first bracket race May 5th - 7th. Unable to resolve the issue at that time, we had to cancel the event for the weekend. The test and tune, and points race number 1 and 2 were wiped off the books. Unfortunately, track prep and staffing had already been taken care of for the event and this added to the loss of revenue expected for that weekend. Rain checks were issued and refunds were offered and accepted. The computer was sent out next day air utilizing a sponsors account and the computer was returned to us a week later fixed and ready to go.

Our next event, May 19th-21st was a success. $5 Friday was well attended as was points races 3 & 4 Saturday and Sunday. The awards banquet and potluck dinner Saturday evening was a great success, Norcal Nostalgic association was there to participate at the event with us. Although many rain checks were cashed in from two weeks earlier, gate sales were sufficient enough to cover the expenses for that weekend.

A couple days before the National Open we encountered a problem with our water well at the track. Knowing that time was not on our side, it was decided we would fill the reserve tanks to the maximum amount, order extra restrooms, hope for the best and cross our fingers that we could make it through the 3-4 day event without running out of water. Not necessarily a wise business decision, but all things considered our best option.

Our National Open event started Friday with a successful test and tune and Jr Dragster Challenge event. Saturday had time runs, qualifying and even some rounds of eliminations for all categories.

At about 2:30 the rain started. Oh boy did it. So much rain that the pits flooded and filled many areas with water, mud and silt. Topgun sitting on top of a hill was a recipe for disaster as all the water, mud and silt headed to the lowest part of the facility. The track. Well over 8” of rain, mud and silt settled on the track that afternoon from start line to finish line. Sunday after 12 hours of track cleaning overnight it was determined to only run Jr Dragsters and to cancel the remaining event. Again rain checks were issued for both the Saturday and Sunday events along with some refunds. The bracket event was to be rescheduled to June 23-25 replacing the scheduled $5 Saturday.

It was announced in drivers meetings that all rounds of eliminations for the Summit series race from the previous Saturday were being cancelled and that any points awarded were null and void. This didn’t come without controversy, however it was a decision that best suited everyone.

Monday evening June 12th members of the Board of Directors met with a contractor, who specializes in dirt groundwork, and proposed a plan to repair the damages to the facility by the massive rainfalls from the previous weekend. In addition, a contractor was contacted to work on the well, it was determined the failure was the pump that sat 550’ down the well.

Tuesday June 13th another 50 year storm passed over the facility. This brought more water, mud and silt onto the track and washed out major areas of the pit, entrance road, pay booth area and grandstands. After the waters evaporated over an inch of standing silt and mud sat on the track and areas of the return road. Over a foot and a half of mud and silt rests up against the guard rails of the track. Everything that was done the previous Saturday night in order to run the Jrs had been washed away. Time to start over.

Sunday June 18th a conference call was held by the Board of Directors. It was determined that due to the extensive additional water damage done by the second storm the event of June 23-25th needed to be canceled. A replacement date has yet to be decided on and if there is one again we will expect controversy. We are now at 40% loss of events and revenue. A situation that will soon have to be resolved in order for Topgun to survive.