Bahre-ing down at Speedway

By Ron Kantowski (contact)

Wednesday, May 14, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Back when Las Vegas Motor Speedway was little more than a blueprint and 1,500 acres of undeveloped sage, Richie Clyne said he envisioned his role on race day would be sipping a cool beverage from a luxury suite.

That day is still a way off but became a little closer to reality Tuesday with the announcement that Clyne is turning over management duties of the 102,000-seat superspeedway to Bob and Gary Bahre of New Hampshire International Speedway.

Clyne will become chairman and chief executive officer of LVMS with Bob Bahre assuming the president's role and Gary Bahre becoming a vice president, effective immediately.

"They've got a great reputation," Clyne said of the Bahres, who he met through their passion for antique cars. "I feel we've built the best speedway in the world. Now we've got the best management team in the world."

Bob Bahre told the Manchester (N.H.) Union-Leader that he and his son would not become investors at LVMS but did not rule out that possibility in the future.

But Clyne said that topic hasn't been discussed. "No, not at all," Clyne said.

The Bahres are responsible for building their NASCAR Winston Cup race into the largest sporting event in New England, annually attracting close to 90,000 spectators.

The race has been so successful that the Bahres recently purchased the rights to one of the two Winston Cup dates formerly held by North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway and moved it to New Hampshire. The fall Winston Cup race at Loudon debuts this Sept. 14.

The Bahres' reputation gives credence to the notion that LVMS will be positioned at the front of the line when NASCAR begins handing out new race dates or shuffling around old ones.

A NASCAR source even hinted the sanctioning body may be looking for a new home for its weather-plagued spring date at Richmond, Va., as soon as next year.

"I think we'll get one (Winston Cup date) when Mr. (Bill) France says we're ready," Clyne said, alluding to the NASCAR chief.

Although LVMS has received rave reviews from the NASCAR Craftsman Truck and Busch Series drivers who have competed here, the track also has had some hiccups.

Ray Wilkings, Lex Dudas and John Bisci, the former LVMS general manager, operations manager and publicity chief, respectively, resigned within weeks of each other this spring to pursue other opportunities within auto racing.

Their departures forced NASCAR to dispatch several members of its staff to Las Vegas to orchestrate the March 15 Busch Series race.

But with the Bahres on board, any management problems, real or perceived, should be a thing of the past.

Bob Bahre, the New Hampshire International Speedway chairman of the board, has more than 20 years of motorsports management experience while overseeing his lucrative construction, real estate and banking ventures.

NHIS opened for business in 1990. In addition to NASCAR Winston Cup, Busch Series and Craftman Truck Series races, it also has hosted Championship Auto Racing Teams and Indy Racing League Indy cars, NASCAR Busch North stock cars and modifieds and AMA motorcycles.

Clyne said he has known Bob Bahre for 24 years. He said the elder Bahre advised him regarding the purchase of the old Las Vegas Speedway Park lease and has been in close contact with Clyne during the construction phase of the new superspeedway.

But Clyne emphasized that his role at LVMS wouldn't change much, if at all.

"No, I'll be as busy as ever," he said.

In another LVMS development, Clyne said the Oct. 11 Saturday night Indy Racing League date is firm, with ABC expected to air the race on tape delay the following afternoon.