Very Local Problems: Selling US 13 Dragway. By Sara Davis and Kate Gladding.

Define the problem… The local racetrack in Delmar, DE has been in business since 1963 by the Cathell family. And now there are rumors going around that Charlie, the current owner, is being given prices to sell the track. It is the eighth most popular attraction in Delaware, and has been a part of my (Sara’s) family for almost 20 years. The problem is, I’ve been planning on racing for the rest of my life after my dad, and without a track this close, I wouldn’t be able to, as easily as it is now. And I want to pass it on to my family too. It’s the biggest part of my life, and I don’t want it to disappear.

Propose solution… A day for just fundraising would bring the track much needed funds. With the economy and Charlie recently raising prices, it is hard for people to afford it therefore Charlie doesn’t get money that he needs to keep the track running. Also things like gas prices are raising, and racing fuel is almost double the price of regular gas. So if there was a fundraiser he could get the money he needs and he can keep the track running and not have to sell it. The money from the fundraiser would prove to him he can make more money keeping the track then selling it. If the Delmar Casino was built across from the track we believe it would bring tourists and that would bring the track money. With sports betting, especially.

Who we contacted… Danny Short. 411 Legislative Avenue Robert L. Venables. (302) Jack Markell. We wanted to contact the state senator and representative because our issue is at a state level.

The letter to Senator Venables Danny Short, and Jack Markell… Dear Senator Venables, Representative Short, or Governor Markell, To who it may concern, our names are Sara Davis and Kate Gladding and we are eighth graders at Seaford Middle School. We’re doing a project in our social studies class where we pick either a problem that is affecting the world, America, or your own state, and try to find a solution that isn’t being done yet. We decided to choose a very local problem; Delmar U.S. 13 Dragway being sold. Since 1963, the Cathell family has run the racetrack. “My (Sara’s) family has been racing there for almost 20 years. Now that I have joined them for the past three years, I don’t want this place to disappear. Drag racing is my life, it’s in my blood.” The first solution that came to mind was the new casino that was planning on being built. During the 2010 season, a man came around and asked racers to sign a petition saying that we supported the casino being built. The new casino would bring more tourists down near the track and give people a place to hang out when they leave the casino. Also, the casino could start a sports betting program and I know that would definitely bring people to the track. Our next solution that Kate made up is a fundraising day for Charlie. A day for just fundraising would bring the track much needed funds. With the economy and Charlie recently raising prices, it is hard for people to afford it therefore Charlie doesn’t get money that he needs to keep the track running. Also things like gas prices are raising, and racing fuel is almost double the price of regular gas. So if there was a fundraiser he could get the money he needs and he can keep the track running and not have to sell it. I know you’re busy, and you have better things to worry about. But this track means a lot to me. And it means a lot to hundreds of other people. I want to race for the rest of my life and without this race track, it wouldn’t be so easy. I would really like you to consider my problem, because these solutions would persuade Charlie that the track can make him more money if he keeps the track running then if he sells it. Please contact me back if you agree with our proposal. Thank you very much for your time. Sincerely, Sara Davis and Kate Gladding