So... I Bought an Abandoned Racetrack.
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- In today's video, I go over a small portion of this piece of property that I purchased. It needs a lot of work, but it's a heck of a start!
This is the former home of Copper Creek Motorsports Park, as well as the former home is the "Apollo" 1/8 Mile Drag Strip (It's LONG since gone...). The drag strip was operated in the mid 70's for a couple of years before going to waste.
#abandonedplaces #racetrack #wisconsin #realestate #abandoned - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
"If something is really calling you; I think you have to answer it. Because when you get old and you can't do it anymore; I think you're going to wish you did." -Inspirational Message
I am racing this year for the first time because of this quote. It's been calling me since 1998. Waited far too long. But, 2021 is my rookie year.
This is a quote that you hear way too often!
Hey Ty weird seeing you here😂 This is about 3 hours away from me
Smartest rookie going!
Agreed. Better listen to your elders. They know a thing or two.
Please do burnout comps. I'm across the lake in traverse city and would love to bring my burnout toy to play.
Anyone who revives old race tracks is a hero in my eyes.
@@osscreepy You are just an angry person. If a person has money and does good things that helps others to enjoy there passion then they are a Community hero. I said nothing about Returned Service Persons you just went off on an irrelevant tangent.
Stay on Subject
Yessir
Car guy to car guy you’re doing your part to save this hobby, that earns a subscription for sure.
Thanks bud, this is what it's all about. Locally it's been extremely popular. More so than I ever hoped
Yeap.
Same here. I just liked and subbed.
This vid was a suggestion btw.
Totally agree!!!
@@Utubin thanks corey, I appreciate the support.
@@chrisdavis3829 thanks chris! So many of you guys have subscribed the last few days, and its really helped out in a huge way.
Never heard of you. This popped up and I’m super interested. Also happy to see another track saved. Kill it!!!
Thanks bud, I appreciate it. Everyone dropping a line of support is very helpful. It's a long road, but its slowly being reclaimed and saved
@@Greenlightfilming
Nice.
Same.. I’m hooked.
Word!!! This is sick. Wishing you lots of success. Makes me wanna buy the st croix falls dirt track.
Well if he's going to save it why would you suggest he kills it ?
Never even heard of this channel before, but this is one project that I’m already really exited to see how it goes!
We are taking this place to the moon if things go well
So much potential!
Its come a long ways since then! Tons of work, but tons of fun.
for what?
@@izoyt car racing
So much room for activities!
This is awesome! I hope this becomes a trend, and TH-camrs in every state buy up and save all these tracks!
look up the freedom factory
@@DustProductions never heard of it
@@ryandavis930 he is a TH-camr that bought an abandoned race track and he is restoring it he is also holding events where other TH-camrs can compete
Absolutely it would be amazing to see all of the abandoned racetracks come alive
I just learned the other day that they are closing the drag strip in Houston. To be turned into an industrial park. :-(
Cleetus McFarland saved that track in Florida and he’s really able to invoke a lot of the community.
I hope you are able to do something similar for us to support you.
You’re 6-7 hours from me and I would make the trip to contribute
If you use the freedom factory as any kind of basis, you know how well this can turn out for you! Good on ya man excited to see the progress on this!
Well garret built the following before taking that huge expensive leap. I hope it all works out in the end
Lol only difference is 2 million subscribers & a ton of money.
I really hope this works out brother I'm excited for you & the potential the place has.
@@EDCIndiana agreed, 2 million subs, income from lots of merch sales and sponsored videos, he makes a few $ and definitely seems to spend a quite a few $.
I'll be watching. Good luck to you.
To be clear, I could have bought a new truck, or the track. I don't need TH-cam money to make this work. That's the truth here.
People like Dale Jr talk about saving old tracks who has the means easily but doesn't do anything. You all did something even if it is just a place for friends to have fun. I going to follow this. New Sub.
I do like the video series he does, but like you said. Unfortunately it goes nowhere. Old tracks of THAT size (Wilksboro for example) would cost millions to fix up let alone staff and race on again. It's no wonder they just rot after a certain point.
@@Greenlightfilming A You Tuber did it, Dale Jr could do it and it wouldn't cost him a penny. Hi, I'm Dale Jr and the only grass seed we use at North Wilksboro is Scotts and we only mow it with John Deer tractors........ (anything living and green is taken care of) and be sure to stop by my race museum and pick up a T shirt in the gift shop..... (they would come by the 1000's even without events at the track)...... Hi, I'm Dale Jr and the only lighting we use at our race track is..... (lighting is all redone at no cost). Then call in some favors from other drivers for on track events and some of the music stars he knows to book the infield for concerts and events and such....BE THE FIRST TO GET MARRIED AT DALE JR's PLACE....... NW is not nearly as big as the Daytona speedway. Jr could snap his fingers and would have investors (if he wanted them) and companies stacked 10 deep to "donate" their products. If he started a track YT channel and just showed company "A" donating something to the track on his channel he would have to beat them off with a stick and that would be without a single endorsement of said company.
I'm sure you have been given a lot of advice about what you should do and if you have been told this then forget I wrote it but..... you have some great content but you are burning through it super fast. Imho, get more cameras (cannon elf's work great) or what ever it take to get more film of everything. You are going to find that 1/2 the people watching want to see you bring the track back to life...every tiny step. If knocking down trees, film it, if mowing, film it. You can always speed it up in the video to make it more interesting. There is people on YT that have insane Subs and views that just mow unkept lawns. People will want to know what skid steer you used or anything else. Go to Home Depot for stuff for the track, take a camera, show what you bought. Add in some overhead views even if its off Google Earth for what part of the property you are in. Intro your friends. But most of all you should have a camera in your hand anytime you go to the track. Especially now while big changes are happening. Just talk to the camera (as you see it)....this is the entrance....we plan on..... this is what we started today.....and every night take all the film from the day and put it in a file for that day so it keeps everything straight and you can edit later. You wont use all the film you shoot so don't be afraid to let the camera roll and ramble on about what ever you see. You may shoot 4 minutes of total garbage but in that garbage there maybe 30 seconds of gold. Good luck, I'll be watching.
"If you build it, they will come" congratulations captain. on all your videos you make IT happen. I will still be tuning in.
Thanks for chiming in. You're been here for a long time! I appreciate the support to this day.
The track looks like a diamond in the ruff, I think you're the man to make it shine. Severl others have mentioned brainstorming with Cleetus. Probably not a bad idea. Good Luck.
That's the way I see the place. Check out my follow up video here: th-cam.com/video/DOzoJmOe4pQ/w-d-xo.html
The place is night and day better already, and this was WEEKS ago.
@@Greenlightfilming Vice Grip Garage is in Wisconsin. He's a heavy hitter and might want to help out. Best of luck!
Congratulations on taking a risk to achieve your dream. Just like you said, less talk more action. Super awesome.
My heart is pounding with excitement when I put myself into your shoes and think of the possibilities! Best wishes!
I last raced there in 1984. A few of my classmates can say the same. The 1/8 had been officially closed for many years. I am super stoked to see what becomes of this project. It could go in several different directions.
It's going to be multi purpose. Can't wait to see what everything turns into
My hats off to you. I can only hope that more people step up to the plate like Cleetus and yourself and save some more old racetracks.
Would say get in contact with Cleetus and discuss with him what he's been doing with the Freedom Factory! Good luck I hope this track comes back to life! #SavelocalRaceTracks
@Faggot Rotten you may think he’s an idiot but he’s making a lot of money and he works his ass off…
@Faggot Rotten How many race cars do you own, let alone entire race facilities?
If he's an idiot, you should aspire to be as stupid as he is.
Yeah Cleetus is an perfect example of turning an icon of history back into it's former glory Amen thank you Jesus 🇺🇸🙏 haters gon hate that's all they have jus jealous if u ask me 😂🖕
@@danielhanson9444 he is in no way an idiot. Agree 110%.
@@iknklst word. Every car guy dreams of doing what he is.
This is brilliant! Here in the UK, as a racing enthusiast and mechanic I would love to find a site like this and transform it. Sadly all our tracks are being torn down due to new builds and locals complaining about noise. Thanks for brightening my day with this video, I'm subbed and can't wait to see where you go with it in each video. (Sending some of my friends your way too as they'll also love what you are doing!)
YES, Only morons buy houses next to a race track then complain about the noise. lol. They are on something to do this. Used to be old airfields from the wars but now it's build ticki tacky houses that aren't worth the money they pay for them. In the Army at weekends they complained about our tank range, stick your arm out and go boom (I'm a tank).
Use to race karts here when it first opened up as a dirt track, awesome to see it coming back, old enough now to have a son who wants to race karts, maybe this will be the place… let me know if you need help, would love to volunteer
I would really like to be able to open the clay track back up for carting. Right now it's not in the cards, but if everything goes well with the asphalt area, and the Town I can see doing it.
Asphalt karting would be the way to go… will keep up with the channel to see if/when it comes to reality
@GreenLightFilming @@jeramieolson7308 get some quarter midget racing there too to get the little ones into it as early as possible. if you focus that place as a family friendly motorsports park where the kids and the parents can BOTH race, you will attract a lot of attention imo...
@@Greenlightfilming People run champ karts in these big asphalt tracks. You could even slap wings on em (and by the looks of this track, probably should)
We have lost so many of our oval circuits that were a hive of activity throughout the 70's & 80's. It's fantastic that you have taken the plunge to resurrect this one. Good luck with the build and I look forward to sseing it in action. I wish there were more people like you who were prepared to do this for the motorsport community. Answer the calling.......a message for everyone.
I am in wisconsin and so glad you bought that track, with your knowledge and drive, your dreams will come to fruition! Congratulations!
Yup, we've all see this story play out. Cleetus demonstrated what taking action and manifesting a dream can turn into in a relatively short span of time. I'm automatically subscribing because I see the potential in this track and your channel. See you at the top my friend keep moving forward 🏎 📈
You bought a diamond in the rough.. if I had the time I would volunteer my time and equipment to help you manicure the place... I've been a fan of your videos for a little while and I got to tell you I am super stoked about your purchase and your plans for this race track 🇺🇲🇺🇲👍👍
Just randomly came across this.
Live to see tracks come back to life ect.. this will be an amazing place one day!
Living just mere minutes away from here, it’s amazing seeing someone doing something to this track in the Twin Ports. Better yet, the skid pad can be in the Infield and you can rebuild the 1/8 Mile Dragstrip again next to the track! This was a great investment and can’t wait to see what happens!
Yes sir! Working with what's there is the plan for now. As you know the old 1/8 mile drag strip is LONG gone which is too bad. If it all goes amazing I'd love to rebuild things and have the drag strip again.
@@Greenlightfilming I'm not big into drag racing but i see no prep/street style drag racing on youtube a lot. Maybe that's an option.
Sub'ed.
I look forward to seeing this evolve. My grandad was 1 of the founders of a local race track, which I eventually got to race too so the history being preserved is really admirable and respectable deed you doing.
I would sure love to see a drag strip open up in the area. Hopefully you can get the 1/8th mile back in order.
Nice score! Those with an eye for the future can see the possibilities.
After visiting the Freedom Factory last night, If done right this can be something truly amazing.
So yea never heard of your channel before it just popped up on my feed. This is awesome man. Congrats. And your not far away from here in Mn. Glad I see this can’t wait to see what you do with.
Like Jimmy Hendrickx said about the guitar * Sometimes you love it, sometimes you hate it, but if you stick with it you get rewarded* - Go for it!!
Never heard of this guy, but glad to have stumbled across this. Hope you enjoy this every bit as much as cleetus enjoys his.
Been having fun so far
So cool, watching along from Australia ✌
I’ve never heard of this channel and it was in my suggestion’s and been a racer myself since I was 13 this makes me happy to see! I’m now a subscriber to help show my support to get this track up and running
Hell Yea Brother! Freedom! I wish I had the money to donate lights and grand stands. We got to bring short track back. It's America! Good on you and I hope it turns out like you want. Be stubborn and get it done!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nashville is coming back alive with old school short tracking. This does my heart good.
Congratulations! Can’t wait to see this all come together. I started following when you got the IROC and I look forward to seeing this all come together… and the IROC become a drift car! Next video it would be great to see some burnouts.
Super cool! Never heard of this channel, but glad to see another track being rehabbed. Thank you for helping save our community.
The more that do this the better.
Beautiful🙏🏻. Looks like a great thing you have chosen to do. The motorsport world is in serious need of a strong pushback and you are pushing hard in the right direction of preserving and building the culture in your area. I am in South Florida and hope and pray to construct my very own Karting track. Thank you for the continued inspiration
Genius. Im sure it will come together. Enjoy yourself. Cletus inspires alot of people. This is awesome.
It would be awesome for snowmobile racing in the winter .
If the influence of TH-cam in motor sports creates a trend of people saving otherwise abandoned facilities, keeping them in use and entertaining the fans, this is one of the best possible outcomes for it, the sport and the motorsport fans as a whole.
Dude this really cool!! Congrats my man, I definitely recommend getting ahold of Cleetus for some tips and tricks of the trade for sure. Regardless of what some people saying in the comments, the guys no idiot!
I agree with you 110%. I have nothing but respect and admiration for the guy.
This is cool. Props to you for taking a chance on a place like this and giving the car community in your area a place to go. Can't wait to see more!
Thanks Brian. That is the whole point here. Luckily, TH-cam will give the same hope to people checking it out if it all goes to plan. The more people that do this the better.
Wishing you all of Cleetus's success dude.
I saw your post in Pushin Pistons a few weeks ago and now this popped up in my recommended! So happy to see this video bringing awareness to your project. Super cool to see something like this in the area. Thanks!
It definitely grew it's own legs haha. Thanks for checking it out. I'm sure we will meet out there someday.
Looks like it's going to be fun, congratulations!
I had no idea who this guy was until I clicked on this video, but I'm happy both for him and this race track. This is my dream too. Now I'm watching the process of bringing it back to life.
I admire your ambition on this project. You're absolutely correct that in the Duluth-Superior area, there isn't much for gear heads to do. I used to race autocross in the T.C. area and a guy from Duluth used to come to every event in the TC area. He drove a red Karmann Ghia, not a good choice for autocross - but that's all he had. Good luck on the project. Subscribed.
Thanks for checking in. You too are well aware of the absolute void of this sort of thing around here. It's really too bad. TONS of people travel to race just like yoye buddy did.
You've done a great thing. Congratulations. You now own a venue for clubs, scouts, concerts, Chili cook offs. Attach a charity to any event and you will be helping more people than you ever imagined.
Living the dream! Regardless of what you do with this place, it's good to see that someone is taking care of it instead of letting it turn into wilderness. Then some day maybe you will have had your fill, and it can become someone else's passion and not a long gone piece of history. Subscribing, for sure!
Great to see an enthusiast bringing a track back Into life, action. Good luck from the UK !!
How freakin awesome would that really be to have a playground like that to go play any time you pleased. Been going to a track since I was 6 weeks old and must say I'm a little green with envy. lol Hope you the best finds and on your investment/commitment, I'm satisfied you will get your enjoyment out of it for your efforts! 😁 Kudos!
Thanks buddy. Not everyone gets the chance to do what you got to growing up. I don't want my boy to miss out on it. There will be a TON of memories made out there. All of that makes it worth it to me. Appreciate you checking the video out.
As an Aussie racer and motorsport fan, I'm finding lost tracks in the USA fascinating as I look more into these lost goldmines. I wish we had the same history and opportunities here in Australia. Hats off to you and all the best mate.
Calder Park...
Congrats on the track. Imma first time watcher I will be a long time fan.
This is great news to me. I'm formerly a Twin Ports resident and we indeed we really lacking anything other than BIR for track and parking lots for venues. Looking forward to following your journey!
This is just plain awesome:) this video just appeared in videos, and glad it did I subbed.
Good luck with everything 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Thanks for checking it out! More to come. We are just getting started out here.
Dude! Thank you! I live in Superior and I'm excited to see what this is going to turn into!
Thanks Nick, hoping to be able to open it up to the public in some capacity in the next year or so. Wish I had more time and money to make it all happen faster.
I love what you doing hope to see more content on the track beautiful space whatever you doing out there where you live do it💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
More tracks need to be saved by people who can. You are doing the lords work. Getting Freedom Factory vibes here, instantly. The video just showed up on my feed, so I am going to be following this closely even though I am no where near it (Just like the Freedom Factory for that matter , I checked the mileage and your place is closer by 100 miles... So instead of 1200 miles it's only 1100 LOL).
I love seeing people realize their automotive dreams even though I am forever unable to realize my own. I go through periods of not wanting to do anything automotive at all. But the community always pulls me back in. You are right, the automotive community is awesome. I wouldn't be doing so well without them, that's for sure!
Might wanna start a car club that the members help with the place for use, then have events to pay for whats needed.
Thanks!
Hey Richie, thank you for donating! I didn't see, or get notified about this until right now when I found the feature. I really appreciate you donating to the cause, and stopping by. Thanks again!
Nice to see you do something with this. This came up on my feed today and it's nice to see something from Wisconsin getting used again. Good luck getting it back to be used again. If you do not mind, how much did you pay for the track. Something to help others get an idea if they want to buy an old track is what some of them have sold for.
Greetings from Scotland. Good luck. Rooting for you big time.
Freedom Factory 2.0 !!
That's what I was thinking!
I wish you well, with your Track purchase.....some of the best deals , I made in life, happened fast and I just" winged-it" !!......Godspeed....
For the size and the fact it was previously a karting facility, it might be a good idea, since the future of auto racing is in such flux right now, to also make the infield you eventually pave a 1/4 midget track to get more young people into the sport.
I was thinking it looked like a kart track.
@@ekfalcons09 yes, that is what it was
I just found you in my feed buying a race track , reminds me of Cleetus when he brought his i watched him rebuild an you got my SUB i look forward to the rebuild will support you if i can an wish you all the best from Australia bloke 🤙🇭🇲 the Lord will guide you 🙏
I'll have to drive up there from Minneapolis when you do your first car meet.
That would be awesome! I get down that way quite often for car stuff.
You've struck gold, provided you use it right, love it, congrats mate, if it was me in your place, I'd be in tears before taking the first step, as in tears of joy!
WISH YOU THE VERY BEST FOR YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS!🤘🏻👍🏻🤟🏻
And for my next trick, I start an Only Fans.
If you need any help out there I'd be happy to donate some time.👍
I'll be having an open house in the near future. Are you local?
I am local, when is the open house
I am also willing to donate my time
Hell yeah get yourself an Only Man's!
God bless the TH-cam algorithm for suggesting this video - totally awesome stuff, will be following this with great interest!
Congratulations it takes a lot of courage to.make the kind of investment you just made
Congratulations sir! I’m nowhere near you’re area but from one gear head to another thank you for pulling the trigger.
We raced there in about 2008 on the paved oval. Did you also acquire the high bank dirt track?
Yes, all of it.
You made the right choice. That place could be so fun for everyone.. I'd love to do some work over there. I love it!
So far so good out there. Lots of work but lots of reward.
@@Greenlightfilming Yes I'm sure. Good luck with it all! Have fun living the dream!
Do a Ken Block style “gymkhana practice” video with all the over growth on the track.
Never heard of this channel till this video have to say i am pretty hyped to see a Race Track being saved!!!! Much Love From Canada!! Can Already Smell The Smoke!!!
That's wildfire smoke you are smelling lol... jk, but we have the same haze here right now. Crazy how far that travels.
Thanks for checking out the video and subscribing. I appreciate it!
"I'll never financially recover from this" 🤣
I feel attacked
@@Greenlightfilming in all seriousness, best of luck with the project
Haha I know, I was kidding. Thanks for checking it out!
Wow! What a super cool thing to do for your community. Congrats! I'll keep watching.
What should I NAME the track?
Part 2 Here: th-cam.com/video/DOzoJmOe4pQ/w-d-xo.html
Way to go! Exciting to hear another track being brought back! You might even consider holding bicycle track races on it to mix it up a bit. Best of luck with it!
Hey, I've seen this before... guy with a bunch of Chevy sports cars buys a race track?
Chevrolet owners are good folks. Strong backs and weak minds.
@@Greenlightfilming 😂 nice
It's projects like this that will save our beloved motorsports. Thank you on behalf of car guys everywhere.
I think it’s gonna be so cool and can’t wait to see future updates on this
Nice to see people saving old tracks!
Thank Kyle! We are going to charge hard with this one.
Congratulations on the track! Enjoy the work and the results!
Thanks ed! Appreciate it
Brilliant ! Just love it.
Best of luck in your new venture.
Nice acquisition.
Greetings from Melbourne Australia.
Keep this energy going. The community needs it!
Been going strong all summer. New video dropping tomorrow
I was part owner of a kart sppedway back in the late 1970's, and I understand the commitment that you have taken upon yourself. I am always happy to see a dead track brought back to life.
If you build it ... they will come!
How very cool mate, Wishing you all the very best on your endeavors to bring this beautiful track and surrounding area back to life.
Between the "controll tower" and the track you have some nice space to sell drinks and food.
My man...passion is what drives us. I can clearly see the potential here as a car guy...if I was closer by I would donate all my resources to help you out...reach out to the car community, I'm sure they would come out to help and support you in drives, peace and good wishes.
They had reached out by the hundreds. Just like you, they were ready to go to war for the place to work lol. Thanks for dropping the comment! Appreciate it. Stay tuned for a new video dropping tomorrow AM.
Glad to see these old playgrounds resurrected. Thanks Cleetus.
11 months ago I watched your first video about this track, and I was in, I 've watch i think all of your video's about the track since. so glad to hear that you and the city/county got together
Here from the start and stuck around! Happy to hear it. Don't meant to drag this out over 500 videos but the reality of it is that I'm not rich and it's a huge project haha. I appreciate you supporting by watching. Thank you!!
Glad to see tracks being saved by car guys/TH-camrs. Our local Dragstrip closed down about 15 years ago and the county will not let anyone reopen it. I would and many others would but the man says no. I am new here and will be watching to see your project come to light.
There's too much of The Man shutting things down and inserting themselves into normal peoples lives. It has to swing the other way.
@@Greenlightfilming Very true
Came up on my feed and I've never seen the chanle before but I'm glad another track is being saved. Can't wait to see it done and being used.
This is so cool I'm glad to see people starting to try and save these old places
Hats off for taking the plunge! I wish you the best of luck.
What a great project I wish you all the very best, as a motor sport enthusast its great news, I was in a group of sports fans what volunteered our time when the late Tom wheatcroft purchased Donnington Park in the mid seventys that too was a stunning project after years of neglecting and it worked, I've just hit the subscription button. Well done..🏁🏁
Good luck with the project , Will be interesting to follow you're progress.