THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 14, 1995 TAG: 9501140342
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DENISE MICHAUX, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
If Wayne Wyatt has anything to say about it, you may not recognize Langley Raceway in a couple of years.
Wyatt, a Newport News native and former Late Model Stock driver at Langley, has been working 12-hour days since his lease went into effect on Jan. 1, cleaning up the track and preparing for his first season as president, general manager and promoter of the facility.
Wyatt has a 30-year lease with Henry Klich, the owner of the raceway. Wyatt takes over for Joe Baldacci, who is working on plans to build a 7,500-seat, half-mile paved oval in Suffolk.
Speculation had been that the entire Langley operation would move to Suffolk with Baldacci and that Langley would shut down.
Klich put that theory to rest at a press conference Friday.
``We are not moving Langley to Suffolk,'' Klich said. ``If Wayne and I can work hand and glove like I think we can out there, I think Langley will be a big showcase in Hampton.''
Wyatt and Klich aren't wasting any time getting started.
Wyatt has had to apply to renew the NASCAR sanction on the track, and so far hasn't heard from NASCAR, although he and Klich don't foresee any problems.
``We have provided them with everything and Langley has run sanctioned for so many years,'' Wyatt said. ``The person who handles the sanctions is also tied up with the new truck series.''
Denbigh Construction is scheduled to begin work on a new concrete wall at the track on Feb. 1.
That is just the first step in bringing Langley Raceway into the '90s.
``Nineties racing is a lot different than racing was in the '70s and '80s,'' Wyatt said. ``Nineties racing is a lot of promotion. I was told when I was learning to become a promoter that I'm not in the racing business, I'm in the entertainment business. I have to entertain these people every week.''
Better lighting, VIP suites and a new press box are all on Wyatt's list of improvements, as well as adding a Wednesday night family program.
Wyatt has also signed on Pete Babb as his senior adviser. Babb, of Suffolk, is a technical adviser with the Busch Grand National series and is not allowed to do any hands-on work at Langley, but he is permitted to offer advice.
Two enduros are scheduled for Jan. 22 and March 26 with the first Saturday night program to begin on April 1. by CNB