Meeting the Man Who Originally BUILT and Owned Our Abandoned Speedway in the 70's!!

Meet Gene Tharpe, the man who originally built Desoto Speedway! Today he gives us a tour and talks about the track's history!
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Cleetus McFarland
12961 44th St N. Ste B
Clearwater, FL 33762
United States of America

[@CleetusM]

New Freedom Factory hats and “REDNECK ENGINEER” shirts available here!! www.cleetusmcfarland.com/

[@GraphicVisualArt]

lets goooooooooo

[@Quorra.]

I dont think the website is working, its timing out for me.

[@ddavis9644]

Just had both in the cart and was trying to sign in to check out and the website crashed. Now I can’t get it to load up

[@koltonwilson706]

Cleetus McFarland you should make freedom factory stickers and give them to people that come to the freedom factory.

[@poppav3821]

Cleetus McFarland dang brother well god dang did you know that I was at your event in Baytown tx at Houston raceway park hell yeah brother I had a blast

[@ae86hachi]

Let this man drive the pace car on the first inaugural race!

[@funone8716]

YES!!!

[@sirpuss5887]

Agree!!!

[@DukeGang11]

Great way to see an old man cry lol... please make it happen cleetus, it will mean the world to him to see his track filled with 15,000 people.

[@bradleymercer6797]

Yes

[@kashedbowl3893]

Yes that’s a fantastic idea

[@timowen2950]

If I don’t hear this man say “Gentleman start your engines!” at the first race I’ll be highly disappointed.

[@JesseCombsTwiZtedCheese]

This 100%

[@haydenwiseman3056]

you wont, he will be driving the pace car!

[@alexdodge2515]

@@haydenwiseman3056 Or he'll be in the flag stand. I'm pretty sure they are gonna use the pace go kart for the pace car or Neighbor for the Freedom 500 race

[@thejman3489]

It's "Drivers, start your engines!"

[@spector_0]

Awesome idea! I really hope it happens

[@justadoer9911]

honestly you should give him entry and vip for a lifetime, come and go whenever he pleases and just to honor him for what he did and dedicated to this track ! now its your job to carry on the legacy!

[@jesseharper3585]

Justadoer that’s exactly what I was thinking too.

[@vinwiki6482]

Nah

[@psygn0sis]

Yeah.

[@HRM.H]

Thats how i do ex owner ship aswell. I bought some of my friends cars , fixed them up and let them drive em aswell. Its the best 👍🏻

[@TheRealTechy112]

Absolutely, always respect the creators of automotive history like this

[@moguy1973]

Google Maps shows this racetrack as the “Freedom Factory” already. Lol

[@baby-sharkgto4902]

That's crazy!

[@theranter]

I'm pretty sure it did the day after the first video went up... I know I checked after the second video, and it was listed as the Freedom Factory.

[@geegergwisley7977]

Apple Maps has it too. Website and everything 😂

[@chrisferguson1911]

Did you see the photos? They were having a freakin school bus race...and the one in front was painted with the American Flag! Like Freedom always rings 🇺🇸

[@WiscoMTB37]

@Gus JohnsonI dont know about stolen but definitely close. Skid pad has 3 smoke stacks and freedom factory has two. Plus the shape of the building is different. But still super similar 😂

[@AmericanaWoods]

This is literally where Doc Hudson meets Lightening McQueen. Now he needs to teach Cleetus how to run the show.

[@terrabnadia1793]

Obviously it didn’t work out for this dude so I wouldn’t want any tips from him lol

[@cgunugc]

@@terrabnadia1793 You know it closed down after a racer died, right? It stayed open from the grand opening until it went out of business due to the liability - and that in an era where short track racetracks are dying. It's a damn good track.

[@JohnTheRecoilJunkie]

@@terrabnadia1793 If I understand correctly, he sold it and moved onto other things. The shutdown isn't on him.

[@xdboardsurfer]

So I have to turn right... to go left??

[@michaelfagan6123]

@@cgunugc I'm a Florida native and never heard about this. The track shut down when the last owner passed away. It's been mentioned in other videos from cleetus. I think the very first one

[@SHOTS-FIRED]

This man needs a life sized statue with a bald eagle perched on his forearm at the entrance of the freedom factory 🇺🇸🦅

[@jouleskelvin]

Title of statue: Dear Founder

[@VictoryAviation]

Holy shit. This idea is perfect!!!!! This needs to happen! 🏁💥🦅🇺🇸

[@PanchoPistolas45]

Jon Dough this needs more likes

[@SHOTS-FIRED]

And a nitrous bottle at his foot 😂

[@DCtropical]

@@SHOTS-FIRED YES!!

[@nickg6960]

Should have those old plans laminated and framed in the history part of the museum you guys should have !

[@nickg6960]

XSAVIER busy it’s a part of the track history it would be nice, if they ever had like a museum, to be able to see them

[@LuccianoNova]

Agreed a big part of racing is history

[@scottstamm7022]

This is awesome! Imagine your dream, something you made, people lose interest in it, or someone buys it and let's it degrade and you can't do anything about it. Years later, a few generations later, some younger kids with similar ideology see a diamond in the ruff and buy it. The faith restored in that old man, seeing people a few generations younger, taking his original dream and bringing it back to life, will probably make him happy come the day he passes knowing he left a legacy that another generation is picking up on and will keep alive for years to come!

[@scottstamm7022]

@deadend is this why it was shut down?

[@bluerainstrike]

🥺 Well said sir 👍

[@brianking9215]

Actually Tom Stimus built it up way bigger. Just like the circus etc. Lost popularity some, enough that couldn't support the cost. I used to go every other weekend damn near there

[@9rjharper]

@@brianking9215 I'm still waiting for them to bring some sprint cars back, even for a test but preferably a race, and blow some minds.

[@Jeffrm-mc9rq]

We also need a full video on James one of these days. Who he is, where he came from, how he got into cars, etc.. Hes been a great asset to the team. James!!! GET THE TOOLBOX!!!!!!

[@CleetusM]

Jeffrm1990 we found him in a junkyard holding hands with a rusty 5.3L iron block

[@pyrocl0]

@@CleetusM yes I would love to hear his background. He knows to much about drag racing. Q&A please

[@Jeffrm-mc9rq]

@@CleetusM Sounds about right. Had to have someone hold him down. Lol.

[@itsEpyk]

@@CleetusM Wearing nothing but a Nitrous Bottle.

[@erikkarlonas180]

Cleetus McFarland with nitrous bottles in holsters

[@DarkTranqz]

This track and it's legacy, is likely going to outlive the man who built it now. That's pretty heavy, and I bet he was trying to hold back all sorts of emotions when he stepped out on the track. I bet he could still see and hear the cars. See and hear the people lining the stands with their families. Smell the race fuel in the air. We need something at the track to memorialize this man for sure.

[@thecanucklehead3034]

llAntimatterll one thing i noticed was that when stepping in and seeing the loop, he didnt get shocked or even really seem excited. Just looked around like he was there the day before. I think thats a testament to how well it was built and how well Cleetus restored it.

[@brettwilson359]

Thats pretty heavy?? You been watching back to the future too much....doc...

[@remcovanvliet3018]

Track needs a little museum for sure, detailing the history!

[@D.P.MorrisConstruction]

Or he’s like fuck this place, now I remember why I left

[@justinteal495]

@@D.P.MorrisConstruction 😂😅

[@Thelawncarenut]

Awesome tour! Good to see you guys honoring the history of your track, love it!

[@Jammer.1]

3 years later & i still love coming back to see this video ! The track has came a long way since then all thanks to cleetus & crew !

[@colinpeters8744]

This guy definitely needs a lifetime free pass to any event at the freedom factory🤙🏽 I think that goes without saying but just incase

[@NineNineCustoms]

@ChambersofSiege 🤦🏽‍♂️no shit but itd just be good business. He just suggested it jesus

[@Ghost6.2]

ChambersofSiege no shit

[@bepbep7418]

@ChambersofSiege not your place to tell him, it's not his place either...

[@dopeytripod]

lifetime free pass, but he still has to buy his own drinks

[@MikeKayK]

Pretty sure that goes without saying, man. He built the damn place!

[@Adriansitos623]

Imagine building that man's original race car for him and letting him pace the inaugural race in it. I wonder what he was racing back in 1978

[@alecbaldwinsnotpropgun]

james avery or a fart smeller

[@tufftraveller4784]

Sniff sniff, what's that smell?

[@TheMrtgamer]

I think he was Racing winged sprints

[@beloit9115]

Y E S!

[@Rockdagger]

i second this

[@The10000lbGorilla]

James and Coop have that "waiting for mom to stop talking to her friends at church so you can go home" look

[@Roadglide86]

Lol so true🤣

[@Nmbr1GMfan]

Gene's son Dane was my best friend, we met in 5th grade around 1978, we used to go to the tracks together and hang out!

[@CH-eb2ny]

Those drawings properly framed would make a nice addition to your offices.

[@ColonelK0rn1]

I was thinking the same thing. That would be great!

[@theoriginalracingsnake]

Even better, get some repros done on lovely heavy stock paper and sell them in the shop. I'd buy them.

[@CH-eb2ny]

@@theoriginalracingsnake They would definitely make pretty cool gifts for race fans. Plus, if they are from before 1976, most likely the copyright wasn't renewed by the architect.

[@barking.dog.productions1777]

Blow a few up and have the posted in the entrance tunnel.

[@MikeKayK]

@@theoriginalracingsnake Wouldn't it be more sentimental to just have the originals framed in the office instead of whoring them out for profit? If it's one of those special things, they might not want to. Just a thought. Of course it's up to them at the end of the day.

[@bbsl1967]

When you hold you first real race, you need to let that dude be the Grand Marshal and let him drive the pacecar to start the race.

[@nathannafziger4503]

Such an underrated comment

[@blueRC]

Oh hell yeah!

[@VentiTimes]

bbsl1967 definitely

[@MFWWTDYV]

Used to go to that track every weekend in the late 70's early 80's

[@kamrynpully7809]

I like this man. Especially how you just really let him talk and just kind of asked questions we would probably ask. I feel as if this was just more of a greater experience for him than it was us. Which in all is pretty awesome

[@flweeptwo]

This man is the literal *founding father* of the freedom factory

[@DavidHands]

flweep 1: Yeah he needs 4 F's on his hat.

[@mike86mike]

Does the freedom factory has a bill of rights also?

[@samuelsamsonian5832]

Will his face be on the back of the tickets, like washington on the dollar bill? Maybe inaugural day tickets, as a keepsake...

[@kalebk0422]

The FF of the FF!

[@snikwad003]

He is the founding fathers of DeSoto speedway cleet coop and James are the founding fathers of freedom factory so that makes him founding grandfather

[@Sauerbrew777]

Cleeter: We have to get some cool cars out here. Dale Truck: .......

[@mworld2611]

The Dale truck belongs on that oval track

[@cmusic52]

I could SO just watch the Dale Truck go round that truck for Awhile

[@cjansson]

Yeah, also if I remember correctly it still wants to go left ;)

[@s1lv3rbull37]

Do it for Dale

[@maxium4x4]

A winged Sprint was turning the fast times, we could bring one down from Ohio.

[@clifrebres2618]

This video is bringing me so many emotions. I’m so happy that the original builder/owner can see you bringing his baby back to life!! Guys like him we owe everything to, he literally paved the way for all of us!!! I love this video and your channel!!! You guys are doing great things with your influence!!! Ima be at the first event. I’m in DeLand FL and I can’t wait for the fun

[@BUNKERJR53]

You need to have him there for the first official event. Make him the "Grand Marshal"! That would be cool as hell.....

[@gatecitypaul5480]

I suggest you either name a turn or a grand stand after this guy and his partner. Legit Legends.

[@Altavilla22Mike]

Or they could name the area under the bleachers where Gene would give head to his partner. Call it the Jizz zone

[@JohnSmithKillFeds]

@@Altavilla22Mike fucking terrible and I laughed hard.

[@littlepondfarm3488]

@@Altavilla22Mike lol why not

[@jasonswift7098]

Very good idea. "Gene Tharpe straight"

[@miket2172]

Its cool he came out to do this he's like a proud dad seeing his creation go on

[@rubi-blythin8885]

TRX VLOGGER ngl that’s pretty gay

[@xXSinForLifeXx]

Those blueprints are so cool there begging to be framed and hung in the meeting room with the big table.

[@______6057]

The fact that you guys all were super respectful and let him talk the majority of the time show everyone just how much respect you guys all have. Top notch 👍

[@ronniestephens9487]

This dude should be VIP to all the events for sure.

[@corno]

Ronnie Stephens he should have a vip chair with his name engraved on.

[@remington940]

cleetus: what the fastest lap time gene: in the low 12s cleetus brain: electric turbo x 8 + cobalt = I am speed

[@TheTsunamijuan]

You need to get Gene back as a masters of ceremonies for one of the races, maybe have him wave the flag for the next freedom 500? We need to keep these guy's legacy and contribution alive.

[@ant16rst]

What an absolute gentleman! Good of him to share so much history and knowledge with you

[@WonkaFab]

Cleetus needs to make a board like top gear and have people out to set the fastest lap times

[@davidjameswales]

Get 20 at once with position qualifying for the freedom 500.

[@ikecummings3237]

Good idea

[@gato69evo]

That's a really nice idea... Off course using the Chevy cobalt... 😂😂😂

[@Chocolate_dragon]

KZbinrs in a reasonably priced car

[@ctm9191]

This is meant to be!

[@tjjoseph333]

13:44 "Get the Winged Sprinters out here...and they'll show you some speed...". Might be the single best line of 2020. That's a good man.

[@tezzrterry7485]

Super modifieds with offset big blocks, and wings are wild.

[@mollygsp]

@@tezzrterry7485 agreed but they would never reach there potential on a 3/8 mile.

[@feez357]

@@mollygsp Hu? They can be set up for any track. The point was finding a fast lap time for this track and sprinters will do that.

[@mollygsp]

@@feez357 my reply was to Terry and supermodifieds not sprint cars. I believe a super can hit 12 seconds there but like I said they would never reach there true potential on a 3/8 mile.

[@Weli72]

The Sprints were fast on this track, they easily went over 100 down the straightaway, unfortunately Dave Steele, who was one of the best Winged Sprints Drivers passed away racing at this track.

[@blakezortman1563]

It's AMAZING to see you guys take absolute pride in the knowledge this old man can share. Not many people our age can respect the wisdom of an elder. Cleetus James and Cooper you guys are truly an example of how the rest of the world should act. Thank you for your service and dedication.

[@Mr.M1STER]

What a nice gentleman. I'm glad you guys invited him down and documented what he had to say about the place. Those old drawings are super cool too. You could see the memories coming back to him as he walked the track.

[@matsvdubs]

Great to see Mr. Tharpe again. This track was built when I was a kid and my family used to race with him in the 60's at SaraMana. And I got to work at Desoto Speedway when I was 17 on the track crew that cleaned up the accidents on the track on Saturday night racing. Great memories.

[@fastball131]

He should have his own reserved throne somewhere with the name "The Creator" on it.

[@briggsautomotive1559]

CUUD1113 I wish I could like this more than once

[@haydenmorris4623]

Father Freedom or Freedom Fanatic has a nice ring to it

[@thewitness9305]

Did you mean a throne? LOL no you can't throw this fella around you might get in trouble for it.

[@fastball131]

Oh shit the grammer police got me.

[@maleficentcop2752]

@@fastball131 Lomaf...😜😂🤣

[@vincenovak4570]

It is absolutely awesome to know the heritage of this track. and yes Cletus you absolutely need to let this man drive the inaugural pace car!

[@BadgerOff32]

Man, that whole complex must have been buzzing back in the day! A drag strip, a speedway track AND a motocross track all in close proximity? It's like one big playground for motorsports! Did they ever host any 'festival-like' events there, where they'd have multiple events going on across every track over a weekend? That would have been an awesome time out! Do you guys own the land where the motocross track was too? if so, it might be worth going over there with some weed whackers one day to see if the layout of the track is still noticeable lol! If it is, who knows, it may even be salvage-able with some effort!

[@ka0tyk]

Like watching the movie “cars” with McQueen talking to Doc Hudson. “I was in my corvette...” “yeah get a winged sprinter, they’ll show you some speed...” Great content.

[@vortexrage3918]

Here's one. The winner here was the same guy tragically lost in a wreck a few years later there. RIP. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKjGgY2PZrVriLM

[@thes7205]

The first thing i thought of was cars and doc😢

[@victorjohnson9623]

I know Gene Tharpe he and my stepfather raced against each other for years he's a good old boy it is so good to see him doing good 👍🏻

[@hanley72]

Love that you saved the track and want to learn the history of it. I have friend who was video guy at track back in 80's and more. TURN 5 racing, you can see his banner in one of the videos when you showed the souveneir shop. I also have a 1979 video of a late model race, might be oldest video of track, at least that i know of. I am a huge stock car racing fan and collector and have collected MANY pics from the track over the years. Great job guys!!!!

[@johnrivers69]

The more i see this place, the happier i am that someone like cleetus got the place to fix'er up and put it to use. Seeing such a fantastic idea (childhood-type) coming to life fills me with joy

[@leecarter2768]

The fuse info on the lights is gold....i wouldn't have even thought about that.

[@johncuervo3019]

The electrician should have checked them already

[@bloppepow3r670]

@@johncuervo3019 Depends how good the guy is^^

[@MrMcNorm]

@@johncuervo3019 I have a feeling they just got him in to verify that the power would run safely. To have an electrician come in and fix all of that and check each light and fuse would have cost a fortune and taken way longer.

[@hangrygrampa5511]

" yeah don't stick your finger in there"

[@djstatyk1540]

Gold IS a great conductor of electricity.

[@daleedwards9751]

That guy is an all-time legend. Lifetime pass and two seats on the start/finish anytime. Side note: 12’s on a 3/8 is bookin it.

[@mckrackin5324]

That's what winged sprint cars are running now on dirt. I think the world record is still 10 seconds but it was a purpose built late model running alone. It wasn't built for long runs. Just two fast laps and a rebuild. lol 12 seconds in anything with a body would be some incredible racing to watch.

[@tyler5.068]

I love hearing story’s like this. 2people that made there passion a reality.

[@curt2079]

Cleet, it may be a long shot, but maybe you can get Florida to classify the Freedom Factory as a Heritage Site and protect it for generations to come !!!!

[@RegalCobra097]

When the track is patched up, Gene must be the first person to drive on it. Just to honor him.

[@SpeedRacer-pz9jn]

FK YEAH !

[@tripleBOOMER]

Let him play pace car for the first official race.

[@Torenhire]

@@tripleBOOMER both awesome ideas

[@jakew6187]

If there is a lineman school near you they would probably change those fuses for next to nothing so that lineman students can get practice..

[@nightkil13r]

thats actually a brilliant idea.

[@dandubock515]

Students working on 415v 3 phase... Not a good idea if you ask me. I would come and do it but im in the UK :(

[@jakew6187]

If you make all the power DEAD they could work on it that would be great practice.. been there done it

[@The_sinner_Jim_Whitney]

Mania Sound & Light We worked on 480-575 volt systems in hot panels, switchgear, line side of disconnects, etc. as 4th and 5th year apprentices. Not on energized parts, of course, but I'm an inside wireman, not a lineman. I'll work hot 277/480 when it's necessary. Clean, dry leather gloves will insulate against 480 and Klein tools will against 600. Not officially, obviously, but I promise they will, haha! Insulated tools are usually good to 1,000. Lineman work hot 34,500 with just hot gloves sometimes.

[@smolscale]

Mania Sound & Light you ever heard of a circuit breaker brah

[@djardy07]

Dude, you should totally add a part where you can highlight the history of the track and the founders. Many people would appreciate the monument.

[@jessesward9429]

Can’t believe James went to school for drawing blueprints and now he’s installing blue print engines in Toast! Do what you love and you won’t work a day in your life!

[@erikmuckle548]

Never watched so much footage dedicated to things like mowing lawns and pressure washing bleachers...it’s awesome, keep it up! 👍👍

[@CleetusM]

Erik Muckle who would’ve thought non race car vids could be so freedomatic

[@johnconsigli2825]

@@CleetusM" Freedomatic" add that to the encyclopedia of Cleetus McFarland! Hahaha!

[@pyro4jesus]

@@CleetusM sounds like a swapped and turboed zero turn mower in your future...

[@UncLester]

I bet he is happy that someone is going to restore and open the track.

[@SnuffySpaghetti]

Sounded like he was getting emotional at the bottom of the bleachers. He seems like a great guy, the track is in good hands.

[@richb.4374]

This track brings back so many memories for me. When I was a kid in Chicago, I used to go with my friends to the stock car races almost every weekend at our local tracks. It was great entertainment! Now, the tracks we used to go to in the 70's are housing developments or shopping malls. Such a shame stock car racing is not as popular as it once was. I'm glad to see Cleetus bring this track back to life. The Freedom Factory rocks!

[@lee1978good]

I think you should give that man an honorary lifetime membership... Maybe name a stand after him! Great vid ❤️

[@chevy2061]

Yea the name should be somewhere

[@allenpotzer6424]

Do it.

[@skeletronmw]

For sure. Lifetime free membership for him and his family. He's a good man and very willing to help. Have him drive the pace car, etc.... Can't wait!

[@skepticfucker280]

Statue of him at entrance

[@DarthLink1986]

One of the reasons why I respect the cleetus team. Good to give some recognition and respect to all of our pasts. In order to know where we are going it's good to know where we have come from.

[@seanmcne]

Make some copies of those plans! Frame the originals and whip up some high quality small copies to sell on the website - very cool history, glad he stopped by and you had a camera ready to go!

[@kurtisstutzman7056]

Good Ole Tom Stimus... Anyone remember Tom Stimus...? His hood slapping commercials are etched into my brain from my youth...!!! Thanks for the memories... Keep up your awesomeness...

[@tank_mf]

look up “desoto speedway” and it will take you to the track, and it actually says “ Freedom Factory “ it’s amazing

[@xenonram]

Yes, Cleetus did that.

[@bobjackson7516]

YES!!!!! I did a screenshot. This should be saved.... for.... ever....

[@tank_mf]

i just thought that’s something really really cool

[@alexdodge2515]

@@xenonram No he didn't. A fan did. If Cleetus did it then he would have taken ownership of the actual DeSoto Speedway location on Google Maps and renamed it to Freedom Factory

[@ElectronicsForFun]

on google it said permanently closed, but when I hit the website link it takes me to www.cleetusmcfarland.com

[@chevytechb192]

I love how James get all sentimental he lowers his voice like he doesn't want to wake a sleeping baby in the next room 😂

[@michaelhughes3302]

I come back to this video every now and then. Gene is an absolute champ. Regardless of how many races he may have won. What a wonderful man to still be able to reference the history this speedway. I hope you can have Gene there when this whole pandemic has become manageable and we can all go racing together again. It would be a fitting tribute to this gentleman if we could experience him enjoying a victory lap on the track that he started so many years ago. Please consider this. Thanks.

[@SouthdownGarage]

Thats so cool! The original owner reminded me of a boss i had many years ago that was a wealth of knowledge. He would give you the backstory on anything you asked him. There was never a simple answer, always vary detailed...men like these have forgotten more then most of us will learn in a lifetime.

[@ruggedrebel5727]

I hope this guy and his Family get a Lifetime Pass to the Freedom Factory, And a Custom Shirt that Says "Original Freedom Builder" or Something... He needs to Start the Very First Race at the Big Race in November! I really Hope he Talks about the Evil Kenievel Event... 😍

[@TT.357]

Turn one of the grass parking lots into a rallycross course.

[@kameljoe21]

I said this a while back, there are a number of events that can be done, Rallycross, atv, dirt bike tracks, drifting, street racing, burn outs, car shows, A whole number of different events. The more one can do the more income and value the Freedom Factory becomes, This place could have well over 100 events per year, Even more if some were done during the week.

[@ethanrapp8944]

They have enough extra land to build a whole road course

[@Telexic]

William Glaser its also very helpful that its in Florida, nice weather for most of the year

[@_emkt3830]

Telexic as a person who lives in Florida I can disagree with you

[@codeack101wlck]

Rally cross, motocross, circle racing, drag racing, demolition derbies, tractor pulls, monster trucks, the list goes on and on it's the freedom factory brother!

[@MikeFyxdt]

Cletus I’m really enjoying this story as it develops! I’m old enough to remember how things were done back then, but young enough to get excited as the treasure trove unfolds. Great content!

[@averageguardian6221]

It’s so crazy I went here all the time as a kid. I sat in those stands with my family. My uncle passed who was the main person who took us. I even got to ride in the pace car a couple times because my father was good friends with the guys who ran the track. So happy to see you restoring this place.

[@ColinPrince]

What a great man. Who would believe that he once raced cars here.Never judge a man by his age and looks. You should have him attend your opening day celebrations!

[@blameusa7082]

its people that say this shit, that are guilty of doing it.

[@ShepardKammander]

I used a know a guy looked just like him that still ran a car that could easily 13s lap time that track.

[@kirkc9643]

One of the things that you come to know better and better, is that your elders are a wealth of knowledge and wisdom...no matter how they look on the outside. There are of course exception, some people will always be f...wits.

[@kirkc9643]

@@blameusa7082 I think all of us are guilty of doing it at one time or another, even if it was subconscious.

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

The logic behind the lighting engineering is perfect, protect the lamps from lightning with fuses, and run less wiring to the poles, meaning less potential points of failure, just the way good engineering is meant to be done. Those diagrams will make future improvements and facility evolution a lot easier. Great to see one of the guys that built the place is looking forward to its newest incarnation.

[@batsonelectronics]

Copper costs a lot also so it also means less cost to build. He was operating on a shoestring budget so I imagine that was his bigger priority and he even said it saved a run of big wire back up the pole to have the fuses up top vs at easy to get to height lower down.

[@The_sinner_Jim_Whitney]

PiDsMedia That's how any electrician would install them. These days, it'd be a three-wire system with additional lightning protection, but the old way works just fine on wood poles, just more time in changing fuses.

[@fredericrike5974]

Cleetus, I'm sure you are tired of hearing from me, but here goes again- free advice, worth exactly what you paid for it; when you go looking for that "bucket truck", include in your search a "telephone pole setting truck"- they have a hydraulic, folding arm and sufficient power and versatility to drill the 12" hole, lift the telephone pole (#2500-#3400), stick it in the hole and hold it level and then has a bucket the linemen can work from to set the trees and hardware for service as a carrier. They also generally have large capacity tool boxes as part of the bed, and quite often are cabbed with 4 door cabs. Love the core sample idea- not only will it tell the history of the tracks construction, it may tell you a great deal regarding future maintenance needs. I hope you got the builder's comment about the portability of the far side bleachers- that means you could move them to a better vantage, only needing to install proper support pads for the structure.

[@SRQmoviemaker]

I love what you're doing with desoto! I love local history like this being saved!

[@maverick_578]

He should be part of the team, or even if he doesn't wanna be one, an honorary part of the team that is allowed to come and go as he wants.

[@nathchp]

Maverick Torchia should definitely get free vip seats at future events

[@mrslushydaminator4974]

Lifetime free entry

[@diltzm]

He should do the first burnout to kick-off cleetus and cars in November

[@hollywoodhustlng4071]

That's how communism started😏

[@imperium112]

freedom 500 pace car driver??

[@nyalsewell]

Seriously so cool seeing this dude talk about the FF

[@D-Boy559]

I love how that man is so cool and willing to help he’ll yeah !!!! 💪🏽

[@drivewaystar6485]

This man sounds like every old school racer I've heard. How awesome of him to come out and share his stories about his old track. I'm sure he's super proud of you boys fixing her up!

[@straightfaceguy7966]

Bit disappointed you never let him go round his old track in one of the cars... but maybe that's for another video? I sure hope so.

[@x24Templar]

I’m sure if he wanted to he would have suggested it. He’s old and laid back now

[@lukdragon]

dude they should of put him in the dale truck and gave him a few laps

[@mobilePCreviews]

Could be a liability thing too, they might not have proper insurance yet for customers.

[@straightfaceguy7966]

@@mobilePCreviews hes not a customer on a private track...

[@TXrapidracer]

I think this gentleman deserves a lifetime pass to the track. I love talking with people like him because they go back in time and you can tell by the way he is describing things that he's in his 30's again. Awesome video.

[@theaxe5150]

Been following this adventure from the get go. Really enjoy the videos. Stay in touch with Gene, I'm sure he's got more valuable info... fuse tip was awesome! Good luck boys... Cheers from Canada!

[@vladbozak2.036]

Thanks for putting the video of the original plans on here!! I feel like I am there with you guys looking at this awesome stuff.

[@ricdiamondhandsflair7208]

Ol’ Cleaters gears were a turnin’ when he mentioned a Moto X track.

[@fixt100]

all grown over by now but the burms have already been built,, all you would need is a chainsaw and a bobcat. edit: yup its there you can see it on the satellite map view, grown over but its there, you can see the trails.

[@gordowg1wg145]

Well, they do have a couple of those off-road buggy things - so does Kyle, come to think on it.

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

Run events like the UK has, with rally spec cars or side by sides, doing lap of the oval then out on to the dirt track, but add a twist, with a jump back in to the staduim.

[@Danger-Dave]

I guarantee they'll revive it and get a lot of interest in it. could be an easier money maker than the circle track... and a whole other set of peeps along with the SXSBlog boys and locals....BoG DeeP!

[@stew2049]

Wait.... what if they ran a rally cross track with the crown vics. 1/2 the lap is pavement and they have to go dirt track for the other 1/2.

[@robstevenson773]

For your first race, get this guy back to announce "Ladies & Gentleman, Start your engines!"

[@winglessprint]

real race cars don't have starters

[@JohnSmithKillFeds]

@@winglessprint the track is always lit.

[@nissanlove3]

@@winglessprint Can you drive it on the street, or only on the weekends at a racetrack and on and off the trailer? Cause thats pretty lame

[@meatdragon13]

the local drag strip and circle track just got tore down here, living vicariously through you guys for the time being! Keep it up!

[@daszieher]

Having a local circle track... Envy! In Europe there is no space and these places seem to attract idiots, who buy their houses in the vicinity for cheap and then complain about the noise until whatever it is gets shut down.

[@melburnmt7320]

Yeah we struggle over here in Melbourne, AUS too. We have Calder Park for the strip but only available here and there. All our local tracks have people building homes around them and then complaining of noise so they get shut down. :(

[@daszieher]

@@melburnmt7320 🥺

[@Peter-zm6ln]

@@melburnmt7320 I flew over to Calder Park from WA last year for an event, such a sad run down place now. Heathcote is apparantly in the same condition, but there could be a future for it.

[@garyguiste]

Outstanding history! Loved the respect you showed the gentleman. The plans are amazing! Are you going to do a volunteer day at the Factory?

[@danhillman4523]

Hey, all you young bucks are gonna be like that some day. Be kind. We ain't all that bad. We just did it in a different way.

[@mckrackin5324]

I feel ya Dan. Deep in my old bones. lol

[@angelg5817]

Get out of here boomer

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

I'm sure he's happy to see it get picked up by some young blood. Most of what I hear from the older generation is "These kids these days don't care about motorsports like we did back in my day" I'd bet he's happy to see that that's not entirely the case. It's still around and will never completely die.

[@More_Row]

You guys grew up in better and simpler times , did it in a different way for sure.

[@danielpearce33]

@@angelg5817 you are not smart

[@TheTyisawesome]

This is the most legit man I've ever seen. I could see him get the feels hard when he first walked into the track even with his dark sunglasses on and smooth mellow tone

[@SR-cp1eo]

It's crazy looking at this and realizing that it took 1 year to open and completely transform. Nicely done Cleetus and team!

[@garagegearclothing]

Its always awesome to get the back story and history to places like this. Great video!

[@zacmelton32]

James is a genius when it comes to cars Also james: oh yeah I actualy went to school to be an engineer. What a g

[@rawhides]

He went to school to become a draftsman, not an engineer. That’s what I took from his comments.

[@andrewcampbell9762]

Zoop Da Loop in order to do engineering work you have to actually know how to draft and most aspiring engineers start off drafting. Nowadays it’s simple, could probably throw that set together In 2 hours in autocad, couldn’t imagine hand drafting a drawing set like that

[@lysolmax]

@@andrewcampbell9762 James isn't that old to where he would have learned hand drafting whilst getting an engineering degree. He definitely only went to school to be a drafter.

[@probablynotwearingpants6228]

GIVE THIS MAN A CROWN VIC FOR CLEETUS-N-CARS!

[@justinhobart8747]

Hell with a Vic... let that Guy take the Dale Truck around!!! I bet he can show Cleetus a thing or two on how to drive a short track.

[@probablynotwearingpants6228]

@@justinhobart8747 I agree, give this man a day at the factory with all the freedom machines. but I mean for the friends and fellow youtubers crown vic race Garrett has been stocking up for, he deserves a spot.

[@cheard22]

Really cool video man, you could see the emotion in his face when yall were talking about it. He's passionate about that place. We are all happy it's going to great hands who are gonna turn that place into a worldwide wonder.

[@lukdragon]

who else is truly truly excited for garrett and the boys with the racetrack its amazing how somthing so simple like a piece of land built in a circle can bring so much joy 2020 is gonna be fucking sick dam i wish i was in america for these events

[@xfaegx1741]

You should invite him to hang out at the track and keep him around. Make him part of the team. I'm guesing he would love that and would be a great asset with all the knowlege of the track history he has.

[@Adriansitos623]

Somebody buy that man a beer, he deserves a few.

[@loosescrewlab5379]

Huge 👍 bro!! Awesome history !! Can't wait til it finally opens, and new memories are made at the Freedom Factory!!!! Thanks for the the autograph at the the Houston show!!!! It was sick!!! My lil man stole my hat cause you signed it !!!! Can't wait til the next show!!

[@lengthluther484]

I hate the commercials before watching the video so I keep closing and reopening the vid until it goes right to cleeter hell yea brother.

[@trythistv]

Gene is an absolute legend! So cool he still had all the drawings and information and shared the history with all of us! Men like him built so much of our legacy as automotive enthusiasts.

[@ImAnarchy]

As an engineer I loved seeing those drawings I was taken aback that James has background with that! Very cool stuff!

[@joeross2555]

Wish they had stuff like this in upper Michigan, be awesome to help revive old tracks super awesome content