SOUTHWICK – Since the announcement a week ago that Moto-X 338 as we know it will cease to exist after this season, rumors have been rampant in town.
Diane and Ralph Pittello, who run the races at the track, said they are retiring this year after they could not come to an agreement with land owners American Legion Post 338.
A source at the Legion who spoke with The Westfield News on condition of anonymity said the announcement, which came in the form of a press release from MX Sports Pro Racing, came as a surprise to the Legion hierarchy.
“We thought we were still in negotiations,” said the source. “This was a shock.”
He further stated that even though the Pittello’s are retiring, the plan is that the track will remain open.
“The Legion owns the track, and the track is not closing,” he said.
An Executive Board meeting took place at the American Legion Post 338 Tuesday but the board members were tight-lipped on what transpired until a press release was issued late Friday afternoon.
“We were saddened and disappointed to read in various news reports that our contract negations with Motocross 338 had fallen through,” the release from the Executive Board stated. “In our last contact with Motocross 338 they said they were going to get back to us either after the Nationals event or by the end of their racing season. We believed that they were negotiating with the town of Southwick for the necessary permits and with MX Sports for a contract renewal. So to find out that we were at an impasse was a surprise to say the least. We had heard rumors, but we were never contacted.”
The board stated that American Legion Post 338 is committed to two things.
“First, we want to provide as much support to area veterans as possible. Secondly, we want to continue to maintain our track as an area where people can enjoy motocross. In line with that, we will immediately begin to contact people to run the track starting next year and for the foreseeable future. We will endeavor to ensure that this will continue to be a place where people can enjoy motocross, both as a participant and a spectator.”
As far as running the Nationals in Southwick next year the board promised to “do everything we can to maintain it at our track. After we hire someone to manage the track we will find out who has control over where the event will take place, be that MX Sports or Motocross 338, and see what can be done to hold the event in Southwick. We feel it is important for the people of Southwick and motocross fans in the area that motocross is available at our track and we will do whatever we can to keep it that way.”
Southwick’s track has a long history in town and in the sport. The Lucas Oil Pro Championship has run on the track for 34 years, with its 35th and final competition set for June 29. Southwick is known for its challenging sand track, earning it the nickname The Sandbox.
“There are very few tracks in the world with a legacy that can even come close to that of Southwick,” said MX Sports Pro Racing President Davey Coombs. “The greatest names in the history of the sport have all raced at Southwick, but not all of them have found a way to win there. That’s a testament to the one-of-a-kind nature of the track that not only made it the premier sand track in the U.S., but also one of the most demanding circuits of all time.
“The sport of professional motocross traces its roots back to Southwick and other venues throughout New England,” Coombs continued. “The legacy established in New England over the past four decades is tied to the dedicated efforts of Diane and Ralph, and by Ray Peebles and Bernie Yellin. It has been important to the growth of our sport and we will continue to explore opportunities to maintain this legacy moving forward and ensure there is professional motocross in New England.”
