Annexation and Zoning in Hudson Approved

We are incredibly grateful to each and every one of you for your unwavering support throughout the annexation and zoning process for our race track in Hudson. As of Wednesday, April 1, we are thrilled to share that we received a unanimous “yes” vote for both annexation and zoning within the Town of Hudson.

This moment would not have been possible without your encouragement, your voices, your attendance at meetings, and your continued belief in what we are building together. Your support has meant more than words can express. Above all, we give all glory to God for guiding this journey and blessing us every step of the way. We truly believe His hand has been upon this process, and we are deeply thankful for His provision and favor.

We look forward to what lies ahead and to continuing this journey together as a strong and united racing community.

Annexation and Zoning in Hudson Proposed to Planning Commission

This month we were approved by the Hudson Planning Commission for annexation and zoning on our new Hudson property. We had a couple of great meetings with the town of Hudson residents and the Hudson Planning Commission. We are extremely grateful for all of the members of our racing community who attended and spoke on our behalf, or simply asked questions concerning our arrival in Hudson, as well as those watching online.

More major planning steps are on the horizon and we humbly ask for your continued support and prayers.

Merry Christmas from all of us at Bandimere Speedway!

As the holiday season is upon us, and we look toward to the start of a New Year, we want to take a moment to give you a quick update on the future of Bandimere Speedway.

We are pleased to share that we are making substantial progress on the annexation and zoning for our new location. The Town of Hudson and its dedicated staff have been working diligently alongside our team to create a mutually beneficial development that will ensure the continuation of drag racing and motorsports in Colorado for generations to come.

As you can imagine, this is a major project that requires a significant amount of time, coordination, and careful planning. After 65 incredible years on the mountain, we know that God is in control and opening doors for us. We are truly excited for this new chapter and are taking the necessary time to create a development that is an integral part of the community and sustainable for the long run.

We are deeply grateful to our partners, racers, and fans for your incredible patience and unwavering support throughout this transition. We look forward to sharing more updates with you in the New Year!

The first piece of the puzzle. 

John Bandimere Jr. here,

The last time I had the privilege to address you personally, I was sharing with all of you our family’s decision to surrender the property along the hogback that we had occupied for 65 years. At that time, although our future was uncertain, we knew that our faith and trust would direct us and we promised you that when we had news, we would share it.

I know that most of you understand that while our family hasn’t been operating a schedule of races in Colorado, we have been working to continue the legacy of automobile racing that was started by my parents in 1958. Believe me when I tell you that this has not been an easy undertaking nor has it been a quick process, but earlier this week our family, in partnership with a trusted team of associates, were able to close on the first parcel of land located in Weld County’s Hudson area.

This highly anticipated transaction is the first piece in a complex puzzle of a planned timeline for anticipated future negotiations for surrounding property. Unknown factors of zoning and annexation will continue to take place with the exact timing unclear.

Thank you for your patience and we will continue to post updates as things develop.

I’d like to share a verse that I shared with my family and staff that sums up the season we are currently experiencing. It is in the book of Philippians – chapter 4, verses 6 and 7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Many of you have told us that you have been praying for us as we have been trusting God for our next steps in this new facility process and as I close, I’d like to offer up a prayer for each of you in hopes that you, too, experience the peace that passes all understanding . . .

God Bless You

Surrender the Mountain  - “We could have just gathered our immediate family and closed the gate behind us, but that wouldn’t have felt right. You are our family, and this feels right.” John “Sporty” Bandimere delivered an emotional tribute to The Mountain, the Bandimere Speedway staff, and the entire racing community last Sunday during the Surrender the Mountain gathering on October 20, 2024. John Jr. and Lorraine Bandimere made the final burnout and pass down the historic quarter-mile, followed by the final removal of the Christmas tree from the starting line. Tears were shed, memories were shared, and the news race fans have been waiting for was shared directly from the family. We know how easy it is for rumors to be spread about the future of the speedway, but we are here to tell you that we have secured a piece of property in Hudson, CO and we are in the process of due diligence on the land with the hopes that breaking ground on a racetrack will begin in the coming months.

As of Friday, October 18th, 2024, we are no longer conducting business at our Morrison location. Our phones will be temporarily off line, but our emails will remain the same and available for contact. You can find all of our contacts HERE.

You may view this message on YouTube HERE

April 21, 2023: The year was 1956 and the west side of Denver was going to gain a new venue they hadn’t really anticipated. John Bandimere Sr. and his wife Frances were about to embark on an expansion of sorts for their well-known automotive machining and auto parts business – a race track. It was an opportunity for them to provide a place for people, especially young people to enjoy the speed and performance of the automobile off the city streets but more than that if was a place to share the love of Jesus in an unconventional environment – something they both loved to do.

It wasn’t long after the proper permits were obtained by the county and dirt was being moved, that the neighbors realized what was about to be established into their quiet neighborhood. Rather than fight a never-ending battle, the Safety Proving Grounds of America was relocated in 1958 to a remote piece of land up against the hogback mountain where it has resided for the past 65 years – most notably known as Bandimere Speedway.

The year is now 2023 and Bandimere Speedway is about to embark on another possible move. Surrounding development has become more prevalent in the past several years. Once again, Bandimere Speedway is prepared to surrender the location it has called home for over six decades. Truly, the mission and vision for the facility has not changed over the years. Second-generation owner, John Bandimere Jr., shares, “This place has never been ours, but always God’s. Keeping that perspective over the years has given our family not only the honor to run a business with integrity and dedication, but also the realization to hold it lightly knowing more than likely that we wouldn’t have it forever.”

The end of the 2023 racing season in October will mark the end of drag racing in Morrison, Colorado.

As we close the chapter on this part of our story, our family is taking the time to reflect on the hundreds, or maybe thousands, of memories experienced on Thunder Mountain. Memories including many of the irreplaceable pieces over the years that have added to the unique fabric of Bandimere Speedway. The relationships that have been created with employees, racers, sponsors, sanctioning bodies, guests, service-providers and more will remind us daily what a privilege it has been for our family to continue the legacy started by our family’s patriarch and matriarch in 1958.

Knowing that continued growth in the Rooney Valley would likely impact the future of our present location, our family has been proactive over the past several years in an effort to locate another possible location where a new facility can be established. Much the same as in 1956, the opportunity for developing and operating a multi-use facility with drag racing as its primary focus provides an exciting possibility for our family – one that will also provide the potential to make a meaningful contribution to the community, wherever it may be.

Information will continue to be shared with you during the racing season as it becomes available.

We encourage everyone to continue to follow our social media pages and this page of our website for updates and accurate information on the future of Bandimere Speedway. Both will be updated when information worth sharing becomes available. In the mean time, we appreciate everyone's support and patience as we navigate this new chapter.

Peter speaks with John about his decision to close the nationally renowned Bandimere Speedway. Don't miss this very emotional interview.

The patriarch, John Jr., spends time with Randy as they reminisce, give glory to God, disabuse the Denver Post of its fake news, explain what's happening and why, look ahead to the future for the Bandimeres, and update everyone on current Bandimere letigation.