Riverside Speedway has been a track on a mission the last three years. The number of cars and race fans that roll into the Northern New Hampshire Speedway has nearly tripled itself, and track owner CJ Robinson felt it was time to retire since things were going so well. The announcement was made this past Saturday night, that long time racing enthusiast, Harry Franssen has purchased the track, and is looking forward to making it even bigger and better.

            Franssen, a native of Louden, New Hampshire and Port Orange, Florida will officially take over the track this fall in October. Franssen has a long resume in the world of stockcar racing as he has owned several top race teams, been a sponsor to many, and has dabbled in racing at it’s highest levels. He has plans to upgrade the facility in the concession areas, and the buildings on the grounds in the near future, as well as many other improvements for the fans and the race teams.

            Robinson stated “The timing is right for me to step aside and let someone new take over this facility. I am very pleased to have handed over the keys to someone that has as great of a passion for this sport as I do. Harry is bringing a great amount of enthusiasm to the place, and I feel very good about my decision to sell. I have had several other opportunities to let her go, but they just didn’t seem to be in the best interest of all parties. I am confident that Riverside Speedway will continue to shine for many years to come with Harry behind the wheel. I am surely going to miss the place and all the wonderful people that I have met there over the last twenty one years. The people at the track are some of the finest I have ever met. I also have to applaud Dick Therrien, for all that he has done these past three years in turning Riverside into a place that people want to visit. He has done an incredible job, and is a great friend. Without his effort, who knows where we would be today.”

            Franssen was introduced to the race teams during the weekly drivers meeting. The teams listened intently as he introduced himself, and spoke briefly about how he will be at the track regularly, trying to meet as many of them as possible, and listening to as many new ideas about improving the track from a drivers perspective. Franssen plans on keeping the same management team in place, and is currently negotiating with Therrien for a lease for the 2008 racing season. “Dick Therrien is responsible for the rebirth of Riverside Speedway, and I’m hoping to keep this relationship intact. I have met with him and I think we are both on the same page as far as our goals for the future. We are very close to finalizing the deal for 2008, and hopefully we can continue working together for many years to come.”

            General Manager, Dick Therrien has mixed emotions about his future at Riverside Speedway . Therrien explains, “I have been involved with CJ for a very long time and it is going to be hard to see him go. He is a good man with a big heart, and I am going to miss him. He is a wonderful friend. I also am looking forward to all the new challenges ahead. Mr. Franssen seems like a man that thinks along the same lines as I do, and his goals are to make Riverside Speedway the best it can be. He knows a lot about the sport of auto racing and has some great ideas. I think that we will make a very good team, and I’m very anxious to get the lease deal behind us for 2008.”

            Many drivers were seen talking to the new owner after the meeting and throughout the evening. “This was a good sign of things to come explained Therrien. Communications between the new owner, race teams and employees will be pivotal for the continued growth of Riverside Speedway .”

            Riverside Speedway is located on Brown Road, off Route 3, in Groveton, New Hampshire . For more information on Riverside Speedway , visit the website at www.riversidespeedway.org., or call the track at 603-636-2005.