Maple Grove Track

[tim worner]

Have been talking to some local bracket racers about Maple Grove having problems with their new track surface. Seems they are having a hard time getting cars down the track. Anyone have any additional information?

[Joe Grippo]

The company contracted to do the milling of the new concrete had equipment problems which delayed the work a few days. We ran there last Friday night, 1/8 mile and it was fine, though some faster super pro cars reported some problems. A Jr. Dragster had a mishap, speculation was the super skinny front tires were affected by the groves in the new concrete. They canceled the bracket race for last Saturday.

Grinding and polishing is supposed to be completed this week with lots of dragging and prep on the full 1/4 mile to follow for this weekends 2-day bracket race.

[Bryan Worner]

Well lets hope all goes well and as planned because the Division 1 LODRS is in 2 weeks. That could get ugly if the track isn't ready.

[Jeff Stout]

When Speedworld had the track ground we ended up with a uneven section of the right lane about 8-900 foot The grinder is only so wide and it has to make multiple passes to cut the entire lane down. At the 8-900 foot section the grinder ended up at a different level when cutting. It was in the groove and wasn't noticeable at first. But drivers kept complaining that they were getting loose and to check the track for fluid. This actually went on for a couple weeks and finally during the week we started running long straight boards across the lane ( left to right) and there it was about 1/4 to 3/8 inch of uneven cutting. It would alternate from first pass being higher then the second pass then the second pass would be higher then the first thus giving the wiggle feeling when driving over it. Contacted cutting company and they did come out to look and stated they would cut surface for a fee. Once everyone knew the problem and moved left of the groove about 1 foot, then problem went away. Sorry for the long story.

[Tom Goldman]

Got an email from the Grove today stating they have been dragging ,rotating and spraying all day
Picture looked like the rubber buildup was pretty light ,but the rubber was starting to stick and they have quite a few days left to keep dragging.
Hopefully it will be level and the bumps will be gone .

[Marty Rinehart Jr]

Lex called me today and said they are making great progress on the track surface. He said it WILL be good by the weekend. The crew is working non stop on making the traction better than ever.
This past weekend the cars ran to the 1/8th mile. Many of the racers commented that they were not having any trouble.
This is good news compared to the horror stories that were going around.

[tim worner]

Sounds like they are on top of it. Lex and crew will do their best.

[grncpe]

Any word on how the track was after the event this weekend?

[Joe Grippo]

Perfect! I ran my 10.50 bracket car there Saturday and Sunday and the track surface was killer. You can't tell where the old surface meets the new surface, Don't think I moved the steering wheel an inch in either direction. Short times were consistent as well. Several low 7 second Super Pro cars were in attendance and seemed fine.
Should be a great weekend for the LODRS.

[Tom Goldman]

I got the same report as Joe's from several racers with fast cars , track was the best it's been in a long time .