Big Changes At Moroso Motorsports Park
 

Okay, before the naysayers have their way with me, I just want to remind everyone I'm only the messenger. And, I am seeing more on the side of optimism at our local track.

First, George Alan Case and I have been playing phone tag the last couple days but finally spoke yesterday morning. Yes, he's the new track manager. And to uproot from Maple Grove and move his family down is a big commitment so yes he plans to stick it out. Second, he's FULLY aware of the facility reputation, the last 2 Citrus Nats class car fiascos, poor track surface, and the challenges stemmin from the former staff. Bear in mind the only two remaining personnel is Sue Moroso herself, and Julie Korkowski (who is a customer service dynamo!!).

Now, the good stuff. May 19 the track closes and the full 1/4 mile will be completely dug up. A new track surface with a 1 ft increase in elevation, 600 ft concrete pad, new finish line safety vehicle chute, full modern Compulink fiber-optic timing system with LED boards, new track prep vehicles and equipment, training (and additional track workers, but don't quote me... see above) has all been comfirmed. NHRA national event specs is the order from George and Co. For a bit of boost in excitement, George spoke with Max Naylor who is interested in winter testing, since Valdosta has been too cold the last couple years and said plan on at least himself, Kenny Koretsky, Larry Morgan, WJ and KJ for pre '09 testing this winter!!!

Here's what really got my attention: some may recall George and Tommy Ciccarone partnered on a SS/TB S-10, remember? He is very passionate of S/SS/Comp and knows first hand many of the challenges in class racing. Besides Marc Wessler (hats off to him in the little time he had) George is the first since Bob Moles who knows the difference between Super Stock and Super Gas. The 18 years between, well, we know the story:rolleyes:. Going forward though, I expect things to be different, very different. Oh, the subject of our "caring" division director was brought up. The response, let's just say, went like this: "that's okay, everyone has their way of doing things, and so do I (George)." "Div 1 success didn't happen by accident. Track operators play a big role in it that will work in any division". He eluded he has a plan for dealing with Mr. Holt.:confused:

Stay tuned. A press release is due out in the next few days which I'll post here.

Re: Big Changes At Moroso Motorsports Park
 

Great to hear. Best of luck, George!

George rubs some people the wrong way, but having gotten to know him, he's as straight-shooter as you will find, and you could count on his word, whether or not you agreed with him. He's worked on behalf of racers, often unbeknownst to them - even those who grumbled about him. He's got his feet firmly planted on the ground, and knows how to deal with the 'circus-managers' when they come to town.

George was among many who helped jumpstart my fledgling career in Stock with my EF/SA Turismo. Always appreciated, never forgotten!

Re: Big Changes At Moroso Motorsports Park
 

Actually Sue lives in Palm Beach Gardens, and has been hands-on. Until Marc Wessler she had received guidance from self proclaimed "industry experts". That era hit the skids at the end of 2006. Sue is comitted to the facility and she backed that by hiring George. He WILL turn things around! Let's support him.

Re: Big Changes At Moroso Motorsports Park
 

Here's the message I got from George last week:

Gary:

Thanks for the kind words! Julie forwarded your email to me this morning. Yes, I was behind the Geezers event working with Lex Dudas and John Krupiak when I was at Maple Grove.

I am pretty excited to be part of the Moroso staff and look forward to the new track when completed. I know there have been stories around for the past few years about the changes here, but they are going to happen shortly. The changes include; 660' of concrete, new asphalt, new concrete guardwalls all the way to the end of the track, (2) steel gates on the right side of the track for safety eqyupiment, new Complink timing system, fiber-optics, LED scoreboards and a several new pieces of clean up euqipment. The track will pretty much be the NHRA national event specs.

I am working with Harry Laplatte on the Dick Moroso Memorial Nostalgia Drag Race and Car Show (11/9/08). To date we have commitments from Don Garlits, the Southern Slingshots and several origianl A/FXer's and Super Stockers, plus we will have two race classes, Nostalgia I and Nostalgia II (electronics I and non-electronics II) and almost forgot John Dianna will be here. I'm sure you remeber him, he used to race Stock years ago then Modified Production prior to working in the publishing business.

Once again for the nice comments.

George Alan Case
VP of Drag Racing Operations
Moroso Motorsports Park
17047 Beeline Hwy
Jupiter, FL 33478
561-626-1400 p
561-626-2053 f

Re: Big Changes At Moroso Motorsports Park
 

I actually know Sue pretty well. Although she travels periodically between here and CT, she's usually in the office daily. I've also known Ricky for the last 16 years or so (he, my brother and I used to do 12oz workouts back in the day when he'd visit Florida...the hangover stories were pretty funny:D). Never knew the old man, but my father did since he was a track supporter/sponsor for 20 years. Regardless I think Sue made the right choice going with George.

Re: Big Changes At Moroso Motorsports Park
 

George---good luck in your new Job----watch out for the new fiber optics---has it's glitches---make sure you have a good starting line crew & people who know how to PREP a track & maintain it during the course of the day---sounds like a good start to a turn around for this facility---Good Luck To All-----Martin Flegal #SS1666---Maple Grove regular:)

Re: Big Changes At Moroso Motorsports Park
 

does anyone have another # for george? i tried the number posted and it connected me to a private # for someone else

Re: Big Changes At Moroso Motorsports Park
 

I may be crazy to give Moroso another chance (they still owe me $140) but I will be watching and listening to what Gary says. I know Gary personally and trust his opinion. Keep us posted Gary! Jim

Re: Big Changes At Moroso Motorsports Park
 

Thanks Jim. I knew I had at least one friend here:o LOL!!!!

Jim Woods...if you can't reach George at the track # (561-622-1400) give me a call on my cell (561-346-0421) and I'll track him down.

Re: Big Changes At Moroso Motorsports Park
 

I remember winning the "Pennsylvania Dutch Classic" and just before the winners photo was taken, good old George turned off the lights, making a photo impossible. It was also fun for us to drive back to the "cow pasture" and load up in the dark......there weren't even any clouds out that night. So I wouldn't get too excited about him joining Moroso Park. Beside hasn't that track screwed us class racers enough over the last 2 years? I gave them a second chance, but a third...............jury's still out!

Re: Big Changes At Moroso Motorsports Park
 

Maybe if it's a points race run by Mr. Collins and the crew would I go back, Citrus Nationals is a fancy Bracket race but the crowd loved the stock and superstockers. Especially the 4 speeed cars.

Re: Big Changes At Moroso Motorsports Park
 

Any serious commitment to a turnaround at Moroso, both of the facility and the human capital, is excellent news. I spent 4 years racing there, won my first track championship there, but haven't been back for 10 years (not their fault, I moved) and have heard almost nothing but painful stories coming from there for several years now.

I was on Dick's drivers' committee briefly and also ran into him around the races periodically before he passed away. Very nice guy and "dedicated to racers" doesn't begin to cover it.

It's a tremendous investment to rebuild a track and timing system like that, so hopefully they will get the benefit of the doubt from racers and a second chance for success after having spent that much capital.

Re: Big Changes At Moroso Motorsports Park
 

Press Release (also posted on the website..see below)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Susan Moroso Strecker, 561-622-1400

MOROSO MOTORSPORTS PARK TEMPORARILY CLOSES DRAG STRIP AND ROAD COURSE FOR MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR RENOVATION

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, APRIL 25th, 2008
Moroso Motorsports Park announced today that their drag strip and road course will close for renovations on May 19 and re-open in the of Fall '08 with new and improved tracks. During this period, the kart track will remain open and available to the Public.

The newly reconfigured 2-mile road course will be 40 feet wide, feature several areas of paved run-off and adhere to the highest FIA safety standards. Soft wall barriers will compliment the tire barriers and concrete walls. The redone drag strip will be concrete to the 660' and have retaining walls extending to the shutdown area. Compulink will provide the fiber optic timing and scoring system. Highly-regarded industry experts Bob Harrington and Wayne McMurtry have been brought on as consultants for the reconstruction project. Harrington's expertise lies in years of unsurpassed road course development and McMurtry has a proven history developing some of the country's finest drag strips. Together, their demonstrable knowledge will provide the best of both racing worlds for Moroso's loyal drivers and fans. With one of the most well-respected track operators in the country, George Case as the new Director of Drag Race Operations, Moroso Motorsport Park has put together a winning team that will deliver on grand expectations.

"This has been a long time in the making," stated Susan Moroso Strecker, CEO of Moroso Motorsports Park. "Our customers have supported us unconditionally and we are so excited to give them the facility they deserve."

Moroso Motorsports Park is located on 200 acres of wooded property in NW Palm Beach County and hosts more than 850 events annually. With auto racing being the #1 spectator sport in the country, events at the Park draw an estimated one million people per year, with media coverage impacting several million more. As a result, Moroso Motorsports Park has created an economic impact on Palm Beach County and surrounding areas in excess of $25 million.

Racers and fans can be kept up-to-date on the project by visiting www.racemoroso.com For more information, contact: Susan Moroso Strecker, 561-622-1400
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