Div 3 National Open
 

Has anyone heard if they are going to replace the National Open that they always had at St Louis in the Spring or if Indy will now be the first race. I would like to see them try to find something. It was nice to get out and shake everything down before Indy (when the weather cooperated). I am not sure besides Bowling Green where the weather would be nice enough that early.

Re: Div 3 National Open
 

I have a pretty good source that says, Muncie Dragway, IN

Re: Div 3 National Open
 

I have never been there, but isn't that place pretty much a dump? Or at least compared to St Louis? Also, I would hope they wont try to race there before indy. The weather isn't usually good for indy let alone before that.

Re: Div 3 National Open
 

Ryan,,,,,,there just something about early spring and farther north ? lol

Rick

Re: Div 3 National Open
 

Milan Dragway would be a good place to have one about two weeks before Indy, if the track is prepped the right way. They won't put a divisional there for some reason.

Re: Div 3 National Open
 

Bowling Green would be a better choice for weather point of view. Indy with possible, snow, frost, rain is bad enough that early. I have seen ALL weather at Indy that early.

Re: Div 3 National Open
 

I have said for years that we should be down at Bowling Green early in the year. I think they should swap division races with Indy then go back to back at Indy like they do at Joliet. But my understanding is that the owner of Bowling Green is not interested because of the cars he get on the way to Indy.

But we could move the Open in Bowling Green from Memorial day to the early spring.

Re: Div 3 National Open
 

Yea, that would be good, maybe we could race snowmobiles up there. LOL

Re: Div 3 National Open
 

Surprisingly the weather in south eastern Michigan is pretty good the 18-30 of April. Almost every year we go to Indy the weather is better at home here in Michigan then at IRP.

Re: Div 3 National Open
 

Muncie Dragway has been under new ownership for two or three years. The new owner has put a ton of money in the track including repaving and filling the grass strip to eighth mile. Expanded the pits and has set up allot of the pits with electric added speakers and lights also set the other side of the track up for pitting. I ran a large No Box race there over the fourth of July.500 plus cars were no problem.

The best part is the owner personally grooms the track and the traction is 10 Plus !!!.If the race is there need to make sure your drivetrain is solid that starting line has killed more parts than any I have ever raced on.

Early April is very iffy anywhere in the Upper Midwest

Cheers
Don

Re: Div 3 National Open
 

I dont know what weather will be but the Million Dollar Race was there and the track was great .Great owner and staff they have a decent place overall If weather holds out I dont think you will be unhappy

Re: Div 3 National Open
 

I've raced at Muncie for 30+ years with my Stockers an its a good place to race. I think the place only needs a new restroom/ shower building like Norwalk has, an Muncie would be one of the best tracks in Div. 3. Like Don said they repaved the Track an the traction/surface is as good as any in Div. 3. I'd like to see them get an Open race its been along time sense I've only had to travel 15mi. to run a Stock elm. race! Also I'm with Mike Fuller on why don't we have a Div. Race at Milan? JohnK 3954

Re: Div 3 National Open
 

Sounds like Muncie would be a good place to have an Open according to what you all have said. I still don't think early April is a good time to have it there. I think they should swap dates with the Bowling Green Open.

I have never been to Milan, but it HAS to be better than Stanton! I still can't believe they have a points race there. If the track is bad enough that the TA cars won't race there, then why are the rest of us racing there. I don't care if it is shutdown related or not. I have been there a few times and didn't care for the facility. The people are nice, but the place needs work and it is too short!

Re: Div 3 National Open
 

Schedule
April 29-May 1O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis
Results Indianapolis, Ind.May 13-15Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park
Results Norwalk, OhioJune 10-12Route 66 Raceway
Results Chicago, Ill.July 22-24National Trail Raceway
Results Hebron, OhioJuly 30-31Mid-Michigan Motorplex
Results Stanton, Mich.August 26-28Beech Bend Raceway Park
Results Bowling Green, Ky.

Re: Div 3 National Open
 

I second that! The track gets better every year.

Re: Div 3 National Open
 

I agree, usually late May the weather is unknown. It could be hot, or it could be rainy. The whole month of May is usually a toss up weather wise.

Re: Div 3 National Open
 

Right after Indy, we took our car over to Muncie for a test n ntune, and found the track to be pretty good, and the people were downright exceptional.

We ran like crap as we were still blowing up coil packs, but the track was not a problem at all.

A little more work, as has been noted, and it will be a great place to race.

David
The New Hemi Guy

Re: Div 3 National Open
 

Re: Div 3 National Open
 

any word on the length of the track??? 1/4 mile or?

Re: Div 3 National Open
 

Bob, Muncie Dragway is a 1/4 mile track with a long shut down. JKeihn 3954

Re: Div 3 National Open
 

During the US Nationals 2010, I had a problem on my first qualifier and tested that same afternoon at Muncie Dragway. I don't know of a track operator that could have been more accomodating. They had the track prepared from the first hit and was able to make 5-6 runs.

I would strongly recommend this track to anyone.

Mike Walter GT/JA 3072