Big Changes At Moroso Motorsports Park

[Gary Smith]

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. 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.

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

[Michael Beard]

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!

[Gary Smith]

Originally Posted by 1664SSJA

It's about time they got someone with brains to do something about that place.

"Sue Moroso" lives in CT and rarely goes down there....

Since DICK Moroso died, everythings gone to **** down there. DICK knew how to run a business.
I hope George is given Carte Blanche to do as HE sees fit, cause no one else had the brains to do it.

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.

[Gary Smith]

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

[Gary Smith]

Originally Posted by 1664SSJA

She owns a place there but last I knew she still lived here in CT..........

Regardless, I hope George can do with that place what Dick intended. I assume George knew Dick from the past.... Dick was a great guy. A "real" person. I don't know anyone who could say a bad word about him.

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). 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.

[tram1666]

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

[Jim Woods]

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

[Jim Wahl]

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

[Gary Smith]

Originally Posted by Jim Wahl

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

Thanks Jim. I knew I had at least one friend here 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.

[Don Himes]

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!