US 131 Motorsports Park

[Phil Veldheer Racing]

an interesting article. http://www.competitionplus.com/index...time-will-tell

if they switch to NHRA , how long will it take for Mid-Michigan to switch back to IHRA?

Phil

[Beth Denysenko]

Considering they moved the Joliet National event date over her points race date at Mid Mich, obviously come more changes are in the pipeline. I really hope US 131 doesn't go NHRA, but I wouldn't blame them either. Right now, they are a showcase for IHRA. They jump in with NHRA and they will be a middle sized fish in a monster pond. Tough choice.

[bigshow2966]

Is 131 really big enough to hold an NHRA national event? I've been there a couple times and just plain didn't see enough acreage to park the nitro travelling circus.

[Phil Veldheer Racing]

All they would have to do is buy the land on the north and south ends of the track. Then have the county pave the exit road that goes south.

Phil

[Mike Fuller]

I don't think that it has enough paved area to have a national event. A points meet would be somewhat of a stretch. Also the only way out is through the staging area. It makes things tough getting out of there at times.

[Marine One]

It's not the size of the track, it's how you use it Look at Indy. More acreage than any other NHRA track, yet I would rate 131 a better track than Indy. Just walk the 1/4 at Indy and see what you find laying around (bring a bucket). Walk the 1/4 at 131 and you will be hard pressed to find any debris.

Despite what you think of Pinks, just use that show to comapre David and Goliath. The production crew, having just left Indy, said 131 was the most successful event they ever had. Not one single delay, no one turned away because of parking, no fights with the staff, no problems at all. Indy on the other hand, no management skills at all, all kinds of down time when a car would break, track staff getting into it with people, etc.

Turn 131 NHRA and keep the current owners / managers in place and it would be a top 5 facility (location, good air, clean facilities, damn near perfect track, etc). Change the owners or managers and you would have just another Indy. You can always add more pavement, but you cannot add good air or find good owners and good managers.

Just my $0.02

[Phil Veldheer Racing]

another article, this one by an outstanding sportsman drag racing writer, Steve Kaminski of the Grand Rapids Press.

http://www.mlive.com/autoracing/inde..._rolls_in.html

this tells a little bit more than the last article. I hope they stay IHRA.

Phil,

[BBF67]

Originally Posted by b.d.d.

It's not the size of the track, it's how you use it Look at Indy. More acreage than any other NHRA track, yet I would rate 131 a better track than Indy. Just walk the 1/4 at Indy and see what you find laying around (bring a bucket). Walk the 1/4 at 131 and you will be hard pressed to find any debris.

Despite what you think of Pinks, just use that show to comapre David and Goliath. The production crew, having just left Indy, said 131 was the most successful event they ever had. Not one single delay, no one turned away because of parking, no fights with the staff, no problems at all. Indy on the other hand, no management skills at all, all kinds of down time when a car would break, track staff getting into it with people, etc.

Turn 131 NHRA and keep the current owners / managers in place and it would be a top 5 facility (location, good air, clean facilities, damn near perfect track, etc). Change the owners or managers and you would have just another Indy. You can always add more pavement, but you cannot add good air or find good owners and good managers.

Just my $0.02

What you say about Indy has been true for the past few years, but as they say, there's a new sheriff in town. Word is a new boss has been put in charge at the track and a house cleaning will possibly come at the end of this season. The company has been taking notes this year. There maybe a new crew and a new attitude next season at Indy.

US 131 would make an excellent Division 3 points meet track but is actually too small for a real national event. It is nowhere near the size needed for a big spectator crowd or for a full field of Professional racecars with their huge entourage. With the normal big field of Sportsman entries that attend a NHRA national event, it would clog up the whole area. It is a shame because US 131 is a nice facility.

[Brad Zaskowski]

Originally Posted by Phil Veldheer Racing

another article, this one by an outstanding sportsman drag racing writer, Steve Kaminski of the Grand Rapids Press.

http://www.mlive.com/autoracing/inde..._rolls_in.html

this tells a little bit more than the last article. I hope they stay IHRA.

Phil,

NHRA would be a great move for Martin for sure. A national event would need some parking and entrance / exit improvements but the track itself is just as good as any current NHRA track out there.
The article says they have a IHRA nitro jam event, points race and team finals right now and to switch to get a lucas race would not be in the best interest if the track. I disagree look at the nitro jam from a couple weeks ago roughly 260 class contestants pro and sportsman (including Matt Alvey's personal favorite 8 snowmobiles), Mid Michigan pts meet had roughly 340 contestants with no TAFC, TAD, or sleds and is 2 hours further northeast. The 131 facility with a Lucas Oil race would draw a croud of racers similar to the car count at Norwalk and look at what the Baders did with promoting the race and getting spectators in there. This one Lucas Oil race could be as big as the three IHRA races they have now.
Dont get me wrong I have Raced NHRA and IHRA both are great places to race. I also love going to Mid Michigan for a points meet but it would be cool to see Martin at least get their foot back in the door with NHRA and work towards a national event.

[Charley Downing]

PHIL could you give me one good reason Martin staying IHRA would be good for them? And you being able to keep your 69 as a F/CM is not one. I can't think of any.