Moroso Motorsports Park Update

Gary Smith · 09-13-2007, 03:27 PM

I heard back in February that Sue was making serious changes with the drag racing program at Moroso Motorsports Park. But like most of you, I took it like a grain of salt, pretty much writing off any hope for the place. Then I heard there were some shake-ups in personel, which got my attention. And while testing my car back in April I noticed some subtle changes as well, most notably a much friendlier staff. But the email I just received regarding her plans are nothing less than suprising as they look awesome, realistic, and very VERY promising!!!!!!! Any racer who turns their nose up at efforts like these deserve no place to race!!!!!!!!

Here's the message:

Moroso Motorsports Park looks to the Future
Part 1: Drag Strip

With the passing of the half way point of 2007 Susan Moroso Strecker, the owner and Chief Executive Officer of Moroso Motorsports Park, recently took some time to assess the changes made this year and to address some of the issues the facility faces. In this discussion, Susan focused on the oldest and most popular track at Moroso Motorsports Park- the NHRA Mile Drag Strip.

Of all the changes at Moroso, the most notable was the restructuring of upper management. Susan hired Aaron Weiss in December and appointed him President and Chief Operations Officer. What followed was a complete rebuilding of the staff. Everyone from the general manager to the chief financial officer to the director of Public Relations was replaced. This reorganization has allowed Susan to implement the long-awaited and much-needed philosophy that Moroso's customers are the top priority and the entire staff greets each day with a "Can Do" attitude.

"About eight months ago I started the difficult, albeit necessary, task of replacing my entire full-time staff. Some part-timers were also encouraged to leave," commented Susan. "26 employees have concluded their employment for us- including a few who had been here for almost two decades. However, our customers were not being treated well and our growth was stagnant. The business itself was beginning to flounder."

The Drag Strip has seen several managers come and go since last year. However, with a solid staff in place, it s now being run in the fashion that the track s loyal customers deserve and appreciate.

"The way the Drag Strip was being run was not to our customers' benefit," stated Susan. "The way it is run now is admirable. Marc Wesler is our new Drag manager and he's smarter than most people twice his age. Not only does he understand the business side of it, but he's also a racer. His dad is a racer. His brothers race. His mother knows more about cars than most mechanics. Marc is the real deal- he understands both sides of running the Drag Strip."

Repaving
One of the issues facing the Moroso Motorsports Park Drag Strip is the track surface. The "bump" near the end of the track and drainage from the frequent South Florida rain showers has been a source of irritation to both the racers and the management. To find a solution Susan contacted the top three track-paving experts in the industry and informed them of the un-level track surface. "They all said grinding the bumps would be an affordable and appropriate fix. I had an elevation study completed and pulled a core sample that I sent to them for evaluation. After reviewing both, all three independently stated that there was no way we could get away with just grinding the track. The core sample revealed about an inch and a half of asphalt underneath that there was nothing but sand and water. Also, a 30,000-pound milling machine would fall right through a track with a surface as thin as ours. To compound this dilemma, we can repave all we want, but it won't stop the water from seeping up through the surface after a heavy rainfall."

The solution is to raise the track about eight inches and then repave it. The entire project, which includes extending the retaining walls to the traps, requires an investment of more than $1 million and would mean closing the track for several months during construction.

This does not, by no means signify that repaving will not happen. We are looking at various options and hope to have an announcement in the not too distant future.

Bracket Racing
Another matter facing the Drag Strip is the industry-wide dwindling number of Bracket Racers. "While this unfortunate reality is affecting tracks all over the U.S., we want to reverse the trend at our facility," declared Susan.

One way Moroso Motorsports Park is addressing the diminishing number of Bracket Racers is by bringing back the Sportsman Class- the entry-level form of Bracket Racing. This affords new drivers a chance to get a taste of the sport and gain experience before moving up to the faster classes such PRO and SUPER PRO.

Moroso Motorsports Park also hopes to generate more interest in Bracket Racing by instituting buy backs. "We've never offered buy backs at our weekly points races before, but we asked our racers for input. Virtually all but two respondents suggested buy backs." Buy backs are when a driver who is eliminated in an early round can return to the competition by paying a nominal fee-- essentially buying their way back in the race. "It's a way for them to get back in the game if they go out in the first round," Susan stated.

"Aaron, Marc and I have spent all summer soliciting feedback from our racers. We cannot run a successful program without them. The response was overwhelmingly positive and the entire staff at Moroso is excited for the 2008 season."

Rumors
"Someone once told me that people who laugh often live longer. If that s true I might see the next ice age- rumors make me laugh so much," said Susan. "I've heard them all and they just crack me up."

"Ah- the investors," sighed Susan. "It was an amicable split. We had two different visions for the future of Moroso. My team and I want Moroso to have the best track surface and configuration possible. Safety is our number-one priority, for certain, but we d also like additional upgrades such as new restrooms and more lighting. The investors wanted to create a private Motorsports country club that would have had no use for a Drag Strip or public events." Test and Tune, the weekly bracket program and all the big events including Chevy, the 5-Day and Citrus would have vanished. "I will not compromise the integrity of this great grassroots facility that my father founded 26 years ago. I would sell the track before I'd let it be bastardized into a spa with some occasional racing," stated Susan. "Just because we chose to part company with that group doesn't mean we don't have a plan. I'm not willing to promise anyone anything before it's a done deal, so that is all I will say about that."

Another rumor concerns why grandstands were purchased before money was spent on repaving the track. "Everyone's got something to say on that topic," laughed Susan. "The bleachers were mandated by the government through the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as our Insurance Company. If we didn't make that upgrade, we would have been forced to shut down Moroso Motorsports Park. We are sure we made the right decision for both the competitors and the fans."

The rumors continue with the latest one being that Moroso Motorsports Park has been sold to a housing developer. Susan succinctly addressed this issue. "I'm too hard headed to give up now. We finally have a great staff and it's a privilege to be surrounded with such quality people. Our only goal is to treat our customers well and to provide the best facility in the southeast. The true value of this facility (in terms of dollars) lies in the land. If all I wanted was money, I'd slap a For Sale sign out front and live a very nice lifestyle far, far away. But, I'm about as stubborn as they come and I have no intention of going anywhere."

Tony Castaneira - Director of Public Relations
Moroso Motorsports Park
17047 Beeline Highway
Jupiter, Fl 33478
(561) 622-1400
(561) 253-5465 Cell
(561) 626-2053
info@MorosoMotorsportsPark.com

This e-mail was sent by Moroso Motorsports Park, located at 17047 Beeline Hwy, Jupiter, FL 33478 (USA).

Woodro Josey · 09-13-2007, 05:46 PM

Gary, sounds like she is thinking in the right direction and i too believe it will turn around for her. I can remember when we all look forward to going to Moroso, and staying at the Holiday Inn, what some good times. I even worked some of the Coors 5 Day races for NHRA, boy that was the good ole days. She sounds determined, and thats what it needs, i think from what i have read, she has made some very nice moves, and also sounds like a very qualified Staff! I'd love to see a points meet there again! Good Luck to Moroso!

Sean Ward · 09-13-2007, 07:06 PM

I second that Woodro

Gary Smith · 09-13-2007, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Smith

Rumors
"Someone once told me that people who laugh often live longer. If that s true I might see the next ice age- rumors make me laugh so much," said Susan. "I've heard them all and they just crack me up."

"Ah- the investors," sighed Susan. "It was an amicable split. We had two different visions for the future of Moroso. My team and I want Moroso to have the best track surface and configuration possible. Safety is our number-one priority, for certain, but we d also like additional upgrades such as new restrooms and more lighting. The investors wanted to create a private Motorsports country club that would have had no use for a Drag Strip or public events." Test and Tune, the weekly bracket program and all the big events including Chevy, the 5-Day and Citrus would have vanished. "I will not compromise the integrity of this great grassroots facility that my father founded 26 years ago. I would sell the track before I'd let it be bastardized into a spa with some occasional racing," stated Susan. "Just because we chose to part company with that group doesn't mean we don't have a plan. I'm not willing to promise anyone anything before it's a done deal, so that is all I will say about that."

I am glad to see her address this issue. What a friggin' joke that would have been to let the former staff (really just a group of cackling hens) have their way with things.

Hearing this come from Sue sounds like her dad's words coming from her mouth!!!

Oh, by the way, I was told Stock & Super Stock is a firm for sure deal this years Citrus.

DW · 09-13-2007, 10:25 PM

I wish the new drag strip manager (Marc Wesler) and all the staff at Moroso the best for their business and
racing future !!!

Doug Wesler
That's a coincidence, NOT !!!!!!

TOM WARD · 09-14-2007, 11:06 AM

Looking forward to a good time at Moroso this fall

TOM WARD
STK. 2880

09-13-2007, 03:27 PM	#1
Gary Smith Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 820 Likes: 9 Liked 132 Times in 30 Posts	Moroso Motorsports Park Update I heard back in February that Sue was making serious changes with the drag racing program at Moroso Motorsports Park. But like most of you, I took it like a grain of salt, pretty much writing off any hope for the place. Then I heard there were some shake-ups in personel, which got my attention. And while testing my car back in April I noticed some subtle changes as well, most notably a much friendlier staff. But the email I just received regarding her plans are nothing less than suprising as they look awesome, realistic, and very VERY promising!!!!!!! Any racer who turns their nose up at efforts like these deserve no place to race!!!!!!!! Here's the message: Moroso Motorsports Park looks to the Future Part 1: Drag Strip With the passing of the half way point of 2007 Susan Moroso Strecker, the owner and Chief Executive Officer of Moroso Motorsports Park, recently took some time to assess the changes made this year and to address some of the issues the facility faces. In this discussion, Susan focused on the oldest and most popular track at Moroso Motorsports Park- the NHRA Mile Drag Strip. Of all the changes at Moroso, the most notable was the restructuring of upper management. Susan hired Aaron Weiss in December and appointed him President and Chief Operations Officer. What followed was a complete rebuilding of the staff. Everyone from the general manager to the chief financial officer to the director of Public Relations was replaced. This reorganization has allowed Susan to implement the long-awaited and much-needed philosophy that Moroso's customers are the top priority and the entire staff greets each day with a "Can Do" attitude. "About eight months ago I started the difficult, albeit necessary, task of replacing my entire full-time staff. Some part-timers were also encouraged to leave," commented Susan. "26 employees have concluded their employment for us- including a few who had been here for almost two decades. However, our customers were not being treated well and our growth was stagnant. The business itself was beginning to flounder." The Drag Strip has seen several managers come and go since last year. However, with a solid staff in place, it s now being run in the fashion that the track s loyal customers deserve and appreciate. "The way the Drag Strip was being run was not to our customers' benefit," stated Susan. "The way it is run now is admirable. Marc Wesler is our new Drag manager and he's smarter than most people twice his age. Not only does he understand the business side of it, but he's also a racer. His dad is a racer. His brothers race. His mother knows more about cars than most mechanics. Marc is the real deal- he understands both sides of running the Drag Strip." Repaving One of the issues facing the Moroso Motorsports Park Drag Strip is the track surface. The "bump" near the end of the track and drainage from the frequent South Florida rain showers has been a source of irritation to both the racers and the management. To find a solution Susan contacted the top three track-paving experts in the industry and informed them of the un-level track surface. "They all said grinding the bumps would be an affordable and appropriate fix. I had an elevation study completed and pulled a core sample that I sent to them for evaluation. After reviewing both, all three independently stated that there was no way we could get away with just grinding the track. The core sample revealed about an inch and a half of asphalt underneath that there was nothing but sand and water. Also, a 30,000-pound milling machine would fall right through a track with a surface as thin as ours. To compound this dilemma, we can repave all we want, but it won't stop the water from seeping up through the surface after a heavy rainfall." The solution is to raise the track about eight inches and then repave it. The entire project, which includes extending the retaining walls to the traps, requires an investment of more than $1 million and would mean closing the track for several months during construction. This does not, by no means signify that repaving will not happen. We are looking at various options and hope to have an announcement in the not too distant future. Bracket Racing Another matter facing the Drag Strip is the industry-wide dwindling number of Bracket Racers. "While this unfortunate reality is affecting tracks all over the U.S., we want to reverse the trend at our facility," declared Susan. One way Moroso Motorsports Park is addressing the diminishing number of Bracket Racers is by bringing back the Sportsman Class- the entry-level form of Bracket Racing. This affords new drivers a chance to get a taste of the sport and gain experience before moving up to the faster classes such PRO and SUPER PRO. Moroso Motorsports Park also hopes to generate more interest in Bracket Racing by instituting buy backs. "We've never offered buy backs at our weekly points races before, but we asked our racers for input. Virtually all but two respondents suggested buy backs." Buy backs are when a driver who is eliminated in an early round can return to the competition by paying a nominal fee-- essentially buying their way back in the race. "It's a way for them to get back in the game if they go out in the first round," Susan stated. "Aaron, Marc and I have spent all summer soliciting feedback from our racers. We cannot run a successful program without them. The response was overwhelmingly positive and the entire staff at Moroso is excited for the 2008 season." Rumors "Someone once told me that people who laugh often live longer. If that s true I might see the next ice age- rumors make me laugh so much," said Susan. "I've heard them all and they just crack me up." "Ah- the investors," sighed Susan. "It was an amicable split. We had two different visions for the future of Moroso. My team and I want Moroso to have the best track surface and configuration possible. Safety is our number-one priority, for certain, but we d also like additional upgrades such as new restrooms and more lighting. The investors wanted to create a private Motorsports country club that would have had no use for a Drag Strip or public events." Test and Tune, the weekly bracket program and all the big events including Chevy, the 5-Day and Citrus would have vanished. "I will not compromise the integrity of this great grassroots facility that my father founded 26 years ago. I would sell the track before I'd let it be bastardized into a spa with some occasional racing," stated Susan. "Just because we chose to part company with that group doesn't mean we don't have a plan. I'm not willing to promise anyone anything before it's a done deal, so that is all I will say about that." Another rumor concerns why grandstands were purchased before money was spent on repaving the track. "Everyone's got something to say on that topic," laughed Susan. "The bleachers were mandated by the government through the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as our Insurance Company. If we didn't make that upgrade, we would have been forced to shut down Moroso Motorsports Park. We are sure we made the right decision for both the competitors and the fans." The rumors continue with the latest one being that Moroso Motorsports Park has been sold to a housing developer. Susan succinctly addressed this issue. "I'm too hard headed to give up now. We finally have a great staff and it's a privilege to be surrounded with such quality people. Our only goal is to treat our customers well and to provide the best facility in the southeast. The true value of this facility (in terms of dollars) lies in the land. If all I wanted was money, I'd slap a For Sale sign out front and live a very nice lifestyle far, far away. But, I'm about as stubborn as they come and I have no intention of going anywhere." Tony Castaneira - Director of Public Relations Moroso Motorsports Park 17047 Beeline Highway Jupiter, Fl 33478 (561) 622-1400 (561) 253-5465 Cell (561) 626-2053 info@MorosoMotorsportsPark.com This e-mail was sent by Moroso Motorsports Park, located at 17047 Beeline Hwy, Jupiter, FL 33478 (USA).

09-13-2007, 05:46 PM	#2
Woodro Josey Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 805 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 1 Post	Re: Moroso Motorsports Park Update Gary, sounds like she is thinking in the right direction and i too believe it will turn around for her. I can remember when we all look forward to going to Moroso, and staying at the Holiday Inn, what some good times. I even worked some of the Coors 5 Day races for NHRA, boy that was the good ole days. She sounds determined, and thats what it needs, i think from what i have read, she has made some very nice moves, and also sounds like a very qualified Staff! I'd love to see a points meet there again! Good Luck to Moroso! __________________ Woodro Josey 2002 STK

09-13-2007, 07:06 PM	#3
Sean Ward Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Grand Island FL. Posts: 389 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Moroso Motorsports Park Update I second that Woodro __________________ Sean Ward NHRA s/ss/comp#2882 SW4 MOTORSPORTS

09-13-2007, 10:25 PM	#5
DW Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Otsego,Michigan Posts: 101 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Moroso Motorsports Park Update I wish the new drag strip manager (Marc Wesler) and all the staff at Moroso the best for their business and racing future !!! Doug Wesler That's a coincidence, NOT !!!!!!

09-14-2007, 11:06 AM	#6
TOM WARD Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: GRAND ISLAND FLORIDA Posts: 25 Likes: 1 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Moroso Motorsports Park Update Looking forward to a good time at Moroso this fall TOM WARD STK. 2880 __________________ TOM WARD 2880 STK