"Live From" Maple Grove D1 LODRS

[Ken Miele]

Hey guys,

Well I final got to a race this year. I wanted to be out sooner, but just couldn't get all my ducks in a row. We are here at the first race in D1 at Maple Grove. Its only Wednesday, but the track opens at 4pm and stays open until dusk. There are about 30 rigs inline, and about 100 rigs already parked because of last weekends racing.

Thursday they have a test and tune from 11am to 5pm. The weather looks mixed, Friday and part of Saturday looks like rain, but you never know with Maple Grove. I think there will be a big turnout in spite of the weather outlook. D1 racers have not had a division race... well it seems like forever.

I'll have lots of photos this weekend and hope to have some in car video action... and maybe I can get some racing in.

[Superfan1]

Ken, I will see you Friday morning as soon as the gates open at 7:30. I will be taking plenty of pictures, and I am hoping for a huge turnout; can hardly wait!

[Jack Matyas]

Hey gang- Who would believe it? They opened the gates early - to start out the season or what ????

[BKSG1198]

I can say Betsy and crew at the Grove have been a pleasure to work with. I have been working with them most of last year and this year to help get the track back to where it used to be. See you all tomorrow!

[Jack Matyas]

Good morning members - So last night was a real show here with lightning - big winds and extra heavy rain all night .Now the good news - the Sun is out shining brite and the place is drying out nicely .

In a few hours we'll go into test n tune mode and after a year of waiting it'll be gas fumes and tire smoke .

Gotta go - my morning cup of tea is ready .

[Ken Miele]

Hey folks, like Jack said... sunny and looking great for todays test and tune which should start around 11. I got some early photos for you folks. The first few photos are from yesterday and one right before the heavy rain hit.

Man is it good to be back at the track...

[Jack Matyas]

So test n tune is over and two runs stick in my mind and believe it or not from the same family .First the weather wasn't exactly great with the barometer at 29thirties all day with the DA near 3 thousand .That said the first run that sticks is Todd Hoven's 9.57 in the Carp Hemi Belvidere .The second was done by his brother Duane in his S/S Maverick that more than likely gets wheel stand of the year - it was a lengthy bumper and lower panel dragging deal that just went on and on and when it came down he was lucky enough not to blow the pan apart .

Now on with facts from the most bazaar test n tune I've ever been a part of.First they called everyone to the lanes at 10:30 for the 11am start but didn't send a car own till after 11:30.Ok- let it go -no big deal .But they had no system - some guys hot lapped and got plenty of runs while others got zip.They gave out run cards but no one punched them .Then around 2 they closed the lanes and said they would empty them and then close for half an hour .Then it got a little ugly - racers were not happy and I witnessed something I've never seen in all my years racing - a female track worked got overwhelmed with all of this and cried and begged everyone to just calm down and let her be.Nobody told her there is no crying in drag racing. By now you would think enough is enough but with all the Alcohol dragsters and Funny cars in the lanes they just had to top it.Yep - they brought out the Jet car for a T nT run just for good measure .On a good note they did expand the afternoon by one full hour .I could go on but you get the idea …….

[Rich Biebel]

Yes Jack the Jet was a little bit Aby-normal to say the least!

The poor guys that ran that lane after the jet were probably not to happy!

Hook is never real good on kerosene 😂

The jet was impressive though from down where I was bottom of the lanes.

Did the whole routine with some afterburner blasts !

[Ken Miele]

Sorry guys for the late report. No motorhome at this race, I have to do the reports from the hotel. Only made two runs, so I did not see all the issues in the lanes. Got some actions shots and in car camera of Paul Guenther in is 2003 Cobra Super Stocker.

[Ken Miele]

A few photos...