May 21-24 - Maple Grove Raceway

Transcription

Volume 39 - Issue No. 1 May 2015
May 21-24
May 23 Showdown at Sundown
May 30 Mega MOPAR
June 7 June Bug VWs
June 27 Glory Days Nostalgia
July 17-19 Super Chevy
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1320 Hotline - May 2015
Maple Grove Raceway - Mohnton, PA
Volume 39 - Issue No. 1
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FROM THE DESK OF
THE DIRECTOR OF
C O M M U N I C AT I O N S
Published by: MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY
30 Stauffer Park Lane, Mohnton, PA, 19540
Office: (610) 856-9200 • Track: (610) 856-7812
www.maplegroveraceway.com
The 1320 Hotline Drag Racing News is an in-house publication of Maple
Grove Raceway and is published four times yearly, with an average readership in
excess of 15,000. Advertising information available upon request. Printed by Engle
Printing and Publishing Company, 1425 West Main Street, Mount Joy, Pa. 17552
FIRST THOUGHTS ON MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY
Editor in Chief: Rob Armbruster
Creative Director: Don Carrick/Studio 413 Photography & Design
Advertising: Lex Dudas
Contributing Photographers: Don Carrick
Hi, I’m Rob Armbruster, the new Director of Communications for Maple Grove
Raceway. Been on the job for three weeks now and man is my head spinning! I
got started in motorsports over 15 years ago but nothing has prepared me for the
intensity that is Maple Grove.
Yep, first thoughts. And I’ve got a ton of ‘em! Where do I begin? How about with
hello.
I’ve worked in NASCAR. I’ve worked in IndyCar. And I’ve worked in Road
Racing. But these pale in comparison with what I’ve experienced so far at Maple
Grove. Those other places did not run the amount of events that Maple Grove
does. Those other places did not have the amount of Facebook followers that
Maple Grove does. And those other places did not have the loyalty of fans and
racers that Maple Grove does!
On The Cover: Don Carrick, Studio 413, Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series 2014
When Lex Dudas approached me about coming on board I wasn’t sure that I could
do the job he expected. I’ve been to events at the Grove in the past, but never as an
employee. Could my background translate to the high adrenaline rush that MGR
provides? And could my experience in motorsports enable me to learn the ins and
outs of Maple Grove’s operations so there is a seamless transition from the Directors
who came before me to now? So far, I’m finding that the answers are YES!
As I write this the season is only a few weeks old and I’ve had my first taste of
racing. Exciting, to say the least! I’m learning on the job and so far, so good. I
think the main thing I’ve learned is the mission of this facility is mainly one thing –
to do right by the fans. That, above all else, is what Maple Grove is all about.
I can’t wait for more racing, smelling the smells, seeing the sights, and meeting you,
the fans. The ones that make this entire operation run. Without you we’re just
looking at a long track with no action, and what could more boring? You bring
passion to Maple Grove. You race your cars. You watch the excitement. I can’t
wait!
So here’s to a fantastic 2015 season. Here’s to records being broken. Here’s to
racers reaching milestones. And here’s to the fans filling the seats and bringing their
passion. It’s gonna be great! ©
1985 FIRST NHRA NATIONALS AT MGR; Big Daddy Don Garlits wins Top Fuel
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1320 Hotline - October 2014
MAY 21-24
THE IMPORTANT STUFF
•
•
•
•
•
Gates Open at 8 am
Racing begins at 9am
Tickets $25 Adult $10 Teen
Pit Pass $20 daily
Showdown - $25 Carload ticket;
gate opens at 3, show at 5
1320 Hotline - October 2014
FOR RACING FANS, MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND REPRESENTS THE
GATEWAY WEEKEND INTO THE SUMMER MOTORSPORTS SEASON.
Defending champions are Rich McPhillips in Dragster and Fred Tigges in Funny
Car.
And as it gets its 53rd season underway, Maple Grove Raceway will once again
bring in the top up-and-coming drivers, along with the best sportsman racers in
the Northeast for the holiday weekend as the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series
presented by Penske Truck Leasing returns for its annual spot on the schedule on
May 22-24.
McPhillips, a longtime racing veteran from nearby Phoenixville, Pa., won the
championship at his home track with a pass of 5.431 seconds at 271.02 mph and
had the better reaction time to beat fellow Pennsylvanian Brandon Greco, who
went 5.476 at 248.52.
It’s a longtime tradition, as Maple Grove has hosted an NHRA Northeast Division
points meets since 1969. Many of drag racing’s greatest drivers over the years have
taken part in this race.
The Grove will feature a solid weekend of racing beginning Friday and lasting
through Sunday, but the highlight will be Saturday night’s Showdown at Sundown,
featuring Top Alcohol Dragsters and Funny Cars in elimination rounds. And what
long weekend at the track would be complete without jet cars?
Hanna Motorsports, which has thrilled fans at The Grove for decades, will bring
back its two Jet Funny Cars, the GoJo Firebird driven by Rich Hanna, and the
Xlerator Top Secret piloted by Ken Hall from nearby Pottstown, Pa.
And making the show even better is a Jet Dragster, the Jersey Thunder with Ernie
Bogue in the cockpit.
See these precisely engineered machines hit speeds of more than 250 miles per hour
in the sunset. Spectators who arrive after 3 p.m. on Saturday will be eligible for a
special $25 carload deal.
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Tigges, from Holbrook, Mass., faced fellow Bay Stater Matt Gill in the final. Tigges’
2001 Avenger went 5.704 seconds at 252.57 mph to beat Gill, who smoked the
tires. It was Tigges’ first NHRA win since coming over from a successful run in
IHRA competition.
The weekend will kick off Friday with gates opening at 7:30 a.m. and time trials
for Sportsman classes beginning at 8:30 and running through 4 p.m. The first two
rounds of qualifying for the Top Alcohol classes will be at 1 and 6 p.m.
For those wanting to get an early start on Saturday, gates will open at 8 a.m. with
racing beginning at 8:30.
Sportsman finals will be Sunday. Gates open at 8 a.m. with racing continuing at 9.
Defending Sportsman champions include Scott Benham (Comp Eliminator), Peter
Biondo (Super Stock), Chase Fahnestock (Super Comp), Patrick Dehner (Super
Gas), Frank Quarno Jr. (Super Street), Anthony Fetch (Stock Eliminator), Michael
Daniele (Top Sportsman) and Alan O’Brien (Top Dragster). Tickets are $20 daily for adults, $10 for teens ages 13-15, and children 12 and
under are free.
Spectators who want to come to the test-and-tune on Thursday, May 21 can do so
for $10 per ticket.
©
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BITS FROM THE PITS
MAPLE GROVE LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE AND WELCOMES ARC MARKETING SOLUTIONS
AS A NEW SPONSOR
Maple Grove and ARC Marketing Solutions have teamed up to create a new website for Maple Grove Raceway. The
project has been ongoing since early January and was launched in April.
In making the announcement Maple Grove’s Lex Dudas stated, “We have been operating with the same website since
2008 and we were due for a complete overhaul. We’re happy to be working with ARC Marketing to build the new
platform and website.”
ARC’s Jon Carroll stated, “We’re excited to be involved in the design and rollout of the new website for Maple Grove
Raceway. We’re a local company and we wanted to show the drag racing world what we have to offer. Maple Grove’s site has grown each and every year with more and
more fans depending on the website for current information and our goal is to make the site more user friendly and informative.”
2015 RACER HANDBOOK NOW ONLINE
Maple Grove racers looking to grab a copy of this year’s rulebook need not look any farther than our website. Just look on the left hand side of
the homepage about 2/3 of the way down and there you’ll find the electronic copy of the rulebook. It’s a printable file that will allow you to print
your own copy and keep with you throughout the season
NEW FORMAT FOR 1320 HOTLINE
Maple Grove is changing formats for two of its 2015 Hotline editions this year. With the July 9th and August
27th editions, Hotline will be published Online only at www.maplegroveraceway.com. You will still get the same
great coverage of Maple Grove and its events, just on a digital format. We’ll return with a printed version for the
September 24th Nationals Issue.
CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK
Late last year Joe Grippo started a new Facebook page titled “Maple Grove Raceway – Then and Now” which has grown to over 2500 friends.
The page has a tremendous amount of early pictures and topics from the early day up to the current days of Maple Grove Raceway. Many of
the pictures we’ve never seen before ourselves, so we think you’d enjoy the page! To get to it from our site, go to fan info tab at the top of the
home page and then click the gallery tab.
INDEX RACING RETURNS TO MAPLE GROVE
It’s been described as door slammer racing meets bracket racing. One thing’s for sure, Index Racing
brings out the best in competition as racers go head’s up, leaving the starting line at the same time,
sprinting down the quarter-mile to the finish line.
Maple Grove Raceway will once again sponsor a season of Index Racing in 2015 with cars
competing in three classes: 8.50, 10.00 and 11.50. Race dates are June 28th, August 29th, and
September 19th.
For a complete list of rules, please go to the Maple Grove website at www.maplegroveracway.com
and click on the Racers Rulebook on the left side of the homepage.
BEST APPEARING AWARDS TO CONTINUE FOR 2015
We’re happy to announce that our friends at Access Insurance Agency of Harrisburg will again sponsor the Best Appearing Car awards
for the 2015 Money Trail Season. Three cars will be chosen during the course of the season and all three will be on ballot for special
awards which will be presented at our annual Awards Banquet in February. Cars will be nominated by the Maple Grove staging and
starting teams at race 5 June 13, race 10 July 11 and race 15 August 22.
BE A WINNER, BE A MEMBER
National Dragster magazine is once again running their Be a Winner, Be a Member prize program for NHRA members who win bracket races at NHRA
Member Tracks, like Maple Grove. Any bracket racer who wins a regular E.T. event can enter the monthly prize drawing for great prizes.
All entries have a chance at the Grand Prize: A two-day Super class at Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School. Many program sponsors are also
offering discounts on parts and services to all NHRA members, not just racers. You can see a list of all the prizes and discounts available on www.
nationaldragster.net.
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MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY’S SUMMER SEASON
WILL KICK INTO FIRST GEAR WHEN MEGA
MOPAR ACTION MAKES ITS RETURN ON
SATURDAY, MAY 30
T
hose who love the power and the looks of Challengers, Chargers and Darts will
be in heaven throughout the day as the sleek cars will be racing down the track
or be on display on the show field.
Gates open for the event at 8 a.m. Time trials begin at 9 a.m. with eliminations at 1 p.m.
Car show registration is from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. with judging beginning at noon and
awards at 3 p.m.
The car show will be presented and judged by the Delaware Valley Mopar Association.
Entry is $35 with $10 per additional passenger. For another $10, car show participants
can buy a tech card to take part in a test and tune. (continues)
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Mega Mopar (cont)
AND THAT’S NOT ALL.
For those who ever wanted a different view, KSR Motorsports will be providing
rides on its Mopar Monster Truck.
A swap meet will be held. For $35, sellers get a 15 by 20-foot space and a general
admission ticket to the race and show.
And for those who want a little smoke in their day can watch a burnout contest
presented by C.J.’s Tire and Automotive Service Centers. Entry is $10 with a
trophy to the winner.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a complete Mopar event without a Hemi Challenge. The
popular Hemi Challenge Shootout will be part of Saturday’s racing program.
BRACKET RACERS ARE COMPETING IN THREE DIFFERENT
CLASSES:
• B1 Electronics for 7.00 seconds and up. Entry fee is $50 for car and driver. $600
to the winner, $300 runner-up, $75 semifinalists and $50 quarterfinalists.
• B2 Non-Electronics for 7.50 seconds and up. Entry fee is $50. $500 to the
winner, $250 runner-up and $75 to the semifinalists.
• DOT/Street Tire entry fee is $35. $200 to the winner, $100 runner-up and $50
semifinalists.
HEAD’S UP CLASSES ARE:
(Bulleted list below)
Maple Grove vice president/general manager Lex Dudas said it was brought back by
popular demand.
• Late Model Hemi Challenge for Hemi-powered cars 2005 and newer. Entry
fee is $50. $350 to the winner, $150 runner-up, $75 semifinalists and $50
quarterfinalists.
“We’ve heard from both competitors and fans of the class that they all wanted us
to bring back the popular shootout and we’ve responded by adding it back into
the Mopar show,” Dudas said. “The Shootout has been a part of the Mega Mopar
Series since the inaugural event and this addition will keep the string going for the
popular class.”
• Front Wheel Drive Challenge, Chrysler or DSM. Entry fee is $35. $200 to the
winner, $100 runner-up and $50 semifinalists.
• Challenger SO for any year of that model. Entry fee is $35. Four-foot trophy to
the winner and a 2-foot trophy to the runner-up.
The class will run head’s up with two qualifying rounds in the morning with
eliminations beginning at 2 p.m.
Spectators or crew can enter for $20, while teens ages 13-15 are $10 and children
12 and under are free.
The winner will receive $3,000, with $1,000 to the runner-up, $250 each to
semifinalists and $100 to quarterfinalists. Car and drive entry fee is $100.
The Mega Mopar Series is sponsored by Rockauto.com, S&W Race Cars, Airaid
Performance Filters, Betsy Farms, Menards and Gibtech Pistons. ©
The Hemi Shootout Returns to Mega MOPAR!
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EVERY JUNE, MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY
FACES AN INVASION OF BUGS.
ALONG WITH JETTAS, GOLFS AND SCIROCCOS.
T
he VW June Bug Classic presented by Ulrich’s Volkswagen Sales & Service
will be back on Sunday, June 7 with a huge car show, drag racing and a
swap meet.
This event has been at The Grove for nearly three decades and has been gaining
steam in recent years behind the leadership of Gene Ulrich, who has his VW shop
in Plowville, a short ride from the racetrack.
The fun begins when gates open at 8 a.m. with the racing time trials at 9 and car
show judging at noon. Eliminations begin on the track at 1 p.m. with the car show
trophy presentation at 4.
Admission is $15 for spectators, teens 13-15 are $10 and children 12-and-under are
free.
THE DRAG RACING PORTION WILL BE PART OF THE VW HERITAGE
POINTS SERIES. RACE CLASSES ARE:
• A/Gas, which will run the full quartermile in Outlaw fashion. Entry is $50.
• I/Gas, which will run eighth-mile and is for cars 7.99 and faster. Entry is $35.
• Pro, which will eighth-mile and is for cars 8.00 and slower. Entry is $35.
• Bracket, which will run the full quartermile and is a dial-your-own class. Entry is
$35.
• Slug Bug, which is for cars that comes closest to 20 seconds or under in the
eighth-mile. Entry is $10 and the winner receives $50, guaranteed.
• Those wanting unlimited runs can sign up for Test and Tune. Entry is $25.
For car show participants, entry is $25. To secure a 15- by 20-foot spot in the swap
meet it is $35.
There will also be a special Jr. Dragster Challenge, featuring age group champions:
8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15 and 16-17.
Gene and his staff will once again coordinate the car show, which will feature 50
categories. VW classes will feature 20 Air Cooled and 20 Water Cooled classes.
There are also two Audi classes.
The June Bug Classic is sponsored by Low-Budget Motorsports and 4E Kustoms.
©
Pretty much any type of VW you can think of will be in the car show, even models
that were never for sale in the U.S.! You will see plenty of Bugs, but also Rabbits,
Corrados and Ghias. There’s also a category for dune buggies.
And for those who want to see their names (and cars) in print, the event will be
covered by Hot VWs magazine!
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JULY 17-19
Overrun with
Chevrolets
Are you ready for some Nitro?
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SUPER CHEVY
EV E RY J U LY, M A PL E G ROVE
R AC EWAY F I N DS ITS E L F OVE R R U N
W IT H C H E VRO L ETS .
W
hen the Super Chevy Show returns on July 17-19, The Grove will
once again host the largest single weekend for the tour. Hundreds
of racers will hit the quartermile, while hundreds more will put
their rides on display in the car show field.
Of course, there will also be the annual swap meet.
And the ground will rumble and the air with heat up with the power of two
jet cars.
So if you’re simply making the drive as a fan, you should block off most of
your day if want to see everything.
Perhaps the biggest news for this year’s Super Chevy will be the introduction
of a class of racing that hasn’t been seen at The Grove in its 53 years of
operation. For the first time, fans of nitro racing will be able to watch
Nostalgia Nitro Funny Cars, Top Fuel Dragsters and Fuel Altereds compete in
a single class!
That’s right, three classes of nitro cars will race each other, without handicaps,
to determine a single winner.
Introducing, the Hedman Husler Hedders DragRacingOnline.com Nostalgia
Nitro Challenge.
These fast machines, which go down the quartermile in 5.50 seconds at speeds
approaching 265 miles per hour, will qualify for a single, eight-car field and
then race head’s up to determine a single winner.
Among the teams already committed to the race are defending DRO AA/
FC National Champion Shawn Bowen, two-time DRO AA/FC National
Champion Paul Romine and his Man O’ War Mustang, Midwest Top Fuel
standouts Jimmy Young driving his own dragster and Jim Cavalieri driving
Dale Suhr’s Orange Crate AA/FD, and Frank Ousley’s transformer AA/FA.
Based upon pre-entries there could easily be 16-20 fuel floppers.
Of course, bracket racing will play a big part of the weekend, as getting to the
winner’s circle at the Maple Grove Super Chevy show is considered a career
highlight for many. Classes will once again feature:
• Drive Duracell Bracket 1 (Super Pro) for cars running between 7.00 and
11.99 seconds. Slicks and electronics OK.
• Bracket 2 (Pro) for cars running between 7.00 and 19.99 seconds. Slicks
OK, but no electronics.
• D.O.T. for any dial-in. Street tires and mufflers required.
For those looking for a challenge, there’s the True Street race. Drivers who
think their GM-powered rides can take a cruise through the countryside, then
return for some hot-lap trips down the dragstrip and are welcome to join in.
The car show will once again feature categories for GM cars, including three
sub-categories: Stock, Street and Modified.
There will be specialty awards on Saturday and class awards on Sunday that
include Best in Class and Best in Show awards.
This year’s sponsors include Rockauto.com, Duracell, Original Parts Group,
Racingjunk.com, Menards, Airaid Performance Filters and Betsy Farms. ©
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SEASON OPENER UTI HIGH SCHOOL CHALLENGE
T
he 2015 season at Maple Grove Raceway opened on May 3rd with the UTI
High School Challenge. Racers from around the region participated in this
annual event featuring three classes: High School, UTI Student, & Alumni.
THE WINNERS WERE:
High School
• Vincent Branca from Norristown, PA (First place)
• Gabrielle Walliegh from Reading, PA (Second place)
Just one week earlier, Vincent and Gabrielle faced off in the final round of
junior dragsters at Cecil County Dragway where Gabby took the win. This
time it was Vincent taking home first place.
Vincent Branca
Nathan Beidman
As winner of the event, Vincent will now represent Maple Grove at the
NHRA Northeast Division Summit ET Finals in High School Eliminator,
racing against all the high school champions from around the division. Good
luck Vincent!!
UTI Students
• Martin Flannery from Shillington, PA (First place)
• Steven Bockhorst from Souderton, PA (Second Place)
Alumni
• Nathan Beidman from Parkesburg, PA (First place)
• Joe Dedrick from Bally, PA (Second place)
Overall winning High School was Pope John Paul in Royersford.
Martin Flannery
Congratulations to all the winners!
©
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2014 WAS A GOOD YEAR; DON CARRICK, STUDIO 413 PHOTOGRAPHY
www.studio413.smugmug.com
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JUNE 27
LOOKING TO RELIVE THE EARLY DAYS
OF MAPLE GROVE RACING?
The Glory Days Nostalgia Drags will provide plenty for
those who want to take a trip down memory lane. The event on
Saturday, June 27 will have a full day of nostalgia drags, bracket
racing, a nostalgia car show and the Summer Flea Market.
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Several drag racing organizations will be on hand, led by the 422 All-Stars
and their band of nostalgia super stock cars that feature 60s vintage, Detroit
big-block power.
ALSO ON HAND WILL BE:
• The Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Drag Racing Association (MANDRA), a points
series which features a variety of nostalgia cars and the drivers who love
them.
• The North East Timing Organization (NETO), features 1979 and older
cars including front-engine dragsters, Funny Cars, Altereds, Gassers,
Super Stocks and Stockers.
• The Back Seat Drivers, which are devoted to bringing back the thrill of
racing and watching front-engine dragsters.
• The East Coast Gassers, which is dedicated to the preservation and racing
of cars, both restored and newly constructed, that were campaigned
during the glory days of the “Gasser Wars.”
These groups will be racing competitively through the day to give a real feel
of The Grove when it first opened in 1962.
Bracket racing is always a popular fixture of Glory Days and racers and cars
(1989 or older) can compete in one of three classes:
• Nostalgia N1 features cars with electronics. Entry fee is $35. The winner
gets $800 with $400 to the runner-up, $100 to semifinalists, $75 to
quarterfinalists and $50 to those eliminated in the final 16.
• Nostalgia N2 features non-electronics. Entry fee is $35. The winner
gets $800 with $400 to the runner-up, $100 to semifinalists, $75 to
quarterfinalists and $50 to those eliminated in the final 16.
• The Geezers division is for racers 55 and older. Entry fee is $25. The
winner gets a 4-foot trophy, the runner-up gets a 3-footer and semifinalists
get a 2-footer.
GATES OPEN FOR RACERS AT 8 A.M. WITH TIME TRIALS AT
9. ELIMINATIONS ARE SCHEDULED FOR 1 P.M.
Summer Flea Market vendors can begin entering at 7 a.m. with gates for
customers opening at 8. Vendors can secure a 15- by 20-foot space for $35.
General admission for only the flea market is $5 and does not include pit
access.
Spectator admission to the pits, car show and flea market is $20. Teens ages
10-13 are $10 and children 12-and-unde rare free.
Car show entry is free with the purchase of a spectator ticket. Judging will
begin at 2 p.m. with awards at 4.
©
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MONEY TRAIL NEWS
MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY
ANNOUNCES ET
DRIVER’S ADVISORY
BOARD
In a follow up to the Money
Trail ET racers meeting,
Maple Grove’s Director of
Racing Operations Jason Leber
announced the formation of a
new 10 person advisory board
in an effort to establish a better
flow of ideas and concerns.
In making the announcement,
Leber stated “We want to have
a better line of communications
with our racers and we felt the
formation of the advisory board
would be a benefit all involved.”
The advisory board will meet
during the course of the season
with the management team
of Maple Grove Raceway to
discuss ideas to improve the
series, to discuss rules and other
mutually beneficial ideas.
The advisory board will be
established based on the 2014
Money Trail final points
standings and will include
representatives from each
eliminator. Super 2, Pro 2,
Street 2, Top Bike 2 and Junior
Dragsters 2.
Advisory board will consist of:
Super Pro: Scott Lorish Derrick Fox
Pro: Brock Moshier - Gary
Simpers Jr.
Street: Dave Raser - Paul
Werner
Top Bike: Joe Stuebner, Danny Boyer
Junior Dragster: Mark
Ketterer - Mark Knarr
TWILIGHT SATURDAY
MONEY TRAIL EVENTS
ANNOUNCED
Racer’s at the annual meeting
held March 1st expressed
a desire for Maple Grove
Raceway to schedule some later
start Saturday events. They
felt the late start would enable
racers who work on Saturday a
better chance of attending the
events.
fuel station. The program
totals $4,500.00 in cash and
awards which will be paid to
participants during the season.
In an effort to accommodate
this situation Maple Grove
Raceway announced today that
two Money Trail events set for
June 20th and August 22nd
will offer the following time
schedule. Gates open 11:30A
time trails, 12:30P eliminations
following 2 time trials, 4PM.
August 22nd will also offer
the annual NHRA King of the
Track program with the overall
winner receiving an NHRA
Wally and a King of the Track
jacket.
At all 15 Money Trail races
the winners in Super, Pro and
Street will receive $50.00 and
the winners in Top Bike and
Junior Dragster will receive
$25.00. Racers must produce
a fuel purchase receipt from
the day’s event and purchase
a minimum of 5 gallons of
product in Super, Pro and
Street to be eligible for the
bonus cash award.
SUNOCO AND MAPLE
GROVE PARTNER FOR
NEW PROGRAM
We’re proud to announce a new
incentive program for racers
who purchase Sunoco Race
Fuels from the Maple Grove
Racers must produce a fuel
purchase receipt from the day’s
event and purchase a minimum
of 2.5 gallons of product in
Top Bike and Junior Dragster
to be eligible for the bonus cash
award.
The total cash awards available
for the Money Trail season will
be $3,000.00 in cash.
Any racer purchasing 50 gallons
or more of product during the
racing season will have their
name entered into a special year
end drawing for gift certificates
towards fuel purchases at the
Maple Grove fuel station in
2016.
A total of 15 names will be
drawn with each winner
receiving a $100.00 gift
certificate. A total of $1,500.00
in certificates will be awarded.
MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY
ANNOUNCES NEW
TICKET PROGRAM FOR
MONEY TRAIL EVENTS
Beginning in 2015 Maple
Grove will be offering a new
“Friends, Family, & Neighbors”
ticket program designed to
attract new fans for its Sunoco
Race Fuels Money Trail ET
Racing Series events.
Proud Sponsor of Pro ET
QUALITY RACING PRODUCTS
TO SAVE YOU TIME
AND MONEY
www.ciccaroneracingproducts.com
929 S. High Street West Chester, PA 19382
QUALITY PRODUCTS
SERVED AT
MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY
MONEY TRAIL NEWS
The ticketing program is a
simple one. Four hours after
the advertised gate opening for
each Money Trail event, tickets
for anyone 13 and over are
simply $5.00. Children 12 and
under are free. As an example,
if gates are scheduled to open at
8am the morning of a Money
Trail event, the new “Friends,
Family, & Neighbors” program
goes into effect at 12 noon.
“We were looking for a way to
bring more value to our racers
and their fans”, stated Jason
Leber, Maple Grove’s Director
of Racing Operations. “This
was just the ticket. Giving
our Money Trail racers the
opportunity to have their
friends, family, and neighbors
attend at such an affordable
price will surely bring more
excitement to the series, and let
everyone enjoy the great racing
action at Maple Grove.” ©
SAD NEWS
It’s with a heavy heart to inform our racers and fans of the passing
of a great man within our sport. Jim Beattie, the founder of ATI
Performance Products passed away in late March of 2015.
Jim was not only a great supporter of Maple Grover Raceway since
the early 1970’s but he supported many sportsman racers over the
years with great contingency program offerings as well as great
service to ATI’s many and loyal customers.
Beattie also owned one of the mid-70’s best nitro funny car
operations, Black Magic, driven by Al Segrini and tuned by Bill
Barrett. The car was a consist runner and was a feature car at many
of the east coast’s big funny car shows.
The family owned corporation will go on with son, JC Beattie,
at the helm. JC has done a great job since assuming a major role
within the Baltimore based company.
We’d like to pass our condolences to JC, Jim’s wife Lynn and the
entire Beattie family. We’ll all miss him! ©
27
28
52ND ANNUAL MONEY TRAIL
AWARDS CEREMONY AND BANQUET
M
ore than 275 of
Maple Grove
Raceway’s best racers
crowded the ballroom at the
Crowne Plaza Reading Hotel
Saturday night for the 52nd
annual Money Trail Awards
Banquet.
More than $30,000 in cash,
trophies and contingency
awards was handed out during
the ceremony to the top 48
drivers in the four Sunoco Race
Fuels Money Trail E.T. Series
classes, Universal Technical
Institute Jr. Dragsters and
the ATI Stock-Super Stock
Shootout.
Dozens of racers, whether or
not they were in the money,
were on hand with friends and
family. It’s a great tradition that
Maple Grove management is
looking to continue far into the
future. Indeed, Sunoco Race
Fuels will continue to sponsor
the Money Trail through the
2025 season.
The season champions for the
Money Trail Series had their
turn in the spotlight as Brock
Moshier (Gold Rush Trailers
Super and Ciccarone Racing
Products Pro), Dave Raser
(P.C. Richard & Son Street),
Joe Stuebner (Ray’s Yamaha
Top Bike), C.J. Ketterer
(UTI Jr. Dragster) and Mark
Petitdemange (ATI Stock-Super
Stock) were recognized in their
respective classes.
Besides, their respective cash
payouts, champions Super,
Pro, Street, Top Bike and Jr.
Dragsters each received a tool
box, valued at $499, from
NAPA Auto Parts and Carlyle
Tools.
Moshier, of Lititz, Pa., was the
first Maple Grove bracket racer
to win two classes since Paul
Werner claimed both Pro and
Street in 2007. In Super, he
beat runner-up Scott Lorish by
24 points, amassing 510 points.
It was his first championship in
that class.
from Hamburg, Pa., in Top
Bike. In taking his first title
since 2011, Stuebner had
491 points to beat runner-up
Danny Boyer by 25 points for
his sixth championship.
Moshier’s Pro championship
was his third in the past
four years. The final margin
of victory was a little more
substantial as he had 604 points
to beat Gary Simpers Jr. by 34
points.
Stuebner also earned a
bonus, by taking the 2014
E.T. Shootout at the NHRA
Keystone Nationals last
October. He won a golf cart,
sponsored by D&G Golf Carts,
Potty Queen, P.C. Richard &
Son and Awesome Vinyl. It was
Joe’s second triumph in this
annual event.
Raser, of Oxford, Pa., prevented
Werner from winning a
third consecutive Street
championship and did it in
convincing fashion. Raser’s final
point total of 659 was more
than 100 ahead of Werner, who
finished with 555. It was Raser’s
third championship; he last
won it all in 1989.
Another racer returning to the
top of his class was Stuebner,
A pair of brothers were on
top of Jr. Dragster standings.
C.J. Ketterer of Sellersville,
Pa. took the top spot with 521
points, just 14 ahead of Jeremy
Ketterer. It was C.J.’s first
championship.
Taking the Stock/Super
Stock Series in 2014 was
Petitdemange of Oxford, Pa. He
had 158 points to beat runnerup Tony Curcio by 36 points.
WALK OF FAME
The 2014 MGR Walk of
Fame class of Tony Elmo,
Paul Thimm Sr., Scott Weney,
Bobby Yohn and Dale Thierer
was inducted by Lex Dudas
and Kent Lewis. A total of 78
people have been inducted since
Maple Grove introduced the
Walk of Fame in 2004.
Elmo started his career at Maple
Grove in 1986, manning gates
and stubbing spectator tickets.
In his 27-year career he worked
at almost every position in the
Event Services Department. He
became Event Services Director
in 2004 and turned Maple
Grove’s department into one of
the best in drag racing.
Thimm has been a fixture at
29
LEFT TO RIGHT:
Dave Raser,
Mark Petitdemange,
C. J. Ketterer,
Joe Stuebner,
Brock Moshier
Maple Grove since the early
1970s, first as a racer, then as a
mentor. He helped develop Paul
Thimm Jr. and Kevin Robb into
great racers and champions.
The third generation is now
competing in Jr. Dragsters with
grandson Kyle Robb. He also
spent time on MGR’s starting
line crew.
Weney, who passed away late
in 2014, was a regular racer
at Maple Grove, but was best
known for the customer service
he provided as the head of
S&W Race Cars. When Maple
Grove began the Walk of Fame,
Weney was quick to involve
S&W in making the trophies.
The company also made Money
Trail championship trophies.
Yohn began as a racer before
joining the MGR staff, working
his way up to chief starter.
Eventually, the NHRA brought
him aboard to work with
NHRA’s chief starter, Buster
Couch, at selected national
events. His career was cut short
when he died tragically in
2000.
Thierer, who also passed away
in 2014, was a highly respected
Top Fuel dragster racer, who
won the NHRA Division I
championship in 1971. In
1973, driving for Maple Grove’s
Lewis Brothers in the Sparkling
Burgundy dragster, he almost
won another title. After taking
several years off, he returned to
racing in 2005 in a nostalgia
Top Fuel dragster and enjoyed
more success.
SPONSORSHIP
It was announced that
Gold Rush Trailers (Super),
Ciccarone Racing Products
(Pro) P.C. Richard and Son
(Street), Reading Standard
Motorsports (Top Bike),
Universal Technical Institute
(Juniors) and ATI Performance
(Stock-Super Stock) would be
coming back in 2015 as series
sponsors.
ADDITIONAL AWARDS
Ambassador and Appreciation
Awards were presented to Jack
Brady, KSR Monster Truck
Promotions; Brian Hard,
Penske Truck Leasing; Ivan
Mejias, Latin American Sports
Compacts; Denny Parisan,
Ronald McDonald House,
Racing for Ronald; Jeff Riling,
NAPA Auto Parts/Carlyle
Tools; Randy Kaylor, Keystone
Diesel Truck Nationals; and
Tim Twiford, Crowne Plaza.
Nick Daniels was voted by
the racers as having the Safeco
Insurance Best Appearing Car
of 2014. ©
30
31
MAPLE GROVE WELCOMES
CJ’S TIRE & AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES
TO THE MGR FAMILY OF SPONSORS
M
aple Grove Raceway has partnered with CJ’s Tire & Automotive Services
as presenting sponsor for the Rumble at the Grove Outlaw Pro Mod
event on Aug. 29. With over 13 locations in Southeastern and Central
Pennsylvania, C.J.’s will also help promote Maple Grove events throughout the
2015 season and beyond.
MGR Vice President/General Manager Lex Dudas said
the partnership with C.J.’s is a multiyear deal.
“We’re happy to add CJ’s Tire and Automotive to our
growing family of sponsors,” Dudas said. “CJ’s has grown
into a 13-store chain and offers our fans and racers the
best pricing for all their tire and automotive needs. We
look forward to working with them by offering discount
coupons, tickets and promotions surrounding some of
our major events.”
Bill Bainbridge, vice president/marketing for C.J.’s said the company is looking
forward to working with Maple Grove.
“CJ’s Tire & Automotive Services is looking forward to partnering with Maple
Grove Raceway,” Bainbridge said. “MGR is a great facility with a lot of exciting
events and our sponsorship reinforces our presence in Berks and Lancaster County. We’re looking forward to engaging with tens of thousands
of fans that will be coming out to the raceway.”
The C.J’s Tire & Automotive Services Rumble at The
Grove is Maple Grove’s annual Pro Mod spectacular.
Featuring the Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod series, fans have
been thrilled by the mixture of cars in which drivers and
tuners have the freedom to make them as fast as possible.
©
32
33
SPRING FLEA MARKET
M
aple Grove Raceway opened its 2015 with the Annual Spring Flea
Market on Saturday, April 11th. The weather was outstanding for the
event, which lead to hundreds of vendors being on hand to sell their
ware. In turn, thousands of buyers descended on the Grove, hoping to find that
certain item they couldn’t do without!
Lex Dudas, Vice President and General Manager of Maple Grove Raceway, said “A
turnout such as this goes to show that motorsports is alive and well in our region.
The enthusiasm shown here today at our automotive flea market will undoubtedly
carry over into the season, as we expect strong numbers of racers and fans to attend
many of the great events scheduled for 2015.”
Two more flea markets are planned for 2015. The Summer Market is
scheduled for Saturday, June 27 during the Glory Days Nostalgia Drags, while
the Fall Market, and Maple Grove’s final event of the 2015 season, will be held
Saturday, October 24th. Mark your calendars now! ©
34
WHERE TO STAY
L O C A L P L A C E S T O S TAY
Comfort Inn
Lancaster County North
1 Denver Rd
Denver, PA 17517
717-336-7541
Dragonfly B&B
Three miles from the track.
www.thedragonfly-pa.com
717-409-5080
The Black Horse
Nine miles from the track
800-610-3805
Hampton Inn & Suites
Ephrata Mountain Springs
380 E. Main St.
Ephrata, PA 17522
717-7330661
Homewood Suites
Welcome Race Fans
Roomy Suites
610-736-3100
Holiday Inn Express
& Suites
Wyomissing
610-373-4444
Days Inn
910 Woodland Rd
Reading, PA 19610
610-347-1500
Comfort
By Choice Hotels
2200 Stacey Dr.
Reading, PA 19605
610-371-0500
Red Roof Inn
Red Roof Inn Denver #753
2017 N. Reading Rd.
Denver, PA 17517
717-336-4649
The Inn At Reading
1040 Park Rd.
Wyomissing, PA 19610
800-383-9713
Courtyard Marriott
Reading/Wyomissing
150 North Park Road
Reading, PA 19610
(610) 378-1137
www.courtyardreading.com
Red Carpet Inn & Suites
Eight miles from the track.
3736 Main Street
Morgantown, PA 19543
www.innlinks.com
800-251-1962
610-286-5061
Motel 6
Brand New Location
78 Robinson Street
Pottstown, PA
610-819-1288
800-600-8356
Holiday Inn Morgantown
Newly Renovated
6170 Morgantown Rd
(exit 298 PA Turnpike)
Morgantown, PA 19543
Eight miles from the track.
800-339-0264
Crowne Plaza
Home of Maple Grove Racers
1741 Papermill Rd
Wyomissing, PA 19610
www.readingcrowne.com
610-376-3811
800-610-3805
L O C A L R E S TA U R A N T S A N D B A R S T O R E F R E S H Y O U A F T E R A L O N G R A C E D AY
Jimmie Kramer’s
Peanut Bar Restaurant
Casual eatery with peanut shells on the ground
serves wings, crab cakes, fried chicken & more.
Address: 332 Penn St, Reading, PA 19602
Phone: (610) 376-8500
Hours: Open today · 11:00 am – 10:30 pm
35
WHERE TO EAT
Check out our Dining Guide on
m a ple g ro v e r a c e w a y. c o m
There are links to restaurant menus and directions from the raceway.
Restaurant or Bar owner?
Your ad could be here
sending new customers to you every week.
Contact Lex at 610-856-9200
36
FROM THE GENERAL
MANAGER’S CHAIR
MAY – 2015
W
e’ve seen the high level of interest from our fans and racers during the
race track concrete project through our Facebook page. Each time we
posted an update, the page saw thousands of visits and posts proving
how valuable social media is to the future of Maple Grove Raceway.
Old man winter didn’t treat any of us well and the extreme cold temperatures
affected the completion of the concrete project. Our concrete contractor would
not pour any concrete until we had forecasts for no freezing during the day or
overnight. This really put the project into low gear for a few weeks.
A number of weeks ago I asked our new Director of Communications, Rob
Armbruster, to research other NHRA National event track’s Facebook pages to see
how we stacked up. We’re ranking number 6 out of the 21 host tracks for Facebook
likes. This ranking is a positive for us, but nobody likes being number 6 and our
plan is to continue to put a serious effort into building our Facebook page. An
interesting point about trying to compare to the other tracks is three of the tracks
in front of us on the rankings are “multi-purpose venues” as they offer road courses,
oval tracks, which we’re sure helps their Likes as there are other motorsports fans
checking their Facebook page.
We had concrete in both lanes to the 770’ mark of the track. We have extended
the concrete 550’ in each lane making us one of the few full concrete quarter mile
tracks in the country. We’re all anxious to see how the NHRA professional cars,
tuners and drivers react to the new surface in October. Add cool conditions into the
weekend and who knows what can or will happen to the NHRA pro records!
We are utilizing Facebook to help promote our special events and we’ve seen some
positive results already. We “Boasted” our posts for the Spring Flea Market and our
thoughts are the plan worked as the Spring Flea Market grew over our 2014 event!
Over the course of a year and half the owners of Maple Grove Raceway have
reinvested a considerable amount of money into the facility. The just completed
concrete surface, the repaving of a good portion of the return road late last year
and the purchase of the grass pit area in the fall of 2013 and indicates the Stauffer
family’s long term commitment to the track.
©
37
38
3302 SOUTH STREET
MORGANTOWN, PA 19543-7709
Car & Driver . . . . . . . . . $170
Thursday Test & Tune . . . . . . . . $75
THURSDAY, MAY 21
Gates Open . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:30 a.m.
NHRA Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Test & Tune . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
FRIDAY, MAY 22
Gates Open . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:30 a.m.
NHRA Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Time Trials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Time Trials will be run in Sessions. 2 Sessions.
Run Order 1 & 2: STK, SST, SC, SS, SG.
Comp Qualifying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:30 p.m.
MXI/Magnaflux/Select Performance
Top Dragster Qualifying . . . . . . 12 & 4:30 p.m.
Top Sportsman Qualifying . . . . 12:30 & 5 p.m.
TAD & TAFC Qualifying. . . . . . . . . . . 1 & 6 p.m.
Ultimax Pro Stock Snowmobile
Time Trial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 p.m.
SATURDAY, MAY 23
Gates Open . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 a.m.
NHRA Inspection . . . . 8 a.m. to end of Time Trials
Time Trials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:30 a.m.
Run Order: STK, SST, SC, SS, SG. 1 Run ONLY!
NO CLEAN-UPS!
Comp Qualifying . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:30 & 4 p.m.
Ultimax Pro Stock Snowmobile
Qualifying. . . . . . . . . 11:30 a.m. & 12:45 p.m.
Eliminations begin 3 p.m. to conclusion.
TAD & TAFC Eliminations . . . . . . . 5, 7 & 9 p.m.
Top Dragster Qualifying . . . . . . . . . 11:30 a.m.
Eliminations Round 1 6 p.m. / Round 2 8 p.m.
Top Sportsman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 p.m.
Eliminations Round 1 6:30 p.m. / Round 2 8:15 p.m.
Comp Eliminations Round 1 . . . . . . . 7:30 p.m.
SST, STK, SC, SS, SG Eliminations
Round 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 p.m.
SUNDAY, MAY 24
Gates Open . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 a.m.
Eliminations Continue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 a.m.
Beginning with Stock!
Top Dragster Round 3 . . . . . . . . . . . 10:30 a.m.
Top Sportsman Round 3 . . . . . . . . . 10:45 a.m.
Comp Round 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 a.m.
Event schedule is subject to change.
3-Day Crew Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50
2-Day Crew Pass (Sat./Sun. Only). . . $40
1-Day Crew Pass (Sunday Only) . . . $30
Thursday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10
Daily (Fri./Sat./Sun.) . . . .$20 each day
Children (Ages 13-15) . . .$10 each day
Car Load for Showdown at Sundown
(starting at 3 p.m.) . . . . . . . . . . . . $25
Spectator Parking Saturday . . . . . . $10
Children 12 & under FREE
with paid adult.
39

May 21-24 - Maple Grove Raceway

Transcription

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