DTRA & Fox Ridge Speedway Announce Partnership / Stepan Hired As Track's Promoter:
Date Posted:  March 12th, 2007

The DTRA (Dirt Track Racing Association) is proud to announce the addition of Fox Ridge Speedway to its list of member tracks.  Fox Ridge Speedway located in Arcadia, Wisconsin has partnered with DTRA to sanction Super Stocks, Midwest Modifieds and Street Stocks on Friday nights during the upcoming 2007 season.  Fox Ridge Speedway has shown further commitment to the DTRA by sanctioning the new FASTRAK Upper Midwest Region Crate Late Models as well.  In addition to the DTRA sanctioned classes Fox Ridge Speedway will still run USRA Modifieds and Fox Ridge Hornets.

Dave Hesch, owner of Fox Ridge Speedway has said he was always committed to Friday nights amid speculation of switching to Saturdays.  “Friday just works for me, my employees, my fans and my loyal drivers.  Saturday was never an option”.  “I was contemplating taking a year off but signing with the DTRA is a perfect fit and at the right time.  The DTRA adds stability; I can now guarantee the purse, make necessary improvements to the facility and hire full time promoter Chris Stepan.  “Chris was with us when we opened the doors of this facility and it is great to have him back as our promoter. Chris brings enthusiasm and a work ethic I know will create success at the Ridge”.

Stepan is the owner of a very successful Motorsports promotions company (www.fyemotorsports.com) and recently led the Superior Speedway in Superior, Wisconsin to two of the track’s best seasons in the speedway’s near 50-year history in 2005 and 2006.  Chris was recently asked about his new reigns at Fox Ridge and said “I was fortunate enough to be a part of Fox Ridge when the track opened and I am very excited to go back there in 2007. The facility is one of the nicest in the country and with a little shift in promotion strategy, I aim to bring the action back to Arcadia that we had a few seasons ago.” “Dave is a great track prep guy and the speedway staff at Fox Ridge is already great, they just need someone who is willing and able to do the ‘promoting’ on a full-time basis, which is right up my alley. I think the partnership with the DTRA will be a perfect fit for Fox Ridge and I look forward to having a great season in ’07.  Stay tuned for some exciting news along with the 2007 racing schedule to be coming out within the next few days.”

In 1997, Dave Hesch and Jeff Reglin, partners in a construction business, bought a 160 acre parcel of land and began laying the plans for what is now 'Fox Ridge Speedway'. Dave Hesch has been involved in racing since 1970. Fox Ridge Speedway is a BIG 3/8 mile clay oval with banking of about 15 degrees. This banking should make this track the super speedway of short tracks on dirt. The track is 80 feet wide, except for the front straight which is 105 feet wide. The difference in elevation in the corners from the bottom of the track to the top is 16.5 feet.  There is seating for 3500 fans on the concrete grandstands, with a perfect view for everyone attending. Additionally, there is a vast grass area above corner four which allows fans to lay out blankets for that 'old fashioned' feel of enjoying dirt track racing.
The concession building sits high on the hill above the track, which gives the corporate box seating ("V.I.P. Suites") a fantastic view of the entire complex.  For more information on Fox Ridge Speedway, visit www.foxridgespeedway.com, or call Chris at (715) 497-8916.

The DTRA (Dirt Track Racing Association) is in its second year of operation. The DTRA utilizes the Goodyear spec tire program to save drivers hundreds of thousands of dollars and brings significant value to promoters. The DTRA also targets sponsors that see opportunities beyond just selling parts to race competitors. Finally, the DTRA points system allows drivers to compete for the National point fund by racing only their home track. For more information on the DTRA, visit www.dtraracing.com

FASTRAK was founded in 2004 and has literally exploded in other areas of the country since.   The very first FASTRAK event featured less than 10 cars and now boasts some of the largest Late Model car counts at any event in nearly 20 regions.  Crate Late Model racing is proven and here to stay.  For more info on FASTRAK, visit www.fastrakracing.com.

The DTRA (Dirt Track Racing Association) was formed in 2006 with goals of providing drivers, fans and sponsors an organization that makes dirt track racing in the Upper Midwest as great as it can be. 

The DTRA’s objectives are simple:

• Provide drivers with a point fund derived solely from series sponsors, implement cost saving rule changes using direct driver input and utilizing the Goodyear spec tire program proven to save money annually.
• Bring sponsors that see valuable opportunities beyond simply selling more products to race competitors a place to market their products.
• Creating race programs that thrill fans far greater than any other form of racing period.

The DTRA currently has 5 tracks in the Upper Midwest with its eyes on others who bring value to the sponsors, fans and drivers.  Current DTRA tracks include Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond WI, Devils Lake Speedway in Devils Lake ND, Kasson Speedway in Kasson MN, River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks ND and Superior Speedway in Superior WI.

For information on the DTRA go to: www.dtraracing.com

Midwest Dirt Racing Association (MDRA) Set To Hit The Dirt Running In 2007:
Date Posted:  March 15th, 2007

Midwest Dirt Racing Association (MDRA) formerly NOPA announced Wednesday March 14th that River Cities Speedway and Devils Lake Speedway will host a complete season of MDRA Street Stocks in 2007. The MDRA is being developed as a drivers organization to work in conjunction WITH promoters in advancing dirt track racing in the Upper Red River Valley and surrounding region. Along with the announcement of the MDRA we are excited about future partnerships that will be forthcoming. MDRA Streets will assume NOPA rules in '07 and incorporate a partnership to use Goodyear tires exclusively in the class. A phase in period ending June 1, 2007 has been put in place in order for drivers in the Street Stock class to exhaust existing tire stock from 2006. "Use of the Goodyear tire will open doors for our drivers" says Darren Evavold of River Cities Speedway. "We feel that by using Goodyear tires, our drivers will realize more funds back into their pockets through a longer tire life and more dollars being directed from Goodyear into the MDRA point fund specifically. " said Kevin Frith of Devils Lake Speedway.

At a meeting held in East Grand Forks on Wednesday night March 14th a full house of drivers heard and shared important information regarding the 2007 season. Included in the topics was the NEW "Participation Fund Concept" which will replace the former point fund based on only points. Drivers now will be awarded Participation Fund dollars based on meeting a required 50% participation in both River Cities and Devils Lake. As an example if River Cities completes 20 race programs in 2007 and Devils Lake gets in 20 shows, a driver will have to participate a minimum of 10 times at each track. In another scenario if River Cities were to get in their 20 and Devils Lake only 16 due to rain outs etc. A driver would then have to meet the 50% by racing 10 at River Cities and 8 at Devils Lake. This idea is designed to enhance competition at each track and in most cases actually may cut down on the number of shows a driver has to race in order to get into the year end participation funds.

The "Participation Fund" will have two facets. In order to maintain the competition piece....drivers will be awarded based on overall points for those completing the 50% requirement. ONLY drivers who fulfill that 50% requirement will be eligible for the participation fund dollars. Within the participation fund, MDRA has set aside $1550 designated to the Top 6 in MDRA points as a bonus. The remainder of the funds after the $1550 will be divided by the rest of the participation qualifiers. The following is a sample of how the fund will be paid out. *note: participants MUST purchase at least 4 NEW tires from the MDRA in order to qualify beside holding a MDRA membership.

Based on 30 registered drivers and $9300 fund:

Top 6: 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 50 ( based on overall points ONLY)

Participation fund payout:

$9300 - $1550 and $1000 (hardware)= $6750 to be divided by 50% participation qualifiers.

15 qualifiers: $450.00
16 qualifiers: $421.87
17 qualifiers: $397.05
18 qualifiers: $375.00
19 qualifiers: $355.26
20 qualifiers: $337.50
30 qualifiers: $225.00

So based on these numbers......the top point getter could receive $500 plus $450 totaling: $950.00, 2nd place could receive $400 plus $450 totaling: $850.00 etc. If ALL 30 registered drivers make the 50% requirement they would split the participation fund evenly or $225 each. Again the numbers being provided are based on a conservative guess of 30 participants, which we anticipate will be more in 2007.

Not only will drivers be eligible for the MDRA Participation fund, but River Cities has joined the Contingency Connection to make our drivers eligible for a posting of another $100,000.00 in contingency awards on random race nights. These awards will be awarded in one of three ways; product, certificates, or cash. 

Finally in 2007 the MDRA will assume three of NOPA's division rules including; 4 cylinders, Pures, and Streets, while partnering with the DTRA in the Midwest Modified division as well. However in 2007 MDRA will concentrate on the Street and Midwest Modified divisions to build a quality base, and begin discussing how the 4 cylinders and Pure stock division can best fit into the overall plan for a natural progression through the classes. A membership fee will be required by drivers wanting to participate for the 2007 funds including $55 Street Stocks and $65 for Midwest Modifieds racing at River Cities and Devils Lake Speedways. Temporary memberships may be available throughout the season, and we'll share more information on those prior to the season.

In closing we're extremely excited about the 2007 season. The partnerships between those involved have made the process smooth. Our desire is to continue building affordable and exciting racing. More partnerships are being developed to enhance what we now have, and are sure to be the focus of many drivers throughout the region.

Orders Being Taken For Goodyear Tires For The MDRA 2007 Racing Season:
Date Posted:  March 19th, 2007
Written By:  Terry Blacklance 
 
River Cities Speedway & Devils Lake Speedway Street drivers.  We're putting together an order for the Goodyear Tires and are trying to get a handle on what drivers will need to begin with. 

Here is the tire info: 

27.0 =  82.5" to 84.0"
27.5 =  85.5" to 87.5"  (All tires within 1/4" of marking)

Please email name, size and tire amount to:  info@midwestdirtracing.com.  When the order comes in....we'll let folks know when and where to pick their tires up.