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MDRA Driver Member's Roster Now Updated:
 Date Posted:  May 24th, 2008
Written By:  MDRA Webmaster

 The MDRA 2008 Driver Member's Roster is now updated.  Forms are available in the Driver Members section of the site.  NEW for 2008, Fans interested in receiving email or postal notices regarding information on the Midwest Dirt Racing Association events or new become an "Associate Member" for only $35 per year.  Each membership will get a membership decal to use on their vehicle or business window.  Fans interested in joining the Midwest Dirt Racing Association for the 2008 Racing Season may do so by filling out an MDRA Driver Membership Form also located in the Driver Members section of the site.

Midwest Dirt Racing Association Off And Running For 2008:
 Date Posted:  May 27th, 2008
Written By:  Terry Blacklance

Mother nature has finally loosened her grip on winter and allowed local race tracks to start their 2008 race campaigns. Both River Cities Speedway and Devils Lake Speedway have had successful opening nights, and now their second nights of racing as well. Car counts seem to have dropped only slightly, but it's early in the season as well and more entries are expected to join the action over the next few weeks. In 2008 the MDRA has initiated it's transition to Wissota sanctioning of the Street division and already incorporated the complete Wissota rules package with the exception of still using the Goodyear tires in an agreement with Wissota to allow the club to deplete the current Goodyear tire stock. In '08 the MDRA Streets will NOT officially be Wissota sanctioned as that will begin in 2009 with the full rules package and points programs putting our drivers and teams in the same pool as other local tracks. Although the change to the new sanction has drawn mixed reviews the MDRA board feels that the switch will be made easier with the transition year in '08.

Now that the season has started drivers and teams have had a chance to notice some new items. More than likely the $155 membership has been the most notable and in some cases maybe uncomfortable. However a reminder that the $155 includes the pack of 10 "Summer of Money" raffle tickets to sell. Some drivers have sold theirs already and requested a second, third and even fourth while some others have just signed their own names on each of the tickets to potentially make back some of their investment. Either way, whether they sell them or NOT...drivers will see that money back for competing at our membership tracks of River Cities Speedway and Devils Lake Speedway in the form of a MDRA check that will be awarded according to the drivers finish in the feature event of those two weekly programs.

The MDRA has committed $220 each night this year to those two tracks to be awarded along with the regular nights feature checks from the tracks. The thought was to use the funds for the weekly programs as opposed to the previous years year end disbursements, putting dollars back in the drivers pockets when they need it most.....during the season. Especially with fuel prices at an all time high. One other benefit to the raffle ticket sales is for those that do in fact get out there and sell them. The MDRA will pay the selling driver $1 per ticket they sell, meaning if you sell a packet of ten tickets after your original pack of ten....you'll keep $10 and turn in $90 for the point fund. This was incorporated as an incentive for drivers to get out there and sell tickets and be awarded for the effort.

Something else the MDRA drivers may have noticed is early season teching. Several driver teams have been formed to work together on teching of the class. Although the tracks will still have their own teching procedures, the MDRA will continue to work with each track on policing the class in 2008. Initially much of the teching has been done for safety items, but performance teching will also be done throughout the season. Already a couple issues have been addressed and those items have been brought to those drivers attention. Our hope is that we become more accountable for the fairness of the class and allowing the tracks to concentrate on improving their programs in other areas. The MDRA board would like to remind drivers and teams that if there is an item you have questions on or would like to call attention to, that can be done via email or in person with any of our board members at the tracks.

Finally drivers are urged to watch the Midwest Dirt Race Association web site for updates, changes and news. Of note a couple of larger money events are scheduled already with the $600 to win $120 to start Street Special at Devils Lake Speedway on June 14th and the $500 to Win Special at the Marshall County Speedway in Warren Minnesota on Aug. 2nd as part of the County Fair.

Summer Of Money Raffle Kick Off June 6th:
 Date Posted:  May 29th, 2008
Written By:  Terry Blacklance

The 2008 MDRA Street Stock fund raising raffle has started with the first drawing for the "Summer of Money" just around the corner. Drivers in the MDRA Street Stock division are currently selling raffle tickets at $10 each to build the '08 drivers point fund. The fund will be used this season to increase weekly payouts at our membership tracks including River Cities Speedway and Devils Lake Speedway. The MDRA board felt it important to disperse the funds when it's needed most, during the season especially when fuel prices are at an all-time high.

The raffle drawings will begin June 6th at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks when the winner of the nightly drawing will be announced just prior to the Street Stock feature event. Two drawing are planned each week including the River Cities Speedway show and the Devils Lake Speedway program on Saturday evenings. If for some reason there is a rain out....two drawings will be made the following race program at that track. The ticket drawings for the "Summer of Money" will continue through Sept. 12th John Sietz Memorial and are available with any MDRA Street Stock driver or chosen events throughout the season.

Drawing Schedule:

June: 6,7,13,14,20,21,27,28
July: 4,5,11,12,18,19,25,26
Aug: 1,2,8,9,15,16,22,23,29,30
Sept: 5,6,12th John Seitz Memorial at River Cities Speedway

Winners will be announced PRIOR to the Street Stock Feature events at River Cities Speedway and Devils Lake Speedway

Ticket winners NEED NOT BE PRESENT and winnings will be mailed to the address on the ticket stub.

MDRA Street Drivers "Street Stars" T-Shirt Promotion Still Available:
 Date Posted:  May 29th, 2008
Written By:  Terry Blacklance

At least twelve drivers are needed for the MDRA "Street Stars" t-shirt offer being offered for the 2008 season. The shirt will include up to 15 full color photos of MDRA Street Stock drivers on the back of the shirt. The front of the shirt will include the 2008 Street Stars logo and saying "Real Racers DO IT in Full Body". Cost to be on the shirt is ONLY $75 which includes your first shirt FREE, and so registered drivers can build their own season race funds be offered each shirt after for only $12. Suggested retail for these shirts will be $15 at track and can be sold by ANY registered driver on the shirt. Photos for the shirt have already been started and will be taken until the shirt is filled. If you'd like to register your team for the shirt contact Terry at 218-686-5020 or email at hotwheels4me@hotmail.com 

The MDRA "Street Stars" shirt will be a nice promotion for the division and your own team....so get registered soon.

 

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