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BIG changes at MRP for 40th Anniversary Season New Years Day playday kicks off 2008 by Bob Burbach |
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Marysville, CA --- The final checkered flag of the 2007 season had hardly stopped waving when promoter Paul Hawes fired up the equipment to begin an extraordinary series of changes to Marysville Raceway Park. In a 5-week period of time Hawes took the proverbial “wrecking ball” to what we all know as MRP. After 39 years of continuous operation Hawes rolled up his sleeves and began to re-configure, straighten and lengthen the track. He tore down the front stretch crash walls and began the biggest makeover in the soon to be celebrated 40-year history of the facility. Even those who saw the changes in progress on Thanksgiving weekend during the Racer’s Swap Meet could not envision what Hawes has in store. For those who may be familiar with the old track, the new one will be an awe-inspiring change. The first thing that strikes you is that this track is now BIG. Hawes has used, in his own words “all I can get out of the property.” Indeed he has. What used to be the work area beyond turn 1 is now racetrack. Hawes continued, “Our straights are 65' longer already.” Perhaps suggesting longer straights are possible. “We have 100' radius (in the turns) on both ends.” Turns 1 & 2 now reach the pit grandstands and sweep wide and gracefully onto the backstretch. The entry into, and most notably the exit out of the turn 3-4 complex appear different. It is wider and with a less dramatic “left turn” onto the straightaway. Cars will carry much higher speeds past the grandstand. The banking in turns 1 and 2 is now situated well above the infield surface. Watering the new banking will allow for improved water run off. Turn 2 now spreads much wider allowing a much faster transition onto the lengthened back straightaway. The front straightaway trajectory will allow for very high speeds off of turn 4 and required the removal of the crash wall from the starter’s stand to the pit entry. The wall, the lights and most of the concrete walkways on the east side of the track are gone. In its place is racetrack. Racetrack that sweeps into banking that will cradle and carry the racecars onto the back chute to the highest speeds ever recorded here. Hawes is upbeat and thoroughly optimistic about 2008. “The new walls should be up by Christmas and that will give the project a more finished look from track side.” Hawes continued, “Part of the total improvement is to skew the west end of the stands to the track. The announcer’s tower is being enlarged with a rooftop perch for the video cameras. The windows in the booth will be cantilevered outward to kill the glare. The flag stand is being raised and enlarged.” While all the improvements to the track are ongoing, Hawes reminded this observer, in no uncertain terms, that the fan is uppermost in his mind. Hawes offered, “Watch it come together and know that I have thought long and hard on these changes and they will take nothing from the fan experience.” The track will be fan friendly in every possible aspect. On New Years Day, January 1st, Hawes will present the first Play Day of the season. The new track will be open for practice. Racers from any division will be welcome and it will be the first opportunity for serious contenders to test and start a new log for set-ups at the new MRP. Hawes said, “I’ll make the track as race-ready as the weather will allow on New Year's Day.” Hawes will be as interested as the racers in seeing how the new configuration pans out. It also allows about 2 months for improving the track configuration based on input from the practice sessions. A racer’s swap meet will also be presented in conjunction with the open practice. Hawes is also looking into a Chili Cook-off competition from some local “chefs”. While a schedule of events is not completed at this writing, a full 17-race season of Winged Pacific Sprint Car action is on tap. Hawes will schedule a meeting for Winged Pacific Sprint Car owners and drivers in the near future to discuss rules. Watch the website for that date. The Wingless Sprint Cars and Mini Stocks will also be penciled in for complete point seasons. A special Open Competition Series for Mini Stocks is in the planning stages. More on that later. The SORA Sprint 100s and the Nor Cal Dwarf Cars will visit regularly. The MRP Street Stocks will be back for a full season of competition. Look for possible changes in some of their rules. Hawes is currently talking with IMCA about the possibility of a Special Modified Series that will include MRP in the schedule. MRP will present a number of special racing events that will include The Mel Hall Memorial Race, Kids Night, The West Coast Dwarf Car Nationals and many other great attractions. Watch for special races that are now being negotiated. As promoter Hawes gets closer to finalizing the schedule, all the info will be available on the web site. Promoter Hawes is always available for questions and inquiries. This observer might suggest driving out and taking a look at the raceway. Hawes and his crew have worked tirelessly since the final 2007checkered flag. So, take a walk around the track. The 40th anniversary season is upon us and it should be a great one. Put www.marysvilleracewaypark on your “favorites” button on you computer. Watch this site for press releases, updates and complete results. |
