Forum: Minnesota Dirt Track Racing Forum (go)
Moderators: StanM

By: Greg Parent, UMSS Media Director

Stillwater MN (4-21-11)

I just received word from Ron Bernhagen that the zoning changes have been approved for Kopellah Speedway! The new owners and the current owner can now move forward with signing the sales contract. I anticipate that will take place very soon. In light of this positive and exciting news, there will be one more informational meeting scheduled for Saturday April 30 at Loggers Bar & Grill in St. Croix Falls starting at 11:00 AM. Ron promised the meeting will last no longer than two hours tops, so racers and fans can have plenty of time to head to their favorite Saturday night tracks. Loggers Bar & Grill is located just off of Highway 8 at the top of the hill on Glacier Drive behind the BP station. Loggers was the site of the March 19 meeting.

The April 30 meeting will update racers and fans on what has taken place regarding the sale, discuss the schedule for the upcoming season, and provide updates on the rules that will be in effect for the various classes. The classes of cars on the weekly race program were determined at the March 19 meeting and include Pro Stocks (aka Super Stocks), Pro Mods (aka Midwest Mods), Pure Stocks, Hornets, UMSS Traditional (non-winged) Sprints, and UMSS Micro Sprints. The projected opening night is slated for May 20, but there is a lot of work that must take place prior to that date in order for the track to open. With a change in ownership, a new insurance inspection will be necessary. Several immediate concerns that will be addressed include upgrades to the safety fencing, walls, and electrical service. The track surface and drainage issues will also be addressed right away. The new owners will need to purchase track maintenance equipment and concession equipment, as those items are not part of the sale. Plans have been on-going throughout the winter months to obtain the necessary equipment.

Thanks to all of the racers and fans for their patience and understanding throughout the sales process. It has taken much longer than most of us would have liked, but there was a lot that needed to be accomplished and approved. Now that all of the major hurdles have been cleared, the official sales closing can proceed forward. Plans are to rename the track St. Croix Valley Raceway (or Speedway) once the sales transaction has been completed. Hope to see many area racers and fans at the April 30 meeting at Loggers.

Brief update on the Kopellah Speedway meeting held today (April 30) at Loggers. Good turnout (about 1/2 as many as the March 19 meeting). Track name will be changed when possible to do so to St. Croix Valley Speedway. Some still like for it to end in Raceway, so the last word I believe has not been fully determined just yet. Ron Bernhagen (Race Director) discussed several of the improvements planned for near-future. Official closing will take place some time during the first half of May. Ron indiciated they are seeking permission to begin track work before final closing. Plans are to hold a practice night on Thursday May 26 with the season opener on Friday May 27 which includes UMSS sprint cars!

Ron discussed rules for Future IVs (aka Hornets), Pure Stocks, Pro Mods (aka MW Mods) and Pro Stocks (aka Super Stocks). Lengthy discussion about several items for Future IVs and Pure Stocks. Most of the Future IV and Pure Stock rules will be the same as last year with a couple of exceptions. Only a short discussion on Pro Mods and Pro Stocks, as those two classes will use CLS rules. TSCS (non-winged sprints) and Micro Sprints will run under UMSS rules. No license and no sanction fees, just pit pass fee as usual. The rules and purses in each class will be POSTED as soon as they are written up. The track will have a new website, but it will not be ready to launch for several weeks still. Cannot do it until the final paperwork is signed anyways.

Several very good suggestions and ideas were brought forward regarding rules and procedures. No Delaware-style restarts initially. Might be changed part way through the season IF the drivers vote for it, but to keep things simple to start with, single file restarts will be used. Cone rule will be in effect for starts. One spin rule in effect for heats. Cars involved in accidents or altercations will restart tail unless judgement call by officials that a car spun to avoid the accident. Blatent spin-out of a car by another car will result in tail-end for the offender and position back for the victim. Ron was very stern in saying that if a car stops on the track because they simply did not like the start they got, they probably will be told to exit the track!

Purse and Schedule were discussed. Several comments and suggestions were very helpful. Ticket giveaways to the race car drivers was an interesting topic and seemingly well-received. Several other promotions were discussed pertaining to the schedule. As suggested by Shawn Kammerud, driver reps in each class was a good idea. Shawn will serve as Pro Stock Driver Rep. Josh Bazey as Pro Mod Driver Rep. I believe Kevin Bradwell will be for one or both regarding Future IVs and Pure Stocks.

All in all, it was a productive meeting. Terry Lehnertz will indeed be the voice of St Croix Valley Speedway and will write the race results reports. Flagman was on hand. Ron is working on the rest of the track workers. Needed Racecop's phone number (Rob hopefully will assist with tech). Other workers are not all in place yet, so I don't have any more info than that. Stay tuned for further updates, as right at this time 20/20 and MDTR are the only outlets. Website and Facebook page will be developed and made public as soon as it is possible to do so.

Ron Bernhagen reported at the UMSS drivers meeting in Brainerd last Saturday night that the financing is all approved and in place for the sale of Kopellah Speedway to move forward. The papers are scheduled to be signed on the closing date of Tuesday June 28. Repost of message on UMSS Facebook Page. Look for a new website to be launched after the sale has been completed. Stay tuned for further details.

We came back through St. Croix Falls on Highway 8 from Hayward and they're repaving that stretch from the top of the hill all the way to the junction of 35 north. A few more weeks should relieve some of the gridlock that we experienced. I'm sure it won't be a problem on the way home but getting there on a Friday afternoon is going to be tough with that single lane in that congested area around all the stores.

Stan Meissner