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Possible New Drag Strip in Michigan
- Thread starter PJ
- Start date
BaldyLochs
Nitro Member
That's interesting. Doesn't sound like they're going after NHRA SuperTrack status - but I certaily believe there'd be plenty of local support for a facility up there. Is Lapeer Dragway still open?
The nostalgia-buff in me will always say, (we) need a Super Track in Detroit. If NASCAR can sell out the track in Jackson, I'm convinced there's room for a NHRA event there, too. Yes, Milan & Norwalk are nearby; and I know the Detroit economy is in the crapper right now. I've personally talked with Connie Kalitta in the past about him building something... and that discussion got about as far as if I was asking him to dress up like Santa Claus and sing Jingle Bells standing at center ice inside Joe Louis Arena!!!
My fantasy is for somebody with the cash & the guts to buy the property in Marine City, where Motor City Dragway used to be - and erect a track that makes Charlotte look like a trailer park. The again, I may as well be wishing for the Lions to win the Super Bowl, too.
If it can be a place for local racers, and keep kids off the streets - and maybe bring some match races in the summertime & some special events... I'm all for it.
The nostalgia-buff in me will always say, (we) need a Super Track in Detroit. If NASCAR can sell out the track in Jackson, I'm convinced there's room for a NHRA event there, too. Yes, Milan & Norwalk are nearby; and I know the Detroit economy is in the crapper right now. I've personally talked with Connie Kalitta in the past about him building something... and that discussion got about as far as if I was asking him to dress up like Santa Claus and sing Jingle Bells standing at center ice inside Joe Louis Arena!!!
My fantasy is for somebody with the cash & the guts to buy the property in Marine City, where Motor City Dragway used to be - and erect a track that makes Charlotte look like a trailer park. The again, I may as well be wishing for the Lions to win the Super Bowl, too.
If it can be a place for local racers, and keep kids off the streets - and maybe bring some match races in the summertime & some special events... I'm all for it.
Von Halen
Nitro Member
That's interesting. Doesn't sound like they're going after NHRA SuperTrack status - but I certaily believe there'd be plenty of local support for a facility up there. Is Lapeer Dragway still open?
The nostalgia-buff in me will always say, (we) need a Super Track in Detroit. If NASCAR can sell out the track in Jackson, I'm convinced there's room for a NHRA event there, too. Yes, Milan & Norwalk are nearby; and I know the Detroit economy is in the crapper right now. I've personally talked with Connie Kalitta in the past about him building something... and that discussion got about as far as if I was asking him to dress up like Santa Claus and sing Jingle Bells standing at center ice inside Joe Louis Arena!!!
My fantasy is for somebody with the cash & the guts to buy the property in Marine City, where Motor City Dragway used to be - and erect a track that makes Charlotte look like a trailer park. The again, I may as well be wishing for the Lions to win the Super Bowl, too.
If it can be a place for local racers, and keep kids off the streets - and maybe bring some match races in the summertime & some special events... I'm all for it.
Chris, Lapeer is still there.
Back before they built Route 66 in Chicago, it was the goal of the NHRA to have NHRA events in Chicago and Detroit. Obviously, Chicago worked out, and Detroit did not.
There was a proposed facility between my place (just off I94 south of Marine City) and Port Huron back around the time the NHRA was saying they wanted an event in the Detroit area. I have heard that it fell through because the people in the communities around this proposed Drag Strip, didn't want it there. There is plenty of land between here and Port Huron, right off I94, that would be perfect for a facility. I can't imagine why any of those communities would not welcome a top notch Drag Strip in their neighborhood. It would bring much needed revenues to this area.
they could take the old tiger stadium area, blocks around that area are a wasteland so it should be cheap. Build one and go. Hell I say build the first indoor track but I dream big
There was a rumor that Burton Smith was interested in building one in Michigan, I have no idea if that one has any legs or not
There was a rumor that Burton Smith was interested in building one in Michigan, I have no idea if that one has any legs or not
I've heard lots of commercial and housing property is for sale almost free in Detroit. Maybe a downtown strip is the way to go, less travelling that way and no worries about urban sprawl.
I could afford the mortgage on these places!
Detroit, MI, Real Estate Listings and Detroit, MI Homes for Sale - Realtor.com
I could afford the mortgage on these places!
Detroit, MI, Real Estate Listings and Detroit, MI Homes for Sale - Realtor.com
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SuperCamaro
Nitro Member
I don't understand why Connie doesn't get involved, there is a great potential area right near Connie at Willow run airport , surrounded by an airport , a waste dump, commercial and industrial property and very limited residential property, who could complain? I think the area is perfect and can definitely handle any size crowd that may attend. Right at Willow run airport, 15 minutes from Metro airport, 30 minutes from downtown Detroit, right off I-94............"MOTOR CITY DRAGWAY".........home of the......."MOTOR CITY NATIONALS" brought to you by: GENERAL MOTORS, FORD MOTOR CO. AND DAIMLER CHRYSLER and the "MOTOR CAPITOL" of the world............Detroit, Michigan.........................I dream of the day, that this is the reality......................Perry Jr.
SuperCamaro
Nitro Member
Can you say Tony Soprano?......Colonel Sanders?........lol......I'm not sure, but Flint is not where I personally want to see the NHRA, Downtown Detroit could certainly work, lots of cheap "wasteland", lots of potential for sure ! But near Willow Run, with Connie's help and influence seems more likely to me........Perry Jr.
BaldyLochs
Nitro Member
I always laugh when I hear communities fighting against a race track wanting to come into thier community. Some people in Fort Worth early on were absolutely furious about the big circle track. I can't remember the Lawyer's name they hired to file suit against the city, Bruton....anybody they could peg.... now today, those people depend on the big races to support the local economy. Now, today, if the big events didn't happen, they would shrivel up and die. And thier home values went up in the process.
As long as we're fantasizing, maybe a big track even further up north on I-75 would work.... a little ways away from Chicago & Norwalk. Look at how remote Brainerd is; they certainly don't have a problem getting people in the gates. Gaylord? Grayling? Traverse?? Kalittas will never be involved with something like that though. They race and fly, period.
I say rebuild either Detroit Dragway or Motor City!!!
As long as we're fantasizing, maybe a big track even further up north on I-75 would work.... a little ways away from Chicago & Norwalk. Look at how remote Brainerd is; they certainly don't have a problem getting people in the gates. Gaylord? Grayling? Traverse?? Kalittas will never be involved with something like that though. They race and fly, period.
I say rebuild either Detroit Dragway or Motor City!!!
The track in Fort Worth has done a lot for the local economy. They just passed the law so that you can buy drinks at the surrounding restaurants too! (We have "dry areas" down here) It takes them a little while, but finally the people get it and realize it is a good thing. They may grumble & groan about the traffic, but they have gotten that under control too. It is only a couple of times a year and I just stay home and watch it on tv.
When you all talk about "wasteland" property, that may be the key phrase as to why NO ONE is buying that property! The environmental study on something like that costs a fortune. It would probably not be cost effective to build on land like that. That's just my guess.
When you all talk about "wasteland" property, that may be the key phrase as to why NO ONE is buying that property!
The environmental study on something like that costs a fortune. It would probably not be cost effective to build on land like that. That's just my guess.OH MY GOD....
The Mayor of Flint is the former owner of Brainerd International Raceway.
This is the last person you would want involved in the building of a race track. JUST SAY NO!!!
jUST ASK ANY OF THE MATERS WHO HAVE BEEN PART OF THE BIR EXPERIANCE WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT.
The Mayor of Flint is the former owner of Brainerd International Raceway.
This is the last person you would want involved in the building of a race track. JUST SAY NO!!!
jUST ASK ANY OF THE MATERS WHO HAVE BEEN PART OF THE BIR EXPERIANCE WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT.
SuperCamaro
Nitro Member
SuperCamaro
Nitro Member
I say rebuild either Detroit Dragway or Motor City!!!
The site of Motor City still has potential, but Detroit doesn't exist, four of the largest warehouses you've ever seen sit there now, if you didn't know where it was, you'll never be able to tell now.
merc49
Nitro Member
DING DING DING! We have a winner!
indidad- The Guy- Uncle Steve
Nitro Member
Z28LT1
Nitro Member
Nicely said Bob, Don Williamson used to Own BIR in Brainerd, and... well lets just say the area businesses were happy to see him go from everyone I've talked to up there.
I agree that it will probably never happen, but in is an interesting concept.
SuperCamaro
Nitro Member
You mean there is a mayor in Michigan that's even WORSE than Kwame????
Smarter..................
Prix-Mo
Nitro Member
Been there did that (still don't know why) and best thing that ever happened to BIR was him leaving, been three years and still trying to pick up pieces and bring the track back to what it was prior. Btw the new owners are great and are doing all they can to fix all the problems he created with racers, employees, and Nhra
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