A new era in open wheel modified racing will debut in 2010 at Central Minnesota dirt tracks with the premise of increased pay and promotion to support the already strong product provided by the WISSOTA sanctioning body. The series will be called the Race Minnesota Modified Series (RACEMN) and will offer local tracks, drivers, and fans alike a national touring series type atmosphere showcasing regional talent in a high stakes shootout for top cash and prizes.
RACEMN is a name synonymous in the Upper Midwest first as a trade show in 2006, (sold to WISSOTA) more recently as a multimedia podcast hub promoting the talent of the Minnesota dirt tracks and sponsor of the Como Modified Series Dash. Ray Beste, a contributor to the website, approached the owners of RACEMN with a concept to support the tracks of Central Minnesota as a touring series and to incorporate the media elements and promotional tools that a website like RACEMN provides.
“It was a natural to work with the RACEMN name and X.CELERATED (XR) to get this off the ground,” commented Series Founder and Director Ray Beste. “I’ve had an opportunity to work with XR on multiple projects and they share the same vision. The talent around the area (WISSOTA) in the two open wheel divisions featured in this series in my mind is unmatched. These drivers deserve a touring series to showcase their talent and skills. In addition, we can offer the tracks a stout field of cars, massive promotion, and an unparalleled fan experience.”
“RACEMN now has a purpose like never before,” added X.CELERATED President and RACEMN Marketing Director Barry Braun. “The end goal is to join forces and promote these drivers on a national level scale with the media elements we have introduced on the site and other projects from our company to really make this series shine. In turn it will attract advertising partners to support the generous year-end purse and at-track activation.”
XR Apparel, a division of X.CELERATED, has jumped in as a presenting sponsor of the series and has been named the “Official Apparel Provider of the Race Minnesota Modified Series.” A title sponsor has been secured and will be announced at a later date.
The RACEMN Series will consist of both WISSOTA Modifieds and WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds. Seven Events will be run in 2010. All shows will count for National WISSOTA points. A race event will consist of Heat races, B Main Features, a Last Chance Qualifier, and the A-Main Feature event. The winner during each RACEMN event will be paid $1500 for the WISSOTA Modified feature and $600 for the WISSOTA Midwest Modified feature. Each feature will start 21 cars.
RACEMN will use the established WISSOTA points system in addition to series based passing points that will be calculated for the A Main feature to insure against a series year end point tie. The RACEMN series points will be calculated from the best 5 of 7 races for every driver (driver can miss or “throw” two shows) and a loyalty bonus will be granted to all teams that attend every series event. Another innovative incentive to the drivers is that there will be no entry fees at any of the RACEMN events.
RACEMN has secured 4 of the 7 series races to be run at North Central Speedway in Brainerd, Minnesota, and Ogilvie Raceway in Ogilvie, Minnesota.
“When presented the idea I couldn’t refuse,” added North Central Promoter Tim Boeder. “The RACEMN Series has the potential to be a major force in this part of the racing nation and the premise that they have built the series business model on is to offer extensive promotional support to the drivers and the track. In the end, it really was a no-brainer.”
“To be able to add two events like this for 2010 is exactly what we were looking for,” stated Ogilvie Raceway promoter Nate Fischer. “As a new track that is trying to break in, this offers us a high reward/low risk option that can help us thrive. We have the track to do it but we need the help that these guys will offer to make the most of our facility.”
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