Midwest Off Road Racing Gets Together in Abrams!

Abrams, WI (January 18, 2010) – The first public meeting of the Midwest Off Road Racing (MORR) group was held this past Sunday in Abrams, Wisconsin. The past three months saw a group of concerned off-road enthusiasts’ band together to improve the “State of Sportsman Off-Road Racing” in the Upper Midwest. In the past six years, the stability of the sport has been considerably shaken due to four different sanctioning bodies/series promoters attempting to guide short-course off-road racing. MORR was created to give the Sportsman racer a voice in their future and by the looks of their early accomplishments, the current sanctioning body, Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL, is definitely listening.

The meeting at Kip and Donna’s Fly Way in Abrams, Wisconsin quickly filled the main banquet room. A quick count of heads totaled over 220 concerned racers, team members, and sponsors. The seven board members headed by President Dan Vanden Heuvel Sr., explained how the group came together and thanks to the group’s website and the Ross Hoek forum, several key issues were targeted for change to improve Midwest Sportsman racing.

All board members talked about the various improvements that were made during continuous talks with TORC and USAC. The combination of flyers and a PowerPoint presentation kept the entire room thoroughly interested in the 2-hour meeting. Terry Severson, TORC SportsmanTech Director, came up to the front and also announced some of changes TORC has implemented for the 2010 season.

After the presentation, the room was opened up to questions for the MORR Board and TORC personnel, Tiffany Landru and Terry Severson. When all questions were answered, MORR began accepting memberships, while the crowd hung around the bar and restaurant for some good-natured bench racing.

Here’s a quick overview of the MORR meeting.

Communication between all parties involved in the sport must be maintained at all times and is key to the success of our sport.

Why join MIDWEST OFF ROAD RACING?

You are given a voice in the sport. Your opinion matters and with MORR, your voice is taken directly to the organizations that promote and host Midwest off-road racing.

The cost of racing has been decreased. In 2010, TORC Midwest Sportsman entry fees have been reduced, depending on the class, as much as 50%. Registration fees have also been reduced.

100% of your entry fee will be paid back to the racers. Every penny of your entry fee funds your class, nothing else.

The year end points fund for every Sportsman class has been established. When the Crandon track owners met with MORR Board Members for the first time, they added $5000 to the year end points fund.

MORR has expanded the Sportsman race series from four weekends to six weekends of racing. Sportsman only events in Antigo and Oshkosh were added to the existing events in Crandon and Bark River.

MORR has the opportunity to find separate Sportsman series sponsors. This will create additional funds for race payback and the end of the year points fund, as well as expand the racers’ contingency fund.

In the early stages of MORR, two companies have already come on board to assist with the initial start up costs of the group.

MORR members are eligible for all additional paypack and contingency. You can still compete at TORC Sportsman events without a MORR membership, but will not be eligible for any additional race weekend or points fund payouts, or contingency offers.

Membership is inexpensive.

$40 – one year competition and enthusiast membership with voting rights.

$20 – one year enthusiast membership without voting rights.

Remember, this is only the beginning. MORR will continue to work hard improving and expanding Midwest short-course off-road racing.

2010 TORC Midwest Sportsman Entry Fees - cost per weekend

Classix $150

Enduro Truck $150

Formula 4×4 $150

Light Buggy $200

1600 Single Buggy $200

Stock Truck $250

Super Buggy $250

Limited 2 $300

Limited 4 $300

All entries will also pay a $25 TORC registration fee per weekend.

100% of your entry fee goes towards the payback in your class (race payout and year end points fund).

WHAT DO I GET FOR MY USAC MEMBERSHIP?

· AUTOMATED PROCESSING WITH HARD CARD

· $200,000 Excess Medical Insurance – $25,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment

· Live Video Streaming of Events (WILL ARCHIVE 2010 EVENTS FOR LATER VIEWING)

· USAC Members Automatically Enrolled In Enhanced Communication Process (Get Email and Text Updates on Weather and Race Information)

· USAC Members Get 15% Off USAC Store Goods

· USAC Members Get Special Pricing On Partner Products

· USAC Members Eligible To Attend Special Functions (Banquets, etc)

· Member of ACCUS / FIA for safety reviews

· Member card good for other USAC sanctioned events

· Each race winner will receive a USAC Medallion

Thanks goes out to Ricky Johnson and Mitch Covington of TORC, Crandon International Off-Road Raceway, and Bark River International Off-Road Raceway for opening their doors to MORR. This will help enable us to have affordable Sportsman off-road racing for generations to come.

Once again, thank you for all that attended and everyone that helped make this a very successful meeting.

To view a short video created by MT Graphics and 3DCD Video on the meetings festivities please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7Q2g33RW_I

For more information about Midwest Off Road Racing and becoming a member of the group, please visit www.midwest-offroadracing.com

2010 MORR Board of Directors

President – Dan Vanden Heuvel flydtmn77@aol.com

Vice-President – Ross Hoek ross@rosshoek.com

Secretary – Mike Vanden Heuvel racermike177@yahoo.com

Treasurer – Pat Flanagan pflanagan1@new.rr.com

Directors at Large – Don Demeny racing@bayland.net

Geoff Dorr geoffdorr@hotmail.com

Mike Reusche philsinc@ymail.com