Returning in 2017: Â鶹ÊÓƵ Track Night in America Driven by Tire Rack
TOPEKA, Kan. (Feb. 14, 2017) – Over the last two years, more than 10,000 automotive enthusiasts have driven their own cars on real racetracks around the United States thanks to . That dream continues in 2017 as the Â鶹ÊÓƵ® announces the return of Track Night in America.
From Washington to Florida, Massachusetts to California, a total of 25 circuits are scheduled to host Track Night in America events this year. The Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s innovative program will make first-ever visits in 2017 to Heartland Park Topeka in Kansas and Buttonwillow Raceway Park in Central California. Additionally, after a year’s hiatus, Track Night intends a return to Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park near Phoenix and Willow Springs International Raceway just outside of Los Angeles.
Other tracks on this year’s calendar include: Thunderhill Raceway Park in Willows, California; High Plains Raceway in Deer Trail, Colorado; Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park in Thompson, Connecticut; Palm Beach International Raceway in Jupiter, Florida; Georgia’s Atlanta Motorsports Park in Dawsonville and Roebling Road Raceway in Bloomingdale; Blackhawk Farms Raceway in South Beloit, Illinois; NOLA Motorsports Park in Avondale, Louisiana; Palmer Motorsports Park in Ware, Massachusetts; GingerMan Raceway in South Haven, Michigan; DCTC Driver Training Facility in Rosemount, Minnesota; New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville; Portland International Raceway in Oregon; Pennsylvania’s Pittsburgh International Race Complex in Wampum and Pocono Raceway in Long Pond; Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, South Carolina; Washington’s Pacific Raceways in Kent and The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton; Texas’ Harris Hill Raceway in San Marcos and Motorsports Ranch in Cresson, and Memphis International Raceway in Millington, Tennessee.
A schedule of events with specific dates for venues can be viewed at . The calendar is updated during the season, so check back for the latest information. March 1 is when registration is scheduled to officially open.
Track Night in America is a non-competitive, no-stress, entertaining, easy and inexpensive way for nearly anyone who loves cars or motorsports to get on a real racecourse in their own vehicle during weeknights. All that is required is that participants be at least 18 years old with a valid driver’s license and have access to a helmet and street car in good working condition.
The price in 2017 will again never be greater than $150 per event, and no previous on-track experience or Â鶹ÊÓƵ membership is required to join in the fun. Drivers participate in the Advanced, Intermediate or KONI Novice Experience group so on-track activities remain fun for all, and everyone gets three 20-minute sessions on course -- as well as feedback from Â鶹ÊÓƵ driver coaches on site. Admission is free for people who just want to stop by and watch the fun, and leisurely circuit parade laps are provided for all Track Night in America guests.
Track Night in 2016 saw participants claim more than 6,000 hours of on-track time. Of the people that participated, 42 percent were 35 years old or younger. Another 30 percent were between 36 and 50 years old, and 28 percent were above 51 years old. Nearly 38 percent of participants registered as “Novice” for racetrack activities, and 66 percent were not Â鶹ÊÓƵ members.
Matt Edmonds, Vice President of , believes Track Night in America provides a great pathway for the curious to follow as they explore their desire to become motorsports participants. “With guidance from many Â鶹ÊÓƵ members, these car owners can see what it’s like to become drivers and experience the rush that comes with time behind the wheel on some of our country’s great motorsports venues,” Edmonds said.
More information about Â鶹ÊÓƵ Track Night in America Driven by Tire Rack can be found at . Additional press releases can be found at the ; and FAQ, logo and photos located online at the .
Â鶹ÊÓƵ Â鶹ÊÓƵ Track Night in America:
Driven by Tire Rack, Â鶹ÊÓƵ Track Night in America is “The Fastest Way to Get on Track” for automotive enthusiasts. Launched in 2015, Track Night in America was developed by the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Experiential Programs Dept. as a way to make on-track experiences at race circuits more accessible to the general public. The Â鶹ÊÓƵ®, Inc., founded in 1944, is a 67,500-member motorsports organization that incorporates all facets of autocross, rally and road racing at both club and professional levels. With headquarters in Topeka, Kansas, the Â鶹ÊÓƵ annually sanctions over 2,000 events through its 116 Regions and subsidiary divisions. Much of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s activities are made possible with support from the following Official Partners: Chevrolet, the Official Truck of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ; Hawk Performance, the Official Brake Products of Â鶹ÊÓƵ; Mobil 1, the Official Oil of Â鶹ÊÓƵ; Sunoco, the Official Fuel of Â鶹ÊÓƵ; and Tire Rack, the Official Tire Retailer of Â鶹ÊÓƵ. To learn more, please visit .
Â鶹ÊÓƵ Tire Rack:
Tire Rack, family-owned and headquartered in South Bend, Indiana, is America’s largest independent tire tester and consumer-direct source for tires, wheels and performance accessories. Their team of over 100 test drivers (their sales team) tests tires from every major tire manufacturer on the company’s state-of-the-art, 11.7-acre test facility. The findings are then posted on the company’s website, , where consumers can make an educated decision on a tire, wheel or performance accessory purchase. Tire Rack has also collected results from nearly 150,000 consumer surveys representing over 2.5 billion miles of real-world tire data, the largest known cache of such information anywhere. In addition, various testing and informational videos are available online in their Video Center at . Since 1979, Tire Rack has grown from a single-point retail store in Indianapolis to encompass over 2.5 million square feet of space in nine distribution centers across the country. A diverse and broad in-stock inventory from 23 major tire and 62 wheel brands can be delivered anywhere in the country, most in one business day. A national network of over 7,500 independent Recommended Installers is available to assist customers with installation of their purchases.
Photo Credit: Daniel Cutrer