|
Special from Berlin
Raceway
Berlin Raceway operating under a new management team for 2012
Marne,
MI (November 11, 2011) - Berlin Raceway’s 2012 season will have a
various number of changes starting with NEW MANAGEMENT! As previously
announced a group of investors led by Mr. Don Dewitt has purchased the
lease from previous owner / promoter Mike Blackmer. The new ownership
has recently begun assembling a new leadership team led by Mike
Bursley, Kurt Dietrich and Brian Dewitt who have been working hard in
establishing a new staff, new traditions and to continue the legacy of
Berlin Raceway.
Bursley,
28, of Holland, MI a former track champion at Berlin Raceway was the
former owner of Perfect Circle Racecars and is the current owner of
Brian Campbell’s Super Late model racing team, which will be following
the CRA Super Series schedule in 2012. Bursley purchased Perfect
Circle Racecars in 2007 from the family of the late founder, Lee
Anderson. The company has recently merged with Port City Racecars of
Muskegon, MI.
“Our goal
is continue the legacy of Berlin Raceway that was built by Chet
Mysliwiec and his family. We have one of the premier short track
facilities in the nation and our job is to bring it back to where it
once was”, stated Bursley.
Dietrich,
33, of Grand Rapids is the owner of Speed Media a vehicle graphics and
wrap company with deep roots in the motorsports industry. He is also a
former member of Tim Steele’s racing team and has worked with drivers,
Lee Anderson and Chris Anthony.
“What we
look forward to doing is bringing Berlin Raceway back to a family fun
entertainment venue. We are looking to build on the many improvements
put into place by previous management and we have our work cut out as
far as promoting the events and bringing not only the old fans out but
attracting new as well, added Dietrich.
Dewitt, 42,
who was on the previous Berlin staff will continue to manage the
facilities of the raceway and maintain the integrity of one of the
most outstanding short tracks in the USA.
One of the
new traditions that we have started is beginning the season a week
earlier with a later afternoon race called “ The Ice Breaker 100”
which will be held on April 14th. Other featured schedule events are
the Rowdy 251, featuring NASCAR star Kyle Busch as well as the ARCA
presented by Menards Racing Series on August 11 . The new management
will also bring back the ISMA modifieds and a huge end of the year
event called “The Chet” Championship Weekend September 6-8.
Other
notable changes will be within the Sportsman and Super Stock
divisions. The Sportsman division, formerly Pro Stocks will undertake
some changes to make it more of an entry level cost effective solution
for racers looking to get in on the ground level. The Super Stock
division will be looking to get a jumpstart on a mandatory 2013 rule
change featuring the muscle car Chevy Camaro and Ford Mustang bodies.
Any team looking to make the change early is eligible for certain
benefits in both purchasing and rule wise.
The new
website has been launched and features a tentative 2012 racing
schedule as well as rules for all divisions except for the 4
cylinders, which will be making some small changes.
For more
information and any questions please call the Berlin Raceway office at
616.662.2051 and keep checking for updates at
www.berlinraceway.com |
