Check it out. Oh and they are hiring.
Deenen Baxter is the go-to person at historic Milan Dragway, built in 1963 in rural Milan. As track vice president, she coordinates events, marketing and advertising efforts, hiring of employees and making sure the right number of hot dogs are available to fans on race weekend.
This week, Milan Dragway announced it had rejoined the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) after losing its International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) event this year. So what does it all mean to drag racing enthusiasts? We caught up with Baxter at Milan as she and staff prepare for the season-opener, April 4-5.
Question: Why the membership change?
Answer: Joining the NHRA track network offers us more programs and events to participate in. For example, Milan racers will now be able to compete in the NHRA North Central Division Summit Racing Series, which culminates with the Summit Series Finals at O'Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis Sept. 18-20. All around, the switch will be positive for fans, sponsors and drivers. We'll have more racing and more developmental programs.
Q: Could the new relationship with the NHRA lead down the road to a national NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series date at Milan?
A: The moon and the stars would have to align first and the economy recover in Michigan, but we'd be open to any offers.
Q: The start of the season is just around the corner. You ready to go racing?
A: We're very excited. It's been a long, hard winter. We're ready to shake off the cobwebs. Folks are eager to hit the strip. We've been busy putting the final touches in place here. I think we have a great package for our patrons.
Q: Such as?
A: For starters, we're featuring a Friday night "Young Guns" series for drivers aged 16-20. Kids can race in their own class and level. It's also aimed at getting the young people off the streets and encouraging them to race their cars at a supervised facility. We'll also feature our "Heads Up" series on Fridays and NAPA Auto Parts E.T. Series on Sundays though November.
Q: What about ticket prices this season considering the state of the economy?
A: I think we raised admission to one event by $3, but we've attempted to keep prices close to what they were in 2008. People have got to have some fun -- get their minds off the hard times -- and we're trying to offer them that at the right price at Milan.
Q: Your Web site says you are hiring right now. Who and when?
A: Yes, we're taking job applications in person. We're looking for EMTs, race help, ticket sellers, announcers, maintenance workers and food handlers. People can apply on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. We're located at 10860 Plank Road in Milan. The track's phone number is 734-439-7368, and anyone interested can visit the Milan Dragway Web site at www.milandragway.com.
http://freep.com/article/20090327/S...orts/Milan+s+switch+good+for+fans+and+drivers
Deenen Baxter is the go-to person at historic Milan Dragway, built in 1963 in rural Milan. As track vice president, she coordinates events, marketing and advertising efforts, hiring of employees and making sure the right number of hot dogs are available to fans on race weekend.
This week, Milan Dragway announced it had rejoined the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) after losing its International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) event this year. So what does it all mean to drag racing enthusiasts? We caught up with Baxter at Milan as she and staff prepare for the season-opener, April 4-5.
Question: Why the membership change?
Answer: Joining the NHRA track network offers us more programs and events to participate in. For example, Milan racers will now be able to compete in the NHRA North Central Division Summit Racing Series, which culminates with the Summit Series Finals at O'Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis Sept. 18-20. All around, the switch will be positive for fans, sponsors and drivers. We'll have more racing and more developmental programs.
Q: Could the new relationship with the NHRA lead down the road to a national NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series date at Milan?
A: The moon and the stars would have to align first and the economy recover in Michigan, but we'd be open to any offers.
Q: The start of the season is just around the corner. You ready to go racing?
A: We're very excited. It's been a long, hard winter. We're ready to shake off the cobwebs. Folks are eager to hit the strip. We've been busy putting the final touches in place here. I think we have a great package for our patrons.
Q: Such as?
A: For starters, we're featuring a Friday night "Young Guns" series for drivers aged 16-20. Kids can race in their own class and level. It's also aimed at getting the young people off the streets and encouraging them to race their cars at a supervised facility. We'll also feature our "Heads Up" series on Fridays and NAPA Auto Parts E.T. Series on Sundays though November.
Q: What about ticket prices this season considering the state of the economy?
A: I think we raised admission to one event by $3, but we've attempted to keep prices close to what they were in 2008. People have got to have some fun -- get their minds off the hard times -- and we're trying to offer them that at the right price at Milan.
Q: Your Web site says you are hiring right now. Who and when?
A: Yes, we're taking job applications in person. We're looking for EMTs, race help, ticket sellers, announcers, maintenance workers and food handlers. People can apply on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. We're located at 10860 Plank Road in Milan. The track's phone number is 734-439-7368, and anyone interested can visit the Milan Dragway Web site at www.milandragway.com.
http://freep.com/article/20090327/S...orts/Milan+s+switch+good+for+fans+and+drivers
