NEW OWNERSHIP, NEW ASA AFFILIATION, AND NEW ENTHUSIASM RE-ENERGIZING HARTFORD MOTOR SPEEDWAY

For Immediate Release

 American Speed Association PR

 

NEW OWNERSHIP, NEW ASA AFFILIATION, AND NEW ENTHUSIASM RE-ENERGIZING
HARTFORD MOTOR SPEEDWAY

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 7, 2008) - Jim Borden is a long-time racer. In
fact, for more than three decades he has been prowling the Midwest Late
Model circuit on both dirt and pavement and running pavement Late Models in
Florida during the 90's. And for much of that time he called Hartford
(Mich.) Motor Speedway his home track as he lived in Bangor, a city not too
far away.

 

Concerned about the strong possibility that Hartford Motor Speedway (HMS)
was in jeopardy of closing its gates, Borden decided to take the matter into
his own hands; earlier this year he acquired ownership of the facility.

 

"Hartford was sort of like an old high school sweetheart, or a first car, to
Jim. It really holds a very special place in his heart. When he saw what had
been going on recently at the racetrack, and heard the rumors that it could
be closed down, he became concerned for the future and decided to do
whatever it took to make sure the racetrack would still be there for a long
time to come," explained Rob Goodman, HMS promoter.

 

Listed as a half-mile clay oval, but according to Goodman is really closer
to a 5/8-mile racetrack, HMS has had a long and unique history. First built
as a dirt track, it was paved in the 1970s (when ASA legend Bob Senneker
acted as the track promoter for a period). It then reverted back to a dirt
track in the 1980s, and even lay dormant for more than a decade.

 

Goodman says that the newest challenge is to re-establish HMS as a Friday
night show, and to that degree has already scheduled a number of fun events
through the season, such as "Bald is Beautiful Night" (free admission to
anyone with a shaved head), "Motorcycle Night" (free admission to anyone on
a motorcycle), "Community Hero Night" (local police, fire and EMT's receive
free admission), and "Kids in Uniform Night" (children in any type of
uniform receive a free soda and hot dog).

 

"You need to become pretty aggressive with your marketing program as a
promoter these days if you want to get people to come in and, more
importantly, to keep coming back," Goodman said. "We need to offer them a
lot of entertainment and a lot of activities. Most tracks might be happy
drawing 600 to 800 people per show, but we have 6500 seats and it looks
pretty empty if that is all who show up. We want to do everything we can to
try and fill every one of those seats every time the gates open. I think
that we have come up with a fun schedule that will combine racing and
entertainment."

 

The 2008 season begins on May 2 and runs through October 25. Local residents
will appreciate the fact that the new ownership has reduced the price of
admission to most events by $3, and should see the program moving along
faster than in year's past.

 

"Fans will see that I come from the school of speedy time," said Goodman. "I
like to run an efficient show so that people can come in, have a great time,
and then head home at a reasonable hour. That makes a big difference,
especially to families that bring their kids out to the racetrack."

 

The regular program features UMP Late Models, UMP Modifieds, UMP Factory
Stock and UMP Pure Stock. The HMS schedule, rules, point standings, news,
and a lot more information can be found online at
www.HartfordMotorSpeedway.net <http://www.hartfordmotorspeedway.net/> . Fans
will also notice several facility improvements including a major cleanup on
the grounds, a bathroom remodeling, fresh paint, and other things which will
help to reinforce that there is new ownership and his commitment to Hartford
Motor Speedway.

 

HMS has also joined as a Level II participant in the ASA Member Track
program this year.

 

"One of the reasons that the American Speed Association was appealing is
that we feel it can help us to build up our name and reputation. We want
people to know about Hartford - where the racetrack is and what we do. It's
amazing, but we have (drivers) only a couple of hours away that are not
familiar with our track," Goodman noted.

 

"What we want to do is first become a very strong regional racetrack. It
will take baby steps, but we are already starting to take them. Ultimately,
we are working towards becoming one of the finest tracks in the Midwest and
finally to be recognized as one of the best in the country. The ASA Member
Track program will certainly help us to build up our brand identity,
especially in Michigan where so many people know about the heritage of ASA
and short track racing."

 

"I need to commend Jim for taking the initiative to step up and save
Hartford Motor Speedway," said Dennis Huth, president of Racing Speed
Associates which owns the American Speed Association. "It would have been
very easy to say 'well, I had a lot of fun racing there but I guess it's
over now.' Instead, he stepped up when the community needed it and he has
really put his heart into resurrecting this great facility."

 

Huth continued, adding, "Rob is going to be very successful as a promoter
there. He understands that it takes more than just putting cars on a track
in today's environment. Fans want to see a well-run program that starts and
ends on time. They expect to be entertained the entire time they are on the
property, and they demand seemingly simple things like clean restrooms and
decent concessions. I am constantly amazed at how many short tracks simply
fail at these basics, but Jim and Rob both get it and will see their stands
full as a result of their efforts. I am looking forward to working with them
both and helping them to achieve their goal of making Hartford Motor
Speedway not only one of the best short tracks in the American Speed
Association, but anywhere in the United States."

 

To learn more of the Daytona Beach, Fla.-based ASA Racing Member Track
program, call (386) 258-2221 or send an e-mail to info@asa-racing.com. For
news and information from all the racetracks and regional tours involved in
the ASA, visit www.ASA-Racing.com <http://www.asa-racing.com/> . 

 

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For more information, contact:

American Speed Association

(386) 258-2221

info@asa-racing.com