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Kopellah Speedway Update

St. Croix Falls, WI, (4-2-11)
by: Greg Parent, UMSS Media Director

With a very successful first meeting held on March 19, the potential new ownership and management group wanted me to provide racers and fans with another update regarding the status of Kopellah Speedway. The last hurdle to clear before the sales contract can be signed is waiting for final approval from Polk County regarding the necessary zoning changes that have been made. Part of the new management and promotional team, Ron Bernhagen, indicated that the projected timetable for approval will be either the second or third week in April. Once approval has been granted, the signing of the sales contract between the new and old owners can take place. Although the process has moved along slower than most racers and fans would have liked to see, it has moved forward in a positive manner. "When dealing with governments, it just takes time to accomplish the necessary steps," stated Ron Bernhagen. "We have been busy making plans and laying the groundwork for the upcoming racing season," continued Bernhagen.

In addition to the planning process that has been underway for the past several months, one of the first tasks facing the new owners will be track improvements and the purchase of various pieces of equipment. None of the existing equipment is part of the sale, so the new owners will need to purchase track maintenance and concession equipment. In order to meet insurance requirements and to provide safety for drivers and fans alike, the safety fencing and concrete walls will need upgrading. Work on the track surface will get underway with improvements in drainage an early priority. Electrical and lighting upgrades are also necessary. As one can see, a large amount of work needs to take place before the track can open up for racing action during the 2011 season. With that thought in mind, the planned opening really cannot take place until mid May. The track will continue to run on Friday nights with a few Saturday specials planned.

The weekly classes on the regular racing program will include Pro Stocks (aka Super Stocks), Pro Modifieds (aka Midwest Mods or B-mods), pure stocks, hornets, UMSS Traditional (non-winged) Sprints, and UMSS Micro Sprints. The hornets and pure stocks will utilize track rules in place from last season. The Pro Stocks and Pro Mods will be unsanctioned in 2011, and will utilize Cedar Lake Speedway rules. The Traditional Sprints and Micro Sprints will use UMSS rules. "The decision not to sanction the pro stocks and pro mods in 2011 is purely financial in nature. In our first year, we need to re-establish the track and racing program. In future years, those divisions and possibly others may indeed end up being sanctioned, but not this year. There will be no license fee and no car entry fee. You come and pay for a pit pass and go racing in your division," stated Bernhagen. Once the sales contract is signed, further details on the weekly purse in each division will be released.

The projected opening day is scheduled for Saturday afternoon May 14. There will be a practice session beginning at 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with racing to follow. The pro stocks and pro mods will not be part of the racing program that evening in order not to conflict with other area race tracks. All cars are welcome to come and practice. The first full Friday night racing program is slated to get underway on May 20. Many racers and fans have asked why the late start in 2011. For reasons indicated earlier, the new group just simply will not have the necessary items in place to start any earlier. In the future, the plan is to get the season underway in late April. The new group has a very diverse and interesting schedule planned for 2011 including a couple of enduros. Details on some of the promotions were revealed at the March 19 meeting, and further details regarding the schedule and several other promotional events to be held in 2011 will be released as soon as the final sale is completed.

A new track website will be launched once the sale has taken place. The plan is to rename the track St. Croix Valley Speedway. Planned changes in the food concession program and restroom facilities are underway. In future years, a new concession and restroom building is planned in the turn one area with the thought of serving both the stands and pit area. Improvements in seating will also be made with plans in place to build a new grandstand, VIP area, and announcing/scoring booth. Several of the planned upgrades will take place in years 2-3, as the early track upgrades discussed above are necessary priority items in year #1.

One more informational meeting will take place some time in April following the official sale of the track. It will be held at Loggers Bar & Grill again. A recap of some of the first meeting items will take place along with further details regarding the schedule, weekly purse, and planned upgrades to the track and facility. Details on the second informational meeting will be released soon. The new ownership and management group wants to thank racers and fans for their support and continued patience regarding the entire sales process involving Kopellah Speedway. The final sale is very near now and a tremendous amount of work needs to take place in the upcoming weeks before the sights and sounds of racing once again emanate from, as track announcer Terry Lehnertz would say, St. Croix's Secret. Many positive developments and upgrades are planned to take place at this western Wisconsin 1/4 mile dirt oval. Soon it will no longer be a "secret" to many in the racing community, as the new group works to gain the support of racers and fans, and continue the Friday night tradition of racing at Centuria, St. Croix, Kopellah and ultimately St. Croix Valley Speedway!

For further information or to relay comments, suggestions or ideas, please contact Ron Bernhagen at 612-363-5302.