BLAIR PROMOTED TO VP AT VEGAS
Chris Blair, who has served as senior director of drag-racing and dirt-track operations at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the past five years, has been promoted to vice president of racing operations. In his new role, Blair will oversee the operation of the Bullring and will continue his management of The Strip and the half-mile dirt track.
“Chris has done an outstanding job in helping make The Strip the premier drag-racing facility in the country,” said Chris Powell, LVMS general manager. “In his five-plus years here, he has developed our Midnight Mayhem program, brought world-class drifting to the speedway and made the dragstrip a favorite among race fans and competitors. And we’re confident that Chris’s efforts will be equally effective at the Bullring.”
Blair, a graduate of the University of Kentucky, came to LVMS in August of 2001 after spending four years as the Northwest Division Director for the National Hot Rod Association. Blair also has worked as a director of business development for Clear Channel Motorsports and began his career in the industry as a sportswriter in his native Kentucky. [1-4-2007]
ORLANDO GETS NEW GUARDS
New concrete guard walls are being installed at Florida's Orlando Speed World Dragway and will be finished in time for the 2007 season opening Wednesday Night Street Drags on Jan. 10. Orlando Speed World Dragway is operated by Speed World Motorsports, Inc.
Track manager Randy Weisinger said, "The concrete guard wall project is something we've wanted to do for a long time. A spectacular crash by Toronto, Canada's Eddie Timal saw his car literally launch over the old guard rail and land uncomfortably close to fencing lined by people. Fortunately no one was injured, but this incident served to put an exclamation point on the need for the guard walls for increased protection of participants and fans. We only lease this facility and the financial expense for a modest track like ours is staggering. But I suggest it is urgent that every drag strip install concrete walls
immediately."
Insurance underwriting guidelines call for a minimum of double strand metal highway barrier 24 inches high through the competition area on both sides and all the way through the shut down area on the return road side. The new concrete guard walls being installed in Orlando by Columbus, Ohio-based Slip-Tek, Inc. exceed the minimums by quite a bit.
"We've decided on 30-inch high concrete barriers extending from the burnout boxes all the way through the shutdown area on both sides of the track with only one turn off to the return road before the end and that will be over 1,000 feet past the finish line." Additionally, although not required, there will be some type of impact absorbing system at the turn off. [1-4-2007]
MONTGOMERY CLOSED DURING JAN. TO READY TRACK FOR ADRL SEASON-OPENER
Montgomery (AL) Motorsports Park will be closed during the month of January for a major track grooming effort. Coming up in February, the Flowmaster American Drag Racing League makes its first appearance at MMP with a Test and Tune Session Feb. 3-4 in advance of the ADRL 2007 season opener, the SpeedTech Winter Drags Feb. 16-18. [1-4-2007]
