New Drag Strip to Central IL
 

Yea, I just heard this, freakin sweet news!

http://www.i39rpm.com/

check it out, they need to raise 25 million (estimated) and then we'll have our very own 1/4 mile dragstrip, racing oval, and roadcourse! I'm freakin excited now!



I-39
Raceway Park Minonk

R.P.M.

Minonk, Illinois at

I-39 EXIT 27 & Illinois Route 251
“HOME OF THE JUMBO”

FAQ’s

(Frequently Asked Questions)

* What are the proposed uses for the facility?
* ¼ mile National Event class IHRA Drag Strip with weekly racing series; a Road Course over 1.5 miles long; Asphalt oval track (approximately 0.4 miles long) with weekly racing series –
* Who will build our facility?
* Area contractors and sub-contractors utilizing union labor (in many cases).
* Why this location?
* Its location just off of I-39 makes it highly visible and accessible. It will be the only facility of its kind between Chicago and St. Louis. Over 6,500,000 vehicles per year will pass by the site, showcasing it and providing the Minonk, Central Illinois, and the Midwest area with a facility that has national media potential. The Minonk location could make this facility eligible for an IHRA National Racing Event!
* What is the typical size of a racing event?
* Some events will be as small as 250 persons.
* I have heard that the Economic Development is big issue for this project, what could this project do for Minonk and Woodford County?
* According to the IMPLAN economic model by Dr. Geoffrey Hewings, University of Illinois University, REAL Program, indicated approximately 80% of the economic benefit will go to the County in which the project is located. During construction it is expected that up to 164 jobs will be supported with an approximate 6 million dollar construction payroll.
* At a minimum level of facility participation we will create or support another 295 jobs and generate nearly 16 million dollars in revenue per year (2003 dollars).
* What will make this facility unique?
* Several things will make this site unique.
* The most obvious is the remains of the old deep shaft coal mine known as: JUMBO. We consider “JUMBO” to be a perfect advertising opportunity and identifying feature for the raceway. JUMBO’s preservation is highly important to us.
* Most importantly we will market our racing activities toward families.
* When will racing or other activities typically take place?
* Primarily there will be racing during the 40 warmest weeks of the year. Racing may take place during days or nights.
* How will emergency services and security be handled?
* EMT’s will be on-site during racing events or when testing or training is occurring. Security personnel will be in-place based on the size of the racing event.
* How will alcohol be controlled?
* Sales of alcohol will be in compliance with all State and City Laws and Ordinances.
* How are religious needs going to be met at this facility?
* It is our intent to allow the various faiths to serve and minister to those patrons wishing to participate.
* Will there be anything special for persons under the age of 18?
* There will be playground areas for younger kids. We may try to do such things as face painting, bicycle give-a-ways, Halloween parties, scavenger hunts, etc. Also planned is an arcade area with Video racing games and racing simulators.
* In addition there are opportunities for youth drag racing such as JR. dragster and may be similar opportunities for oval track racing on Run for Fun nights or go-kart nights.
* Where will the people come from?
* Generally we expect persons will easily travel up to 2 hours or 100 miles, maybe more. That totally depends on the specialty of the event. Road Course users are expected to travel up to 8 hours to a facility in order to participate.
* Why was location along I-39 so important to the site selection?
* Approximately 6.5 million vehicles per year pass by the site. Having easy access from an interchange (such as Route 251 and I-39) weighed heavily in site selection.
* What will be done to accommodate persons with special needs?
* Like any facility of this type, ADA is important both in serving the needs of our patrons and in the persons hired for any job.
* What type of media attention is typical?
* Some events gain national exposure and will showcase the track and the Central Illinois area. Various TV, Radio, Newspaper and Internet coverage is typical. Permanent or temporary Uplink facilities could be located at the track for event usage.
* Is there any special rental or lease areas?
* First, skyboxes are planned for both the Drag Strip and the Oval Track. The skyboxes may be rented or leased by Corporations, Businesses, Groups or Individuals.
* Second, an area will be set aside for motor-sports related businesses.
* Will any other usages be considered?
* Currently the Raceway is planning for an area to be set aside as an Emergency Helipad. We plan to allow area EMT services access to the site for use during emergencies.
* Will Community History and Community Identity be addressed?
* Area History is important to us. Our letterhead and business cards will contain the wording: “Home of the Jumbo.” In addition our business name will contain the name of the City: “I-39 Raceway Park Minonk.”
* How can schools or area groups benefit from a raceway?
* From time to time we will need extra help to make an event successful. If your organization is helping us with an event, in return we will write a donation check to your organization for the help we have received.

Randall (“Randy”) R. Hellyer, Developer

3197 Oak Run Drive

Dahinda, IL 61428

Phone & Fax: (309) 879-2316


It also looks like they're looking for vendor support. So if you own a business check em out.

Hmmm....I know someone who just might be interested in helping this along...ok well two including me. Thx for the heads-up.

That is cool; they have been trying to attract development to the I-39 corridor since it was built (most of it continues to be in the middle of nowhere). This will bring in a lot of visitors, restaurants, etc.

This will be a little farther for me than the Byron track, but it will be cool to go to anyway.

Wow im so there :nuts:

DO IT!:lol:

tim we need to jump on the vender deal

too far!!!!

Anyone know how far this is from St. Louis?

bout 2 and a half hours

2 and a half hours? how far is it from bloomington?

Only about 1-1/2 hrs from me. :D

US 41 is still closer though, and I'm used to that track.

We'll see if it even happens. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

sam...yes we do.

closest is like, 88 miles for me....

111 miles if i take interstate....


:-/

Oh well..i'll still be going. they will have road tracks for us to race on!!!

Probably less than 1/2 hour; its straight up I39.


Any news from this place yet? Did they start construction?

Its probly only about 1/2 hour from bloomington IF that even.

And the site dosen't look updated, but according to it the track has been Approved.

still good shit. id be interested in it.

dang that sounds freaking awesome almost make me want to drive there, i wish there was something a little closer to me maple grove is kinda long of a drive...

only an hour or so from me me!!!

chipmonk,

It'd be more like 2 hrs from you. You're further than I am.

Click on the link in my post above and that'll give you an idea.

i remember signing the petition of interest for this back in 2002... i took it to my ASEP class at I.C.C. and had all the guys in my classes with me sign it.

good to see SOME form of it still living on past "just a dream"
i hope it takes off... this things been on the drawing board too long!

Redfox i'm in ASEP right now at ICC :nuts:

its a good program, has roger donovan shown you pics of his kids go-karts yet ;-)

i didnt take it all the way thru, i'm probably steering a different direction with my career (im a tech guru, my focus is the electrical and computer aspects of things)- but i did manage to get Automotive Electronics under my belt. Basically all the knowledge i'd need of any custom wiring project (which, i have MANY different things that i've at least "Done" at one time or another, just to see if it would work). For performance, i've known enough to get me by for quite some time now. I liked turning wrenches at dennisons... just wasnt for me though....

So in a couple years once i have a nice job dressed up all prissy and driving a nice car, i can look someone strait in the eye and say "I did all the work on this car MYSELF... i didnt pay someone to do it for me." Thats about the level i wanted to take it ;-)

God, Roger brings his crappy go karts in and talks non stop about them

And every unit we go through theres one thing hes done that we all remember.

Dave however is the shit.

roger is the only 50+ year old man i know with the A.D.D. of a 2 year old....

he'd be talking about something, then all the sudden "Oh i gotta show you something relating to this..."

he'd run off, try to find it in his little office while we were all in the classroom, come back 15 minutes later "well i couldnt find it, but i found this SLINKY INSTEAD!!!!"

something stupid like that... it was a RIOT

how far for me from nw indiana??

Too cool, I am sure we will be there for some events.