HISTORY & MISSION
Midwest Racing isn’t a flash in the pan group or club. Founding member and President John began piecing together the foundation to base a new club on back in 1999. After working out the structure of the club, he and Maggie (one of several charter members) began distributing flyers looking for people who would like to be members. The original foundation of the club was American branded V6 powered vehicles. The club officially began in March of 2000 as Midwest V6 Racing. The first meeting was held and the membership started. Several of these charter members are still part of the club today. Lifers as we would call them.
The club made a good, strong start. It wasn’t long after that, we noticed an interest from fellow American branded owners of the four cylinder persuasion. Decisions within the club are done by membership voting. We always say the club is for the members. Therefore decisions are decided by what the majority desires. The vote was cast and the decision made. Four cylinder owners were welcomed in and the name lost the V6 to simply become Midwest Racing, as it stands today.
It was not too long after that point we began to wonder if we should allow V8 vehicles into the club. After all we started out as a club for the smaller displacement engines. We were hearing of some potential interest from owners of V8 vehicles. The decision was made that once one of the current members takes ownership of a V8 powered vehicle that we would officially welcome them. As fate would have it John would be the first. Blowing up the V6 in his Dodge Dakota, driving down his street going to work no less, he decided it was time for V8 power to become part of the club and replaced his blown V6 with a built small block Mopar V8.
So what is Midwest Racing really all about? It is about more than just the vehicles. It is very much about the people along with the vehicles they drive and love. It is a club for any American branded vehicle, not just cars. Any displacement or number of cylinders. You need not have the fastest or most tricked out vehicle on the block. The vehicle need only be reasonably presentable, have a true desire to participate in club activities and a love of the automotive hobby.
We welcome all who want to become part of our family. From the young guy starting out with a basic four cylinder vehicle to the modern fuel injected Camaro, Challenger and Mustang to the Muscle Cars of years past or the person who digs trucks and SUV’s. So if you own an American branded vehicle, are at least 19 years of age and love the hobby, you qualify.
Who are we and what do we do? We are like family. We stick together. We travel in groups and NEVER leave anyone stranded or broken down by the side of the road should a problem arise. We will stay with a member till help arrives or if possible at the time help to overcome the issue at hand. That is what family does. And we are family orientated doing things that the entire family can enjoy. Car shows, LEGAL drag racing and cruise nights to name a few.
So why join a club that is only for one model of vehicle? Or even just one brand? See so much more. Experience so much more! Learn so much more about the automotive hobby then just the particular brand or model you own. Our members find this exciting as you can experience so many different things! To be a part of this as mentioned before you need only a reasonably presentable American branded vehicle, be at least 19 (some events require a person to be of legal consenting age to participate) and willing to be a part of 1-2 events per month.
We race once a month from Spring to Fall at Byron Dragway. No one is required to race their vehicle though we really appreciate everyone coming out to support those that do. If racing your vehicle does need to pass a reasonable tech inspection. We race to earn points in competition which is for trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place at the end of the season along with the years’ best reaction time. We race a member designed formula we call a “Heads up Bracket style”. We have a reasonable amount of break out that is allowed so members are not penalized if their vehicle happens to make a little better run than usual. This keeps the racing fair for all and means EVERYONE has a chance to win, not just the person with the biggest, baddest engine . Just one of the many things that makes this such a great club to be a part of.
We do have a reasonable monthly dues amount that adds up to what most collect in change in a month. With these dues the club treasury pays for the mentioned trophies along with some other great, fun events. Some of which include 4 days of site rental for the camping trip to the Dells and an End of Season party when racing is over with pizza and drinks. Also the club has its annual Christmas party with provided food and three hours of open bar. Members definitely get their money’s worth from their small investment in the club.
Outside of these paid events we have many other optional events we look forward to as a group. Usually these are reasonable priced events or even extremely inexpensive outings. We don’t hibernate like bears in the winter. While we generally can’t enjoy our vehicles during the winter months we still are active with meetings and things like a Christmas Lights zoo trip or maybe a local area ski trip just to name a couple of things. Events change from time to time as the members vote on new ideas to try. Like we said it’s more than just about the vehicles!
We are all about the same thing in Midwest Racing. We all put time, effort and a lot of TLC into our vehicles. It is about the people and enjoying the automotive world together in ANY American branded vehicles under one banner. Stop by one of our monthly meeting and see what all the excitement is about. Maybe you will decide to join in on it. We look forward to meeting all of you out there in the automotive world.
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