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View Full Version : Washtenaw RC Raceway: how all tracks should be!


PeterV
01-04-2007, 04:22 PM
http://209.2.68.15:8011/pics/wash1.jpg

http://209.2.68.15:8011/pics/wash2.jpg

http://209.2.68.15:8011/pics/wash3.jpg

Track operator Dan Burnham sent this for our "Track Watch" section (it's part of the "Racers' Edge" department), and I wanted to share it with you. If the track atmosphere is even half as upbeat as Dan, then it's gotta be a great place to race!

Want to see your local track in RCCA? Have the operator send pics to jasons@airage.com --Pete

Washtenaw RC Raceway started with humble beginings 7 years ago... but has exploded in the last 4 years to become one of the biggest Electric Indoor Dirt races in the country.

Last season we averaged 170 entires with a high of 198. This season at our first race, we broke our record with 200 entries.
Since then, on December 30th we set yet another record with 221 entries with 28 heats of racing!!

We average 3 heats of Novice.
There is fierce competition in a MINI Open class.
5 heats of stock truck is the average
4 heats of MOD truck
3 heats on average of Stock and MOD buggy.

4 Wheel Drive Open is huge here. Washtenaw is the home track of the RC Product Designs TC3 "O". we average 3 heats and it continues grow and to draw some of the best Off Road racers.

We also have a VERY competitive Monster truck class. With the top dawgs in Monster truck running fast enough to win most of the other classes except 4 Wheel MOD and 2 Wheel MOD. The lastest craze in Monster truck is E-Revo's with at least 7 of them competing weekly. Only a couple of aftermarket chassis in the group. MOST are converted Revos with Emaxx gearboxes in them. Stock Titan Motors and 12 sub C cells.

Another exciting class that is growing quickly is 1/8th scale electric. Most are running brushless motors and Lipo's. All cars are prototypes and very inovative. Currently there are 7 cars in the class but I expect that to grow even more by the end of the season. These cars have been radar gunned down the back straight at 40 mph!!!

Located in a rented building in Ann Arbor Michigan at the Washtenaw Country Farm Counsil Grounds, It operates Mid November thru the first two weekends in March, every other Saturday. Building size is 200ftX 70FT.
Track size is about 100Ft X 50 ft with the traditional LONG back straight always in place. The track gets a simple mid season change half way thru the 10 race season. We run a 8 race point series with 2 drops. AMB timing. Electricity provided. Hobby shop support by Riders Hobby in Ypsilanti, MI. Hot food on site. Doors open at 8 am. Registration closes at 9:30 and and racing starts at about 10 am. Needless to say... it goes long into the night and next morning!!! The cool thing about it is that after we are done... sometimes as late as 2 am with 200+ entries, people go out and run for fun!!! I Usually have to chase them from the building!!!

The track is run by me, Dan Burnham of RC Product Designs. I take on all the organizational responsibilities... but the real secret to sucess is all the racers who love this hobby. The track is built and maintained by volunteers. We get in the building one week before racing begins. The track us usually ready to race on in two or three days. We have track repair and Maintenance on the Mondays preceeding the race weekend. I usually have between 15 and 20 who show up to help. Other than that, the building is closed.

Racing at Washtenaw is definitely a family affair. We work hard to maintain a clean wholesome enviorment where parents are comfortable dropping their young teens off for a day of great racing. BUT... the majoirty of families race together. Our most senior racer is over 70 years old and can often be found in heated competition with his granddaughter in stock truck or MOD truck. His son... and her Dad is one of our top racers in Stock truck and MOD truck.

Our youngest racers are by no means the LEAST experienced racers. We have one young man, 9 years old that is an A Main Top Driver who recently held track record. Another up and coming 9 year old had been dominatiing the Novice class and she will soon move up to her appropriate class.

The most satisfying thing about this is watching racers grow...... Over the years racers have come and gone, and some have grown into responsible young adults right before my eyes. They are off to college, careers ect.. but they still come back and race with us when they can. I also get to watch racers grow in another way. From Bright eyed and excited novices, I have had the pleasure of watching many learn and embrace the hobby with great enthusiasm and become our regular attenders and supporters as their set up skills and driving skills increase.

During these years I have met many new friends and I hope to continue to work hard to help Washtenaw RC Raceway continue to be sucessful for years to come.

It would be great if you could come out and race with us!!!

Thanks
Dan Burnham

suckfish
01-04-2007, 04:42 PM
Pete, I would have to agree the track and facility would be a Awesome place to race..

4DMNYC
01-04-2007, 04:42 PM
Oh my. It certainly looks like a great facility.

balang_479
01-04-2007, 04:57 PM
wow... i would only dream of a place like that... we just have dirt tracks in the middle of fields here...amazing, wish it were nitro too.

hijacker
01-04-2007, 07:04 PM
I used to race there all the time even though it is an almost 100 mile drive one way. It was really great when there wasn't so many entries. But now that they have 200+ entries every weekend, it just takes too long! If you race only 1 class you are there for 16+ hours to run 4 races! We always ran 2 or more classes, but still getting done at 1am and then driving an hour and a half home just didn't cut it.

But I do have to say, that Dan and his loyal band keep the track in tip top shape and move the heats and rounds along as fast as they possibly can. They run a first rate program for sure. It's just too far away for us!

DJ1978
01-05-2007, 07:46 AM
Thanks Pete for posting the pics and my comments. It is VERY exciting to be able to make it possible for the rest of the world to see what we have worked hard to build and maintain in Michigan.

For racers in other parts of the country who like what they see.... It takes some financial investment and a lot of dedication of your energy and time for the LONG term. This is not something you want to get into if you are going to do it for one season or two.... It takes a LOT of time and energy.... but it is worth it. MOST counties have fairgrounds. MOST have off seasons where buildings may be available. If you have any questions as to what might be involved to get started in your area, Please feel free to email me and we can discuss it.

For any long distance travelers like Hijacker. There is overnight camping available at the fairgrounds if you have a vehicle or trailer. You can contact me to help make the arrangements.

Dan Burnham

tommckay
01-05-2007, 08:39 AM
Winter camping.... Have a good heated unit! Tent's are not the best idea... :roll2:

Hello! I'm one of the regulars at Washtenaw, I'm in the 2nd pic sitting at the computer calling races. I do that part time to help out, makes for a REAL long day for 1 guy to do.

I drive 1 hour each way for every race, wouldn't miss it! Thanks to Dan & his hard work we have a nice facility to use to pay homage to our RC addiction. My Son's and I have been going to Washtenaw regularly since it started 7 years ago, I've been racing RC's since 1994 & got my sons into it as a father/son activity. Washtenaw sure caters to the Family atmosphere. My son's are now grown (25 & 22) but still love the R/C hobby! My youngest still lives at home and races with me at Washtenaw regularly (except now he beats me all the time!), and my oldest moved away persuing his carrer in Maryland. But he still makes time to come home and race with us at Washtenaw at least once a year, something he looks forward to.

It says alot of the atmosphere and quality of racing at Washtenaw, if you're ever in the area on a race day please drop by..... Better yet, come race with us!

There has been alot of discussion of the long race days at Washtenaw, but most racers come prepared for it. Wander thru the pits and you'll find Crock pots with great smelling food cooking, X-Boxes, PS2s, Satellite TVs, playing cards, lots of used stuff for sale, and great people to talk to.

PeterV
01-05-2007, 09:41 AM
As impressive as the track facility is, what really makes me want to race there is the atmosphere Dan describes. I'll take an ok track with a friendly atmosphere over a terrific track with a bad vibe any day of the week! This is one of those tracks that seems to have BOTH: a great track and a great atmosphere.

hijacker
01-05-2007, 09:55 PM
Even though I haven't been there in 2 years, I remember it as a great place to race, a great track and very expertly run.

ashxxxnt
01-06-2007, 12:59 AM
what are the dates for the races i think im going to come up when i get my car back from the shop <deer>. also what kind of tires for truck and buggy work up there il be comming from around the fort wayne area maybe il get a group togther. place sounds like fun also is there a web site

Eli the rc guy
01-06-2007, 02:08 AM
Daaammmm!!! Im jelouse.. If we only had that kind of track here in Vancouver..

DJ1978
01-07-2007, 04:36 PM
what are the dates for the races i think im going to come up when i get my car back from the shop <deer>. also what kind of tires for truck and buggy work up there il be comming from around the fort wayne area maybe il get a group togther. place sounds like fun also is there a web site

Check out www.rcproductdesigns.com
There is a link to the Washtenaw information there as well as the discussion forum.
The flyer and schedule is on the site.
Next race is January 20th.
Dan

DJ1978
01-08-2007, 08:58 AM
194 entries!!! 24 heats of racing. A lot of regulars were missing in preparation for the race in Columbus this weekend.
We continue to see new faces and a lot of people just coming to the track as spectators to check it out!!

NotWalkinBlind
01-08-2007, 10:26 AM
PeterV, what method or browser do you use when you post pix here?

All I ever see are "white boxes with red X's."

NotWalkinBlind
01-09-2007, 11:16 AM
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^bump^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

(still trying to get my question answered)

DJ1978
01-12-2007, 10:10 AM
NeXt race is January 20th.
Come and join the fun!!

Track will be changed on Monday January 15th
All help is appreciated.
10 am until??
Thanks
Dan

DJ1978
01-22-2007, 09:14 AM
Great racing on Saturday with 213 entries.
3 races left in the point series and then the Run for Fun race!!
Come and join the fun!
Next race is February 3rd.
Dan

Buff
01-30-2007, 08:41 PM
HOLY s***!!!! What a track! I've never been here, but I will DEFINITELY be planning on it soon. I'm from Muncie, IN and have been talking to Jon Barron and he sent me the link to this track. I am majorly impressed....this track reminds me of the days at CRCRC in Columbus and when Planet here in Indy used to get 100-150 per week.

I can guarantee you we'll be making the trip soon. Keep thriving!

Chad Buffalo
aka Buff

Kuldeep
01-30-2007, 09:23 PM
Nice Track and pit area!!

Loving the Ketchup Bottle in the bottom right hand corner, 2nd pic down lmao.

Quinton
01-30-2007, 11:42 PM
So you set the winter track up in the Fairgrounds building? Do they charge you rent for this? If so, it sounds like a good idea.

DJ1978
01-31-2007, 07:21 AM
HOLY s***!!!! What a track! I've never been here, but I will DEFINITELY be planning on it soon. I'm from Muncie, IN and have been talking to Jon Barron and he sent me the link to this track. I am majorly impressed....this track reminds me of the days at CRCRC in Columbus and when Planet here in Indy used to get 100-150 per week.

I can guarantee you we'll be making the trip soon. Keep thriving!

Chad Buffalo
aka Buff

Four races left in the season.
This Saturday.
Feb 17th
March 3rd
March 10th.

If you are traveling you can camp at the fairgrounds if you have a trailer or RV. $15 a night with electric hook up. Contact me for more info.
Hope to see you there.
Dan

DJ1978
01-31-2007, 07:24 AM
So you set the winter track up in the Fairgrounds building? Do they charge you rent for this? If so, it sounds like a good idea.

We have rented buildings at the fairgrounds November thru March for 7 years.

Quinton
01-31-2007, 10:18 AM
Hmm, how much do they charge you per month? Then how much do you charge each racer to cover this? Might have to look into doing something like this.

DJ1978
01-31-2007, 10:25 AM
Quinton,
I sent you a pm.
Dan

Quinton
01-31-2007, 01:31 PM
PM box emptied ;)

DJ1978
02-15-2007, 02:43 PM
Come and join the fun!!!

NotWalkinBlind
02-15-2007, 03:52 PM
PeterV, what method or browser do you use when you post pix here?

All I ever see are "white boxes with red X's."

MrCrash
02-15-2007, 10:31 PM
That sure is a nice track! Is that by any chance the place everyone calls "The Barn"?

DJ1978
02-16-2007, 07:11 AM
That sure is a nice track! Is that by any chance the place everyone calls "The Barn"?

That is the place!!! The Building is 200 X 70. With 4 additional side rooms for pitting also.
Come out and Join the FUN!!!
Dan

Ghostface Buggy
02-16-2007, 12:58 PM
That is the place!!! The Building is 200 X 70. With 4 additional side rooms for pitting also.
Come out and Join the FUN!!!
Dan

With as much of a crowd as this track draws, I'd think that you would have already found a year-round spot for a track. Do you not want to possibly mess up a good thing? (I could understand that).

tommckay
02-16-2007, 03:11 PM
With as much of a crowd as this track draws, I'd think that you would have already found a year-round spot for a track. Do you not want to possibly mess up a good thing? (I could understand that).
Kinda..... The building is only available for the months we race, there are many other options of places to go in the summer, And racers seem to be happy with the every-other-week schedule.

BlutoSigPi
02-24-2007, 08:47 PM
After Freedom Hill closed down years ago, it hasn't been the same. This seems awesome...I wish I had known about this track earlier! I'll for sure come out next year. How "OPEN" is the Mini class? Do you include half 8's or is it detta's only? I'm totally in for running a couple classes next year. :cool:

Linkster
02-24-2007, 10:38 PM
Yup... Half8's are alowed!
When I was there they seemed to outnumber the other Mini's. lol

DJ1978
03-05-2007, 07:16 AM
The last race of the season is next Saturday, March 10th!!
So the last practice and track repair is tonight at 5 pm. Come on out help a little and have some fun on an open track.
We had 190+ entries for the last points race of the season with many classes fighting it out for the top 5 positions on the last race day!! Close and fun racing was the order of the day!!
For the last race on March 10th. We will do bump ups with all qualifiers being a heads up start!
Dan

DJ1978
03-12-2007, 09:52 AM
We ended our season on Saturday with a new attendance record!!
233 entries. With an average of over 200 entries per race is was the biggest and best season in our history.

I want to express my appreciation and thanks to all who came out and raced with us this winter.

Also for ALL who extended themselves and helped out where ever they could. All the help with track repair on Mondays and track maintenance on race days is greatly appreciated. Also all the help with transponder dispersal and retrieval really helped the race day go much smoother.

A special thanks to my 4 race directors. Jesse, Eric,Tom and Ted. You made the show what it was. A smooth professionally run operation. And to Tom F. and Paul for you valuable contribution to the race season. I could not have done it with out you 6 guys.

I have always said, "The only reason I do Washtenaw is so I will have a great place to race."
What MAKES it a great place is all the racers and friends I have made over the years. I look forward to keeping this going for years to come.
Sincerly,
Dan

DJ1978
03-12-2007, 01:37 PM
I want to thank all who donated door prizes for the last race of the season.

Riders Hobby of Ypsi
Riders Hobby of Taylor
FST Hobby Shop of Wyandotte
Dirt Burners Hobby Shop
Gearhead Warpaint- John Swider
Exair Designs-Chad Leonard
Full House Hobbies
Associated
RC Driver Magazine
Trinity
Robinson Racing
Horizon Hobby-Losi
Xtreme RC magazine
Novak
HPI
Parma/PSE
Lazer Speedway
Schumacher
Max Amps Batteries
Team Orion and
RC Car Action for your support!!

All prizes were well received by our racers and greatly appreciated.
_________________

DJ1978
03-12-2007, 01:38 PM
Last but not least.
A VERY special thanks all who stayed and helped with track teardown. We finished at about 4:30 ( or 5:30 am) which ever way you want to say it with daylight savings time.
Two track Moms worked most of the evening with me to take down banners and clean them up and pack them. They also stayed the whole time and worked VERY hard with the tear down.
Becky Michaluck
Karen Ragland
also
Racers
Tom Frei
Molly Gates
Tim Henes
Steve Henes
Parry Ragland and
Andy Michaluck.
We pulled all the stakes, Took the sides off the table top. The ladies coiled and tied all the pipes. They all worked together to stack the tables as I packed my truck. With out their generous donation of their time and effort I would still be there!!
Thank you so MUCH!!

After about 3 hrs sleep, on Sunday at noon, Myself and my wife, along with Chris Geiski (sp?), Darrin and Steve Buss worked for about 3 hrs to take the drivers stand completely apart and stack it all. Load my truck up with all the rest of the equipment. Their help was greatly appreciated.

This generous and giving spirit is what makes Washtenaw so special. I am very grateful to all who contributed.
Dan