The off-season doesn’t have to be met with dread as these three track promoters make these precious few months work to their advantage.

Drag racing is one of the most exciting forms of motorsports on the planet. From wheel-standing launches to the sweet smell of race fuel propelling cars with thousands of horsepower screaming down the track, the thrill of the drag strip is a sight to see. Unfortunately, virtually any weather event can turn a fun day at the track into a car and driver waiting in the trailer.

We’ve seen races postponed or canceled because of fog, wind, rain, and even snow. This might be fine for a weekend or two, but what happens when the weather doesn’t cooperate for weeks on end, or even months? Bad weather can be tough on racers, but it can be even tougher on track owners and their employees. Fortunately, many race track promoters at both large and small facilities have come up with interesting ways to improve cashflow in the off-season to make up for that lost revenue.

One of the leaders in wintertime track activity is Jeremy Wagler, who owns Wagler Motorsports Park in Lyons, Indiana. When the drag strip isn’t hosting races, the facility stays open as Wagler Education and Training Center, a place where truck drivers can acquire their Class A license, EMTs can get certified, and much more. There’s welding and CNC classes, and even a school where students can earn their GED. Motorsports aren’t left out either, as the facility has a UTV course and a burnout pad where drivers can let off some steam (and tire smoke).

“To say we’re busy all year round is an understatement,” said Wagler. “A lot of the equipment does double-duty. Our truck driving school is on the drag strip, and the ambulance is used for EMT training. We have both volunteers and staff, and we keep growing. Establishing a solid bond with the community around us has been one of the most important aspects of success.”

Wagler added that the Education Center has some specialized staff, along with partnerships with local hospitals, and a dedicated social media page.

Bandimere Speedway, currently in Morrison, Colorado, but with plans to soon relocate to a new home in the metropolitan Denver area, has a different approach to winter income: one giant event. Every year the facility uses its extensive pit area to present Christmas in Color, which is a parade of lights where patrons can drive through in the comfort of their cars and enjoy some very bright Christmas cheer.

“We’ve been doing this for long enough that it has become a Christmas tradition for many families,” said organizer Larry Crispe. “We get tens of thousands of cars a year, and the kids just love it. We’re also able to keep much of our drag strip staff busy during this time.”

Crispe also noted that the track keeps income flowing through seasonal RV or trailer storage and builds equipment, such as its proprietary tire rotator tractor, which is also used by NHRA.

Moving north from the lower 48 states found us talking to Michelle Lackey Maynor, from Alaska Raceway Park in Palmer, Alaska. Situated in one of the most scenic backdrops in the world, the facility has a very short but busy summer racing season.

“We try to extend it a little bit with car and truck shows and other fun activities, but we’re down most of the winter,” said Maynor. “The weather is harsh on equipment, so we spend a lot of time on maintenance and improvements, but we’re definitely looking to expand our winter activities—probably something involving snow,” she added, laughing.

Maynor said any time not spent working on the raceway is taken up by going to trade shows—including the PRI Show in Indianapolis—and promoting next year’s racing season.

In the past, many facilities have considered the off-season just that—a time to suspend operations. In reality, it pays to diversify a facility to be productive in the winter, as the drag strip itself, side buildings, grounds, and pits are all useful space. The same can be said for road courses or ovals. In fact, road courses can even host no-prep drag races when it’s too cold for road racing. So don’t be afraid of the wind, rain, and snow. It might stop the racing, but that doesn’t mean the facility has to shut down. In fact, it might just end up being more profitable than ever.

SOURCES

Alaska Raceway Park
raceak.com

Bandimere Speedway
bandimere.com

Wagler Motorsports Park
waglermotorsportspark.com

Wagler Education and Training Center
waglereducation.com