Hillcrest Speedway – Microd Racing Every Friday night

The Hillcrest Speedway has seen plenty of exciting change recently. Several major improvements took place this year at the direction of club president Dave Dann. With the help of Joe Ettinger of Ettinger Construction the club elevated the scoring tower by nearly six feet giving tower officials a better view of the racing surface.  Member Dennis VanSlyke and former member Dean Rypkema teamed to run electricity into the pit, which substantially quieted things down by making generators for each team unnecessary. Mr. Rypkema also installed new and brighter light towers that greatly improved the night racing experience for both participants and spectators. Additionally the club is experimenting with an electronic scoring system that will provide more information with greater accuracy to the race teams.

With a healthy and growing membership the fun is not limited to the track on Friday nights. Fun spirited workdays, chicken barbeques and trade shows are great opportunities for the racing families to get together.

So far it’s been a very competitive season with several classes still being hotly contested. The Junior Novice Microd class sports five racecars where 5 and 6 year old drivers put on a show each week. You will be amazed at the talent the club’s youngest boys and girls demonstrate week after week. The Limited Open Wheel class is fielding eight very competitive race teams and has proven to be this year’s highlight of every race night.

The racing is exciting and it’s free to watch as girls and boys aged 5 to 18 gather to race most every Friday night all summer long. Racing through September you can see the full 2011 schedule by visiting www.microd.org. On the informational site you will find Driver Profiles in addition to anything you ever wanted to know about Microds and Microd Racing including ways to get your aspiring racer a free test drive!

By Steve Cinquanti
Photo by MoJo Photos