Racing at the Lakehead

The weather man seems so far to have decided that Proctor (MN) Speedway would race every other week this season. On June 29th the Duluth-area speedway, which lost six shows to bad weather, enjoyed perfect weather, and hosted the Amsoil Late Model Series, a four-track regional series sponsored by the maker of synthetic lubricants, whose headquarters is nearby. The Lakehead Racing Association, a drivers' organization, began promoting Proctor races in 1956. JERALD "CRASH" CARLSON (L), who has been a volunteer member of the club board of directors, or an officer, for more 35 years, and is currently president, is the spark plug of the organization. GUS OMUNDSON (R) is the treasurer. The track, at the St. Louis County Fairgrounds, Proctor, MN, is spic and span, and features Aluminum grandstands and MUSCO Lighting, erected in 2005. Next year, they'll build a new concession stand, all financed by the county, but funded by racing revenues. Under the board's guidance, but particularly Carlson's, the track is operated and promoted in manner as professional as we see--comparable to the best privately-owned or lease operations. Drivers' organizations that promote their own races often struggle with conflicting goals and attitudes, but the Lakehead group surmounts all these challenges. Other drivers' groups that struggle might do well to visit Proctor and emulate what the Lakehead Racing Association does.

Racing the Range

BILLY ENGELSTAD (L) and JOHN GARGANO (R), movers and shakers of the Iron Range Racing Association, WISSOTA-sanctioned races at Hibbing (MN) Raceway, lost just their second race event to rain June 28. Before the rain came, we visited with them and bring you this vignette of the St Louis County Fairgrounds track located near the World's largest open-pit iron mine. Hibbing has faired better than its neighbors to east at Proctor (MN) Speedway and Superior (WI) Speedway, where, at both tracks, rain has cancelled seven of ten scheduled events.