Bret Kepner

THE RETURN OF MOTION RACEWAY!

Dormant for just under a quarter-century, Motion Raceway in Assumption, Illinois, is set to reopen on Saturday, May 3rd, 2008. The site of many fuel match races and the breeding ground of more than a few national sportsman stars, track owner John Jones closed the facility at the conclusion of the 1984 season after fifteen years of operation. However, Jones has given Greg Clayton of New Covenant Performance in Mt. Auburn, Illinois, the opportunity to conduct muffled street car competition at Motion in an eighth-mile format. The track was originally a quarter-mile strip but moved to a thousand-feet configuration when its three thousand-feet total length became insufficient.

Clayton, who operates NCP with parents Steve and Sherry, will maintain a street car grudge racing atmosphere at the track during the five dates afforded by Jones. Since there is no electricity to the property, no timing system will be used. Clayton has already aquired insurance, safety equipment and portable restrooms and is currently soliciting food vendors equipped with generators. Scott Gardner and Taz Hines of Cordova Dragway Park have offered some of the remaining guardrail from their track's installation of concrete walls and Clayton is already accepting sponsors for the new program. For information to become involved and for details of the events, go to http://www.ncperformanceinc.com/races.htm or contact Greg Clayton directly at 217-676-2660.

Motion Raceway is located three miles north of Assumption and 1.1 miles west of Illinois Route 51 on the south side of East 1500 North Road. From St. Louis, take I-70 east to Exit 63 in Vandalia, Illinois, and take Illinois Route 51 north to Assumption. The dragstrip is 115 miles from the Gateway Arch.