On April 22nd, John Esburnett, General Manager at Lee USA Speedway, Lee NH, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding, the NH Short Track Racing Association. John explained what race cars actually are—automobiles built or modified for racing. He explained a stock car is built specifically for asphalt oval racing. John reviewed race track structure, including surfaces, and that short tracks are no longer than 0.5miles. most hometown tracks are short tracks.
John said most people think of racing as ‘rednecks in their cars going in fast circles’. John explained how car racing is a testament of skill and speed. In car temperatures at the Daytona 500 can reach 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Cars at the Indy 500 and Daytona 500 can reach over 240 mph.
The Pro stock Nationals at Lee USA Speedway (3/8 mile), 28 cars, 200 laps, 75 miles, Time is 1.5 hours, Top speed 120 mph. The shorter the track the harder the driver is working. In car temperatures reach 145 degrees.
Race car driving requires teamwork and camaraderie. Most local teams have 1 to 5 members, and most crew members work a full-time job besides working w their race team. Most crew members spend 15-40 hours/week in the shop before race day. Racing teaches patience, determination, resilience, fair play, courage and honor. Drivers and crew members are skilled at simple mechanics, welding/metal working, driving and towing, math, trigonometry, and more.
The first car race was held in Chicago in 1895 and included cars and motorcycles. John discussed how car racing has transformed over the decades since, including being primarily a ‘sport of the south’ until it was televised in the late 70s.
“RaceDay Productions” is based out of southern NH operating free local racetracks, with the goal of fair play and classes across different tracks. NH has many race tracks including Hudson International speedway, Star Speedway, Lee USA speedway, NH Motor Speedway, Monadnock Speedway, Claremont motorsports park, riverside speedway and adventure park, white mountain motor sports park, legion speedway, NE dragway, and Canaan fair speedway road course. Local tracks can be NASCAR sanctioned, in NH alone Claremont, Hudson Int’l Speedway, Monadnock Speedway, and Lee USA speedway are all NASCAR sanctioned.
Racing season is from April to late October, primarily on weekends
Michelle Cloutier is the GM of the Hudson Int’l Speedway, Mike Parks is the GM of Claremont Motorsports Park, and John Esburnett is the GM of Lee USA Speedway, and Ben Bosowski is the owner of Claremont, Hudson, and Lee speedways, and owner of RaceDay productions and RaceDay TV.
The steps to get into racing include: Interest, Monday, transportation, safety gear, car, preparation of the car, race track, and certification to be a racecar driver. There’s a significant financial cost associated w racing.
John talked about ways local racing is evolving in the future, increasing working together as leaders, upgrading properties, additional marketing efforts, marquee events, fantasy racing app, and RaceDayTV.
John answered questions from the group.