First off, any of you that really knew Mike, not just knew of him, know that he had no "home track". Mike loved to travel in micro racing just like he did when he raced drag bikes, having visited a large number of tracks allover. If he were to have a home track, it would probably be best said to claim Wayne City over anything, as he ran there as frequently as anywhere, and was quite dominant there for many years. And to really get down to it, Belle-Clair was one of his most talked about and favored tracks I ever remember him going to or mentioning in the last few years of his life.
Second, this move was not made out of any negative feeling towards SIR or anyone involved with SIR. They were gracious enough both years to let me rent the facility for a weekend each season and, I think everyone can agree, the racing was nothing short of spectacular. The 66 continues to expand and, to help that process, it has been decided to move it to the new venue. SIR is a great place, but I felt horrible having paying spectators struggle to be able to witness the amazing racing that was taking place. With over 800 general admission, along with many from the pits trying to squeeze in as well, SIR is just not able to accommodate that large of a crowd properly with their limited room and even more limited bleacher space. Belle-Clair, being one of the old Fairground Tracks still standing today, has more than enough covered grandstands to seat thousands more than I could ever be so lucky to have grace my event.
Lastly, with SIR's loss of a track prep person, I was left up to putting my father and our good friend on the tractors all weekend, having no prior track prep experience or knowledge. It was much more than I prefer them to have had to do and there's no way I would ever ask it of them again. Belle-Clair is more capable right now of prepping the track with their own help at the will of Kenny Brown's and mine to ensure a great, racey surface all weekend.
Let me reiterate, I have no quarrels with SIR and wish to continue working with them on other future endeavors I would like to do as well as racing there throughout the year. I want to also, again, thank everyone for their support and enthusiasm towards this step in trying to help grow The 66 to the potential it has. I will release information as the weeks and months go on, as I have in the past. I made the announcement this past weekend in Tulsa at The Shootout and had many that haven't attended in the class continue to assure me they weren't missing it for anything this year. I'm looking forward to what 2013 may bring for The 66 Mike Phillips Memorial, July 20-21!
Thank you all,
BRAD MCDANIEL
Addiktive Promotions, LLC
The 66 Mike Phillips Memorial
