(way) Northern MN automotive events

OK, finally getting settled in the new house after moving.

More importantly, finally getting settled in the garage.

Does anyone know of any autocross/rallycross/ice-racing/whatever exists up here? Where "up here" = within say 150 miles (100 would be better) of the bustling metropolis of Marble, MN (zip 55764).

Difficulty: No dirt track racing. Nothing against dirt track, in fact I'm helping a neighbor with his car. So that angle is covered.

This does put Duluth in range, and Bemidji where I'll be spectating the rally if I'm in town at the right times. It doesn't put the Twin Cities in range. I may go do stuff that way occasionally, but the distance makes it something that won't happen very often.

Anyone know of anything going on?

If you want to cross the border there's a pretty active ice racing scene in Thunder Bay. Lots of events on schedule:

http://iceracingthunderbay.com/

Jay wrote: If you want to cross the border there's a pretty active ice racing scene in Thunder Bay. Lots of events on schedule: http://iceracingthunderbay.com/

That's more like 300 miles unfortunately. Doesn't mean I'm not looking at it though.

It takes me ~an hour and a half to get to Duluth. And Thunder Bay is another 200 miles.

There are a few roads that I could cut a bit of the corner off in the summer (to 250 miles total). Not so sure that'll be an option during ice racing season. I'll have to ask my wife, she does field work for the DNR out that way year round.

Ojibwe Forest Rally but it's done for the year. Look for a local sports car club... Winter time can cut down travel time tremedously when lakes are frozen

Rza wrote: Ojibwe Forest Rally but it's done for the year. Look for a local sports car club...

Meant to include that I've spectated that one, and someday would like to run that (and LSPR). But that's a bit in the future at this point. That's currently on the 3-4 year plan.

Of course there's Brainerd International Raceway, but that's 100 miles from you and they're closed for the season. You may have to get a snowmobile for your winter fun. :)

I was at LSPR this year. Shortly thereafter, I heard some sad news that LSPR and Ojibwe will not longer be ProRally events, only regionals. Regionals are still a lot of fun, but watching some of the Unlimited guys (ok ok, so I was geeked out to see Pastranas car in the hotel parking lot) run was a great time. I have pics....somewhere.

stuart in mn wrote: Of course there's Brainerd International Raceway, but that's 100 miles from you and they're closed for the season. You may have to get a snowmobile for your winter fun. :)

Completely forgot that was there. Good call. Closed for the season's fine. Mainly looking for ideas to put something in the garage to work on.

Up here 100 miles is basically next door.

Looks like you'd probably be about 150 miles from St. Cloud. I would assume that they would have some autocrosses there, but I do not know

mndsm wrote: I was at LSPR this year. Shortly thereafter, I heard some sad news that LSPR and Ojibwe will not longer be ProRally events, only regionals. Regionals are still a lot of fun, but watching some of the Unlimited guys (ok ok, so I was geeked out to see Pastranas car in the hotel parking lot) run was a great time. I have pics....somewhere.

Went to school in Houghton. Worked a few LSPRs watched a bunch more. The access you have to the rally guys is pretty cool. Worked a club only one out near Munising, MI once. Was a blast.

Going club only is fine with me from a driving point of view, though less cool from a watching perspective. If the club events can be self-sustaining anyhow.

mtn wrote: Looks like you'd probably be about 150 miles from St. Cloud. I would assume that they would have some autocrosses there, but I do not know

St Cloud's ~3 hours, it's right at the edge of the range I'm looking for. That's where we went to test drive a mazdaspeed3.

Thanks for the responses guys.

Note:

I'm not against going farther than 150 miles exactly. But I know plenty of options as the range goes up. I'm hoping to find something (or things) that I'll be able to do a bit more frequently, and being a bit closer would help that out a lot.