Return of NASCAR Sprint Cup star Kyle Busch highlights Berlin Raceway's 2011 schedule
By Steve Kaminski
The Grand Rapids Press
Berlin Raceway’s 2011 game plan calls for more emphasis on its weekly classes, so expect fewer special events during the track’s 61st season.
One of NASCAR’s biggest names will be back, though.
Track promoter Mike Blackmer announced Wednesday that NASCAR superstar Kyle Busch is expected to compete in the Rowdy 251, a June 21 Tuesday night special. Busch won the template-bodied Late Model stock car race in June at Berlin and will be back to defend his title.
Busch, who won a combined 24 races in NASCAR’s top three divisions in 2010, still enjoys grassroots racing.
“Kyle isn’t going to race as many Super Late Model races this year, but one of the ones he did pick was the Rowdy,” Blackmer said. “He has really enjoyed coming to Grand Rapids. We have a good relationship with him, and he enjoys the fans here and the race. It’s pretty exciting to have him back.”
The cost to put on high-dollar shows is just too much in these tough economic times, Blackmer said, and that’s why he is cutting back on specials. Berlin’s weekly classes will race more often next season, and that will enable him to cut general admission prices for the regular shows from $12 to $10.
Berlin’s Late Model division will run at least 14 times, while its Super Stocks, Pro Stocks, Modifieds and 4 Cylinders will go a minimum 17 nights. In addition, the track is introducing the Premier Boyne Machine Super Lates, and that class will race six times.
Look for the traveling Vintage Racing Organization of America to join the track’s weekly ranks as well. The VROA, which has run on Berlin’s anniversary night in the past, has signed on for eight races.
“The only way to run this track in the black is to make sure the weekly show is affordable,” Blackmer said. “Some of these series travel so far and the purse is so high, and right now, the economic times don’t support it. I can’t get enough people in to support these type of events.
“I need my divisions here. Last year, 14 of our 22 events had outside series racing here. The race fan didn’t know who was racing from week-to-week.”
Berlin’s 2011 season will open April 23, with test and tune sessions scheduled for April 8 and 16. Special events include the ARCA Series on July 9. The Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series returns June 4, and the Auto Value Super Sprint Series competes Sept. 3.
The season will conclude with a Sept. 24 program featuring the CRA Super Series and the Great Lakes Outlaw Late Models.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Engine Building Legend Ray Baker Passes
Muskegon native and longtime engine maker Ray Baker dead at 68 after accidental injuries
Steve Kaminski
The Grand Rapids Press
Longtime Berlin Raceway official Bob Marz of Walker recalls a time during the 1970s when he would walk up and down pit road, and nearly every stock car had one thing in common.
“At one time, just about everyone had a Baker Engine sticker on their car,” said Marz, whose career includes heading Berlin’s tech crew. “Guys had to have a Baker Engine. That was the place to go for your motor.”
Ray Baker, who founded Baker Engineered Racing Engines of Spring Lake in 1968 and ran it through 1989, died Friday of accidental injuries sustained while building a shop in Mooresville, N.C. Mr. Baker, a Muskegon native who lived in Mooresville with his life, Linda, was 68.
Mr. Baker graduated from Reeths-Puffer High School and Ferris State University, where he studied automotive technology. He worked at General Motors after college, then started building engines for short-track standout Bob Senneker of Dorr.
Senneker entered the 1968 Daytona 500, and finished 13th using a Baker Engine. Baker then opened his business, and it grew quickly. Prominent area drivers, including John Benson Sr. and Butch Miller, raced with Baker Engines, as did rising stars in the traveling American Speed Association, including Mark Martin and Darrell Waltrip.
In addition, he build engines for drag cars and offshore race boats. Buick even hired him to build its pace car engines that were used in the 1981 Indianapolis 500.
"Ray did a lot for the racing community with all of his innovations,” Marz said. “He knew how to make those engines livable without exploding. He was great on headwork and engine designs. He was just good at.”
Mr. Baker employed nearly 30 people. But life became so hectic that it took a toll on his health, and he eventually sold his business.
Mr. Baker continued to be spotted in the pits in recent years, giving a hand to his son, Joel Baker, who has competed at Berlin. He was inducted into the Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Berlin Raceway Hall of Fame in 2008.
“A few years ago, we were teching motors (at Berlin), and he lent his expertise for what to look for,” Marz said. “Ray was all about helping the racer. He made a living off it, but his heart and soul was in it.
“He touched a lot of lives in racing. If anyone had any problems, he would jump right in and go to work for them. You would usually see him working under the hood on pit road.”
Visitation is scheduled for Dec. 18 and 19 at Sytsema Funeral Home, 6291 South Harvey Street in Norton Shores, with a memorial service scheduled for Dec. 20. Times are pending.
Steve Kaminski
The Grand Rapids Press
Longtime Berlin Raceway official Bob Marz of Walker recalls a time during the 1970s when he would walk up and down pit road, and nearly every stock car had one thing in common.
“At one time, just about everyone had a Baker Engine sticker on their car,” said Marz, whose career includes heading Berlin’s tech crew. “Guys had to have a Baker Engine. That was the place to go for your motor.”
Ray Baker, who founded Baker Engineered Racing Engines of Spring Lake in 1968 and ran it through 1989, died Friday of accidental injuries sustained while building a shop in Mooresville, N.C. Mr. Baker, a Muskegon native who lived in Mooresville with his life, Linda, was 68.
Mr. Baker graduated from Reeths-Puffer High School and Ferris State University, where he studied automotive technology. He worked at General Motors after college, then started building engines for short-track standout Bob Senneker of Dorr.
Senneker entered the 1968 Daytona 500, and finished 13th using a Baker Engine. Baker then opened his business, and it grew quickly. Prominent area drivers, including John Benson Sr. and Butch Miller, raced with Baker Engines, as did rising stars in the traveling American Speed Association, including Mark Martin and Darrell Waltrip.
In addition, he build engines for drag cars and offshore race boats. Buick even hired him to build its pace car engines that were used in the 1981 Indianapolis 500.
"Ray did a lot for the racing community with all of his innovations,” Marz said. “He knew how to make those engines livable without exploding. He was great on headwork and engine designs. He was just good at.”
Mr. Baker employed nearly 30 people. But life became so hectic that it took a toll on his health, and he eventually sold his business.
Mr. Baker continued to be spotted in the pits in recent years, giving a hand to his son, Joel Baker, who has competed at Berlin. He was inducted into the Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Berlin Raceway Hall of Fame in 2008.
“A few years ago, we were teching motors (at Berlin), and he lent his expertise for what to look for,” Marz said. “Ray was all about helping the racer. He made a living off it, but his heart and soul was in it.
“He touched a lot of lives in racing. If anyone had any problems, he would jump right in and go to work for them. You would usually see him working under the hood on pit road.”
Visitation is scheduled for Dec. 18 and 19 at Sytsema Funeral Home, 6291 South Harvey Street in Norton Shores, with a memorial service scheduled for Dec. 20. Times are pending.
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