Berlin Raceway track operators looking to build on last year's momentum

By Steve Kaminski | Skaminsk@mlive.com 
on April 09, 2013 at 8:20 AM, updated April 09, 2013 at 8:28 AM

MARNE – Mike Bursley is only 29 years old, but when it comes to auto racing, he has already worn a number of hats, and he will even put on a race helmet sometimes, too.

Long-time Berlin Raceway Sportsman division contender Brian Tillema debuted his new Super Stock during this past Saturday's test-and-tune session.Photo courtesy of Randy Ellen 

Bursley has been a fan, successful car builder and team owner, and he won a Berlin Raceway Super Stock track championship in 2007, so he can wheel around a car as well.

Mike BursleySteve Kaminski | MLive.com 

But arguably his most challenging role came last year when first-year Berlin operator Don DeWitt and his investors hired Bursley to serve as track general manager. Bursley, who already knew plenty about racing, learned a whole lot more about the promotion side of the sport.

Johnny Benson (No. 10), and Lee VanDyk turn laps in their Late Models during last Saturday's test-and-tune.Photo courtesy of Randy Ellen 

“The most important thing I learned is that we are an entertainment business,” Bursley said. “If it isn’t for our fans who come out and support you, you don’t have a facility. The main thing is that we have to keep these fans happy.”
Berlin hosted a four-hour test-and-tune session this past Saturday, giving drivers an opportunity to shake down their cars in preparation for Saturday’s 7 p.m. season opener.
DeWitt and his group are the fourth operators to run the track in its 63-year history and the third in the past decade. Bursley called the first year a success despite the learning curve. He added that the goal for 2013 is to build on last year’s momentum, and the best way to do that is to continue to improve the fan experience.
Infrastructure improvements are a good place start.
“We are continuing to put a little bit of a facelift on the place,” Bursley said. “We are renovating a couple of sections of the bleachers in turn one and turn four. We put aluminum bleachers in, and we purchased some bleachers that will be going up. The whole frontstretch will be replaced in 2014. They will be fully enclosed and go up another 14 feet, and we are looking at putting suites on top of those. It will be very nice, but that is not scheduled until 2014.”
Exciting racing also is key, and Bursley said they are confident they have assembled a winning schedule. Berlin made a bold last year when officials covered the half-mile with dirt and hosted the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. The program went so well that officials plan to host three weekends of dirt racing in September once the season championship races are completed on Aug. 31.
But first things first.
Berlin will be opening its season with next Saturday’s 2nd annual Icebreaker. Berlin’s Outlaw Late Model division will highlight the program, and it will mark the first of a seven-race series that will award a $7,000 bonus to the season champion.
“Our Outlaw Late Model fund payout is $40,000, the largest Outlaw Late Model payout in the country, and we should have a very good car count as well,” Bursley said. “There also will be lap money. A driver will get $10 for every lap he leads.”
Other key dates include the June 15 Rowdy 251, Aug. 10 ARCA race and the Aug. 30 2nd annual Chet Championship Weekend.
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