BILL STEPHENS “IN THE GROOVE”  7/27/09

Will all four JFR drivers make it to the Countdown to One?

At this point, it’s very hard to say since Ashley has already clinched her spot, John and Mike are holding onto Top Ten positions, but Robert remains in 12th with only three races left for him to climb into that coveted Countdown to One field.

The Western Swing wasn’t a smashing success for JFR as the team went winless in Denver, Seattle, and Sonoma. Those three races have been the scene of some very exciting wins for the JFR crew in years past but this time around, there were no “Wallys” heading back to Yorba Linda.

OK, let me shift gears on you.

How would you like to be a member of an elite group of drag racers who have year-round admission to a luxurious country club in a picturesque location, but instead of golf, members have virtually unlimited access to a superb drag strip where on any given day—weather permitting—they can bring their street cars or race cars and make as many passes they want in a safe and secure facility? Would that be something worth looking into?

Unfortunately, I don’t know of such a drag strip/country club anywhere, but this past weekend, I was covering the Star Mazda and Atlantic Championship road racing series for HD Network at The Autobahn Country Club in Rural Joliet, IL—no more than 10 minutes from Route 66 Raceway—and it provides a spacious, challenging, and totally modern  3.56-mile road course with premium amenities for any of its members who  bring their sports cars to the track and wring them out just about any time they like.

What a concept!

As I was getting a look at this remarkable facility with a spacious, comfortable clubhouse, clean and well-maintained restrooms and showers, beautifully landscaped hillsides and parking areas, and of course, a 21-turn world class road course, I couldn’t help but think that drag racers would be blown away to have a similar “country club” available to them on a membership basis.

I spoke to the founder and CEO of The Autobahn Country Club, Mark Basso, and he said it took ten years to build the facility and a fair amount of money to not only construct it but maintain it as well, but the large, enthusiastic membership and the convenient location have made this intriguing idea a runaway success. Could the same idea work for drag racers? Perhaps, perhaps not, since the Autobahn membership list is comprised mostly of wealthy businessmen and entrepreneurs with a tremendous amount of expendable income. They drive Porsches, Ferrari’s, Aston Martins, BMW’s, and Mercedes-Benzes and can easily afford the considerable membership fees to belong to Autobahn. Not to say there aren’t well-heeled drag racers since many sportsman teams are owned by successful business owners, but such a venture might be too costly for the average hot rodding hobbyist to support to the level it would require.

If it were possible for a drag racing country club to emulate what’s being done by Mark Basso and his outstanding facility, I know there would be a pretty sizable number of G-Force Junkies who would be ready to sign up. I’m just not sure we’ll ever see someone try to make it happen.

The NHRA takes a little break now that the Swing has swung. Next stop is Brainerd, MN in three weeks as the Countdown to 10 rounds the bend. I’ll have more from “In the Groove” after the race so I hope you’ll check back in here at www.johnforceracing.com following the Lucas Oil Nationals and see what I’ve got to say.

Until then, please slow down out on the streets and drive safely.