We’ve got our third batch of photos from the New Year’s No-Prep at The Grove, and want to thank Joe Grippo as always. If you missed any of the previous photos, we’ve got a link below to check them out too.
(Words and Photos by Joe Grippo) It was getting dark, around 4:30pm on a cold December Saturday in the waning days of 2023 and I was standing in the burnout box of my favorite dragstrip with the staging lanes full of race cars, when I had the following conversation…
Me to Rob the track’s starter: “Are you guys turning the track lights on?”
Rob: “Of course.”
Me, quizzically: “Really…?”
Rob: “Welcome to the new Maple Grove…”
Indeed. A few short years ago this scenario would have been pure fantasy. Previous ownership of thetrack would never even considered having a No Prep race on the weekend of New Years Eve, but the Koretsky Family owns Maple Grove Raceway now, and the House of Chaos is the new track ethos.
This being the second annual New Years No Prep, the car count was significantly larger this time around. Classes included Big Tire, Small Tire 28×10.5, Stick Shift, and a Street Class with requisite cruise through the Pennsylvania countryside. After a quick drivers meeting to discuss “rules”, racing commenced around 11am and finished up under the lights around 8 PM that evening. Racing was nonstop, save fortwo mishaps (it is no prep, after all) and a weather delay. A few smart changes to this year’s format were an Instant Green start rather than the flashlight and win lights displayed for winners. Other aspects of this street racing culture inspired deal were present like chip draws for pairing, the clocks were turned off, the ceremonial pouring of each team’s glue of choice, folks getting up close and personal and of course spirited friendly wagering. It was a wild and really fun day, much different than the well-oiled bracket races I usually frequent.
Huge thanks to track owner Kyle Koretsky, manager Shane Sweigart, promotor Kyle Beswick and the rest of the staff for a great way to ring in the New Year of 2024! And I just heard Maple Grove is doing it again in late February with the Ice Breaker No Prep, with all the same classes and this time Bracket Racing and Daily Driver classes. Be there for that one, assuming it’s not snowing.
Check www.maplegroveraceway.com for all the details and other events.
CLICK HERE IF YOU WANT TO SEE SOME COOL VIDEO FROM THE EVENT TOO
CLICK HERE IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE OTHER PHOTOS
