Crazy Times

Crazy Times

THE HISTORY OF SHORT COURSE RACING

Crazy Times begin in 2009

The short course momentum was growing and in 2008 CORR’s focus was on maximizing exposure for the series. To maximize their exposure CORR ventured into live TV broadcasts of their races on both SPEED and NBC. Live broadcasts were a groundbreaking first for off-road short course racing as the coverage introduced short course to a mainstream racing public. However, just as short course racing was shinning before the mainstream public, Jim Baldwin canceled two of the rounds at Las Vegas in October 2008. Then in a press release, CORR stated: “Championship Off-road Racing has made the difficult decision to cancel the Primm, Nevada race on October 25th and 26th. The current credit crisis had made it very difficult to cover CORR’s costs.” Keep in mind this was the beginning of our country’s financial meltdown that caused a global recession, so the racing community had its doubts about short course’s future.

There was hope shortly after the season ended when CORR announced a three-year deal with Perpetual Motion Films to continue covering CORR events. This enlightened fans, but then all waited for the 2009 schedule to appear and nothing was heard from CORR. Suddenly Ricky Johnson announced he was putting together a three-race series for 2009 titled the Off-Road Grand Prix ORGP. Johnson said his program was intended as a grassroots program designed as a support group for those wanting to get started in short course. Part of his statement was that he had talked with CORR and there were no conflicts with them or the WSORR series. Before the ink on the release could dry, Tony Vanillo, former Technical Director for CORR, announced he had secured Lucas Oil as a sponsor and was putting on a six-race Lucas Oil American Off-Road Series LAORS for 2009. Before Vanillo could get organized Lucas Oil Products announced they had finalized an agreement with Tony and Sherry Vanillo to acquire complete ownership of the newly formed American Off-road Series. The series would be renamed the “Lucas Oil Off-road Racing Series LOORS” (later LOORRS). This left CORR without its primary sponsor. Wanting to have their voice heard, many of the drivers came together to form a driver’s union called the Professional Drivers Group, PDG. This spurred Johnson into changing his series from a minor league into a major program with a letter of intent to buy the Midwest series WSORR.

Out of the blue

It was a time of confusion and things were happening quickly. To add to the craziness out of the blue another series was announced and titled; National Off-Road Racing Series NORRS. Headed up by Aaron Mortenson the series never got off the ground. It turns out Mortsenson was too secretive about his plans and many in the off-road community, not knowing him, felt it was a hoax. Turns out it was no hoax as there was a race scheduled for the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds. But it never raced. The track was set up and ready to go. The TV crew had set up and purchased TV time. Then on race day, the track management pulled the plug. It appears both parties had their faults. One could say Mortenson didn’t understand the small print. On the other hand, the management had double-booked for the weekend and hadn’t let NORRS know in advance that they were not going to let him race. Which turns out for the best, as there were not enough racers that showed up to put on a show. So NORRS had tried to put a series together, but in the end, faded from the scene as quickly as they had appeared.

Could the promoters work together?

 

It would appear that the three remaining series should join forces and form one truly national series. If everyone was working for the betterment of the sport this would be best. In fact, when many of the major sponsors got together with the promoters they said that joining forces is what needed to happen. But that did not seem to be the case as the financial aspect brought its ugly head into the mix. Baldwin had millions of dollars invested in CORR and shouldn’t be expected to just give his investment away. Lucas Oil had a sizeable investment in the sport as a sponsor. The others were just starting out. Johnson seemed flexible, but after the meeting, it was obvious none of them would be working together.

Things started to come together a few days later, as another announcement changed the future of short course as well. One of the doubts sponsors had with Johnson’s plan was that he didn’t have anything in contracts. This all changed when Johnson partnered up with Mitch Covington, and announced they, under the name of The Off-Road Championship series TORC, had entered into an exclusive, long-term agreement with Crandon International Off-Road Raceway. The deal included rights to hold short course racing at the fabled “Big House” through the year 2018 and beyond. Along with the announcement came a title sponsor of Traxxas, the country’s leading marketer of R/C cars. To add to Johnson’s deal the PDG group threw their support in with Johnson.

The year was 2009 and CORR, who up until now, had been the prominent off-road short course series with national TV coverage, was now out of the picture. Traxxas TORC series with many of the top drivers settled into the Midwest and LOORS set roots as a west coast series backed by the deep pockets of Lucas Oil. The best chance to join forces and combine into a truly national series under single management was gone.

At this time not combining into a single series did not deter short course growth. Both of the professional short course series, TRAXXAS TORC and Lucas Oil Off-road Racing LOORS, flourished and added new venues with extended TV coverage. Both series were regularly shown on national TV syndicates. In addition, LOORS spawned regional series in both Southern California and Arizona, providing amateurs a stepping stone into the sport.

Short course tries to unite

 

So, since 2009 the two main series were LOORRS and TORC. During the turmoil of the recession, the promoters and many major sponsors met to discuss the future. During the meeting the sponsors let it be known the best thing to do would be to combine the series to concentrate advertising dollars. Those having financial investments were not willing to give up their investments to the other, nor did they form a partnership. So since 2009 the two major series have competed for sponsor dollars.

In December of 2018, the history of Short course racing once again altered course. The year will be remembered when Short course Off-Road Racing was to be united into one major racing series. What was to bring about the historic event was the announcement that three major Midwest racing venues had withdrawn from TORC, The Off-Road Championship. The original withdraws notification came from Crandon, Wisconsin release on March 5, 2018. Citing the need to ensure the future of short course off-road racing in the American Midwest, Crandon International Raceway, Bark River, and ERX Motor Park today announced their immediate withdrawal from The Off-Road Racing Championship (TORC Series).

In a recent release from LOORRS “Lucas Oil Executive Vice President Bob Patison all of us in the short course world have worked tirelessly over the past 10 years to promote the sport and help it to reach its full potential. “This expansion is not only exciting for all sides, but it also incorporates big events at proven venues. The objective is to create one viable national touring series for the PRO categories in the next year or two, but we also want to address the economic realities of short course racing by examining a blended rules package and lowering operating costs in the near future.”

“We are working to finalize all of the preliminary plans,” stated Ritchie Lewis of Lucas Oil. “This all came about very quickly and with a tremendous amount of welcomed cooperation between Lucas Oil, Crandon, Bark River and ERX. From the moment we were notified, our team has worked tirelessly to ensure that we do our part in keeping short course racing alive and well in the Midwest. We are excited to work with the Sportsman and Pro teams in a manner that does not prevent anyone from racing. We want every short course competitor in the country to feel welcome and come out and support these tracks and have a good time while racing under the Lucas Oil banner.”

The partnership between Lucas Oil and the Midwest racetracks was a long time in coming. In the beginning, the Crandon, WI Jaycees started a Baja style off-road race titled the Brush Run 101. By 1984 the event had morphed into short course with its main event held at Crandon International Raceway. The sanctioning body then was SODA, Short Course Off-Road Drivers Association. Then in 1996, Marty Reid formed Championship Off-Road Racing CORR. Reid had a TV package that swayed the drivers to leave SODA and race in the new series. Reid would later sell CORR to Jim Baldwin, who moved the series to the west coast. So after CORR left the Midwest series was racing under the title World Series of Off-Road Racing WSORR. Next, the series would be run by The Off-Road Championship TORC sponsored by TRAXXAS. In 2010 the United States Auto Club USAC became the sanctioning body. Ownership was yet again to pass in 2013 when The Armory, a Southern California advertising and production company, bought rights to TORC. Then in 2015, it was announced that TORC was purchased by Mountain Sports International, Inc. MSI. TORC is still owned by MSI but with their main tracks partnering with Lucas Oil they sent out a release on Match 23 2018 stating, Unfortunately, TORC: The Off-Road Championship will not hold events in 2018. We will, however, continue to evaluate future opportunities for TORC. We remain grateful to our drivers, partners, and fans for their support and wish everyone a great racing season. So as you see the Midwest series has been under many different hands.

There seems to be a dark cloud that hangs over the West-Midwest unification. On June 15 2019 it was announced. The first-ever short course unification race set to pit the drivers of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series in a heads up match with the Lucas Oil Midwest Short Course League had to be canceled due to extreme weather damaging the host track, Lucas Oil Speedway, in Wheatland, MO. At first, it was announced LOORRS wanted to find an alternate facility for the event but later decided to cancel and make up the two races by adding onto two existing race weekends. Back-to-back racing for the OPTIMA Batteries Silver State Showdown will now take place on Friday, July 26, and Saturday, July 27, under the lights at the Wild West Motorsports Park. Two nights of racing for the Rockstar Energy State Off-Road Nationals, presented by General Tire, are now set for Saturday, October 5, and Sunday, October 6, at Glen Helen Raceway.

Ship forward to Sept 14 2019, the day the hammer dropped on short course unification. In a brief release from LOORRS, ‘It is with much regret that we must dissolve the Lucas Oil Midwest Short Course League. Due to operational differences, we have chosen to focus our efforts on the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series. Many factors were part of this decision, which does not come lightly, or without fully analyzing all pertinent factors. It’s our belief that a common and focused vision, for the future of short course racing is the best way to provide our partners, racers and fans an exciting and healthy Series for many more years.”

LOORRS dissolved

 

One of the biggest upsets to short course racing came in November of 2020 when the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series LOORRS, along with the Lucas Oil Regional Off Road Racing Series LORORRS, were dissolved. We all know 2020 was a bad year for racing, so when it was announced by Ritchie Lewis, Director of Race Operations for LOORRS, to discontinue its ownership and operation of the series it was heartbreaking, yet understandable. Lewis stated, “This year, Lucas Oil made an incredible financial effort to keep our off-road commitments to our employees, promoters, racers, and sponsors, during arguably one of the roughest periods of time for our country. As we look ahead, there are too many variables that could impact the financial commitment and overall health of the series going forward, which necessitated this difficult course of action.”

If one looks back on the year their actions can be justified. Before the pandemic became a household name on March 8 2020 LOORRS came out with a release stating, “Due to the weather forecast for next week’s race, the season opener, will be postponed at Glen Helen March 14th and 15th rounds. Organizers will add a day to Reno and the second Glen Helen later in the year. Weather forecasts rain is expected starting on the 10th through the 18th for the racetrack area.”

Then on March 17, another release came out stating, “It is with much disappointment that we must announce that in accordance with the latest CDC and White House recommendations, as well as local health department recommendations, we will be postponing the April 24-26, 2020 event at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, AZ. The health and safety of our race teams, fans and staff is of the utmost importance to us.

eSports enters during COVID

 

Before these disappointments, LOORRS seemed to go full steam ahead when on April 3, 2020, they announced, “While the current focus of all Americans is to stay healthy, many race fans and drivers are eager to interact and profess their love of racing. eSports, through a variety of races and broadcasts, has allowed that to happen during a time when this community needs it the most. To further enhance that camaraderie, Lucas Oil Products, the American-based manufacturer and distributor of performance additives and oils, announced today that they are expanding their presence in eSports. Lucas Oil eSports will begin with a focus on the competition surrounding the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series.

Lucas Oil has already enjoyed a partnership with iRacing through the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. Several of the tracks and the series events can be utilized with the online platform. In fact, the 3/8 mile dirt oval track and the off-road track at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri, are scheduled to be scanned for future iRacing competitions.

“Lucas Oil has always tried to be on the cutting edge of all that it involves itself with and eSports is one of the new leading areas of development within racing,” said Morgan Lucas, Senior V.P. of Sales for Lucas Oil. “We have a great family of Lucas Oil supporters and that racing goes hand-in-hand with that. eSports is an important way for us to expand our exposure to new groups while creating a bond with our existing racing community.”

A series of races are currently being planned to create a sense of togetherness for the community of each of the series and events. Lucas Oil eSports will utilize the vastly popular iRacing platform, which many racers currently use to hone their skills.
Now in 2021, the second annual Jim Beaver eSports eShort Course Triple Crown will take advantage of iRacing’s newest off-road content release for its next round, heading to Bark River International Raceway for the first time on Thursday, April 15. Racers will take the wheel of iRacing’s virtual Pro 4 short course truck in hopes of joining the five drivers who have already earned their way into the 2022 eShort Course World Cup.

Great American Short course GAS

 

With LOORRS gone It is said that when one door closes, another opens to opportunity, and so it was that the Great American Short course GAS series was formed.

In February of 2021 GAS announced Short course Racing Continues on the West Coast with the Launch of the Great American Short course Series Powered by OPTIMA Batteries of Oak Hills, CA. Veteran short course race series director Lee Perfect and race promoter Dave Cole of Hammerking Productions joined forces to create a new series, Great American Short course (GAS) powered by OPTIMA Batteries.
GAS stated, The unexpected events of 2020 led to the unfortunate shutdown of the LOORRS short course series on the West Coast, leaving families with no place to race. The partnership between Perfect and Cole is designed as a strategic path forward with the goal is to not merely keep short course racing alive, but to successfully grow to new heights. GAS will be starting out with four events on existing and well-known short course tracks near major metropolitan centers.

Perfect’s team is comprised of many who have experience launching a short course series, paired with the talented group at Hammerking Promotions who built the legendary King of the Hammers event and highly successful ULTRA4 Series. “This is an incredible opportunity,” explained Perfect. “We plan to take a fresh look at short course racing in the West and learn from each other to build something sustainable, safe, and fun for everyone from the grassroots racers to the pros.”

GAS is working to fine-tune existing rules based on feedback from racers, keep familiar classes for both the regional and national level racers to allow them to utilize their existing vehicles, and add new twists to be announced soon. Hammerking Productions is known for unmatched video and live streaming production capabilities as demonstrated at King of the Hammers. The same proven production team will provide a top-notch live streaming package to keep fans and sponsors engaged whether they are able to attend open spectator events or not.

“We learned from King of the Hammers that it’s better to have your fans be able to actively participate at the events than just sit there watching, and we aim to provide that opportunity here,” explained Dave Cole. “We have been working hard behind the scenes and are excited about this new chance to freshen up short course racing in the West! And a major plus is having a company like OPTIMA Batteries, which has also successfully developed many very popular events, is going to offer the series some unique opportunities for collaboration and cross-promotion in the future,” noted Perfect.

Shortly after its conception GAS announced, “In keeping with their mission to prioritize driver safety and development, the Great American Short course series (GAS) is excited to announce a partnership with the United States Auto Club (USAC). GAS will be utilizing USAC’s existing programs for all driver licensing, registration and ticketing.

“We have worked with USAC for a decade to provide safe and competitive racing in the Ultra4 Series and now we look forward to utilizing their industry expertise in the short course, arena as well,” said Dave Cole, CEO of Ultra4 Racing and GAS Co-founder.
The United States Auto Club (USAC) is the sanctioning body behind some of the largest racing organizations in the country. Drivers will be provided with USAC supplemental insurance through the USAC annual licensing program. Through this program, a GAS driver may purchase a license for the complete GAS season, a single GAS event, or they can choose the option that encompasses the Midwest race season as well.

GAS / SST/ KOH

 

Joining forces seemed to be the best strategy for GAS. In an announcement made March 18, 2018, the Great American Short course (GAS) announced a partnership with Stadium Super Truck (SST) series and ULTRA4 Racing’s King of the Hammers (KOH).

GAS announced, In an effort to lay the foundation for tomorrow’s professional short course drivers to showcase their skills to fans and sponsors from around the globe, the Great American Shortcourse series (GAS) is excited to announce a partnership with Robby Gordon and his Stadium Super Truck (SST) series and Ultra4’s King of the Hammers (KOH).

Dave Cole (GAS co-founder) and Robby Gordon have agreed to combine forces to hold a single event in Southern California for both series’ year-end finales on the weekend of November 13-14, 2021 where competitors will share the same facility, track staff, and additional operational and promotional resources. “Robby and I believe that by working together as a team, we can create better opportunities for our racers, fans, and sponsors and we look forward to a future of continued collaboration as the GAS series matures”, said Cole.

The second phase of this partnership will put GAS class champions from ModKart, Production UTV, Production Turbo UTV, Pro Buggy, Pro Lite and Pro 2 behind the wheel of a Stadium Super Truck competing head-to-head against a slew of heavyweights from several off-road disciplines at a new event called the Off-Road Race of Champions (ORROC) held in early February during the 2022 King of The Hammers in Johnson Valley, CA.

With almost two decades of experience in short course race promotion, Lee Perfect, GAS co-founder, and series Director stated, “I believe maintaining a connection with the grassroots racer while still providing opportunities for professional growth is crucial and I am glad Robby and Dave share that vision.”

In addition, but not finalized, Cole and Gordon are working out the details of an arrangement that will award the highest placing GAS finisher in the ORROC event with a free ride for the entire 2022 SST series where he or she will compete in front of packed grandstands in conjunction with the Indy Car Series at iconic locations like the Long Beach and St. Petersburg Grand Prix.
“These are a few of many steps we will be taking that are geared toward creating opportunities for our driver’s progression as professional athletes. We believe this mindset is vital for the sustainability of our sport and we are excited about the partnership with Robby and SST”, said GAS co-founder Ryan Thomas.

Stay tuned for more details regarding this exciting alliance between SST and GAS.

Unfortunately the partnership with SST never got finalized. The GAS series ran a short course event at KOH in 2022. Then in 2023 American Outdoors Events AOC purchased the GAS series. Soon after the acquisition AOE announced short course off-road racing would be a unified Pro series.

Pro Series announced

 

NATIONAL PRO OFF-ROAD SERIES ANNOUNCED BY AMERICAN OUTDOOR EVENTS
— Sport’s largest venues, influential Board of Directors and $1.5 million purse fund the centerpieces of new national short-course racing series —

JAY, Oklahoma (September 26, 2023): Created to elevate a highly visceral and dynamic form of motorsports to a national level, Oklahoma-based American Outdoors Events, a leading organizer of adrenaline-pumping motorsport events, is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated national short course racing series. Prepare for an exhilarating journey as the national off-road series redefines short course racing, uniting fans, drivers, and sponsors in an unparalleled celebration of off-road excellence.
Scheduled to formally launch at the 2023 Performance Racing Industry (PRI) show later this year, the yet-to-be-named series will focus attention back towards the sport’s best drivers and fastest unlimited vehicles. The national short course racing series is poised to redefine the landscape of short course racing, propelling it to new heights of exhilaration and entertainment.

Armed with a wholly unique approach to the sport’s long-term stability and growth, this cutting-edge racing series will span across seven high-octane events, taking place in iconic locations from the sun-drenched state of California to the heart of the Midwest. The program will showcase some of the most renowned tracks in the sport, including the legendary Bark River, the thrilling ERX, and the historic Crandon Wisconsin Speedway.
Nestled in the scenic Northern Michigan, Bark River offers a picturesque backdrop for intense short course racing. Known for its challenging terrain and fast-paced action, Bark River has become a fan-favorite among racing enthusiasts.
ERX, located in the heart of Minnesota, offers a unique and exhilarating experience for both racers and spectators. With its world-class facilities and meticulously designed track, ERX is a must-visit destination for any motorsport enthusiast.
The cornerstone of that schedule includes two stops at the most prestigious venue of all – Crandon International Raceway in Crandon, Wisconsin. Also known as the “Big House,” the iconic venue also plays host to the two largest events in off-road short course racing, June’s Forest County Potawatomi Brush Run weekend and Labor Day weekend’s massive Polaris Crandon World Championship and Red Bull Cup Sunday.
The inaugural 2024 season will then take a swing to America’s heartland, with a second annual appearance at the newly complete MidAmerica Outdoors in Jay, Oklahoma – a versatile off-road destination offering a variety of terrain to test the skills of the sport’s elite – before crowning a champion at the world renown and world class Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri.

The series will refocus national and international attention on the sport’s premier drivers, teams, and vehicles, including unlimited trucks, buggies and the exploding SxS market. This groundbreaking initiative will feature an exhilarating lineup of Pro4, Pro2, Pro Lite, Pro Buggy, Pro Turbo SxS, and Pro N/A SxS classes, promising an unparalleled racing experience for competitors and fans alike. Several additional categories are being considered to round out a full roster of race weekend competitions.ld class Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri.

The series will refocus national and international attention on the sport’s premier drivers, teams, and vehicles, including unlimited trucks, buggies and the exploding SxS market. This groundbreaking initiative will feature an exhilarating lineup of Pro4, Pro2, Pro Lite, Pro Buggy, Pro Turbo SxS, and Pro N/A SxS classes, promising an unparalleled racing experience for competitors and fans alike. Several additional categories are being considered to round out a full roster of race weekend competitions.

The 2024 AOE Pro series schedule will be the ultimate test for both drivers and their vehicles, with a staggering $1.5 million in total purse money up for grabs, with an additional $200,000 available for Pro category racers at next year’s 9th annual Red Bull World Cup at Crandon International Raceway. This substantial purse fund underscores AOE’s commitment to recognizing and rewarding the dedication and skill of off-road racers.
A key component to the newly created AOE series management team is a Board of Directors comprised of American motorsports executives with deep resumes from a variety of racing backgrounds. In addition to AOE founders Jason and Gayla Robinett, the leadership group for AOE and the new national series includes current Crandon promoter and Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee Marty Fiolka, former Penske Motorsports executive and IMSA CEO and President Scott Atherton, Off-Road Hall of Fame inductee and current CEO of NASCAR’s Legacy Motor Club team Cal Wells, and the dean of American motorsports branding Paul Pfanner, CEO of Racer Media & Marketing, Inc. and founder of RACER magazine, RACER.com and RACER Studio.
The AOE series will also be bolstered by its expanded media partnership with SPEED SPORT, headed by industry veteran Joe Tripp. SPEED SPORT, the oldest American motorsports news and media brand, recently launched its own TV network dubbed SPEED SPORT 1. Tripp will lead the effort to develop the new series’ production and broadcast strategy for 2024, with an emphasis on live broadcast programming on a national network and digital platforms next season.

Another critical element to the AOE Pro Series off-road series is team member Brad Snyder, founder of NewScope Marketing Inc. A key vendor to Ford for event activations around the country, Snyder and NewScope will manage the build-out and logistics for an expansive armada of series executional, hospitality and marketing enhancement at all series events for 2024 and beyond.
“Today’s announcement represents a historic first in the history of off-road racing, both in terms of size and scope,” explained Jason Robinett. “We have spent nearly a year assembling the very best facilities, events, and management team members to establish a commitment to excellence right from the start. We are anxious to share more details of our inaugural season over the coming months.”
Furthermore, the national short course racing series opens a wealth of fresh and dynamic opportunities for industry-leading marketing partners. As the program gains momentum, sponsors will have the chance to align their brand with the excitement and passion that short course racing embodies. By partnering with American Outdoors Events, businesses can connect with a dedicated and enthusiastic fan base, amplifying their reach and impact.
The series name, branding, broadcast platforms and corporate partnerships are scheduled to be unveiled Thursday, December 7th at the 2023 Performance Racing Industry (PRI) show in Indianapolis, Indiana. In addition to a formal press conference and driver introductions, AOE will also be hosting series summits for race teams, tracks and corporate partners.
American Outdoors Events is a leading organizer of adrenaline-pumping motorsport events, dedicated to delivering unforgettable experiences for racers, fans, and marketing partners. The AOE corporate umbrella incorporates a wide ranging and expanding portfolio of regional and national motorsports platforms, including Ultra4 USA, Great American Short course, American SxS Takeover, America Pro Rock Racing, MidAmerica Outdoors and MAO SxS Racing. With a passion for innovation, American Outdoors Events continuously raises the bar in the world of motorsports, pushing the boundaries of excitement and entertainment.

 

AOE RELEASES 2024 PLANS FOR EXPANSIVE REGIONAL SHORT COURSE OFF-ROAD RACING SERIES

 

  • Program to unify three regional programs under one national umbrella
  • Combined purse of over $1,000,000 added for 2024 season

Designed to complement the new national Pro short course off-road series announced on Tuesday, American Outdoor Events (AOE) today released plans for the unification of regional racers currently competing in separate series around the country.

The yet to be named series would unify Sportsman category racers in wide variety of truck, buggy and side-by-side classes currently running under the Great American Short course (GAS) series in the west, the Midwest Off-Road Racing (MORR) group in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota, and the MidAmerica Racing (MAO Racing) group competing in Oklahoma and Missouri.

Current plans also call for the expansion of regional short course off-road racing to the eastern United States for an East region in 2025, bringing short course to fans and drivers from coast to coast.

The regional purses for 2024 will be a combined over $1,000,000 with a minimum $300,000 series purse per region. This $1 million is in addition to the $1.5 million race and prize package already on the table as part of the new national Pro short course series.

“Grassroots regional racing is the heart and soul of off-road motorsports. Families building cars together, coming to the track, spending time outdoors, and drivers getting seat time to develop their skills are critical to the long-term fun and success of short course racing on all levels” said Jason Robinett, Owner and CEO of American Outdoors Events. “We are proud to continue evolving our support in the growth of Sportsman classes nationally the same way we have been growing regionally with our MAO Racing and MidAmerica Outdoors series the last four years.”

A key component to this unification will be the standardization of safety and tech rules over the coming years, a much-needed development for a wide variety of vehicles that would allow competitors to race in a multitude of AOE produced events. AOE will also be offering racer development classes focused on media and sponsorship education to help teams grow their social media presence and increase value for sponsors.

For 2024, each region will continue to run its existing rulebook (with seasonal updates). An updated unified rulebook for 2025 will help ensure each region is consistent and drivers can race anywhere under the same tech and same safety rules. This will help reduce cost for teams and provide more choices when it comes to where to race. Each region will also have flexibility in classes run to allow for regional flavor and top-notch racing.

Each of the three regions will have a full race season with the Pro race series joining them for key events on specific race dates. When the Pro series is racing with the regional series, there will be opportunities for up-and-coming regional racers to earn entry into the Pro races that are televised. Each region will also have its full series livestreamed on AOE.tv and SpeedSport.tv for free (no paywall to watch AOE short-course racing). 

Pro and Regional racers will combine for major 2024 events at legendary Crandon International Raceway for June’s 31st Forest County Potawatomi Brush Run and Labor Day weekend’s massive 54th Polaris Crandon World Championships.  The groups will also come together at Minnesota’s ERX Motor Park on July 12 – 14 and at Michigan’s Bark River International Raceway on August 9 – 11.

The MidAmerica Racing series will combine with the new AOE Pro series at the MidAmerica Outdoors park in Jay, Oklahoma September 20 – 22nd and again October 11 – 13th at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri.

West coast regional racers in the GAS series can also look forward to joining the AOE Pro series for one weekend of competition in early 2024 with expanded dates in 2025. The date and location for this season opener are still being finalized.

The Regional short course racing series will open a wealth of fresh and dynamic opportunities for industry-leading marketing partners nationally, regionally, and locally. As the programs gain momentum, sponsors will have the chance to align their brand with the excitement and passion that short course racing embodies wherever they are comfortable. By partnering with American Outdoors Events, businesses can connect with a dedicated and enthusiastic fan base, amplifying their reach and impact across a multitude of platforms and race series.

The series name, branding, broadcast platforms and corporate partnerships are scheduled to be unveiled Thursday, December 7 at the PRI show in Indianapolis, Indiana. In addition to a formal press conference and driver introductions, AOE will also be hosting series summits for race teams, tracks and corporate partners.

American Outdoors Events is a leading organizer of adrenaline-pumping motorsport events, dedicated to delivering unforgettable experiences for racers, fans, and marketing partners. The AOE corporate umbrella incorporates a wide ranging and expanding portfolio of regional and national motorsports platforms, including Ultra4 USA, American SxS Takeover, America Pro Rock Racing, MidAmerica Outdoors and MAO SxS Racing. With a passion for innovation, American Outdoors Events continuously raises the bar in the world of motorsports, pushing the boundaries of excitement and entertainment.

 

Unification fails again! No 2024 National Short course Series

 

Nov 15, 2023
2024 SHORT COURSE ANNOUNCEMENT
After serious consideration, discussion, and additional research, American Outdoor Events has decided to not move forward with the 2024 National Short Course series announced earlier this year. The original focus and purpose of AOE and MidAmerica Outdoors was a family focused outdoors park that impacts the Northeast Oklahoma area. AOE will refocus their energy more closely to home and more in alignment with the original vision of the founders.

There are many details that still need to be communicated, but we wanted to allow drivers and marketing partners to know as soon as possible out of respect for their 2024 planning and budgeting processes. Short Course is a healthy and vibrant segment of American Motorsports and there are many other strong organizations that will still be carrying the mission forward. Additional details will be communicated over the next few weeks regarding the other racing series owned and operated by AOE as the team re-evaluates our racing programs individually in context of our primary goals and vision.

We look forward to producing even bigger and better events at MidAmerica Outdoors in 2024 as we narrow our scope, expand our impact on the local community, and strive for excellence in all that we do. Thank you for your support and enthusiasm. We look forward to an amazing 2024 as a team and as a park!

Sincerely,

Jason Robinett and the AOE Team

That is where short course racing is today. As more developments occur we will add to this, on again-off again, saga.