Any one planning to go to Maxton this weekend? I am on business in SC and am going to try and get up there on Sunday! Should be pretty exciting, I have never been to a land speed event. Mike
Hello Mike, We're just starting to put my Firebird together for the Hot Rod event at Maxton next April. I'd appreciate it if you'd give me your take on the facility and the event. Thanks, Geo Turner Michigan
I'm watching the weather. The track is pretty spooky but the event is very, very well run and they keep the racers moving at a quick turnaround. It's a great place to watch the action and you can get pretty close either at the starting line or the traps. It's always a good time and it's only $5 to watch for the whole weekend. Mobile ****pers and food is available(sometimes real good food, sometimes just acceptable). Saturday they race from about 8am til roughly 5pm or 6 and Sunday til roughly 2pm. Lots of fun!
fordrat 31 [and any others attending] I plan on being there as a gofer on the 260's crew arriving Fri possibly departing Sun AM. [depends on weather, how well/long the car runs, etc]. If you spot us and we're not thrashing too hard [we try not to - gotta keep it a fun thing] don't hesitate to introduce yourself and say hi. Great meet always worth attending, no finer family 5 weekends a year. Ed Purinton
If you are anything like me, DONT DO IT!! The hook will sink deep, and you will have to make the trip every year. Put Bonneville on your bucket list.
Haha Bonneville is in the plans for next August! I am building a belly tank right now! I hope to have it completed for Speed Week next year. Figured I would go to Maxton since I was close, just to check it out. Maybe I can get a few ideas for the lakester while I am there. When I get back I will be sure to write somthing up of my thoughts. Mike
Your not kidding! I'd never been to a landspeed event until a few years ago at Maxton. They run 5 times a year and when I put up a new calender, that's the first 5 events I put on it. I'd love to make all 5 each year but I just can't so I survive on 1 or 2 a year. If anyone here is thinking of going, do it! You'll love it. It's held at an operating airport on a 1 mile runway out in the middle of nowhere. It's only $5 to get in and that's good for all weekend and by "in" I mean your in the pits with all the racers where you can wander around and look at everything, ask questions, take pictures, etc. The racers and staff all love what they're doing which makes for some very nice people and good conversations with no at***ude. Bring a camera, a cooler and a lawn chair because the setting is rustic. Set your chair up at the starting-line or the finish-line and you can listen to all the trap times clearly thru the loudspeaker. Watch out for Fire Ants though, their mounds are everywhere. It's incredible to watch a car or bike go past you at over 200 MPH. Maxton is a blast.
I must be missing something because there is no way a 1 mile runway will allow for acceleration to 200 MPH and a safe shutdown. Someone please clarify. I was under the impression that Maxon was much longer than that. Frank
The "Maxton Mile" is a runway built by the government in the 40's I believe, and then abandoned after it's use. It's 1 mile to get up to speed and through the traps and 9/10ths of a mile after the traps to slow down. The runoff has 2 turnouts to exit and several racers take the runoff all the way to the end with their parachutes flappin! I've personally seen bikes hit 260+ and cars top 240. It's cool as ****!
You really have to have a quick car to do 200+ at Maxton! It is completly different than bonneville. I would think there would be a huge difference between a Bonneville car and a Maxton Car.
Thanks for the clarification guys. That makes a whole lot more sense. We have an old cold war air base here in northern Michigan that would be perfect for something like this. It's Wirthsmith Air force Base in Oscoda, Michigan. My dad was stationed there flying B-52's and it's where I graduated from highschool. It's over 2 miles long (2 1/2 I believe) and Connie Kaletta runs his world wide airfreight business out of there. I'm told that Jack Rousch uses it for testing and there are some sports car activities a few times a year. It should be perfect for a Maxon type race. I still have some aquiantances in the area and I'll try to check and see if there is someone that can be contacted to make a proposal. Coupster here on the HAMB lives there so that could be a starting point. Frank
Oh don't act like you are going to leave Writesville Beach. Not that I have ever given you proof of my travels to your neck of the woods. I keep telling you that I am coming but it's the truth. Get you *** out to MAXTON!!!
GREAT EVENT. Cool rides and even cooler people.Bring a camera, collapsable chair,and a cooler. There is a section oh bleachers near the finish line but it is small. If you bring a chair you can sit in the gr*** and check out the action. You will not be disappointed.
Lot of cars and bikes have run both venues as well as some also at El Mirage,Texas, and Loring. Amount of set up differences has varied, lot depends on the cl*** being run.
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