The installation of fiber optic wires alongside the quarter mile racing surface officially commenced today. Bob Brockmeyer of Compulink Timing was on hand to head up Operation: Fiber. With the help of several proficient Maple Grove staff members working alongside Bob, the benefits of teamwork were evident as what would normally have been a 3-day job was accomplished on the first day. 

All the trackside fiber cables have been put in place through conduit, starting line to finish line, left lane and right. Other than a muscle cramp here or there, there were no hang-ups in the process.  

Now that all the tough labor is done, the installation of fiber connectors and infrareds is on the agenda for tomorrow.  Connecting the fibers to the newly installed Daktronics LED scoreboards and the computer are also on the hit-list.

With the progress made today, we are on schedule for opening this weekend April 5th and 6th with Sunoco Race Fuels Money Trail race #1 and #2.  Start packing your trailers, Money Trail racers.

We will keep you updated with the progress of Operation: Fiber.  Check back daily!

Maple Grove Raceway is undergoing a facelift for the 2008 Racing Season.  Prior to the season opening Test and Tune event on March 22, several improvements will be in place. Brand new LED Daktronics Scoreboards are first on the list of new items.  These 20 foot long boards will feature red LED digits that will be much easier to see in daylight, and can also be viewed from a wider range of angles so that spectators close to the finish line will no longer find themselves straining to decipher them. No longer having to frequently replace burnt-out incandescent bulbs is another plus with the new LED Scoreboards.

Fiber optic wiring is second on the to-be-accomplished list. Bob Brockmeyer from Compulink Timing will soon be out to install this latest technology in track wiring.  Maple Grove will officially be the seventh national event facility to feature fiber optic cables down the entire length of track. Utilizing fiber optics rather than traditional copper wiring safeguards the entire track and all connected components, such as the timing computer and tree, against the devastating damages that lightning strikes can cause.  The electronic damage that used to plague Maple Grove's computer after lightening storms,  will be one less thing to stand in the way of getting the show back on the road now. 

As if this wasn't already enough to dig up in one off-season, Maple Grove is also in the process of replacing the burnout boxes with new concrete. 

These updates will  improve the overall appearance and functionality of Maple Grove Raceway.  With 90 days of racing planned for 2008, Maple Grove strives to always remain in the top echelon of drag racing facilities in the country for racers and spectators alike.