Crandon International Raceway Reschedules June Brush Run Weekend Due to COVID-19 Concerns
— Famed Race Track to Host Two Races In September —
CRANDON, Wisconsin (May 28, 2020) — In the end, it was not an easy decision for off-road racing’s oldest and most renowned race tracks to make. Despite weeks of working with local and state officials on conducting June’s 27th Forest County Potawatomi Brush Run weekend, track and Championship Off-Road (COR) series officials today announced the rescheduling of the traditional Midwest off-road season kick-off from June 19th – 21st to September 25th – 27th.
The current pandemic has forced the postponement and cancellation of motorsports events around the world. While Wisconsin has lifted most of its state restrictions on reopening businesses of all types, a recent uptick in COVID-19 cases in Forest County has raised concerns within the tight-knit community of Crandon.
RACING WILL RETURN: Despite the Brush Run rescheduling, huge fields of the world’s best short course off-road racers are expected for Crandon’s two major 2020 weekends. This includes the incredibly competitive Pro 2 trucks like the #4 Ford of local Crandon racer Keegan Kincaid. (Photo: Chris Hord)
Currently, all of the other race weekends that comprise the inaugural 2020 COR season remain the same, with the first event now slated for ERX Motor Park near Minneapolis, Minnesota on July 10th – 11th. The the 51st Crandon World Championship Off-Road Races® scheduled over Labor Day weekend will still take place on September 3rd – 5th, with the fifth annual Red Bull Crandon World Cup scheduled for Sunday, September 6th.
“For the past several months, we have been working towards a safe and entertaining opener of the new Championship Off-Road series right here in Crandon” said Crandon International Raceway President Cliff Flannery. “But after speaking with local and state leaders, health officials and the local residents, we felt it is in the best interest of everyone to postpone the event until this fall.”
The overall structure of Crandon International Raceway is unique in many aspects, but especially so in that it operates as a non profit 501c entity granting much of its earnings back to local charity and youth groups. In turn, up to 500 of these hardworking volunteers pitch in every race weekend to help the massive 400-acre facility create the famed “Crandon Experience” for thousands of guests.
In 2019, the track donated nearly $100,000 back to more than 20 charity groups and educational scholarships.
CRANDON STRONG: Since 1970 the small city of Crandon, Wisconsin has served as the centerpiece of off-road short course racing. Over that period the support of local residents and businesses has been a key to Crandon International’s success, including hosting the annual downtown Labor Day weekend race parade. (Photo: Harlan Foley)
“We would like to extend our thanks to the city of Crandon for their decades of support, for without their enthusiasm and volunteer efforts the Big House would never have survived, let alone thrived, for 50 years,” added Crandon International Promoter Marty Fiolka. “Our facility has a very comprehensive plan to maximize public safety, including operation upgrades that will only make our events a better experience for all. This is a very challenging and fluid time in history, but we are going to make both of our September races special and unique for our fans, race teams and corporate partners.”
“The Crandon staff would especially like to extend our gratitude to Forest County Sheriff John Dennee and Health Director Jacee Shepard for their tireless efforts in helping guide us moving forward in a responsible and safe manner,” added Fiolka.
FALL COLORS: The end of September in the Wisconsin Northwoods is famous as a place for incredible fall foliage. Racers, teams and fans will enjoy these views as a special part of the rescheduled 2020 FCP Crandon Brush Run. (Photo: Travel Wisconsin)
Crandon International race fans and team will retain all of their original 2020 Brush Run event camping, pitting admission and grandstand reservations.There is no refund policy at this time, but reservation holders can transfer their admittance and Camp Crandon tickets to other fans if desired. Those seeking help or assistance can contact the Crandon office directly via email at trackoffice@crandonoffroad.com
On Labor Day weekend (September 3rd – 6th) Crandon will celebrate its hosting of the 51st Crandon World Championship Off-Road Races®. Last year, a record-shattering crowd of over 70,000 fans packed the “Big House” for history’s largest short-course off-road event. In addition, unlimited 4-wheel drive ULTRA4 4400 class cars will take part in two special races, with one taking place Saturday night, September 5th as the day’s finale. The world’s best Pro short-course racers will compete the next day for a Crandon World Championship title and a huge cash and prize purse on off-road racing’s biggest competition — the fifth annual Red Bull Crandon World Cup.
Ticket, camping and grandstand reservations are still available for either or both 2020 races by visiting www.crandonoffroad.com.
ABOUT CRANDON INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY:
Every athletic form of competition has its iconic “holy grail” location; magic places that organically merge time, place and history in locations often imitated — but certainly not duplicated. For off-road racing, that unlikely theater of speed is found deep within Wisconsin’s Northwoods at a place better known as the “Big House.” Located just 100 miles northwest of Green Bay and just outside of the tiny hamlet of Crandon (population: 1,386), for 50 years Crandon International Raceway has provided three generations of fans with dirt throwing, high-intensity action and history-making performances. Crandon’s purpose-built, 400-acre facility is the finest on earth and has long hosted the largest crowds in short-course off-road racing history. Featuring more than 2,200 grass camping sites, fans enjoy two big weekends of racing each year including June’s Brush Run event and Labor Day weekend’s Crandon International World Championship Off-Road Races. Both events feature Championship Off Road (COR) Series Pro and Sportsman divisions, as well as ULTRA4 series rock racing action. For more information please visit www.crandonoffroad.com.
