New Minnesota track event to precede Nature Valley Grand Prix

The women tackle Chilkoot Hill at the 2007 Nature Valley Grand Prix (Image credit: Frank Rowe)

The Minnesota Fixed Gear Classic track race, scheduled for June 7-8 in Blaine, Minnesota, will be held by organizers of the Nature Valley Grand Prix, just prior to the National Racing Calendar event on June 11-15. The racing program will include a mix of sprint and endurance events and an invitational flying one lap attempt for men and women to establish a track record for this effort.

The event will piggyback off the local MS150 ride, a two-day recreational ride with over 3,500 participants ending on June 8 at the velodrome. "These people, who are largely unaware of track racing, will be delivered right to our event. They are very influential throughout the cycling community and will be great messengers to help spread the word about track racing if we can put on a good show for them," said David LaPorte, Nature Valley Grand Prix Director.

In addition to building the sport of track racing, event organizers are working to raise funds to support a major re-construction effort for the NSC Velodrome, a one-of-a-kind structure. The racing surface is in excellent shape but the substructure is constructed of untreated pine and only has three to five years of life left. Event officials hope to build a national event to position the track to raise the money for an upgraded substructure.