The president of Crandon’s off-road raceway says “drivers weren’t going to miss” major races now scheduled for next month, even during a pandemic.
In the past, those races have drawn tens of thousands of fans, and the races will go forward again this fall.
Crandon International Raceway President Cliff Flannery announced last week the 51st World Championship Off-Road Races will proceed as scheduled over Labor Day weekend and the annual Brush Run is reschedule for the last weekend in September.
Flannery said seeing similar races in Wisconsin and Minnesota take place influenced the decision.
“That was one of our biggest deciders. It went over really good [at Dirt City Motorplex near] Green Bay, that off-road race did, and the one [at ERX Motor Park] in Minnesota,” Flannery said. “[With the] different ones around us having them already, quite a few, already this year, makes us feel we should be able to have ours easy enough, and I think we’re taking a lot of precautions doing it.”
Raceway leaders met with the Forest County Board, Sheriff’s Office, and Health Department before making the announcement.
Flannery said enhanced sanitizing procedures and free face masks should help keep the events safer.
“Everybody’s pretty much aware of how far they should stay apart and everything. We’re trying to enforce that somewhat, but you can’t enforce it fully. You can recommend it. We’ll have plenty of signage. We’re going to try our best to keep everybody within reason,” he said.
In the past, the events have drawn tens of thousands of people, but have never been held during a pandemic.
Flannery was unsure of how many fans the races would draw this year.
“It’s real. I feel [the pandemic is] real. I think everybody wants to get out and do something. Everybody’s trying to as much as they can to keep themselves safe,” Flannery said.
The Forest County Health Department did not respond to a request for comment on the event.
