For decades, the now- defunct Detroit Dragway served as the quarter-mile proving grounds for the Big Three. Then in 1998, the "Dirty D" closed and never reopened. Sadly, the spot that once hosted Detroit's finest is now a row of warehouses.
Thankfully, though, only a short drive away resides Milan Dragway. Nestled about 30 miles south of the Big D, it now serves as home to Detroiters and manufacturers alike. Every year, the NMRA's annual Roush Yates Ford Nationals are held there.
This year's event was held in late July, and we were there to catch the action. We began our trip with a visit to Roush Performance Parts' (RPP) new digs in Plymouth Township, Michigan. The new 65,000-square-foot facility houses almost every step of the process of building a Roush Mustang from a base GT. There are tire-mounting machines, balancers, an upholstery shop, and an assembly line.
While there, the fine folks at RPP supplied us with a Race Red '12 RS3 to drive for the weekend. We made our way to the track on Friday, where there was plenty of action.
Not long after we arrived, an unfortunate racer overshot the turnoff and plunged into the wall at the top of the track, shutting down time trials for a couple of hours. The driver had to be taken away in an ambulance, but we hear that he's going to be just fine. And once things were cleaned up, racers were back on track in preparation for Saturday's battles.
On Saturday, rain delays challenged racers and track officials alike. Thankfully, the event continued on and off throughout the day. Officials drying the track gave spectators time to cruise through the manufacturers midway to check out some of the new products from companies like BMR Fabrication, Scott Rod Fabrication, and Brenspeed. The car show area was packed with all kinds of Dearborn iron, which is one of our favorite parts of this event.
When it came time for our beloved Tremec True Street, the skies parted and off we went on the 30-mile cruise. Only 2 of the 26 didn't make the cruise and all three runs. The rain kept many away, but the on-track fun, camaraderie, and prize money were enough to lure the two-dozen competitors to Milan Dragway.
When all the runs were done, Dave Flanders of Zeeland, Michigan, was victorious, taking home the crown, cape, trophy, and $250 prize. Flanders' '79 Mustang features a Mad Max-style design and is powered by a turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder that drinks methanol only. His 9.63-second average was enough to nudge Josh Ofting of Erie, Michigan, and his '86 coupe's 10.56-second average to the runner-up position.
The 10-second prize went to Mike Yensch of Newport, Michigan, with a 10.72-second average. The 11-second win went to Paul Rosner of Florissant, Missouri. His '01 GT averaged 11.12 over three back-to-back runs. The 12-second win went to Jeff McCool of Galloway, Ohio, with a 12.06-second average. The 13-second winner was Wendy Schultz of Commerce, Michigan, with a 13.02-second average. And topping the 14-second class was Anthony Jager of Toledo, Ohio, with a 14.07-second average.
This is the '12 RS3 that Roush...
This is the '12 RS3 that Roush Performance Parts lent us for the weekend. It was only fitting to stop by Ford World Headquarters for a photo op.
Shown is Wendy Schultz of...
Shown is Wendy Schultz of Commerce, Michigan, while qualifying for True Street on the 30-mile cruise. She and her '06 GT went on to win the 13-second class with a 13.02-second average.
Mike Yensch of Newport, Michigan,...
Mike Yensch of Newport, Michigan, heats the hides on his clean '90 LX coupe during True Street competition. Yensch averaged 10.72, which was good enough for the 10-second win.
This tricked-out ’09 convertible...
This tricked-out ’09 convertible is owned and driven by Anthony Jager of Toledo, Ohio. Jager won the 14-second class with a 14.07-second average.
Alton Clements (near lane)...
Alton Clements (near lane) gets out in front of Chad Allmandiner during EFI Renegade qualifying. Clements faced Allmandiner again in the final, defeating him with an 8.61 at almost 153 mph.
Here is 11-second True Street...
Here is 11-second True Street winner Paul Rosner launching his ’01 GT during competition.
Bruce Hemminger, the number...
Bruce Hemminger, the number one qualifier, makes his way down the track in Real Street. Hemminger defeated veteran Tim Matherly in the final with a 9.36 at 142 mph to Matherly's 9.53 at 144 mph.
In Super Stang, BMR Fabrication's...
In Super Stang, BMR Fabrication's Allen Miller took the win in the final against Kent Nine. Miller’s '11 GT also served as a product model in the manufacturer’s midway when he wasn't in the staging lanes or on track.
In Super Stang, BMR Fabrication's...
In Super Stang, BMR Fabrication's Allen Miller took the win in the final against Kent Nine. Miller’s '11 GT also served as a product model in the manufacturer’s midway when he wasn’t in the staging lanes or on track.
John Leslie Jr. works on swapping...
John Leslie Jr. works on swapping his clutch between rounds on Saturday. Leslie went on to face Louis Sylvester in the final, but sprung an oil leak when pulling up to the line, handing the victory to Sylvester.
True Street competitors prepare...
True Street competitors prepare for the competition.
Louis Sylvester launches during...
Louis Sylvester launches during Factory Stock competition. Sylvester defeated Leslie Jr. in the final.
12-second True Street winner...
12-second True Street winner Jeff McCool launches his '86 GT during competition.
We found one of our favorite...
We found one of our favorite things in the car show area on Saturday—a Terminator with polished CCW Classics.
True Street winner Dave Flanders...
True Street winner Dave Flanders of Zeeland, Michigan, pedaled his Frankenstein '79 LX coupe to a 9.63-second average.
Flanders' homebuilt powertrain...
Flanders' homebuilt powertrain consists of a methanol-eating, 2.3L, turbocharged four-cylinder and a C4.
The Drag Radial final pitted...
The Drag Radial final pitted Jason Lee (near lane) against Andy Manson. Lee walked away with the win with a blazing 7.71 e.t. at 181 mph.
In Mod Muscle, Gary "Hollywood"...
In Mod Muscle, Gary "Hollywood" Parker (near lane) was slow getting out of the hole against Reggie Burnette Jr. Parker couldn't recover, handing the win to Burnette.
True Street Runner-Up Josh...
True Street Runner-Up Josh Ofting purges the nitrous on his '86 GT. Ofting averaged 10.56 seconds.
Pure Street winner Dan Von...
Pure Street winner Dan Von Ahnen launches during qualifying.
In the final of Super Street...
In the final of Super Street Outlaw, John Urist (near lane) defeated John Kolivas with a 7.34 at 195 mph.
In Hot Street, Robbie Blankenship...
In Hot Street, Robbie Blankenship (near lane) faced Charlie Booze Jr. in the final. Blankenship edged out Booze with an 8.59 to Booze’s 8.61.