Contact: Bob Miller (215)860-5631 or tothill98@aol.com
by Joe Wylezik
For fifteen years, we heard the words. . . . Hear the Thunder, Feel the
Thunder, See the Thunder only at Grandview Speedway, making reference to the
very popular Thunder on the Hill Racing Series. Now in its fifteenth
season, the Thunder Series that started in August of 1990 and showcased the
410 sprints, now offers a variety of different division and unique event
formats. "Not every event or idea was a success, but we quickly developed
an understanding of how to read what dirt track racing fans were looking for
and we learned to adjust", commented Thunder Series Co-Promoter Bob Miller.
The success of Thunder on the Hill is a result of knowing what the fans want
and not necessarily what you want to see. It's also successful because of
constant changes that take place within the Thunder Series while at the same
time, staying connected to the baseline likes of the spectators. Most fans
are looking for a quick, efficiently run and entertaining program. Some
drama, a touch of showmanship and a connection with the drivers is sure to
satisfy the average race fan.
Former sprint car champion Dave Kelly had major influence in the start of
this series, bringing together Bob Miller and Grandview Speedway Owners
Bruce and Theresa Rogers. Prior to their first meeting, Miller and the
Rogers only knew each other through casual aquaintances at different
speedways. There was almost an instant chemistry as they talked about
running just one open competition sprint show, named immediately . .
.Thunder on the Hill.
The opening Thunder on the Hill event was an instant success and one of the
largest crowds in the history of Grandview Speedway. The Rogers and Miller
tried a second Thunder event in September of 1990 and the success story
continued. At that point, the discussion turned from running races into
growing a series.
In 1991 the Thunder on the Hill Series continued with the headline division
being the 410 open competition sprints. The fans continued to come out and
car counts remained strong in support of the high paying short distance
events at the bullring on the "hill" known as Grandview Speedway.
Going into the 2004 season opener, the May 2nd show will be the sixtieth
Thunder on the Hill event. In fifty-nine Thunder Shows an estimated $1.8
millions dollars was paid to their competitors.
Did Thunder on the Hill lose it's luster by the mid 1990's ? "Well, I
guess you could say that, but as I see it, both Bruce and I sensed that the
glitz and excitement was fading and we knew it was time to re-energize the
Series", commented Miller. That was done by striking an agreement to bring
the wingless CRA Sprints of California to Pennsylvania. It was just the
burst of excitement needed to bring out new fans with new interests.
Changes continued as Thunder on the Hill also became involved in the popular
410 Central Pennsylvania Sprint Speed Week Series, not to mention a visit by
the World of Outlaws, their first visit to Grandview Speedway in over ten
years. That event marked a sellout crowd at the Bechtelsville dirt track
one-third mile oval.
CRA returned to the east for a second swing, but this would be the final
time as the California based wingless sprint car group experienced turmoil
of their own. It was Miller and Rogers who opened discussion to organize
local wingless racing under the sanctioning banner of the United Racing
Club. The Thunder Series offered URC a hefty $2,000 first place payoff for
their 25 lap wingless events. But even the very lucrative money could not
sustain the desire for the URC drivers to race wingless.
Adjustments to the Thunder Series were again necessary by 1997 as the high
cost of 410 sprint car racing was taking its toll on car count. "The
Saturday night race fans at Grandview expect lots of cars and we definitely
had trouble delivering a thirty-five car sprint field", added Miller. Being
a believer in single division shows, Miller reluctantly added a second
division to the Series, trying the mini-sprints, the KARS Sprints and URC on
different programs. "All these division offer great racing on any given
night, but it was just too much for a Series that exists on mid-week race
dates or Sunday nights", commented Miller.
Still searching, Miller returned to the base of his own racing career as a
spectator, watching the modifieds. Before long, the DIRT Big Block
Modifieds were part of Thunder on the Hill as the Super DIRT Series made its
first official visit to Grandview. The excitement grew, all the top drivers
were there and the crowds were big. Thunder on the Hill continued to make a
lot of noise.
Miller was now looking to answer the question, How do you run multiple
divisions and avoid an all night racing marathon? The answer came in 1999
with the first running of the Grandview Thunder 4-25's, a four division
features only program. You guessed it. The show was wildly successful and
showcased the 410 sprints, the NASCAR Modifieds, the wingless KARS Sprints
and the ARDC Midgets. The features only format continues today on the
Thunder Series schedule but was expanded to the 5-25's.
There is excitement in this program since you can change your featured
divisions to include the Late Models, Big Block Modifieds, URC Sprints and
even the Keystone Legend cars. Miller added, "The features only format is a
favorite of the fans and they tell us so via e-mail, hand written letters
and even phone calls".
Looking to the 2004 Thunder on the Hill Racing Series, the mix of events
will include the DIRT Southeast Series for Big Block Modifieds that will
open the fifteenth season on Sunday night, May 2nd. The World of Outlaws
will return to Grandview on Sunday, May 30th in a blockbuster doubleheader
with the DIRT Southeast Series Modifieds. The Pennsylvania Sprint Speed
Week Series and ARDC Midgets will be the twinbill on Sunday, June 27. The
DIRT Southeast Big Block Modifieds will return to the "hill" on
Sunday, July
25 in a stand alone single division event offering a $10 adult admission, if
tickets are purchased in advance.
Always a popular event on the Thunder Schedule is the Wednesday night,
August 18 Super DIRT Series 100 lap Traffic JAM. Soon to be announced are
final plans for the August 29th Summer End Sprint Championship. The
Thunder on the Hill Racing Series will close with the annual House of
Thunder Grandview 5-25's features only program on Saturday night, October
16.
What is the key to success with the Thunder Series? "Everyone could
offer
a different reason but I think there are several contributors for the
success of the series". Miller continued, "First, you need to have
good
racing and the shows need to be run efficiently and fairly. Drivers and
Owners need to feel good about running your events and you need them to be
your ambassador as well. I try to make myself available to drivers, owners
and spectators, either face to face or by phone. When they need me, I make
myself available. I believe that honesty and integrity is the key. Say
what you do and of course, do what you say. . . and you can't go wrong."
What makes Thunder on the Hill different? "We do simple things, it's
just
that easy". Miller said, "Think about what you like and offer it to
the
fans. The live singing of the National Anthem, Pre-race autograph
sessions, Fireworks on the feature event parade lap, two track announcers,
fan giveaways including Pizza from Joe the Pizza Dude, and of course, a
joyous victory lane ceremony are just some of the special effects of Thunder
on the Hill. We also have "thunder music", an event Program Book that
has a
different look from other programs and our advance ticket purchase program
is a favorite with many fans."
How do you come up with different ideas? "Listen, think and take action.
For example, in last years running of the 5-25's, we tried two abreast
restarts up to halfway for the 410 sprints cars. The end result was a five
car race for the win." Miller added, "It was change that created talk
and
excitement and produced a great race. The fans know when you try something
new they respond vocally. You just can't top the feeling of knowing when
the fans appreciate what you're doing."
The Grandview Speedway facility is unique in nature. Once a pumpkin patch,
the speedway transformed through evolution not revolution. It grew, changed
and developed, just like the race cars have over the years. Grandview is
also rich in history, with some of the top names in auto racing starting
their racing careers on the "hill". Grandview Speedway is a true
example of
grass roots racing. It's fender-bending, wheel-banging action where stock
car racing is a "contact sport".
Thunder on the Hill and the Grandview Speedway will come together for their
fifteenth season on Sunday night, May 2. The tradition will continue with
Thunder on the Hill, where auto races become special events and where we
make racing fun for the fans.
For more information, please visit the all new Thunder on the Hill web site
at: www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com
Joe Wylezik is editor of the Grandview Thunder Program Book.