Live in Texas? Like things that go stupid fast? Well, we’ve got just the event for you.
Zerin and I will be down in Beeville this weekend to help with social media support for the 10th anniversary running of the Texas Mile. The top speed crown currently lies in the Ford camp thanks to Mark Heidaker’s Hennessey-enhanced Ford GT, which set the bar at a whopping 263.3 miles per hour back in October. The KP Racing Camaro (pictured above) put up a heck of a fight, but came up just short at 263.2.
The full press release (which includes spectator information) is available after the jump. Hope to see you there!
No Speed Limit for three days as The Texas Mile returns for its 10th Year Anniversary
BEEVILLE, TX — More than 220 speed enthusiasts are set to speed down the runways of the Chase Field Industrial Complex March 22 through 24 as the Texas Mile revs up for its 10th season.
What started, as a grassroots motorsports event a decade ago is now one of the nation’s premier speed events for those on four or two wheels. The Texas Mile, now in its third season at Chase Field after being at a Goliad facility the previous seven years, is held twice a year, October and March.
The Texas Mile is open to drivers of sports cars, motorcycles, trucks, and concept race cars. It features professional racers, novices and amateurs alike who all have a need for speed. The competitors and spectators come from over twenty-five different states and all areas of Texas to enjoy this festival of motor sports.
The concept is simple: drivers line up and go as fast as they can for one mile.
The goal? Try to top the Mile’s record 263.3 mph record or at least be the fastest car, truck or motorcycle in their vehicle’s class or just to achieve their personal best.
Two car entries have a good shot of doing just that.
Kelly Bise’s Late Model Racecraft team of Houston’s twin-turbo Camaro just missed setting the Texas Mile record in October when his car sped down the course at 263.2 mph. He was bested by just a tenth of a second by Mark Heidaker’s Hennessey Ford GT which set the 263.3 mph record in the fall. Both are back to battle for Texas Mile supremacy.
Also back is Jennifer Robertson who set a Texas Mile record of 243.6 mph aboard her Suzuki GSX 1300 R Hayabusa, making her the world’s fastest woman on a motorcycle.
Spectators can witness racers going full throttle and get up close to the vehicles and many of the drivers as they prepare to take down the Texas Mile’s speed records.
Speed fans that come out can see Porsches, Corvettes, Audis, BMWs, Dodge Vipers, Dodge Challengers, Ford Mustangs, Harley Davidsons, Kawazakis, Saabs and even Mini Coopers and Volkswagen Beetles speed down the mile-long track.
Already featured in motorsports media including Speed Channel and Hot Rod Magazine, Motor Trend Magazine’s “Wide Open Throttle” TV show will be on site this year to follow the behind the scenes action for a future episode.
This year’s Mile is also taking on the task of inspiring the next generation of motor racing enthusiasts. Students from the Coastal Bend College’s automotive department will shadow the Texas Mile’s Tech and Staging inspection crews to learn more about motor sport safety. Students from Houston’s Chavez High School will also be on site to help their teacher Greg Ditch race the school’s engineering program’s racecar.
Texas Mile co-founder Jay Matus got into auto sports because of the inspiration he received while taking auto tech classes at Texas City High School in the 1980s. The ability to pass along the same passion to a new generation of auto enthusiasts is a way for the J&S Matus Motorsports to pay it forward.
For more media related information on the Texas Mile contact Shannon Matus, 281-802-9863, js@jsmatus. For more information regarding being a participant or spectator, contact Jessica Reyna,281-303-1844 or email info@texasmile.com.
WHAT: Texas Mile
WHERE: Chase Field Industrial Complex, 2745 Byrd Street in Beeville, TX
WHEN: March 22-24, 2013:
Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to dusk, Sunday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
ADMISSION: $20 for 3-day spectator pass, children under 12 admitted free
EXTRAS: Spectators can bring their own chairs, umbrellas and coolers. There are spectator viewing areas and concessions as well. (No glass bottles).
ON THE WEB: www.texasmile.net
