Speed Week

NORTHVILLIANS,

SPEED WEEK EDITION – I am known (among other things) as being the “Motor Sports Mayor.” In my life I have raced, turned the wrench, restored vehicles, and even owned some hot rods through the years. I continue to religiously make the pilgrimage to the Daytona 500 (40-years plus) for inspiration with other motorheads whom I’ve grown up with.

Speed Week events always remind me how many Northvillians are drawn together in common pursuits. In the late 1960’s, when Michigan International Speedway opened, it became a family event for many of us after attending the NASCAR inaugural event there in 1969.

Northville, over the years, has also been the center of various racing activities in which many of us have participated, watched, or heard about from our elders. Racing history at Northville Downs in the past included not only the gladiators navigating their horse chariots (sulkies) around the track, but also thoroughbreds, motorcycles, bikes, cars, snowmobiles and even go-carts.

As we are coming off NASCAR’s Speed Week last month, it reminds me of my own youthful racing aspirations. I used to race Trans Ams in club activities in the 70’s and even got certified to race in NASCAR’s inaugural Truck Series. As youngsters, many of us had dreams of being a racing hero, firefighter, police officer, or some other exciting career. With that youth dream in mind, we’ll look at some racing activities in the Ville over time.

Let’s look at Racing in the Ville Over Time…

CAR RACING IN NORTHVILLE

• 1957 – Before the first Daytona 500 was run in 1959, Northville’s historic 4^th of July activities included a Stock Car Race (NASCAR) at Northville Downs. In 1957 the Northville 100 was run with over 10,000 fans on hand at the half mile dirt track watching some of the top drivers in the nation compete for the Northville Trophy.

MOTORCYCLE RACING IN THE VILLE                                                        

• 1924 – There were motorcycle hill climbing events by Hillside reported The Record.
• 1957 – On Memorial Day, Motorcycle racing occurred at Northville Downs (and again in the 70s).  Speeds approached 90+ MPH on the straightaway.

NORTHVILLE GO CARTING

• 1950’s & Early ’60’s – Before my time, I’ve been told by Northvillians that there was a go-cart track behind where CVS is today. Many a youth cut their racing teeth there.

BIKE RACES

• 1897 – The Record touted a bicycle race starting at Fish Hatchery Park (One of the First National Fish Hatcheries) and raced to the Opera House (Dunlap/Center). Hundreds of folks lined up to witness the finish. You can see, biking has always been part of the Northville DNA (in recent years, the Rotary’s Tour de Ville continued the tradition).

SNOWMOBILES

• 1971 – Snowmobile racing hit town, taking place at Northville Downs. Titled the “Motor State Snowmobile Classic,” Manufacturers teams along with some 500+ competitors signed up for the race. Over 12,000 attended this wild and exciting event.

FOOT RACES IN TOWN

• Northville has previously hosted the State High School Cross Country Championships at Cass Benton Park (our Men’s Cross Country Team has been the reigning State Champions 3 years running & the Women’s Team has won the Championship, too). Today you can still witness countless high school and college teams competing in Cass Benton Park in 5K and 10K races.

HORSE RACING IN NORTHVILLE

• 1888 – Articles appeared in The Record about Horse Racing on Dunlap. Then in 1893, an article spoke about the 4^th of July street races and mentioned that “It was the largest crowd ever seen in Northville.” 
• In the late 1800’s, a group of businessmen built a small golf course where the Downs is today, and they had an informal track on the premises.
• 1907 – This local group built a certified track which was the foundation for the latter one and hosted the Wayne County Fair there until 1944.
• 1944 – The Carlo Family put Northville on the map by modernizing the facilities at Northville Downs and updated the track, readying it for consistent racing. Lights for night racing and brand-new overnight barns were established at this time.

This Speed Week edition has touched on multiple forms of racing that have occurred through time in our town. You can see that a lot of horsepower has been on display in Northville through the years (no wonder our mascot is a Mustang).

Now it’s time for you to race forward and engage your time & talents for the betterment of our community. As we ready for our Bicentennial in 2027, all of us can be part of the future trajectory for Northville.  Let’s move into the future … Together!

Keep racing into the Future!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
BTurnbull@ci.northville.mi.us / 248.505.6849

(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)

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