Middle Georgia Raceway Creates Another Chapter In Its Storied History

Middle Georgia Raceway is snuggled within a peach orchard community called Byron, Georgia just south of Macon. It has a long history of…making history. It seems the recently quiet hallowed grounds that spawned great racing back in the day with still legendary stars, hi-tech moonshine distribution, and the 1970 Atlanta International Pop Festival are not yet ready to be written off. End Quote

Macon, GA (1888PressRelease) February 06, 2011 - Do not close the history books on Middle Georgia Raceway (MGR). This magnificent old racing facility is poised to rise again to the call major events. On March 11 and 12, 2011 the Jeff Smith Chevrolet Middle Georgia RacersReunion will awaken the small town of Byron, GA for what is expected to be yet another historic happening. In addition to local and regional racing the facility held NASCAR Grand National (now Sprint Cup) races from 1966 through 1971 with legendary winners such as Bobby Allison, Richard Petty, Bobby Isaac, and David Pearson. The racing action had a brief interruption in 1967 when Federal authorities found an elaborate moonshine still operating under the race track. Entry to the still was through a trap door in the floor of a ticket office to a 125 foot tunnel under the race track. It seems the moonshine operation had been a major part of the MGR business plan from its otherwise humble beginning.

In 1970 the second Atlanta International Pop Festival opened at MGR with Jimi Hendrix followed by performers such as The Allman Brothers Band, B.B. King, Procol Harum, Poco, Grand Funk Railroad, Mountain, and many more. Crowd estimates are said to have been between 350, 000 and 600, 000. Any conversation about MGR with Byron and surrounding residents will yield stories about the infamous "Pop Festival".

The Jeff Smith Chevrolet Middle Georgia RacersReunion will play host to fans and participants from all forms of motor sports competition in the middle Georgia area. The event was spawned when RacersReunion.com founder, Jeff Gilder contacted Tim Thornton whose company owns the property. "This old race track and the surrounding region share a great racing heritage," said Gilder who took the lead to seek interest for a RacersReunion event at MGR. "There are a lot of fans and participants who would love to see this track preserved. We were extremely pleased to find current owner and managing partner, Tim Thornton as an avid race fan. Mr. Thornton has actually rolled up his sleeves and has taken an active part in making this event a reality." Though Tim Thornton was not the original owner of the race track property, he was well aware of its place in Georgia racing history.

Festivities begin Friday March 11 when the gates open at 4 PM for the Georgia Bob's Barbeque Feast and Wine Tasting. Fans are invited to take The Candle Light Track Walk around the track and share their favorite MGR memories. Gates open Saturday at 9 PM for a full day including food, vendors, children's activities, classic car show, vintage race car show, and an autograph / photo session with the legendary drivers who helped create middle Georgia's racing heritage. Recent NASCAR Hall of Famer, Bobby Allison is scheduled to be on hand for this historic occasion.

For more information and vendor applications go to the Stock Car RacersReunion Events Calendar at http://RacersReunion.com or call Larry Smith at 478.714.0937.

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