USSA Info > Want to hold a race?

Venue Promoter Initial Interest Synopsis

It is exciting to think about hosting a weekend of racing with North America’s premier ice oval racing organization, the USSA ProStar Series. The two-day racing program features many opportunities for fans, spectators and sponsors to watch and interact with all of the participants. It is also a great opportunity to showcase your community, region, organization, or platform.

But what does it take to host a USSA sanctioned race weekend? Here are a few facts to consider:

  1. An ice oval track with a minimum thickness of 12 inches. We have raced tracks at ¼ mile, 1/3 mile and a ½ mile. Minimum width of the ice racing surface needs to be 65 feet on the straight away and 65 feet in the corner at the start of the race weekend. As conditions change, the track can be plowed differently to eliminate ruts and bad spots. If the surface ever falls below 40 feet in width, racing may be cancelled. Both land-based tracks and lake tracks can be acceptable, but each pose a different set of preparation plans.
  2. There needs to be a considerable amount of non-frozen haybales placed around the outside of the track. Securing the haybales is one of the primary off-season responsibilities. The bales can be rented from farm property, made by volunteers and stored, or purchased. With proper care, bales can last 2-3 years.
  3. Equipment needed to host a successful weekend includes the following:
    1. Water truck and water source (used to make ice on the land track, pit area and paddock area. Plan a minimum of 3 weeks to make your track.)
    2. Snow removal equipment for parking areas and pit areas.
    3. Track equipment for race weekend – a minimum of 4 pick-up trucks with plows and 4 power brooms
    4. Audio system for the track announcer.
  4. Volunteers to assist with the races. That would include a minimum of 8 corner workers to help with sled recovery; 3-4 people to monitor secure access to the track and paddock area; Plow and broom drivers; and Two sled recovery teams of 2 people each (each with an ATV or UTV).
  5. Securing sponsorship for your race. Most venues work to cover all of their pre-weekend cost with sponsorship dollars and then turn profit from gate and concession on race weekend.
  6. USSA charges a sanctioning fee which includes all USSA staff; race and venue insurance for the race weekend; registration, timing, scoring, and tech inspection services; public meet and greet for your fans; VIP visits and sponsor tours for your guests; flagman and race control; livestreaming service and more. In addition, the venue/promoter is responsible for lodging for the USSA staff for the weekend (often done as a trade for sponsorship with a local hotel.)
  7. The venue staffs ticket booths, concessions, misc sales (shirts, etc) and all other locations. All revenue collected through these channels is retained by the venue and the promoter.

The USSA sanctioning body will be available to assist with questions and advice as your event approaches.