RONAN — Racers start your engines . . . because the new Tailgater Motorsports Park is slated to get racing starting later this month.

The new racing complex located a half mile north of Ronan and a half mile down Baptiste Road is owned and promoted by longtime local racer Tracy Burland, president and founder of the Big Sky Pro Racing Association. The park, Burland’s long considered dream, is designed for all-age community dirt-racing, and the best seat in the house is the tailgate of your pick-up truck.

“We’re trying to make something in the community to facilitate everything from the little kids up to the 80-year-old kids,” Burland said.

“My intent is to bring something new to the valley — an action program that fits the average motorsports enthusiast.”

Burland said the 12-acre course will — in the short term — consist of a dirt drag strip, a “user friendly” flat track for motocross and casual riders, and a “mud bog.”

The drag strip is planned to be used for 100 yard dash races for adult 4x4 racers and motorcyclers, in addition to 25 yard bicycle races for kids. The motocross flat track is planned to be 1/8 to a 1/4 mile.

The mud bog, however, is another animal completely. The 20-50 foot long course is dug 2 to 3 feet deep and filled with water. Then four-wheel-drive vehicles and Jeeps take to the course, ripping through the mucky sludge conditions.

Having raced since 1977, Burland has traveled with his Mission Valley group all over the Northwest. His team has local sponsors who they promote everywhere they go.

“We try to be ambassadors of the Mission Valley,” Burland said. “The community has supported us and we support them in turn.”

Burland observed that not only does the new track expand motorsports in the region, but it offers another opportunity to stimulate commercial traffic by bringing outside motor enthusiasts to the area. That said, the promoter hopes to hold one big organized event at the complex annually.

“This is just one more way to draw people to our community and keep people in town,” Burland said. “Growing up a motorhead in the Mission Valley and raising my family here, I’m also aware of the need to keep our kids entertained.”

Tailgater Motorsports is now scheduling a series of events for the spring and summer seasons, offering what Burland calls a “cross-section of down-in-the-dirt racing.” The first race program will be announced later this month.

Burland said the first season will feature: 100-yard sand drags, quad-drag races, 8-to-80 open-class motor bikes, and a nasty mud-bog pit competition.

Burland thought back to the good old days when coming up with the name and concept for his track. The good days when people backed up their trucks to the track with their own cooler and lawn chairs in tow for some old fashion entertainment and socializing at the track. Burland said fans can pull up their rigs and watch from the sidelines, but there will be a $10 cost per cooler and IDs will be checked for alcohol.

Even audience members watching the races can join in, Burland added.

“The best thing is you can do it in your truck you drive to work everyday — you don’t need a special racing vehicle,” Burland said.

For more information on Tailgaters Motorsports Park check out the headquarters at 4th and Main in Ronan, call 676-RACE(7223), or log onto www.bigskyracing.net.