MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge is changing venues this summer. First held in 2015, Roadkill Nights is a one-day car culture festival that, in addition to legal street racing, offers a full slate of fan activities, including Dodge thrill and drift rides, Dodge driving simulators, a classic and modern muscle car show and much more.
Since 2016, the event has been entertaining muscle car fans at the corner of Woodward and South Boulevard on the M1 Concourse property. According to a report from The Detroit News, MotorTrend told M1 Concourse this month that event is moving to a new location.
So why the change? The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has been working at installing a new “Michigan left” turn around area just north of the Woodward and South Boulevard and while construction is scheduled to be completed by the Memorial Day weekend, they layout inserts some new safety risks for the event.
“M1 has been a tremendous partner. Changing our venue is the result of MDOT making road improvements for the businesses in the area,” said MotorTrend Chief Commercial Officer Eric Schwab. Schwab, along with Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis were the ones who came up with the idea for the event. “Putting in a Michigan [left] turn there prevents the southbound lanes from being a straight shot.”
“M1 has been a tremendous partner. Changing our venue is the result of MDOT making road improvements for the businesses in the area,” said MotorTrend Chief Commercial Officer Eric Schwab who brainstormed the idea of Roadkill Nights with Dodge boss Tim Kuniskis nine years ago. “Putting in a Michigan turn there prevents the southbound lanes from being a straight shot.”
“There were apparently concerns with construction on the southbound lanes of Woodward to put in a U-turn lane and whether that might change the configuration of the drag strip,” M1 CEO Tim McGrane told The Detroit News. “Concerns included whether the construction could be done on schedule and if the northbound lanes would be a suitable, safe alternative.”
The 87-acre M1 Concourse facility has been the ultimate venue for the event. Sitting alongside historic Woodward Avenue, it allowed the event to host a 1/8-mile straight-line dragstrip, while spectators had the chance to get their adrenaline pumping with thrill and drift rides in Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger SRT HELLCATs and Ram TRX trucks on the M1 Concourse grounds.
There are other local sites being looked at. According to the report, a possibility of having the event held further north in downtown Pontiac on the Woodward “Pontiac loop” between East Huron and Orchard Lake roads. A massive parking lot, straight shot down Woodward, and grass area would allow for the event to continue to showcase its thrill and drift rides, drag racing on Woodward, and spectator seating.
An official announcement is expect to come in May.
Source: The Detroit News
No replies yet
Loading new replies...
Join the full discussion at the Mopar Insiders Forum →