Did you know that LVGP is located in the original Mack Truck assembly building.  Built in the early 1920’s this space was home to the assembly lines that built one of America’s greatest automobiles.  If you live in the Lehigh Valley or surrounding region there is a good chance that a family member of yours has worked here.

Along the walls in the facility you can find photos of the space dating back to the 1920’s.  These photos were donated by Mack Historical Society.  On Thursday, May 20th the Allentown Economic Development Corporation is showcasing the facility as a renovation of a historic building.  Click Here for details of the event.

~ El Diablo

It is always challenging to get your mother something for Mother’s Day.  What do you get someone that has given you life as well as put their heart in sole into seeing you succeed?  I think the answer is the simple acknowledgement of appreciation…or a vacation

Obviously, we can’t all send mom to that tropical island even though I wish I could but make sure to show your love, send those flowers and make the call to show that you appreciate everything she has done.

We will be giving mom’s free racing all weekend for mother’s day to give our respects to the hard working women out there!!  Happy Mother’s Day!

~El Diablo

Oval racing has a strong and rich history here in PA.  If you turn left there is a good possibility you know about the drivers coming out of this region.  To honor our customers at Lehigh Valley Grand Prix that enjoy turing left we have a night that is now dedicated to them.

LVGP has teamed up with Grandview Speedway to offer oval racing on Thursday nights.  Ernie Saxton and the team at Grandview are excited for their fans and racers to have  a venue to enjoy during their off days at the track.

This Thursday, 4/29, LVGP will be hosting its first ever oval racing night.  Come enjoy a new feature at the regions favorite indoor racing facility!!

~El Diablo

LVGP is offering up a summer racing clinic for kids.  There will be 2 programs offered over the summer.  The dates are July 17-26 and August 2-6.

This program is designed to teach kids what it takes to become a great driver.  It is amazing when you look across the board of the great racers.  Many are engineers that understand the proper techniques of drivingbut also poses the knowledge of the equipment and the right attitude to be successful.

It is our goal to show children the importance of education, discipline and attitude to becoming a great racer!!  For more information contact mikemccreary@lehighvalleygrandprix.com.

~El Diablo

Many may not be aware that I am a Lehigh University graduate.  I love my Mountain Hawks!  It was not until after graduation and we opened up the track that I was made aware of the Lehigh Formula SAE Team.

This group of students from all different majors have one common thread and that is a love for racing!  The team must raise money to build a formula style car for an international collegiate competition.

To learn more about the group or to donate to their cause Click Here.

~ El Diablo

This weather is great!  I have been opening the doors to the business to get all the fresh air possible.  This time of year is the most distracting of all.  When the weather warms up it is difficult to focus on work.  I can see it in the eyes of our staff.

Energy levels are up, distractions are up and we all need to channel this enthusiasm to be productive.  There is no better time to focus the group then to get out of the office for the day.  Instead of fighting the distractions, let them get it out of their systems.

Do a picnic, hit a baseball game or go do something adventurous.  We are finding many companies are coming out to Lehigh Valley Grand Prix for their team building events to let go of that steam.  Everyone has been working extremely hard through this economy and the fresh air and the warm sun are a great excuse to take a corporate retreat.

Enjoy the weather as I plan a special outing for our team here at the track

El Diablo

Lehigh Valley Grand Prix takes pride in helping organizations raise money through our fundraising events.  We are always looking for creative ways to have fun and take it to the next level.  April is Child Sexual Abuse Awareness Month and LVGP is teaming up with the RAACE Foundation to help spread the Awareness.

Child Sexual Abuse is a topic that is not easily discussed.  It is a dark subject that is embarrassing and uncomfortable for victims, therefore the epidemic is not as widely discussed as it should be.  Here are some statistics that make me sick to my stomach!!  1 in 3 girls are sexually abused before the age of 18.  95% of sexual abuse occurs within the family of trust.  1 in 7 boys are sexually abused before the age of 18.  There are 39 million Child Sexual Abuse survivors in the US!!

Have I got your attention?  Now for the part where we can help!  On April 22nd starting at 5:30pm LVGP is having a wing eating contest combined with racing.  Teams of 3 will participate in a relay race.  Each participant will eat 2 wings and race 10 laps on the track then tag a partner.  Fastest team wins.  Top 10 teams will compete in a final race. This is going to be a blast!!

The Corporate environment is something that intrigues me.  How people use their resources and skill sets to get the optimal performance level out of their staff is challenging.  There is no exact formula to running a great operation.  All of the manuals, courses and training programs are great but in the end it comes down to how you can deal with your team as individuals.  Everyone is different and has different needs.

The challenge we all face is “How to create a cohesive team with our individuals?”  The answer to that isn’t simple or clear cut.  The old method of a dictatorship with strict guidelines and discipline isn’t necessarily the best approach.  Today we need to find creative ways for the team to gel and create stronger bonds.  This doesn’t mean that every day is a party at the office but it does mean that people who like each other, will be more effective working together.

Creating bonds through fun team building activities outside of the office can be an efficient and cost effective way of creating these bonds.  There needs to be a maintenance plan put in place that incorporates training and fun activities.  Think of something fun and creative each quarter to keep your team engaged and energized.

Some suggestions; glass blowing at Banana Factory, Clay Shooting at Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays, Indoor kart racing at Lehigh Valley Grand Prix or Paintball are good places to start!

Red Cross rocked the house with a fundraiser that came down to the last lap for podium finishes!  With 11 teams competing to raise money for Haiti the Red Cross profited $6,500 and had a blast at the event.  The 3hr endurance race was filled with excitement and competitive spirit.

If you organization is looking for ways to raise money in a fun filled, competitive environment email me at mikemccreary@lehighvalleygrandprix.com.

~El Diablo

We have officially sold out our 12hr endurance race scheduled for March 20th-21st.  This all night race is the biggest race of the year at the facility.  The current line up includes drivers  from North Carolina, Massachusetts, Michigan, Canada, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Arizona and California.

The fact that there is a following from all over North America goes to show how the sport has grown.  The field holds 7 drivers from the top 20 finishers at the US Indoor Karting Championships.  This race will come down to the final lap.  It blows my mind the skill, focus and determination these drivers have.  This will be an event to see.  Spectators are FREE and encouraged to come watch the race.

Check out the chatter at http://www.indoorkartingnews.com/viewtopic.php?t=3239

~El Diablo