Jamestown Drag Racing Association exploring race on Munster Highway

The Jamestown Drag Racing Association (JDRA) is trying once again to bring drag racing to Eddy County.

Mike Trautman, president of the JDRA, appeared in person at the Eddy County Commission's regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 8, to discuss holding a drag race on County Road 12, a.k.a. Munster Road, in western Eddy County.

Until relatively recently, the JDRA had been allowed to hold their events at the regional airport in Jamestown, which they had been doing without issue for two decades. However, following their 2021 race, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) opted to stop permitting the racing event.

The JDRA has been looking for a new home ever since, and in 2021 they approached the City of New Rockford about using the airport north of town. The plan had support at first, but that support was pulled after a letter from the N.D. Aeronautics Commission advised against it, citing potential damage to the runway surface.

Now, the JDRA is trying to bring the race, which in previous years has typically seen around 150 competitors in addition to spectators, to Eddy County this summer.

Trautman said they'd need to close off around 3/8ths of a mile for the event, which would last a weekend. They discussed using the portion of Munster Road between its intersection with County Road 9 and the residence of Todd and Karen Koepplin, which is slightly less than two miles north of that intersection.

Commissioner Jamie Allmaras, who owns much of the land on either side of Munster Road in that area, said he has no problem with the race being held there. However, he and Troutman both acknowledged the potential issue of parking.

"We need space for 150 trucks and trailers plus all the spectators that come, so parking has been our biggest issue so far," acknowledged Trautman.

"That's the only problem I can see is the parking," Allmaras added, "because it's just a road and it's got a nice gradual ditch there, but as far as that there's farm land on both sides."

Allmaras added that there is a hay meadow in a low spot that might work for parking, but only if it stays dry.

Also in attendance for the discussion was Eddy County Sheriff Paul Lies, who said he wouldn't have a problem so long as the county approves and that fire and EMS services are present in case of emergencies.

The commissioners seemed open to the event, but ultimately did not make a final decision, choosing instead to allow Eddy County State's Attorney, Ashley Lies, to do some research regarding liability, century code, indemnification, etc.

Also at Tuesday's commission meeting, NR-S Superintendent Jill Louters told commissioners the school district is interested in purchasing Lot 21 of Block 19 in New Rockford.

The lot is currently owned by the county and is located between the Eddy County Courthouse and 5th Street North, where the NR-S building committee and school board are considering as the location for a structure to house the district's buses.

Ahead of the meeting, the commission had the lot appraised and the area surveyed to ensure selling the lot would not impede access to a shop on county property. The commissioners expressed their willingness to sell the lot, and during the NR-S building committee meeting the following morning, Louters told board members the cost of the lot would be $3,859.

The NR-S school board is expected to consider the purchase at their meeting on Monday, Feb. 13, as well as a recommendation from the building committee to move forward with making plans for a bus storage building.

The next county commission meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 7 at 8:30 a.m. in the Eddy County Courthouse.