View source for Brainerd International Raceway

{{Short description|Road course, drag strip and kart track in Brainerd, Minnesota, USA}}
{{Infobox motorsport venue
|Name              = Brainerd International Raceway
|Former_names      = Donnybrooke Speedway (1968–1973)
|Location          = [[Crow Wing County, Minnesota|Crow Wing County]], NW of [[Brainerd, Minnesota]], [[United States]]
|Address           = 5523 Birchdale Road
|Time              = [[UTC−06:00]] ([[UTC−05:00]] [[Daylight saving time|DST]])
|Coordinates       = {{Coord|46|25|01.45|N|94|16|23.31|W|display=inline,title}}
|Logo              = [[Image:Brainerd International Raceway Logo.jpg|frameless]]
|Image             = [[Image:Brainerd Competition Course.png|250px]]
|Image_caption     = Competition Road Course (2008–present)
|Track_map         = [[Image:Brainerd International Raceway.svg |250px]]
|Track_map_caption = Donnybrooke Road Course (1968–present)
|Broke_ground      = 1967
|Opened            = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1968|07}}
|Owner             = Kristi Copham<ref name="bir-sold">{{cite news|title=BIR sold |first=Renee |last=Richardson |url=http://brainerddispatch.com/stories/072806/new_20060728007.shtml |newspaper=Brainerd Dispatch |date=July 28, 2006 |access-date=April 9, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718192608/http://brainerddispatch.com/stories/072806/new_20060728007.shtml |archive-date=July 18, 2011 }}</ref>
|FIAGrade          = 3{{efn|name=Brainerd Grade 3|Brainerd International Raceway's Grade 3 licence expired 30 June 2024.}}
|Capacity          = 20,000
|Events            = '''Current:'''<br />'''[[NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series]]'''<br />''Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals'' (1982–2019, 2021–present)<br />'''Former:'''<br />[[MotoAmerica]] (1983–1987, 1992–2004, 2021–2024)<br />[[Formula Regional Americas Championship|FR Americas]] (2021)<br />[[Trans-Am Series]] (1969–1972, 1975–1978, 1980–1989, 2010–2017, 2020–2021)<br />[[GT World Challenge America|Pirelli World Challenge]] (2014)<br />[[ARCA Menards Series West|NASCAR K&N Pro Series West]] (2012–2013)<br />[[Superbike World Championship|World SBK]] (1989–1991)<br />[[IMSA GT Championship]] (1972, 1977–1983)<br />[[Can-Am]] (1970–1972, 1979–1980, 1984)
|Layout1           = Competition Road Course (2008–present)
|Length_km         = 4.023
|Length_mi         = 2.500
|Turns             = 13
|Record_time       = 1:23.109
|Record_driver     = {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Joshua Car]]
|Record_car        = [[Ligier JS F3]]
|Record_year       = [[2021 Formula Regional Americas Championship|2021]]
|Record_class      = [[Formula Regional]]
|Layout2           = Donnybrooke Road Course (1968–present)
|Length_km2        = 4.989
|Length_mi2        = 3.100
|Turns2            = 10
|Record_time2      = 1:27.090
|Record_driver2    = {{flagicon|IRE}} [[Michael Roe (racing driver)|Michael Roe]]
|Record_car2       = [[VDS-002]]
|Record_year2      = [[1984 Can-Am season|1984]]
|Record_class2     = [[Can-Am]]
|Layout3           = Drag Strip
|Surface3          = Concrete/Asphalt<ref>{{cite web |title=BIR's drag strip is top notch |url=https://www.brainerddispatch.com/sports/birs-drag-strip-is-top-notch |website=Brainerd Dispatch |access-date=12 June 2025 |language=en |date=7 August 2004}}</ref>
|Length_km3        = 0.402
|Length_mi3        = 0.25
}}

[[Image:BrainerdInternationalRacewayMay1997.jpg|thumb|right|Welcome sign in May 1997]]
'''Brainerd International Raceway''' is a [[road racing|road course]], and [[dragstrip]] racing complex northwest of the city of [[Brainerd, Minnesota]]. The complex has a {{convert|0.25|mi|km|abbr=on}} dragstrip, and overlapping {{convert|2.500|mi|km|abbr=on}} and {{convert|3.100|mi|km|abbr=on}} road courses. The complex also includes a [[karting|kart track]]. The raceway hosts the [[National Hot Rod Association]]'s Lucas Oil Nationals. It is a popular racetrack for the [[Trans Am Series]]. The spectator [[seating capacity]] of the circuit is 20,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldstadiums.com/north_america/countries/united_states/minnesota.shtml|title=World Stadiums - Stadiums in the United States :: Minnesota|website=www.worldstadiums.com|access-date=2014-12-02|archive-date=2015-01-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110012753/http://www.worldstadiums.com/north_america/countries/united_states/minnesota.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==History==
Opened in July 1968 as Donnybrooke Speedway, there were no safety barriers, run-out areas, grandstands or even restrooms. George Montgomery and Bud Stahel cleared the racetrack through a wooded area on the south side of [[North Long Lake]]. It was [[Sports Car Club of America|SCCA]]'s first venue in the region.<ref name="burgess-50">Burgess, Phil, ''National Dragster'' editor.  "Brainerd: Celebrating 50 years of racing", written 24 August 2018, at [https://www.nhra.com/news/2018/brainerd-celebrating-50-years-racing   NHRA.com] (retrieved 13 October 2018)</ref> It was also an [[National Hot Rod Association|NHRA]]-sanctioned track, with the first official event there an NHRA race, at the opening; [[Top Fuel]] [[Dragster (car)|Dragster]] was won by Doc Halladay.<ref name="burgess-50"></ref> With the help of St Paul sports promoter Dennis Scanlan, it hosted a 2-heat [[United States Auto Club|USAC]] Indy Car race in 1969. The heats were won by [[Gordon Johncock]] and [[Dan Gurney]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.champcarstats.com/tracks/brainerd.htm |title=Brainerd International Raceway |publisher=Champcarstats.com |date=1969-09-14 |access-date=2009-09-19}}</ref>

Donnybrooke, played host to [[Can-Am Challenge Cup|CanAm]] races in 1970, 1971, and 1972. These races were won by, respectively, [[Denny Hulme]], [[Peter Revson]], and [[François Cevert]]. In 1973 Jerry Hansen bought the track and renamed it Brainerd International Raceway.

In the 1970s, the Donnybrooke track began holding [[Funny Car]] events, in particular the [[Crown Auto Funny Car Championships]], and in time, NHRA was convinced to stage a national event at Brainerd:  in 1982, [[Shirley Muldowney]] (in Top Fuel Dragster), [[Frank Hawley]] (Top Fuel Funny Car), and [[Lee Shepherd]] ([[Pro Stock]]) were the headline winners at the first Quaker State North Star NHRA Nationals.<ref name="burgess-50"></ref>

[[John Force]] has won at Brainerd 11 times in 15 final round appearances (1988, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2007)

In Pro Stock, [[Bob Glidden]] won at Brainerd in 1983, 1985, 1986, and 1992.<ref name="burgess-50"></ref>

The Brainerd strip became known as "one of the quickest and fastest in the world".<ref name="burgess-50"></ref> It was completely resurfaced in 2003.<ref name="burgess-50"></ref> In 2005, [[Tony Schumacher (drag racer)|Tony Schumacher]] turned in a speed of {{convert|337.58|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, "the fastest quarter-mile time ever",<ref name="burgess-50"></ref> and in 2016 and 2017, national NHRA records in Funny Car were set there.<ref name="burgess-50"></ref>

[[Kenny Bernstein]] won at Brainerd five times, 1983 and 1987 (in Funny Car) and in 1991, 1996, and 2002 (in Top Fuel Dragster).

In the summer of 2006, Jed and Kristi Copham of [[Forest Lake, Minnesota]],became the new owners of Brainerd International Raceway.<ref name="bir-sold"></ref>

The track hosted two [[ARCA Menards Series West|NASCAR K&N Pro Series West]] events between 2012 and 2013. The track also hosted one [[ARTGO|NASCAR Midwest Series]] race in 2004.

Brainerd International Raceway was damaged during a severe thunderstorm that struck portions of Minnesota on July 12, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/29532183/brainerd-international-raceway-rocked-by-storms-more-minnesota-photos|title=Brainerd, Minnesota twisted by storms, raceway in pieces|last=FOX|date=23 March 2022}}</ref>

==Track Information==
Brainerd International Raceway consists of 2 road tracks and 1 drag strip.

===Donnybrooke Road Course===
Brainerd International Raceway maintains the original name of the now 50-year-old course.  The course is used for automotive and motorcycle racing.

The {{convert|3.100|mi|km|abbr=on}} Donnybrooke Road Course has 10 turns and is considered wide – the main straight is {{cvt|60|ft|m|abbr=on}} wide. There is essentially no elevation change. BIR is a high-speed course; vehicles can reach speeds of nearly {{cvt|180|mph|km/h}} and take the slowest corners around {{cvt|80|mph|km/h}}. There are wide runoff areas at most of the corners, which makes BIR's road course extremely safe. This configuration uses the dragstrip as part of the course.

===Competition Road Course===
The 2009 racing season was the first for the {{convert|2.500|mi|km|abbr=on}} course which was completed in the 2008 summer.

Turn 1 on the {{convert|2.500|mi|km|abbr=on}} Competition Road Course is the same as Turn 1 on the three-mile road course. Turn 1 is a narrow but very high-speed banked right-hand 60-degree turn, which is intended be taken flat out by all vehicles. Turns 1 through 8 of the original {{convert|3.100|mi|km|abbr=on}} road course are used for the new circuit. At Turn 8, a 240-degree right-hand Clover Leaf transitions drivers from the old course to the new stretch of asphalt that winds its way back across the infield, eventually tying back into the original circuit just before Turn 1, avoiding the dragstrip. In all, the Competition Road Course features 13 turns and very little elevation change.

===Dragstrip===
The dragstrip dates back to 1969, when Donnybrooke converted the mile-long straightaway on its road course to a drag strip and hosted an NHRA Divisional Points Race. In 1977, BIR hosted the Crown Auto Funny Car Championships and the Crown Auto Winston Points Championship. It was reconstructed in 2005, adding a {{cvt|700|ft|m|abbr=on}} concrete launch pad and new asphalt for the remaining {{cvt|600|ft|m|abbr=on}} was installed.
[[Tony Schumacher (drag racer)|Tony Schumacher]], set the world record for top fuel dragsters with a {{convert|337.58|mi/h|km/h|2|abbr=on}} run in 2005. This speed and time are recorded at the end of a standing start quarter mile acceleration race, before the NHRA shortened top fuel and funny car races to the current {{convert|1,000|ft|m|abbr=on}} since 2008.<ref>{{cite web|author=The Summit Racing Web Development Team. |url=http://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCStory.asp?ID=101529 |title=BRAINERD - Saturday Wrap Up |publisher=Dragracecentral.com |date=2005-08-13 |access-date=2009-09-19}}</ref>

==Lap records==

As of June 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the Brainerd International Raceway for different classes are listed as:

{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Category!!Time!!Driver!!Vehicle!!Event
|-
! colspan="5" | Brainerd International Raceway Competition Road Course: 4.023&nbsp;km (2008–present) 
|-
| [[Formula Regional]] || '''1:23.109'''<ref>{{cite web |title=2021 Formula Regional Americas Championship Round 11 Official Results |url=https://mcusercontent.com/e4e91fada898e41afee23244f/files/1ba37e62-25a1-ff8d-d869-aea432895d75/FR_Round_11_Official_Race_Results.01.pdf |date=18 July 2021 |access-date=31 July 2021}}</ref> || [[Joshua Car]] || [[Ligier JS F3]] || [[2021 Formula Regional Americas Championship|2021 Brainerd FR Americas round]]
|-
| [[Trans-Am Series#TA|TA1]] || '''1:27.348'''<ref name='2021_brainerd_transam'>{{cite web |title=Trans Am Championship Presented by Pirelli - July 16 - 18 2021 - Brainerd International Raceway - TA TA2 Round 7 Race Results |url=http://gotransam.cdn.racersites.com/assets/2021%20Brainerd%20TA%20TA2%20Race%20Official%20Results.pdf |date=18 July 2021 |access-date=31 July 2021}}</ref> || [[Ernie Francis Jr.]] || [[Ford Mustang (sixth generation)#Motorsport|Ford Mustang Trans-Am]] || [[2021 Trans-Am Series|2021 Brainerd Trans-Am round]]
|-
| [[Superbike racing|Superbike]] || '''1:29.922'''<ref>{{cite web |title=2021 MotoAmerica Superbikes at Minnesota - HONOS Superbike Race 2 |url=http://www.motoamericaregistration.com/Results/2021/BIR/21_9_BIR_SBK_R2_res.pdf |date=1 August 2021 |access-date=2 August 2021}}</ref> || [[Jake Gagne]] || [[Yamaha YZF-R1]] || [[2021 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship|2021 Brainerd MotoAmerica round]]
|-
| [[Trans-Am Series#TA2|TA2]] || '''1:31.494'''<ref name='2021_brainerd_transam' /> || [[Raphael Matos]] || [[Ford Mustang (sixth generation)#Motorsport|Ford Mustang Trans-Am]] || [[2021 Trans-Am Series|2021 Brainerd Trans-Am round]]
|-
| [[Formula 4]] || '''1:31.585'''<ref>{{cite web |title=2021 F4 United States Championship Brainerd Race 2 Statistics |url=https://motorsportstats.com/results/f4-united-states-championship/2021/brainerd-international-raceway/stats/race-2 |date=17 July 2021 |access-date=7 June 2024}}</ref> || [[Jason Alder (racing driver)|Jason Alder]] || [[Ligier Automotive#Models|Crawford F4-16]] || [[2021 Formula 4 United States Championship|2021 Brainerd F4 United States round]]
|-
| [[MotoAmerica#Stock 1000|Stock 1000]] || '''1:31.831'''<ref>{{cite web |title=2023 MotoAmerica Superbikes at Brainerd - Stock 1000 Race 1 |url=http://www.motoamericaregistration.com/Results/2024/BIR/24_6_BIR_STK_R1_res.pdf |date=15 June 2024 |access-date=24 June 2024}}</ref> || [[Hayden Gillim]] || [[Honda CBR1000RR]] || [[2024 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship|2024 Brainerd MotoAmerica round]]
|-
| [[Sport bike#Classes|Supersport]] || '''1:32.787'''<ref>{{cite web |title=2021 MotoAmerica Superbikes at Minnesota - Supersport Race 2 |url=http://www.motoamericaregistration.com/Results/2021/BIR/21_9_BIR_SSP_R2_res.pdf |date=1 August 2021 |access-date=2 August 2021}}</ref> || [[Sean Dylan Kelly]] || [[Suzuki GSX-R600]] || [[2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship|2021 Brainerd MotoAmerica round]]
|-
| [[MotoAmerica#Twins Cup (Superstock 600 2015–2017)|Twins Cup]] || '''1:35.505'''<ref>{{cite web |title=2024 MotoAmerica Superbikes at Brainerd - BellissiMoto Twins Cup Race 2 |url=http://www.motoamericaregistration.com/Results/2024/BIR/24_6_BIR_TWN_R2_res.pdf |date=16 June 2024 |access-date=24 June 2024}}</ref> || [[Alessandro Di Mario]] || [[Aprilia RS 660]] || [[2024 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship|2024 Brainerd MotoAmerica round]]
|-
| [[Sport bike#Classes|Supersport 300]] || '''1:42.236'''<ref>{{cite web |title=2021 MotoAmerica Superbikes at Minnesota - Junior Cup Race 2 |url=http://www.motoamericaregistration.com/Results/2021/BIR/21_9_BIR_JRC_R2_res.pdf |date=1 August 2021 |access-date=2 August 2021}}</ref> || [[Gus Rodio]] || [[Kawasaki Ninja 400R]] || [[2021 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship|2021 Brainerd MotoAmerica round]]
|-
! colspan="5" | Brainerd International Raceway Donnybrooke Road Course: 4.989&nbsp;km (1968–present) 
|-
| [[Can-Am]] || '''1:27.090'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Can-Am Brainerd 1984 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Brainerd-1984-07-22.html |date=22 July 1984 |access-date=6 November 2022}}</ref> || [[Michael Roe (racing driver)|Michael Roe]] || [[VDS-002]] || [[1984 Can-Am season|1984 Pepsi Grand Prix]]
|-
| [[Group 7 (motorsport)#Group 7 two-seater racing cars (1966 to 1975)|Group 7]] || '''1:27.860'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Can-Am Donnybrooke 1971 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Brainerd-1971-09-12.html |date=12 September 1971 |access-date=6 November 2022}}</ref> || [[Denny Hulme]] || [[McLaren M8A#M8F|McLaren M8F]] || [[1971 Can-Am season|1971 Minneapolis Tribune]] 
|-
| [[IMSA GT classes#Grand Touring Prototype|IMSA GTP]] || '''1:31.560'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Brainerd 200 Kilometres 1982 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Brainerd-1982-07-11.html |date=11 July 1982 |access-date=6 November 2022}}</ref> || [[John Paul Jr. (racing driver)|John Paul, Jr.]] || [[Porsche 935|Porsche 935 JLP-3]] || [[1982 IMSA GT Championship|1982 Pepsi Grand Prix]]
|-
| [[IMSA GT classes#Grand Touring Over|IMSA GTO]] || '''1:33.130'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Brainerd 100 Miles 1979 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Brainerd-1979-06-17.html |date=17 June 1979 |access-date=6 November 2022}}</ref> || [[Gianpiero Moretti]] || [[Porsche 935|Porsche 935/79]] || [[1979 IMSA GT Championship|1979 Pepsi Grand Prix]]
|-
| [[IMSA GT classes#Grand Touring Experimental|IMSA GTX]] || '''1:34.170'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Brainerd 200 Kilometres 1981 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Brainerd-1981-06-14.html |date=14 June 1981 |access-date=29 November 2022}}</ref> || [[John Paul Jr. (racing driver)|John Paul, Jr.]] || [[Lola T600]] || [[1981 IMSA GT Championship|1981 Pepsi Grand Prix]]
|-
| [[Trans-Am Series|TO]] || '''1:36.086'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Trans-Am Brainerd 1986 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Brainerd-1986-07-20.html |date=20 July 1986 |access-date=6 November 2022}}</ref> || [[Scott Pruett]] || [[Mercury Capri]] || [[1986 Trans-Am Series|1986 Brainerd Trans-Am round]]
|-
| [[Superbike racing|Superbike]] || '''1:36.247'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship - Trofeo Ducati presented by Michelin - Brainerd International Raceway - Brainerd, MN - Round 11 of 18 - June 25–27, 2004 - Chevrolet Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited - Individual Times - Final Race Result |url=https://results.amaproracing.com/live/archives/rr/2004/07-brainerd/sbr1ind.pdf |date=27 June 2004 |access-date=12 November 2024}}</ref> || [[Jake Zemke]] || [[Honda CBR1000RR]] || [[2004 AMA Superbike Championship|2004 Brainerd AMA Superbike round]]
|-
| [[Sport bike#Classes|Supersport]] || '''1:38.083'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship - Trofeo Ducati presented by Michelin - Brainerd International Raceway - Brainerd, MN - Round 7 of 11 - June 25–27, 2004 - Lockhart-Phillips USA Formula Xtreme - Individual Times - Final Race Result |url=https://results.amaproracing.com/live/archives/rr/2004/07-brainerd/fxr1ind.pdf |date=26 June 2004 |access-date=12 November 2024}}</ref> || [[Miguel Duhamel]] || [[Honda CBR600RR]] || [[2004 AMA Superbike Championship|2004 Brainerd AMA Supersport round]]
|-
| [[Superbike World Championship|World SBK]] || '''1:40.870''' || [[Doug Polen]] || [[Ducati 888|Ducati 888 SBK]] || [[:it:Gran Premio di superbike di Brainerd 1991|1991 Brainerd World SBK round]]
|-
| [[IMSA GT classes#Grand Touring Under|IMSA GTU]] || '''1:43.510'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Brainerd 100 Miles 1980 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Brainerd-1980-06-15.html |date=15 June 1980 |access-date=6 November 2022}}</ref> || [[Walt Bohren]] || [[Mazda RX-7]] || [[1980 IMSA GT Championship|1980 Pepsi Grand Prix]] 
|-
| [[Trans-Am Series|TU]] || '''1:52.000'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Trans-Am Donnybrooke - Two Five Challenge 1972 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Brainerd-1972-07-04u.html |date=4 July 1972 |access-date=6 November 2022}}</ref> || [[Horst Kwech]] || [[Alfa Romeo 105/115 Series Coupés#GT and GTV models|Alfa Romeo GTV]] || [[1972 Trans-American Sedan Championship|1972 Brainerd Trans-Am round]]
|-
|}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.brainerdraceway.com/ brainerdraceway.com] Official website
* [http://brainerdraceway.com/facilities/aerial-photos/ Circuit Photos] Aerial Photos
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060521204134/http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Brainerd_International_Raceway Trackpedia guide to Brainerd including videos with telemetry and track notes]

{{MotoAmerica circuits}}
{{NHRA dragstrips}}
{{Trans-Am tracks}}
{{USAC tracks}}
{{USAC Stock Car racetracks}}
{{Can-Am circuits}}
{{IMSA GT circuits}}
{{NASCAR K&N Pro Series racetracks}}
{{SBK circuits}}
{{F3 Americas Championship circuits}}
{{United States Formula 4 Championship circuits}}
{{Pirelli World Challenge circuits}}
{{Barber Pro Series tracks}}
{{ASA National Tour racetracks}}
{{Global MX-5 Cup tracks}}
{{NASCAR Elite Division Midwest racetracks}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures in Crow Wing County, Minnesota]]
[[Category:Motorsport venues in Minnesota]]
[[Category:NHRA Division 5 drag racing venues]]
[[Category:Superbike World Championship circuits]]
[[Category:IMSA GT Championship circuits]]
[[Category:NASCAR tracks]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Crow Wing County, Minnesota]]
[[Category:Brainerd, Minnesota]]
[[Category:Road courses in the United States]]
[[Category:Drag racing venues]]
[[Category:1968 establishments in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1968]]