Meet Mike Perrotte

By Dom Peck

From turning Airborne Speedway into a booming success to becoming the Northeast DIRTcar Director of Series and Sanctioning, Mike Perrotte knows a thing or two when it comes to racing. This Plattsburg, N.Y. native’s knowledge of racing will be capitalized on this year by DIRTcar.

Perrotte began his promoting career at Airborne Speedway when Tom Curley proposed leasing the track. Curley, George Huttig (Perrotte’s car owner since 1986), and Mike ran the track from 2005-2006.

Racerguide.com talked with Perrotte via phone to learn a little bit more about the man leading the DIRTcar Modified tour this year.

Racersguide: What was your biggest change to bring success to Airborne?

Perrotte: Two things, first the introduction of 358 modifieds to the track, and as equally as important being a local resident of the area.

Racersguide: What is the number one thing that can hurt a track?

Perrotte: There’s a lot of things that can hurt a race a track. Races going too long, not enough cars, favoritism among drivers, bad food, not starting on time, cleanliness (especially the women’s bathrooms), and track conditions. This question is loaded.

Mike oversaw the annual workshop for Northeast DIRTcar held on Friday, March 13th and Saturday, March 14th, in Weedsport, N.Y. Promoters attended Friday to discuss schedules and the importance of working together. Tech officials gathered together Saturday and Mark Hitchcock answered any questions that were asked.

Racerguide: How was the turn out each day?

Perrotte: I haven’t attended these in a few years, I was told the attendance was very good. So that was encouraging, and the atmosphere of both meeting was positive.

Racersguide: Are there any new rules added to DIRT this year?

Perrotte: The only rule change is the sportsman division can now run aluminum wheels.

Promoting a regular show and a series have many differences. A regular show entails the major issue of keeping up with maintenance of the facility like painting, mowing grass, cleaning restrooms, etc. This takes time away from promoting. With a series you come into a track and leave. But this comes with its own baggage like finding tracks to host your series, cars to come race your series, and promising a racy event. Both require you to work 24/7 to be successful.

Racersguide: Would you say promoting a series or a track is easier?

Perrotte: I’ll let you know in a year or two. There’s pros and cons to both.

Racersguide: Why do you feel it’s important to maintain a role of a driver while still promoting?

Perrotte: Well I’m only racing one track when my schedule allows. It keeps me at ground level with the sport with what’s going on. Plus I like it.