** NORTHVILLIANS,
------------------------------------------------------------
SPEED WEEK EDITION – Since becoming Mayor of Northville, I have enjoyed bringing local auto shows and other car activities to town. In the process, I have become known (among other things) as the “Motorsports Mayor,” a role that I relish. Fittingly, I have raced, turned the wrench, restored vehicles, and even owned some hot rods. I continue to make the pilgrimage to the Daytona 500 (43 years now) for inspiration with other motorheads.

Speed Week activities always remind me how Northvillians are drawn together in common pursuits. In the late 1960’s, when Michigan International Speedway opened (1969), it then became an annual event to attend.

Northville, over the years, has also been the center of various racing activities in which many of us have participated, watched, or heard about from our elders. Racing history at Northville Downs included not only the gladiators navigating their chariots (sulkies) around the track, but also thoroughbreds, motorcycles, bikes, cars, snowmobiles and even go-carts.

As we are coming up to NASCAR’s Speed Week at the World Center of Racing in Daytona, it reminds me of my youthful racing aspirations. I used to race Trans Ams in SCCA club activities in the 70’s and even got certified to race in NASCAR’s inaugural Truck Series. As youngsters, many of us had dreams of being racers, firefighters, police officers, or other exciting pursuits. With that youthful aspiration in mind, we’ll look at some racing activities in the Ville over time.

Before looking at historic Racing in Northville, let’s see what's happening in town today:
* Northville’s First 100 Years Presentation with Mayor Turnbull – Friday 2/06/26, 10:30AM @ The Community Center. Link ([link removed])
* “Brokeology” at Tipping Point Theater begins 2/11. Celebrate the strength of family ties and the enduring power of hope through this show. Link ([link removed])
* Valentine Week Concert - 2/12, 7PM “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” with Harpist Chanah Ambuter - in the historic Mill Race Village's New School Church. (Sponsored by the Northville District Library & Northville Historical Society) Link ([link removed])
* Northville/Novi AAUW Michigan Fashion Designer Showcase Luncheon – 4/25 at Schoolcraft’s VisTaTech. Tickets go on sale Feb. 5 for this popular event. Link ([link removed])
* Conservation of the Johnson Creek (Zoom) – 2/17, 7PM – Gather virtually with input from angler Mayor Turnbull and other fishing & environmental enthusiasts. Link ([link removed])
* Upcoming Music/Concerts/Events – Marquis Link ([link removed]) , NOMI Link ([link removed]) , Genitti’s Link ([link removed])
* Roundabout (Sheldon/7 Mile) - check it out! Also see the award-winning SEMCOG Northville “Roundabout Wizard” video – Link ([link removed])

INFO FOR CITIZENS...
TASK FORCE MEETINGS
* Bicentennial Task Force – 3/18/26, 7PM City Hall (Rick Sharpe – Chair)
* Cemetery Renewal Task Force – 3/23/26, 7PM City Hall (Dave Marold – Chair)
* (See Link ([link removed]) for information or Link ([link removed]) to donate/support)

PROJECTS AROUND TOWN
* FORD FIELD – Work is progressing on: New fencing, an ADA entry way & overhang sunrise Vista, a new playscape, bathroom structure and a waterfall placemaking area.
* RIVERWALK – The riverwalk pathway system within the Downs Riverpark is built & is the conduit to other connected sections. Most importantly, we are linking City & Township green spaces to County & State Parks. Check it out at the “Market Area” off of 7 Mile.
* DOWNS INITIATIVE – Sales offices are open. The apartment structure is under construction. Additional homes are under being built and the three-tier City Park will start taking shape … families are moving in at the Downs already.
* NORTHVILLE COMMUNITY MARKET AREA – Township/City events continue.
* GRANTS that Support Northville’s Community Initiatives (Over $16.5M) – Link ([link removed])
+ Adding to grants received - Northville Historical Society just received a Michigan History Alliance grant from the Historical Society of Michigan to purchase up-to-date equipment to digitize and protect their archival collection.

Let's look at Racing in the Ville over time:
HORSE RACING IN NORTHVILLE
* 1888 –The Record wrote about Horse Racing on Dunlap St.
* 1893 – An article spoke about the 4^th of July street races on Dunlap and mentioned that “It was the largest crowd ever seen in Northville” up to that time.
* In the late 1800’s, a group of businessmen (the Northville Driving Club) built an informal half mile racetrack where the Downs is today, along with a golf course.
* 1907 – This Driving Club built a certified modern track which hosted the Wayne County Fair there until 1944.
* 1944 – The Carlo Family put Northville on the map by modernizing the facilities at Northville Downs and updated the track, readying it for consistent racing. Lights were installed for night racing and modern barns were constructed.

MOTORCYCLE RACING IN THE VILLE
* 1924 – There were motorcycle hill climbing events in the location of where Hillside Middle School is today (Buchner Hill).

* 1957 – On Memorial Day, Motorcycle racing occurred at Northville Downs (and again in the 70s). Speeds approached 90+ MPH.

NORTHVILLE GO CARTING
* 1950’s & Early ’60’s – I’ve been told by Northvillians that there was a go-cart track behind where CVS is today. Many a youth cut their racing teeth there.

CAR RACING IN NORTHVILLE
* 1957 – Before the first Daytona 500 was run in 1959, Northville’s historic 4^th of July activities included a Stock Car Race (NASCAR) at Northville Downs. In 1957 the Northville 100 was run with over 10,000 fans on hand at the half mile dirt track watching some of the top drivers in the nation competing for the Northville Trophy.

SNOWMOBILES
* 1971 – Snowmobile racing hit town, taking place at Northville Downs for the coveted Motor State Snowmobile Classic trophy. Manufacturers’ teams along with some 500+ individual competitors competed. Over 12,000 attended this wild event.

FOOT RACES IN TOWN
* Northville has previously hosted the State High School Cross Country Championships at Cass Benton Park. Impressively, our Men’s Cross Country Team has been the reigning State Champions 4 years running & the Women’s Team has won the Championship, too.
* Every fall you can witness countless high school and college teams competing in Cass Benton Park in 5K and 10K races.

This Speed Week edition has touched on multiple forms of racing that have occurred through time in our town. You can see that a lot of horsepower has been on display in Northville for many years (no wonder our mascot is a Mustang).

Now it’s time for you to race forward and engage your time & talents for the betterment of our community, as we ready for our Bicentennial next year.

Let's Race into the Future ... Together!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
[email protected] / 248.505.6849

(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)

Click the following link to subscribe to this weekly newsletter:
[link removed]

============================================================
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
** Email (mailto:[email protected])
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
.