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 CRANDON, WI -- The longtime race director of legendary Crandon International Off-Road Raceway will assume similar duties with the new Lucas Oil World Series of Off-Road Racing (WSORR). James "Jake" Flannery has been named Chief Race Steward, VP - Finance, and General Partner of WSORR.
Flannery has been the Race Director at Crandon Raceway and served on the track's board of directors for 25 years. Crandon Raceway is often described as the "Daytona 500" of off-road in motorsports circles and annually attracts thousands of race fans to the small northern Wisconsin community. A former off-road dune buggy racer, Flannery moved quickly to the track administration side of the sport early in his career.
"Jake has an intuitive 'sixth' sense about anticipating track conditions and safety issues that will be critical to the future success of World Series events," said Doug Davis, general manager, WSORR. "High-speed, closed course off-road racing requires special skills and experience to avoid dangerous conditions. The World Series will never waver in our commitment to provide a professional track staff in the interest of safety, uniformity, fairness and world class entertainment," he said. "Jake Flannery is the point man in making sure it happens," commented Davis.
Flannery will serve as the Chief Race Steward for WSORR events overseeing rules, technical director and technical issues, competition director and staff members, safety equipment and personnel.
Flannery's background as a successful Wisconsin businessman will also be tapped into for his role as Vice-President of Finance at WSORR. He established a logging company in Northern Wisconsin in 1977 and also a trucking firm and a mechanized pulpwood harvesting operation. Flannery is a long-standing member of Timber Producers of Wisconsin and Michigan. Born in Alpena, MI, Flannery also resided in St. Louis, MO, and Chicago, IL, before his family settled in Crandon.
In addition to his finance and on-track duties, he will assist the WSORR management team with strategic planning and growth. Flannery also leads the WSORR's track evaluation team, which investigates and grades future track venues for events.
"We know what it takes to host the most successful short course race in the history of the sport here at Crandon Raceway and we intend to take those best practices and implement them Series wide at WSORR," said Flannery. "The drivers, fans, sponsors and television all want the same thing -- the most exciting off-road action possible conducted in a safe manner and that's what we will deliver," he added.
Davis said he is confident the Lucas Oil World Series of Off-Road Racing will be unmatched by any Series in these two critical areas beginning next season. "There will be proper and competent tech at each race and experienced, knowledgable track patrol staff," he said. "Sponsors and drivers insist on it and, clearly,you must have it to be credible and operate with integrity."
"With Jake on-board as a WSORR partner, Lucas Oil as title sponsor, the FCP as presenting sponsor, and the multi-year SPEED TV package, we are well on our way to being the number one professional off-road racing Series in this country," said Davis. "Momentum continues to build for the WSORR among the current base of drivers and former competitors as well," he said. "The enthusiasm has been contagious and that is a great sign for the sport and the World Series."
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