[lansingsportsrage.com]

http://www.mlive.com/jackson/stories/index.ssf?/base/business-2/121654832215730.xml&coll=3

Sunday, July 20, 2008
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com -- 768-4926

For several years Paul Haas has dreamed of owning his own business. After winning the inaugural ``Create the Dream'' business plan competition last week, he is one step closer.

Haas, 50, of Jackson grew up watching outlaw super late models tear up local asphalt tracks. Now the regional sales manager for Mechanical Products Co. wants to make a career out of promoting the sport he loves.

Super late models are completely fabricated, custom-built and full-sized race cars. They have a higher horsepower-to-weight ratio than cars in NASCAR and can quickly reach speeds of up to 100 mph.

But he said the sport has been declining in popularity and attendance in recent years.

``There is no doubt they are struggling,'' Haas said. ``I wanted to help that situation.''

He had thought about the idea of turning this into a business for about six years, but it wasn't until he entered Spring Arbor University's business plan competition and workshop series that he put the idea on paper and began to research it.

The ``Create the Dream'' competition concluded July 12; his plan and presentation won over three others.


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