DRIVER NEWS & NOTES:
Congratulations to TINA & RANDLE CHUPP on the birth of their baby, Zander Thomas, born December 5, 2002 at 1:46 a.m. He weighed in at 8lbs, 2 ozs and 21.5 inches long.
ROBBIE BLAIR will be back on the Renegade Dirt Car Racing Series tour in 2003.
Congrats to CHUB & MARY FRANK who will celebrate their 1st wedding anniversary on Wednesday December 11.
SCOTT BLOOMQUIST is among the latest group of top drivers announced to accept invitations to compete in the First Annual Ford Focus Midget Race of Champions, to be held prior to the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals finale on Saturday night, January 11, 2003. The prestigious Chili Bowl Nationals, which attracts approximately 180 drivers from throughout the nation, will take place at the Tulsa Expo center January 8-11, 2003, and will be broadcast the next day, January 12, on ESPN2 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. EST. A four-time champion on the competitive UDTRA circuit, Bloomquist collected $275,000 in winnings over a five-week period this season, including the UMP Summer Nationals title, which consisted of 27 races over 29 days in ten states.
DOUG “THE KID” DROWN is contemplating another run with MACS in ’03.
FREDDY SMITH will be using Dodge power in 2003. Smith’s Mopar powerplants will come from Gaerte Racing Engines.
PETEY IVEY has his racing operation for sale and is looking for a ride.
On January 4 BRIAN RUHLMAN will be awarded his first Eldora Speedway championship awards for winning the Late Model and Modified titles at Earl’s playground.
17 year old TODD MORROW of Georgia is contemplating a run at for the Southern All Stars Rookie of the Year title.
J.R. GENTRY will be in a new GDI Race Car in ’03.
STEVE SHAVER and Brad Malcuit have parted as a team on friendly terms. At the recent Renegade Dirt Car Racing Series banquet the "Crew Chief of the Year" and "Crew of the Year" awards to Casey Marshall (Crew Chief) and Brian Hayes, Everett "Bubba" Shears, Kenny Cantrill, Jim Martin and Brad Malcuit (Crew) for their work on the #30 driven by Shaver.
CHUB FRANK, the 2002 Renegade DirtCar Racing Series champion, has been nominated for the prestigious "Richie Evans Memorial EMPA Driver of the Year" award presented by the Eastern Motorsports Press Association. Frank's fellow nominees for the prestigious award is loaded just like his competition on the track during the 2002 season. The other nominees for the "Richie Evans Memorial EMPA Driver of the Year" award include DIRT Motorsports Modified drivers Brett Hearn and Alan Johnson, "Pennsylvania Posse" Sprint Car driver Greg Hodnett and NASCAR Busch Series North driver Andy Santerre. The Eastern Motorsports Press Association will honor the award winner at their annual convention January 17-19 in Trevose,PA. The EMPA, founded in 1969, is made up of more than 200 professional media (broadcasters, journalists, photographers and those on the internet) that cover motorsports on a regular basis.
In 2003 KERRY HANSON of Spencer WI will continue to be seen throughout the Midwest racing in select World Dirt Racing League promotions, U.M.P. races, SPI BUD SHOOTOUTS and Special Events.
STEVE BARNETT of Franklin, Indiana won his fourth consecutive Northern Allstars Late Model Series Points Championship as he, along with the Top-15 Drivers in the National Point Standings were honored Saturday Night, November 30, 2002 at the Sherman House Hotel in Downtown Batesville, Indiana. Barnett earned $6,000 in Point Fund Money for his unprecedented Fourth Title in the five year history of the popular traveling series.
JAMMIE WILSON of Hoopeston, Illinois won the 2002 NALMS Rookie of the Year title.
PETE LORIA has his racing operation for sale.
JACK PENCIL will defend his MACS championship title in 2003.
JAY BLAIR will be back on dirt full time in 2003 after dabbling in Hooter’s Pro Cup asphalt racing this past season.
Brandon Kinzer has a new website at: www.brandonkinzer.com.
SANCTION NEWS & NOTES:
The Carolina Clash will have a booth at the Motorsports Showcase in Charlotte, NC January 24-26.
The 2003 Carolina Clash Season will open March 29 at Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, SC.
Aaron Butcher, an Oakland city graduate student, will become a full-time employee and UMP's competition director in 2003.
The Mid-Atlantic Championship Series (MACS) concludes its sixth season of operation ringing in the New Year on Saturday, January 4, with the Sixth Annual Awards Banquet at the Rustic Lodge, Indiana, PA. Tickets are available on Monday, December 9, and are $30.00 per each. Reservation can be made by mailing a check or money order payable to MACS and sending it to 1397 Rossmoyne Road, Home, PA 15747. Sorry, no phone reservations will be accepted. The deadline for ordering tickets is Monday, December 30. Honored drivers include the champion, Jack Pencil; Denny Chamberlain, Chuck Harper; Sonny Conley, Doug Drown, Mike Johnson, Bart Hartman, Russ Frohnapfel, Stephen Hollabaugh; Tim Hitt, David Scott, Matt Urban, and Lynn Geisler.
The 2003 UDTRA Pro Dirt Car Season will open at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, FL for the Annual East
Bay Winternationals on February 4, 6, and 8. The February 4 event will pay $5,000-to-win, the February 6 event will pay $7,000-to-win. The UDTRA East Bay Winternationals finale on February 8 will pay $15,000-to-win and will be taped by SPEED Channel.
The next UDTRA broadcast on the SPEED Channel will be on December 19 at 11 p.m. ET. The program will
be the 2002 UDTRA Season In Review highlighting the second straight UDTRA Pro DirtCar Series championship for Rick Eckert of York, PA. The program is scheduled to re-air on December 23 at 3 p.m. ET.
Simmons Promotions General Manager, Joe Hayes, has announced that the 2002 Racing Awards banquet has been set for January, 18th 2003. The awards banquet will be held at the all new Palace Ballroom located at the Farley Speedway. The banquet will recognize drivers who competed at all three Simmons Promoted race tracks in 2002. The Farley Speedway, West Liberty Raceway and Dubuque County Fairgrounds drivers will receive their awards and special point fund award monies following the supper meal. Following the awards music will be presented by Bobby Hansen Mobile Music. Ticket reservations may be made by calling the Farley Speedway office at 563-744-3620.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
DIRT AMERICA/DIRT-RACERS UPDATED!
DIRT AMERICA returns merged with Dirt-Racers.com! Just Added: NEW INTERVIEWS & FEATURES including CHUB FRANK, MIKE FARR, ERIC MYERS & More!!! New Columns by: Ernie Saxton, Marcus Mackey, Rick Rarer, Deb Delaney & Rev. Pat Evans. Plus: New Press Releases Added & An Updated NEWSLINE!
http://www.dirt-racers.com
RACE TRACK NEWS & NOTES:
Union County Speedway in Liberty Indiana has relaunched their website at: http://www.unioncountyspeedway.com
Muskogee (OK) Speedway has a $50,000 to win Late Model race scheduled for October 3 & 4, 2003. Also, sometime in 2003 UDTRA will appear.
Eldora Speedway will hold their 2002 Awards Banquet at the Eldora Ballroom on January 4. For info: www.eldroaspeedway.com or call 937-338-3815.
Winston Cup veteran Ken Schrader heads an early entry list of national and regional dirt late model stars set to compete in the 2003 Early Thaw Speedweek at Central Arizona Raceway and Manzanita Speedway scheduled for January 18-26, 2003. The $128,000 week of racing will stage four $3,000/$4,000 to win main events in six days leading up to the $10,000 to win finale on Sunday, January 26th. Some other early entries include Freddy Smith, Al Purkey, Ron Bartels, Steve Drake, Mike Collins and others.
The I-79 Awards Banquet is scheduled for January 11, 2003 at Knights of Columbus Hall in Fairmont, WV. Deadline for tix is January 6. Info: 304-592-3200.
WRT Web Designs and DKM Motorsports have announced the unveiling of the new Bedford Speedway Web Site at: www.bedfordspeedway.com.
Randy Mooneyham, owner and promoter of the Monett Speedway, has come to terms with the family of the late Bill Willard, to take over operations of the family’s two tracks located in Lebanon and Boliver, Missouri. With the change, the Midway Speedway will return to it’s former name, the Lebanon I-44 Speedway. After speculation that the two tracks would not open in 2003, Mooneyham and the Willard family came to terms late last week for Mooneyham operate both facilities. Both tracks had been 3/8 mile asphalt facilities, but the Boliver Speedway had been converted to dirt for 2002. For 2003, Boliver will continue with its dirt configuration, and the Lebanon 1-44 Speedway will be covered with dirt, returning it to dirt for the first time since 1988. Mooneyham announced that there would be M.A.R.S. scantioned events at all three tracks, with more details to be announced in the upcoming weeks.
Winchester Speedway in Winchester, Tennessee has changed ownership. Tim Smith of Huntland, Tennessee is the new owner / promoter of Winchester Speedway in Winchester, Tennessee. Winchester Speedway is a 1/4 mile clay oval that runs on Saturday nights from late March through September. Drivers having questions about classes, rules and events may contact: Tim Smith, 2725 Robertson Creek Road, Huntland, Tennessee 37306 (931)469-7898 (home phone); (931)967-0066 (track phone); (931)968-9334 (Business Phone number)
INDUSTRY NEWS & NOTES:
At the recent Renegade Dirt Car Racing Series Awards Banquet the "Chassis Builder of the Year" award went to Mark Richards and Steve Baker of Rocket Chassis who put their cars into victory lane 24 times during the 2002 season. Brad Malcuit of Malcuit Racing Engines and David and John Draime of Draime Racing Engines were both given the "Engine Builder of the Year" award as both company's each powered drivers to 6 wins in the 2002 season.
AL PURKEY will be conducting a Chassis/Driving Seminar in Arizona on January 24, 2003 at Central Arizona Raceway. Info at: 620-879-2300.
BOB PIERCE & DON O’NEAL have joined forces to present a “Best of Both Worlds” seminar for Late Model and Modified drivers. It will be held in Indy January 18 & 19. Info: 217-354-2971.
The Midwest Racing Fanatics will present their annual All Star Injured Driver's Fund Memorabilia Show and Auction Saturday, January 11, 2003. The event will be held at the Eagles Lodge, 1400 State Route 703 East in Celina, Ohio. Celina is located a short drive north of Eldora Speedway. The benefit starts at 9 AM with dealers selling a variety of racing memorabilia and diecast items. The Memorabilia Auction starts at 2 PM. Drivers who are scheduled to appear at the show for autograph sessions are All Star regulars Byron Reed, Greg Wilson, Bruce Robenalt, and midget driver Kevin Besecker. All proceeds from the sale and auctions will go into the All Star benevolent fund which aids injured sprint car drivers. For a complete list of auction items go to http://www.mainstreetemporium.com/events.htm. For more information visit www.allstarsprint.com or call 217-352-9221.
The annual RACERS FOR TOTS CHRISTMAS PARTY is Saturday December 14 from 2:00 – 9:00 PM at the Cuddy Fire Hall in Cuddy, PA. Admission: Bring a new unwrapped toy and help a needy child. Don't have time to shop? Monetary donations welcome. Benefits Toys for Tots. Everyone Welcome - Tell Your Friends - Food - Music|. Info: Call Jimmy Steigerwald at 412-952-4273.
Next February check out the 2nd Annual Daytona 500 & Regional Dirt Track Racing Party at Chapmanville V.F.D. Tickets now on sale. You can purchase a ticket for $20.00 cash and help support the 1st Line of Defense. Watch for an on-line order form soon at www.billslatemodels.com. You also can contact Bill Keener at 814-827-3415 for info. Tickets will sell fast! Tons of door prizes.
The first class of 2003 for MIKE DUVALL’s Driving School will be held on January 17-18. Info at: 864-489-3863.
Dates for Motorsports America are February 1 and 2. The show will be held at the spacious new Wisconsin Exposition Center on the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds. Show hours are 10:00AM- 10:00PM on Saturday Feburary 1st and 10:00AM- 4:00PM Sunday Feburary 2nd. Ticket prices are $10.00 and kids under six and under are free.
For further information you can reach the Motorsports America Show staff at 414-747-1711.
Chuck Griffith returns as announcer at Wayne County (OH) Speedway in ’03.
The RPM Promoters Workshops, produced by Racing Promotion Monthly, the idea newsletter for auto racing promoters, will celebrate 30 years this Winter with meetings at Reno, NV and Daytona Beach, FL. Convening in December at the Eldorado Hotel Casino, Reno and in February at the Daytona Beach Resort & Conference Center, the 30th meeting series will focus on ticket sales strategies for short tracks large and small. The Workshops are scheduled for December 12-14, 2002, in Reno, NV, and February 10-12, 2003, in Daytona Beach, FL.
Sentman Racers Auction and Trade Show 2002-03 schedule: Memphis, TN December 13-15 at the Cook Convention Center; Columbus, OH January 3-5 at the Ohio State Fairgrounds; Birmingham, AL January 9-12 at the Alabama State Fairgrounds; Owensboro, KY January 31-Feb. 2 at the Executive Inn Rivermont.
The 17th annual edition of Carquest Motorsports Expo is scheduled for the weekend of March 7th-9th, 2003. The Agway Exhibition Hall on the New York State Fairgrounds will once again be the site.
MEDIA NEWS & NOTES:
Bryan’s Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway Message Board has been updated at: http://pub9.ezboard.com/bppmsmessageboard
RaceVibe has undergone a facelift and new format. Lots of news at: www.racevibe.com.
Keep up on Australian racing this winter at: http://www.ozlatemodel.com
The 2003 Muddslinger calendar is now available. Info at: http://www.racevibe.com/muddslinger
With the publication of last week’s December 2002 edition, RPM Racing News will take a break from weekly publishing until April 2003.
WPTT in Pittsburgh, PA got a new program director who isn’t too race-friendly and promptly cancelled THE INSIDE TRACK radio show.
Prairie State Racing is a new dirt Late Model news website. Check it out at: http://www.prairiestateracing.com
With the January 2003 issue SPEEDWAY ILLUSTRATED will undergo a complete “new look” in design. It will also spotlight a feature article on Rick Eckert. Info at: http://www.speedwayillustrated.com
Carol Kendall, Troy Shareiko & Chase Kendall have a new website at: www.ctcphotos.com. CTC Photos have joined AREA AUTO RACING NEWS as contributing photographers.
MIDWEST DIRT TRACK FACTS website is undergoing many changes and likely an overhaul this winter. Keep checking this informative site out at: http://www.midwestdirttrackfacts.com
The December 2002 issue of DIRT LATE MODEL Magazine is now out and features a cover story on the “25 Most Influential People in DLM Racing’, UDTRA’s State of the Union, interviews with Brian Ruhlman, Mike Hawley, Terry Phillips and much, much more. Info at: www.mompub.com.
©2002 Doc Lehman/Dirt America
www.dirt-racers.com
Congratulations to TINA & RANDLE CHUPP on the birth of their baby, Zander Thomas, born December 5, 2002 at 1:46 a.m. He weighed in at 8lbs, 2 ozs and 21.5 inches long.
ROBBIE BLAIR will be back on the Renegade Dirt Car Racing Series tour in 2003.
Congrats to CHUB & MARY FRANK who will celebrate their 1st wedding anniversary on Wednesday December 11.
SCOTT BLOOMQUIST is among the latest group of top drivers announced to accept invitations to compete in the First Annual Ford Focus Midget Race of Champions, to be held prior to the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals finale on Saturday night, January 11, 2003. The prestigious Chili Bowl Nationals, which attracts approximately 180 drivers from throughout the nation, will take place at the Tulsa Expo center January 8-11, 2003, and will be broadcast the next day, January 12, on ESPN2 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. EST. A four-time champion on the competitive UDTRA circuit, Bloomquist collected $275,000 in winnings over a five-week period this season, including the UMP Summer Nationals title, which consisted of 27 races over 29 days in ten states.
DOUG “THE KID” DROWN is contemplating another run with MACS in ’03.
FREDDY SMITH will be using Dodge power in 2003. Smith’s Mopar powerplants will come from Gaerte Racing Engines.
PETEY IVEY has his racing operation for sale and is looking for a ride.
On January 4 BRIAN RUHLMAN will be awarded his first Eldora Speedway championship awards for winning the Late Model and Modified titles at Earl’s playground.
17 year old TODD MORROW of Georgia is contemplating a run at for the Southern All Stars Rookie of the Year title.
J.R. GENTRY will be in a new GDI Race Car in ’03.
STEVE SHAVER and Brad Malcuit have parted as a team on friendly terms. At the recent Renegade Dirt Car Racing Series banquet the "Crew Chief of the Year" and "Crew of the Year" awards to Casey Marshall (Crew Chief) and Brian Hayes, Everett "Bubba" Shears, Kenny Cantrill, Jim Martin and Brad Malcuit (Crew) for their work on the #30 driven by Shaver.
CHUB FRANK, the 2002 Renegade DirtCar Racing Series champion, has been nominated for the prestigious "Richie Evans Memorial EMPA Driver of the Year" award presented by the Eastern Motorsports Press Association. Frank's fellow nominees for the prestigious award is loaded just like his competition on the track during the 2002 season. The other nominees for the "Richie Evans Memorial EMPA Driver of the Year" award include DIRT Motorsports Modified drivers Brett Hearn and Alan Johnson, "Pennsylvania Posse" Sprint Car driver Greg Hodnett and NASCAR Busch Series North driver Andy Santerre. The Eastern Motorsports Press Association will honor the award winner at their annual convention January 17-19 in Trevose,PA. The EMPA, founded in 1969, is made up of more than 200 professional media (broadcasters, journalists, photographers and those on the internet) that cover motorsports on a regular basis.
In 2003 KERRY HANSON of Spencer WI will continue to be seen throughout the Midwest racing in select World Dirt Racing League promotions, U.M.P. races, SPI BUD SHOOTOUTS and Special Events.
STEVE BARNETT of Franklin, Indiana won his fourth consecutive Northern Allstars Late Model Series Points Championship as he, along with the Top-15 Drivers in the National Point Standings were honored Saturday Night, November 30, 2002 at the Sherman House Hotel in Downtown Batesville, Indiana. Barnett earned $6,000 in Point Fund Money for his unprecedented Fourth Title in the five year history of the popular traveling series.
JAMMIE WILSON of Hoopeston, Illinois won the 2002 NALMS Rookie of the Year title.
PETE LORIA has his racing operation for sale.
JACK PENCIL will defend his MACS championship title in 2003.
JAY BLAIR will be back on dirt full time in 2003 after dabbling in Hooter’s Pro Cup asphalt racing this past season.
Brandon Kinzer has a new website at: www.brandonkinzer.com.
SANCTION NEWS & NOTES:
The Carolina Clash will have a booth at the Motorsports Showcase in Charlotte, NC January 24-26.
The 2003 Carolina Clash Season will open March 29 at Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, SC.
Aaron Butcher, an Oakland city graduate student, will become a full-time employee and UMP's competition director in 2003.
The Mid-Atlantic Championship Series (MACS) concludes its sixth season of operation ringing in the New Year on Saturday, January 4, with the Sixth Annual Awards Banquet at the Rustic Lodge, Indiana, PA. Tickets are available on Monday, December 9, and are $30.00 per each. Reservation can be made by mailing a check or money order payable to MACS and sending it to 1397 Rossmoyne Road, Home, PA 15747. Sorry, no phone reservations will be accepted. The deadline for ordering tickets is Monday, December 30. Honored drivers include the champion, Jack Pencil; Denny Chamberlain, Chuck Harper; Sonny Conley, Doug Drown, Mike Johnson, Bart Hartman, Russ Frohnapfel, Stephen Hollabaugh; Tim Hitt, David Scott, Matt Urban, and Lynn Geisler.
The 2003 UDTRA Pro Dirt Car Season will open at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, FL for the Annual East
Bay Winternationals on February 4, 6, and 8. The February 4 event will pay $5,000-to-win, the February 6 event will pay $7,000-to-win. The UDTRA East Bay Winternationals finale on February 8 will pay $15,000-to-win and will be taped by SPEED Channel.
The next UDTRA broadcast on the SPEED Channel will be on December 19 at 11 p.m. ET. The program will
be the 2002 UDTRA Season In Review highlighting the second straight UDTRA Pro DirtCar Series championship for Rick Eckert of York, PA. The program is scheduled to re-air on December 23 at 3 p.m. ET.
Simmons Promotions General Manager, Joe Hayes, has announced that the 2002 Racing Awards banquet has been set for January, 18th 2003. The awards banquet will be held at the all new Palace Ballroom located at the Farley Speedway. The banquet will recognize drivers who competed at all three Simmons Promoted race tracks in 2002. The Farley Speedway, West Liberty Raceway and Dubuque County Fairgrounds drivers will receive their awards and special point fund award monies following the supper meal. Following the awards music will be presented by Bobby Hansen Mobile Music. Ticket reservations may be made by calling the Farley Speedway office at 563-744-3620.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
DIRT AMERICA/DIRT-RACERS UPDATED!
DIRT AMERICA returns merged with Dirt-Racers.com! Just Added: NEW INTERVIEWS & FEATURES including CHUB FRANK, MIKE FARR, ERIC MYERS & More!!! New Columns by: Ernie Saxton, Marcus Mackey, Rick Rarer, Deb Delaney & Rev. Pat Evans. Plus: New Press Releases Added & An Updated NEWSLINE!
http://www.dirt-racers.com
RACE TRACK NEWS & NOTES:
Union County Speedway in Liberty Indiana has relaunched their website at: http://www.unioncountyspeedway.com
Muskogee (OK) Speedway has a $50,000 to win Late Model race scheduled for October 3 & 4, 2003. Also, sometime in 2003 UDTRA will appear.
Eldora Speedway will hold their 2002 Awards Banquet at the Eldora Ballroom on January 4. For info: www.eldroaspeedway.com or call 937-338-3815.
Winston Cup veteran Ken Schrader heads an early entry list of national and regional dirt late model stars set to compete in the 2003 Early Thaw Speedweek at Central Arizona Raceway and Manzanita Speedway scheduled for January 18-26, 2003. The $128,000 week of racing will stage four $3,000/$4,000 to win main events in six days leading up to the $10,000 to win finale on Sunday, January 26th. Some other early entries include Freddy Smith, Al Purkey, Ron Bartels, Steve Drake, Mike Collins and others.
The I-79 Awards Banquet is scheduled for January 11, 2003 at Knights of Columbus Hall in Fairmont, WV. Deadline for tix is January 6. Info: 304-592-3200.
WRT Web Designs and DKM Motorsports have announced the unveiling of the new Bedford Speedway Web Site at: www.bedfordspeedway.com.
Randy Mooneyham, owner and promoter of the Monett Speedway, has come to terms with the family of the late Bill Willard, to take over operations of the family’s two tracks located in Lebanon and Boliver, Missouri. With the change, the Midway Speedway will return to it’s former name, the Lebanon I-44 Speedway. After speculation that the two tracks would not open in 2003, Mooneyham and the Willard family came to terms late last week for Mooneyham operate both facilities. Both tracks had been 3/8 mile asphalt facilities, but the Boliver Speedway had been converted to dirt for 2002. For 2003, Boliver will continue with its dirt configuration, and the Lebanon 1-44 Speedway will be covered with dirt, returning it to dirt for the first time since 1988. Mooneyham announced that there would be M.A.R.S. scantioned events at all three tracks, with more details to be announced in the upcoming weeks.
Winchester Speedway in Winchester, Tennessee has changed ownership. Tim Smith of Huntland, Tennessee is the new owner / promoter of Winchester Speedway in Winchester, Tennessee. Winchester Speedway is a 1/4 mile clay oval that runs on Saturday nights from late March through September. Drivers having questions about classes, rules and events may contact: Tim Smith, 2725 Robertson Creek Road, Huntland, Tennessee 37306 (931)469-7898 (home phone); (931)967-0066 (track phone); (931)968-9334 (Business Phone number)
INDUSTRY NEWS & NOTES:
At the recent Renegade Dirt Car Racing Series Awards Banquet the "Chassis Builder of the Year" award went to Mark Richards and Steve Baker of Rocket Chassis who put their cars into victory lane 24 times during the 2002 season. Brad Malcuit of Malcuit Racing Engines and David and John Draime of Draime Racing Engines were both given the "Engine Builder of the Year" award as both company's each powered drivers to 6 wins in the 2002 season.
AL PURKEY will be conducting a Chassis/Driving Seminar in Arizona on January 24, 2003 at Central Arizona Raceway. Info at: 620-879-2300.
BOB PIERCE & DON O’NEAL have joined forces to present a “Best of Both Worlds” seminar for Late Model and Modified drivers. It will be held in Indy January 18 & 19. Info: 217-354-2971.
The Midwest Racing Fanatics will present their annual All Star Injured Driver's Fund Memorabilia Show and Auction Saturday, January 11, 2003. The event will be held at the Eagles Lodge, 1400 State Route 703 East in Celina, Ohio. Celina is located a short drive north of Eldora Speedway. The benefit starts at 9 AM with dealers selling a variety of racing memorabilia and diecast items. The Memorabilia Auction starts at 2 PM. Drivers who are scheduled to appear at the show for autograph sessions are All Star regulars Byron Reed, Greg Wilson, Bruce Robenalt, and midget driver Kevin Besecker. All proceeds from the sale and auctions will go into the All Star benevolent fund which aids injured sprint car drivers. For a complete list of auction items go to http://www.mainstreetemporium.com/events.htm. For more information visit www.allstarsprint.com or call 217-352-9221.
The annual RACERS FOR TOTS CHRISTMAS PARTY is Saturday December 14 from 2:00 – 9:00 PM at the Cuddy Fire Hall in Cuddy, PA. Admission: Bring a new unwrapped toy and help a needy child. Don't have time to shop? Monetary donations welcome. Benefits Toys for Tots. Everyone Welcome - Tell Your Friends - Food - Music|. Info: Call Jimmy Steigerwald at 412-952-4273.
Next February check out the 2nd Annual Daytona 500 & Regional Dirt Track Racing Party at Chapmanville V.F.D. Tickets now on sale. You can purchase a ticket for $20.00 cash and help support the 1st Line of Defense. Watch for an on-line order form soon at www.billslatemodels.com. You also can contact Bill Keener at 814-827-3415 for info. Tickets will sell fast! Tons of door prizes.
The first class of 2003 for MIKE DUVALL’s Driving School will be held on January 17-18. Info at: 864-489-3863.
Dates for Motorsports America are February 1 and 2. The show will be held at the spacious new Wisconsin Exposition Center on the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds. Show hours are 10:00AM- 10:00PM on Saturday Feburary 1st and 10:00AM- 4:00PM Sunday Feburary 2nd. Ticket prices are $10.00 and kids under six and under are free.
For further information you can reach the Motorsports America Show staff at 414-747-1711.
Chuck Griffith returns as announcer at Wayne County (OH) Speedway in ’03.
The RPM Promoters Workshops, produced by Racing Promotion Monthly, the idea newsletter for auto racing promoters, will celebrate 30 years this Winter with meetings at Reno, NV and Daytona Beach, FL. Convening in December at the Eldorado Hotel Casino, Reno and in February at the Daytona Beach Resort & Conference Center, the 30th meeting series will focus on ticket sales strategies for short tracks large and small. The Workshops are scheduled for December 12-14, 2002, in Reno, NV, and February 10-12, 2003, in Daytona Beach, FL.
Sentman Racers Auction and Trade Show 2002-03 schedule: Memphis, TN December 13-15 at the Cook Convention Center; Columbus, OH January 3-5 at the Ohio State Fairgrounds; Birmingham, AL January 9-12 at the Alabama State Fairgrounds; Owensboro, KY January 31-Feb. 2 at the Executive Inn Rivermont.
The 17th annual edition of Carquest Motorsports Expo is scheduled for the weekend of March 7th-9th, 2003. The Agway Exhibition Hall on the New York State Fairgrounds will once again be the site.
MEDIA NEWS & NOTES:
Bryan’s Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway Message Board has been updated at: http://pub9.ezboard.com/bppmsmessageboard
RaceVibe has undergone a facelift and new format. Lots of news at: www.racevibe.com.
Keep up on Australian racing this winter at: http://www.ozlatemodel.com
The 2003 Muddslinger calendar is now available. Info at: http://www.racevibe.com/muddslinger
With the publication of last week’s December 2002 edition, RPM Racing News will take a break from weekly publishing until April 2003.
WPTT in Pittsburgh, PA got a new program director who isn’t too race-friendly and promptly cancelled THE INSIDE TRACK radio show.
Prairie State Racing is a new dirt Late Model news website. Check it out at: http://www.prairiestateracing.com
With the January 2003 issue SPEEDWAY ILLUSTRATED will undergo a complete “new look” in design. It will also spotlight a feature article on Rick Eckert. Info at: http://www.speedwayillustrated.com
Carol Kendall, Troy Shareiko & Chase Kendall have a new website at: www.ctcphotos.com. CTC Photos have joined AREA AUTO RACING NEWS as contributing photographers.
MIDWEST DIRT TRACK FACTS website is undergoing many changes and likely an overhaul this winter. Keep checking this informative site out at: http://www.midwestdirttrackfacts.com
The December 2002 issue of DIRT LATE MODEL Magazine is now out and features a cover story on the “25 Most Influential People in DLM Racing’, UDTRA’s State of the Union, interviews with Brian Ruhlman, Mike Hawley, Terry Phillips and much, much more. Info at: www.mompub.com.
©2002 Doc Lehman/Dirt America
www.dirt-racers.com
