By Jon Mooney
BELLEVILLE, IL: Midget auto racing makes its second visit of the year to the historic Belle-Clair Speedway on Sunday, June 29th. The event, part of the Gateway Short Track Regional sponsored by Hoosier Tire Midwest, will signify an important milestone in local racing circles.
The high banked, one-fifth mile dirt oval, located just east of St. Louis, will host the midget cars sanctioned by the Midwest Auto Racing Association (M.A.R.A.). Outlaw winged 600 cc micros will also compete in the two division race program on Sunday night.
The midget feature held three weeks ago at Belle-Clair had five lead changes among three drivers. Steve Knepper of Belleville was the race winner.
This month's racing marks the 55th anniversary of the very first auto race held at the popular Belleville race track, which was specifically designed for midget car racing.
Prior to 1948, racing was held on the St. Clair County Fairground's property although not in its present configuration. A temporary race track was utilized where competitors drove around hay bales used to mark the course.
According to local legend, the fair board consulted Belleville midget car owner/mechanic Orville Funsch who proceeded to design a permanent racing facility. Construction was completed in 1948 and what is today known as Belle-Clair Speedway opened for business with midgets the headline attraction.
The new speedway held its first race on June 15, 1948 in front of a sold-out grandstand crowd of 4000. The race, won by Champaign's Chuck Marshall, marked the beginning of a long tradition of open wheel racing at Belle-Clair. Marshall drove the Shaheen Offy to victory that day. Interestingly, Funsch was the winning car's mechanic.
The tradition continues this Sunday with another midget/micro racing event promoted by Kenny Brown and Brian Thompson. Pit gates open at 3:30. Spectator gates open at 5:30. Hot laps are at 6:30. Race time on Sunday is 7 pm.
Grandstand tickets for the June 29th event are $10. Children under six will be admitted free.
Belle-Clair Speedway is located at Routes 159 and 13 in Belleville, Illinois.
For more information on the Belle-Clair midget races, contact co-promoters Kenny Brown at 618-476-7526 or Brian Thompson at 618-473-9512. On race day call the track at 618-233-0052. Or visit the official web-site of the Gateway Short Track Regional Series/Brown Management, Inc. at: www.bmsinco.com
BELLEVILLE, IL: Midget auto racing makes its second visit of the year to the historic Belle-Clair Speedway on Sunday, June 29th. The event, part of the Gateway Short Track Regional sponsored by Hoosier Tire Midwest, will signify an important milestone in local racing circles.
The high banked, one-fifth mile dirt oval, located just east of St. Louis, will host the midget cars sanctioned by the Midwest Auto Racing Association (M.A.R.A.). Outlaw winged 600 cc micros will also compete in the two division race program on Sunday night.
The midget feature held three weeks ago at Belle-Clair had five lead changes among three drivers. Steve Knepper of Belleville was the race winner.
This month's racing marks the 55th anniversary of the very first auto race held at the popular Belleville race track, which was specifically designed for midget car racing.
Prior to 1948, racing was held on the St. Clair County Fairground's property although not in its present configuration. A temporary race track was utilized where competitors drove around hay bales used to mark the course.
According to local legend, the fair board consulted Belleville midget car owner/mechanic Orville Funsch who proceeded to design a permanent racing facility. Construction was completed in 1948 and what is today known as Belle-Clair Speedway opened for business with midgets the headline attraction.
The new speedway held its first race on June 15, 1948 in front of a sold-out grandstand crowd of 4000. The race, won by Champaign's Chuck Marshall, marked the beginning of a long tradition of open wheel racing at Belle-Clair. Marshall drove the Shaheen Offy to victory that day. Interestingly, Funsch was the winning car's mechanic.
The tradition continues this Sunday with another midget/micro racing event promoted by Kenny Brown and Brian Thompson. Pit gates open at 3:30. Spectator gates open at 5:30. Hot laps are at 6:30. Race time on Sunday is 7 pm.
Grandstand tickets for the June 29th event are $10. Children under six will be admitted free.
Belle-Clair Speedway is located at Routes 159 and 13 in Belleville, Illinois.
For more information on the Belle-Clair midget races, contact co-promoters Kenny Brown at 618-476-7526 or Brian Thompson at 618-473-9512. On race day call the track at 618-233-0052. Or visit the official web-site of the Gateway Short Track Regional Series/Brown Management, Inc. at: www.bmsinco.com
