22^nd Annual Mini Gold Cup Kicks off Golden State Challenge Series Season
By Gary Thomas

Chico, CA – March 3, 2008…The Golden State Challenge King of California 410 Sprint Car Series will begin its 23^rd season of competition during this weekend’s annual Mini Gold Cup at Chico’s Silver Dollar Speedway on March 7 & 8. The prestigious event, which started out under the sanction of the World of Outlaw Series, is in its 22^nd year of competition and looks to be packing one of deepest fields in recent Mini Gold Cup memory. 

The Mini Gold Cup has opened the season for the Golden State Challenge Series every year since 2000, with the exception of 2006 when weather washed out the entire weekend. The first Mini Gold Cup was held in 1987 and it was captured by fan favorite Jac Haudenschild of Wooster, Ohio. Some of the other well known national names to taste victory at the event include Steve Kinser, Bobby Davis Jr., Tim Shaffer, Jimmy Sills, Paul Mcmahan, Jason Meyers and the two-time & defending champion of the race Tim Kaeding of San Jose. 

Last season T. Kaeding drove the Taco Bravo No. 72 to victory lane at the Mini Gold Cup and he’ll be looking to make it a three-peat this year aboard the potent Tom Rolfe Racing No. 10. “TK” and the Rolfe Racing team look to be in for an action packed season with over 100 races scheduled, from coast to coast. They have assembled multiple cars and have acquired some hard hitting engines giving them the tools they need to compete on a national level. Last season saw the team capture Chico’s Pacific Sprint Fall Nationals and also record a sweep of the two night GSC finale in July. 

As much as a favorite as anyone at the Mini Gold Cup however, will be defending GSC King of California Brent Kaeding of Campbell. Last season saw BK finish second to Tim at the Mini Gold Cup and use the momentum to spring board himself to a 13^th GSC title. The driver of the Al’s Roofing Supply No. 69 is the all-time winningest driver in Mini Gold Cup history having captured the race four times in his storied career. BK’s Mini Gold Cup wins have come in 1991, ‘93, ‘96 and 2001. The now 50 year-old is also coming off a year that saw him win his fourth Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial as well as the Ocean Speedway and Calistoga Speedway titles. 

Former King of California Jonathan Allard of Chico won 11 main events last season in California, which included a victory during opening night of the Mini Gold Cup and a third place finish during the 40 lap finale. This season he’ll be looking to build off that success and capture his first Mini Gold Cup win aboard the Williams Motorsports No. 0. The 31 year-old driver also won a prelim during the World of Outlaws Gold Cup Race of Champions at Silver Dollar last season, and finished 10^th in the Saturday finale after running amongst the top three for 39 of the 40 laps.

Los Gato driver Jason Statler will also be looking to breakthrough for his first Mini Gold Cup win. The former King of California has twice won the prelim to the event, but has yet to crack victory lane on Saturday night. Statler came closest in 2004 when he finished in the runner up spot and he’ll look to one better that this year as he wheels the familiar DF Rios Construction No. 00. Last season also saw him win the Johnny Key Classic in Watsonville and the Salute to Walter T Ross at Calistoga.

A competitor certain to provide excitement is Los Angeles driver Tyler Walker who will be competing this season aboard the SC Motorsports No. 24. The former NASCAR Nationwide Series driver has won in the past with the World of Outlaws and has shown in his career to have no fear whatsoever. In 1996 Walker led the first 16 laps of the Mini Gold Cup finale, before a flat tire ended his shot at victory. He’ll be back 12 years later looking to put it all together and tally his first career GSC win. Walker is coming off a top 10 finish with the World of Outlaws last weekend at Manzanita Speedway in Arizona.

Fresno based car owner Dennis Roth has been tipped to be fielding a pair of cars during the event, one for Bixby, Oklahoma’s Shane Stewart and one for three-time WOO champ Sammy Swindell from Germantown, Tennessee. Stewart is coming into the Mini Gold Cup fresh off his best finish of the WOO season last weekend in Manzanita where he finished in the third position. Swindell is coming off a year that saw him run limited times, but he did pick up a fourth place finish last September at the 54^th annual Gold Cup Race of Champions. The Roth Motorsports team always provides the best of equipment so it should be a tough duo to contend with at the event. 

Also with national experience during the last few years is Mount Vernon, Wash’s Jason Solwold who has hooked up with the Doyle’s Harley Davidson No. 1 team. In the year 2000 Solwold led the Mini Gold Cup until the 36^th lap before Eric Rossi passed him for the win, just four laps shy of the checkered. The Doyle’s team had much success last year with Oklahoman Shane Stewart and it should be no different with Solwold at the helm this season. Last year saw Solwold wheel the Carnahan Motorsports No. R19 to a top10 finish in the World of Outlaw point standings. 

Two-time and defending USAC Silver Crown Series champion Bud Kaeding of Campbell brings more star power to the Mini Gold Cup. The 28 year-old has had his moments in the past during the event, probably most memorable however, for when he was involved in a scary front stretch accident in 1998 that left him unconscious at impact and with injuries that sidelined him for about a month. It was a frightening moment for all in attendance and actually saw father Brent and brother Tim retire from the race to accompany him to the hospital. Since that moment though he has gone on to have a fine career winning three Oval Nationals titles at Perris, a pair of victories at the Western World Championships at Manzanita and scoring a number of other highlights throughout the years.

Defending Silver Dollar Speedway track champion Stephen Allard of Chico will look to hold up the local honors at the 22^nd Mini Gold Cup. S. Allard scored three victories and had a number of strong runs last season in the Feather Falls Casino championship series en route to his first solo driving title aboard the 1m Racing sprinter. Oroville’s Sean Becker finished runner-up in both the Golden State Challenge Series and Silver Dollar Speedway points last year. The driver known as the “Shark” will be chasing his first career Civil War Series title this season aboard the Scott Miller owned No. 2sb and will be running the Rod Fauver owned No. 64 at all Chico 410 shows.

Grass Valley native Brad Sweet will be another driver to watch for at the Mini Gold Cup. The 22 year-old, who is competing full time in the USAC National Sprint Car & Midget Series this season for Kasey Kahne Racing, is flying out to compete for a high profile car owner and wrench at the event in what will be one of the few times Northern California fans will get to see him. Last year Sweet finished an impressive third at the Gold Cup Race of Champions in Chico. 

A driver finding stability this year is Loomis youngster Kyle Hirst who will piloting the Gary Perkins owned No. 6 this season. The 20 year-old spent last season driving multiple cars and along the way had a very fine year. He won twice at Silver Dollar Speedway in the GP Development machine; he captured the Civil War Series finale in the Los Gatos Construction No. 20 and also won the Tribute to Al Hinds in the Harley Van Dyke owned No. 5h. With a solid foundation under him in ’08, Hirst is almost certain to have a breakout season. 

Scotts Valley’s Evan Suggs is expected to travel on a regular basis with GSC and will begin his sophomore season of winged sprint car racing at the Mini Gold Cup aboard the Suggs Racing No. 33e. Going into the event last year the 21 year-old had only two nights of winged sprint car action under his belt, but as the season went on he quickly adapted and began to show some serious speed during the summer months. His season was highlighted by a victory during opening night of the Jim Raper Memorial Dirt Cup in Washington, as well as a fast time effort at the Gold Cup Race of Champions at Silver Dollar Speedway in September. 

A driver making his maiden voyage with a new team at the Mini Gold Cup is Sacramento gasser Mike Henry. The former two-time Civil War champion is running full time with GSC this year aboard the HMH Motorsports No. 93, which is co-owned by Joe Mafara & Steve Harris. Henry is an exciting driver and is a welcome addition to the traveling roster. Former Mini Gold Cup champion Willie Croft, also of Sacramento, will be making his first Silver Dollar Speedway start since signing crew chief Brian Cannon in the off-season. Cannon wrenched Andy Forsberg to the ’06 track title and he should be very strong this season with Croft, who finished third in last years GSC point standings. 

Other competitors expected at the 22^nd Mini Gold Cup will include Auburn’s Andy Forsberg, Chico’s Brett Miller & Shain Matthews, Elk Grove’s Greg Decaires & Kyle Larson, Princeton’s Mason Moore, Placerville’s Andy Gregg, Discovery Bay’s Jim Skinner, Penngrove’s Alissa Geving and many more. The Mini Gold Cup routinely attracts more than 40 cars each season and this year will be no different. 

All seating during the weekend will be general admission with gates opening at 5 pm each night. Adult tickets will cost $25 on Friday and $30 on Saturday. Complete programs are on tap both nights with everything leading up to the $6,000 to win 40 lap main event on Saturday night that will crown this years Mini Gold Cup champion. Camping is available on the fairgrounds and there are clean restrooms and showers available. 

Those of you unable to make the Mini Gold Cup can tentatively keep up with the all the action during the weekend via live updates at http://www.pushinthecushin.com 

For more info and results from the weekend log onto http://www.johnpadjenmotorsports.com 

Up Next: Following the Mini Gold Cup, the Golden State Challenge 410 Sprint Car Series will venture to the Ocean Speedway in Watsonville for the first of four season stops to the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds track. The series will be dark on Saturday night March 15, which will allow everyone to attend the season opener for the California Civil War 360 Series at the high banked Placerville Speedway. 

The next event at Silver Dollar Speedway will be the annual Silver Cup on March 21 and 22, featuring 360 winged sprint cars, wingless sprints and dirt modifieds. The first of 21 Feather Falls Casino Friday night point races will occur on March 28 and will begin the traditional long season of regular weekly action at the ¼ clay oval located at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico.

Sean Becker Joins Fauver Racing in 2008
March 2, 2008
Shark Motorsports Management
Rod Fauver Racing
Chico, CA 3-02-08...In a late breaking deal, Oroville's Sean Becker and Chico's Rod Fauver have joined forces in 2008. Becker was without a Friday night Silver Dollar Speedway 410 ride heading into the new season. That all ended when Fauver and Becker struck a deal to run all the 410-winged sprint car races at Silver Dollar Speedway. “Sandy and myself are looking forward to working with Sean and see if we can go after a track championship together,” said Fauver. The team plans on chasing the Feather Falls Casino Friday night championship and running all the Golden State King of California races at Chico.

Becker will pilot the Fauver Race Ready Rental / J & J chassis / Cherry St. Mini Storage #64. This is the same car that Sammy Swindell finished third at the Gold Cup last year. “Fauver is supplying the car and my grandpa George is bringing the motor,” said Becker. “I am still driving the 2sb at all Civil War shows so this does not interfere with that program.”

The last two seasons Becker has driven the #35m out of Grass Valley. The team produced big time results with numerous wins and top five championship finishes at both Silver Dollar and the King of California series. Now with Fauver, the goal is still the same. “Rod and I talked and we are going after the Silver Dollar Speedway track championship,” said Becker.

Other sponsors include Zilla Motorsports, Platinum Powder Coating, Valley Wide Fasteners, Kevin Sharrah Designs, Built by D motors. Fauver's biggest draw is his rental program. “I don't want people to think Sean is renting this ride,” said Fauver. “Sandy and I wanted to put a top driver in our car and together with this partnership everything just fell into place.” However, expect to see at least two or three cars a night from Fauver's Race Ready Rentals in the pits at Chico. “I have had a lot of people inquire this year. I got guys coming from Australia and the Midwest to race at Chico this year in the rental cars,” said Fauver.

Thunderbowl WOO event cancelled
By Gary Thomas
Tulare, California – February 21, 2008…The Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaw Sprint Car Series event scheduled for this weekend at the Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway has been cancelled due to the bleak weather forecast. 
          Track officials spoke with the National Weather Service and based what they had to say, the decision was made to cancel the entire weekend to save everyone from driving down only to get rained out. World of Outlaw officials were also wanting a decision by today, since many of the teams are waiting in Phoenix where the series will compete next weekend. 
          The next event for the Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway will be March 29 when the Golden State Challenge King of California Series and Western States Modifieds share the bill for an exiciting night of action.

The following is the third in a series of articles by Bill Sullivan that will illustrate several of the highlights and expectations that lie ahead in the 2008 California Sprint Car Civil War Race Series. Be sure and visit johnpadjenmotorsports.com often over the next four weeks to learn more about the latest version of California’s premier series for winged 360 sprint cars as it heads to Placerville Speedway next month.

By Bill Sullivan, John Padjen Motorsports

PLACERVILLE- Alissa Geving is the first to admit she was not an “ordinary” young girl. While most of her friends were spending their childhood pastime riding horses and playing with dolls, Geving was “building a great love of mud and grease,” watching and helping her father, Gary compete in California’s sprint car racing circuit during the early 90’s.

Now, the second generation Geving is one of California’s few female competitors in the heavily male dominated sport of sprint car racing. The 16-year old Penngrove native will soon bring her charm and talents to the likes of Placerville Speedway to begin her first ever full season campaign in the 2008 Hoosier Racing Tires California Sprint Car Series.

The Civil War Sprint Car Series is promoted by John Padjen Motorsports in conjunction with several California Racing Promoters. The series, dedicated to 360 cubic inch powered sprint cars, competes for more than $100,000 in combined winnings and championship funds at six different tracks for a total of 15 events.
The series is designed to bring all of California’s talent together to compete in different venues while still being permitted to compete at their weekly home track events during the off weekends. With drivers representing each participating track and a diverse number of facilities the series is known for its exciting wheel to wheel racing action with multiple winners each year and the season title often coming down to the final event.

Geving will be one of more than 40 drivers heading to Placerville in just four weeks to compete in California’s premier 360 sprint car campaign. With limited appearances in the series last season, she will be setting her sights on the Civil War Series Rookie honor, a title that draws nearly as much attention as the series championship annually.

“Battling against the top drivers in California for such a huge title, if I could earn that…wow. That would be an incredible honor,” says Geving. “This title is my ultimate goal for all of the Civil War season. To do this, I need to finish all the races, which is going to be a big stepping stone.”

Years ago, the phrase “Rookie” in sprint car racing was often associated with drivers that had little experience and were developing their skills. In the end, the young driver that outwitted his or her counterparts in their first full season or series was awarded the title. Today much of the talent at the entry level of this sport is equivalent to the seasoned champions. Geving, recently named the Motorsports Press Association’s Rising Star, is no exception.

In 2007 Geving made her winged sprint car racing debut, graduating from the smaller outlaw karts and taking to her hometown track of Petaluma Speedway aboard her #3 Chick-O-Motor Sports sprint car, with the assistance of her father, a well known seasoned veteran of Petaluma Speedway. Geving credits her father’s influence on her successful graduation to sprint car racing, a commencement that includes two feature wins at Petaluma Speedway and two at Antioch Speedway. Geving’s first year record is one that exceeds that of many experienced champions. She is currently the youngest female driver to ever win a sprint car feature event at 15 years of age.

“If my Dad wasn’t such a great influence and supporter in my life, I probably wouldn’t have been able to pursue my dream of being a sprint car driver,” said Geving. “He has been there at every single race, driving all around California to hit every race possible and don’t get me started on how he completely builds all my motors. His life is basically dedicated to my racing and I am blessed to have such a support system in my life.”

At a very young age, Geving began going to sprint car races with her family, watching Gary race from the stands and helping him during the week as he prepared for the next weekend. The family time Alissa spent helping Gary was the training ground to prepare her for a sport she surely hopes will grow into a fulltime opportunity one day, with her sights set on every young drivers dream, the NASCAR Nextel Cup.

“Watching my dad race my whole life built a great love for mud and grease, while most of my friends were riding horses and combing their doll’s hair,” said Geving. “I think that racing is second nature to me because of all of the years of watching my dad, the greatest sprint car driver alive.”

In 2007, Geving competed in a select few Civil War Sprint car events, far less than half the series in an effort to remain eligible for the Rookie title in 2008. This year will be the first full season with the series for the Ursuline High School student, who maintains an impressive 4.14 point grade average despite her busy racing schedule.
One of the Civil War events in which Geving competed was the late season Napa Valley Challenge at the famed Calistoga Speedway. Nestled below the rugged Mt. St. Helena, the half mile track in the wine country is the largest in California. Drivers with decades of experience will talk about the intimidation and level of danger this track has to offer with speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour.

For Geving, the Calistoga visit was a highlight of her season. As a rookie she managed to win the B-feature and finished 9th in the A-feature. As the upcoming season approaches, she looks forward to the two events on the 2008 tour.

“Calistoga was hands down one of the best highlights of the season for me. I had so much fun, every bit of that night was a total blast,” said Geving. ‘I got the biggest adrenaline rush I have ever gotten and it felt great testing my luck on the high side. After the A-main I had two flat and bald rear tires, so lets just say I tried to push the car to its limits. It was a blast doing so and it gave me great experience for the rest of the season.”
With the Civil War Series opening in just a few weeks at Placerville Speedway, Geving looks forward to starting her chase for the Rookie title on the quarter-mile El Dorado County Fairgrounds track that is known for its tight bullring geography and close racing action. She made one appearance at Placerville last year, it was a hot summer night that had its share of ups and downs and concluded with Geving wearing her trademark smile and greeting the many fans who flocked to the pit area to meet the newest lead foot lady of sprint car racing.
“Placerville was a great track to race last year,” said Geving. “I flipped in hot laps which didn’t kick off our day in the heat very nicely. But all in all, it was a super fun weekend. It was a big challenge at first because I was used to flat tracks like Petaluma. I was intimated at first but I got used to it. Plus the fans made me feel at home. I am very excited to be coming there again with my added knowledge and experience from the end of the season.”

Regardless of gender, a race car driver in any division must first earn respect from their counterparts. Competing in this male dominated form of racing, Geving has found that respect early in her career. With four feature victories, five heat race wins and top five placements in the season point standings at both Petaluma and Antioch she is undoubtedly made a name for herself throughout California.
“It’s funny to see people’s reaction when I tell them that I race with all males,” she said. “But I’m used to it by now. I just feel like one of the guys on and off the track and I’ve developed some very valuable friendships with the guys I race with. Most people treat me the same; I think everyone is used to it. We all have the same respect for each other.”

With multiple victories to her name in her first full season many eyes will be watching Geving in the year to come to see if she can become the third lady racer to win a Civil War feature event. Former Fair Oaks driver Shauna Hogg and Destiny Hayes of Oroville are the only former feature winners in the history of the series.
“A Civil War feature, wow, that would be an incredible blessing for all of the team,” said Geving. “All we need to do is work together as a team, concentrate on the big prize and see if grab one. I am pumped to race this season and I have a great feeling about it. The track I feel I would be most likely to get a win at would be Petaluma, my home track.”

Race fans can see Alissa Geving in Civil War Sprint Car Series action beginning Saturday, March 15th at Placerville Speedway along with more than 40 of California top sprint car drivers. For additional information on this upcoming event, log on to http://www.johnpadjenmotorsports.com. For further information on Alissa Geving and her Chick-O-Motorsports Race Team, visit her webstie at http://www.chick-o-motorsports.com.

Fan favorite Robinson to return from retirement for 2008 Civil War Sprint Car Series
by Bill Sullivan

The following is the second in a series of articles by Bill Sullivan that will illustrate several of the highlights and expectations that lie ahead in the 2008 California Sprint Car Civil War Race Series. Be sure and visit johnpadjenmotorsports.com often over the next four weeks to learn more about the latest version of California’s premier series for winged 360 sprint cars.

ROSEVILLE, CA (2-07-08) - Following a two-year hiatus from the sport he grew up in, Foresthill resident David Robinson Jr. has announced he will return to full time open wheel racing in 2008 and will compete in the Hoosier Racing Tires Civil War Sprint Car Series. The campaign will open on Saturday, March 15th at Placerville Speedway.

Robinson will return to the seat of the F&F Racing X1 sprint car owned by Steve Tuccelli and Alan Bradway, the same team with which Robinson earned two Placerville Speedway championships and the 2004 Hoosier Tires Civil War championship title. Robinson announced his retirement from the sport at the end of the 2005 season to assist his son Ryan with the start of his kart racing career.

“The past couple of years have been great,” said Robinson. “It’s given me the time to enjoy Outlaw Kart racing with my son Ryan and family. This time has also allowed me to do a little soul searching on what my desires are.”

Robinson made headlines in the final months of the 2005 racing season when he submitted his resignation as F&F’s hired wheel man and announced he would hang up his helmet for the first time since the age of five years old. His decision to bid farewell surprised fellow drivers, fans and especially Tuccelli and Bradway who later replaced Robinson with veteran driver Colby Wiesz of Colfax in the wake of “Powerfeed’s” unexpected retirement.

“We’re very excited to have David back in the seat. He’s part of the original team that got F&F Racing off the ground and has a driving style that adds to the excitement of sprint car racing,” said team co-owner Steve Tuccelli. As Wiesz parts ways with the F&F Team to allow Robinson’s return, he will now become the full time driver for veteran car owner John Taylor, driving the #35 sprint car formerly wheeled by former Placerville and Civil War champion Greg DeCaires of Elk Grove.

“When David announced he wanted to come back we were faced with a tough decision as Colby was a true asset to this team and organization over the past two years,” added Tuccelli. “But it all worked out for both drivers and he will surely be quite the contender for us on the track driving for Taylor Motorsports. It’s definitely going to be an interesting season ahead.”

Robinson has raced open wheel race cars since he was five years old including quarter midgets, half midgets, speedway dirt carts, 360 sprint cars and 410 sprint cars with notoriety in every class he has competed. The 33-year-old machinist by trade, a father of two, has been honored with championships at Baylands Speedway and Oakdale Speedway in his younger years as a driver. He has earned multiple titles regionally and nationally before advancing to sprint cars in 1996, when he earned the Rookie of the Year title at Placerville Speedway.

In 1998, he won the prestigious Pacific Sprint Cup at Silver Dollar Speedway and that same year won the Placerville track championship before winning the 1999 Civil War title and the 2003 Placerville Speedway track title.

In 2004, Robinson capped his career with duel titles, winning the Placerville Speedway championship and the Civil War title in the same year. Since driving for F&F Racing, Robinson made 64 starts, earned four fast time awards, won 11 main events and finished in the top five of 27 different feature events.

After launching his son’s young racing career, Robinson is focused on climbing back behind the wheel. With the support of his family he will return with his sights set on “finishing business,” as he puts it.

“I left sprint car racing because I wasn’t giving 150% to the sport I love. It wasn’t fair to my team, family and friends that had been a tremendous force of support through the years. I was just showing up,” said Robinson. ‘Racing is a privilege and should never be taken for granted. I realized, I was doing just that. I feel I have some unfinished business to take care of here and I’m ready to give the sport I love my undivided attention and I am more prepared both mentally and physically than I have ever been. In other words, I am ready to give it my all.”

As a youngster, Robinson sat in the grandstands with his father, Dave Sr. at places like Baylands, San Jose, West Capital and Calistoga. He couldn’t wait for Saturday night to come so he could go watch his favorite drivers wheel their way around the track. As Robinson returns to the track this season, he takes great pride in knowing that two of his young fans will be his own children who both have asked “Dad” to race again.

“My kids have asked me to do this again and Jodie and Ryan are both old enough to know what is happening on the track. I am so excited to know that I can be that driver that my kids will be rooting for. The best part of it all is I can now have the best of both worlds. Red Bluff runs one of the best Outlaw Kart winter programs which allow Ryan to compete with the best young drivers during my off season. I’m looking forward to coming back to the Civil War and a great year with the F&F Racing team.”

The Civil War series will officially open on Saturday, March 15th at Placerville Speedway located on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, in Placerville. Placerville Speedway will be the home track for the series. The Civil War Series includes a total of 15 events at multiple facilities in California between March and October.

The series is slated to visit Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Petaluma Speedway, American Valley Speedway in Quincy, Antioch Speedway, Ocean Speedway in Watsonville and Calistoga Speedway. Additional information about this exciting campaign may be obtained on the official website at www.johnpadjenmotorsports.com. For event sponsorship opportunities or media information please contact Bill Sullivan at placervillespeedwaymedia@yahoo.com or contact the track business office at (916) 969-7484.

Local church to erect race track flagpole to honor late driver Terry Scher

Area businesses collaborate to brighten Placerville Speedway in patriotic fashion

PLACERVILLE – The Cold Springs Community Church of Placerville has announced its sponsorship contributions to Placerville Speedway for the upcoming racing season.

            Among the contingencies will be a 25 foot flagpole to display the American flag during racing events, an amenity that has been missing from the El Dorado County Fairground arena for decades. An American Flag flies over the fairgrounds property, however it is somewhat distant from the grandstand area where auto racing and various sporting events are held.

            The patriotic hardware will be mounted on the hill just west of the racetrack surface. Today it was announced that the flagpole will be dedicated to the late Terry Scher of Pollock Pines. Scher was a longtime pure stock driver and friend to the speedway who recently lost his courageous battle with cancer.

            “We noticed the real need for a permanent flag pole after not having a “flag vehicle” numerous times at the track last year, so we had planned to sponsor  the pole anyway,” explained Don Wilson, the associate pastor of Cold Springs Community Church and the official chaplain of Placerville Speedway. “With  Terry Scher passing away and the impact he had on the racing community and Placerville Speedway in general, it seems so appropriate to dedicate to him. Terry always supported me at the track from the day I started and he was a wonderful friend to me. It’s  an honor to memorialize him and to carry on his legacy at the track.”

            For much of his life, Terry Scher was involved in local auto racing. Before joining the Pure Stock division in 2002 he was involved with assisting many drivers at the speedway, involved with destruction derbyies and much more. For Terry one of the most important aspects of racing was pleasing a crowd and putting on a show every week for his fans. The owner and operator of On Stage Productions in Pollock Pines, Scher believed in the philosophy that any business owner or promoter must live by; to be successful you must entertain your customers and keep them coming back.

            Terry helped the speedway and the fairgrounds many times behind the scenes with his technical assistance and knowledge of public address systems. Over the past two years he donated his equipment and time for memorial services that were held for Mark Forni and A.J Dunn. Additionally, Scher often came to the rescue of promoter Alan Padjen and track communications director Bill Sullivan when sparks and smoke often lead to a dead pa system just hours before a race. Both agree the flagpole dedication is appropriate for a person that helped make sure the show always went on.

            “The American Flag is something that belongs at every sporting event, this is long over due,” saId Sullivan. “For years race fans have been making fun of the “flag on a rope” that dangles at Calistoga Speedway and I have always kind of laughed at that… because,well,  at least they had a flag. I know Terry would be proud of this honor.”

            Assisting with the flagpole project will be local engineering contractor Gordon Vicini who will assist with installation. For many years Vicini has assisted Placerville Speedway with equipment needs and hauling services. Advantage Construction Supply of Sacramento will sponsor additional materials for the installation, thanks to owner Steve Lamothe who is also a local motor sports photographer and a contributor to the track on a regular basis. Arnolds for Awards Shingle Springs will provide the honorary plaque.

            This will mark the fourth consecutive year that the Cold Springs Community Church continues its partnership with Placerville Speedway. In addition to the flag pole sponsorship, Wilson and the church have announced they will return as the “Hard Luck Award” sponsor for 2008. They will award $50 to a driver that had bad luck during the night, from a crash to a photo finish.

            “We are proud to have the Cold Springs Community Church with us for another season,” said Sullivan. “In today’s economy sponsors are getting hard to come by and we appreciate the support of everyone  involved with this latest project. It’s something everyone wants to be a part of and that’s what it’s all about, the community coming together.”

            The 2008 racing season will being in just a few weeks with the Hoosier Racing Tires Civil War Race Series opening the track on Saturday, March 15^th. For additional information on this event please visit www.placervillespeedway.com.

Hawes: “Playday is on for February 9^th”

Mother Nature may have final say

           Marysville- The long awaited, weather postponed final pour of the new front stretch crash wall will be finished this weekend and the February 9^th Playday at Marysville Raceway Park is on! Promoters Paul and Kathy Hawes will present the 2nd Playday of the season.

If Mother Nature will give an inch, MRP and Hawes’ hard working crew will take a mile. The weather forecasts in the days before next Saturday seem to be favorable and promoter Hawes simply needs a little help in the weather department to keep this date. The pit gates will open at 9AM and the track will be open all day for practice until about 4PM. Entry fees for the day are $20 for car and driver and $5 for a pit pass. The grandstands are free. The track will open for 7+ hours and a multitude of opportunities will be available for track time. All divisions of racecars are invited to participate. This will be yet another opportunity for racers to get a better handle on the swift ¼ mile ribbon of clay. As in January, promoter Hawes is very interested in having the racers opinions and input before the season starts to roll.

2007 Winged Sprint Car champion, Grass Valley’s Jeremy Burt is likely to appear in his immaculately prepared #2b. A large number of racers are expected in addition to the current MRP titleholder.

With the days before the Playday looking somewhat favorable from a weather perspective, promoter Hawes was cautiously optimistic about whether or not he could get heavy equipment on the rain soaked turf.

“We have a lot to do…and I don’t know how much will be done by next Sunday.” Hawes said. “After Playday we have to get the new lights up and the fill in behind the new crash wall…the area just behind the wall where the fencing will go up that separates the spectators from the track. The track itself should be fast.”    

Today having looked at the grounds, this observer noticed that the drainage off of the banking is superb. The new configuration allows for significantly better drain-off than in years past. This may be a valuable plus.

At this writing the weather prediction for February 9^th calls for a possible shower after several days of “workable” weather. Please call the speedway or any of the other available contact numbers for the latest updates. We WILL answer the phone. The staff at MRP is not interested in creating additional travel costs to the participants.

The 40^th Anniversary Season is rapidly approaching and it should be a great one.

Altamont announces Future Champions Development Series for ages 14-16
Late Model program being offered on half-mile oval

Steven Blakesley / Altamont Motorsports Park

Tracy, CA – Altamont Motorsports Park announced today the formation of the Future Champions Development Series, for the top young race car drivers ages 14, 15, and 16 years old.

Altamont Motorsports Park, a half-mile asphalt oval, is located between San Fransisco and Stockton in California’s central valley.

The series will utilize Late Model stockcars, identical to those in the track’s weekly Western Late Model class, except for a few minor restrictions. Future Champions Development Series races will be part of Altamont’s weekly racing program.

Drivers will compete in ten championship races, with multiple practice and testing days also included in the program. Entry fee costs include insurance coverage, and pr and web marketing through the series website, coming soon.

Competitors will have the chance to compete against the top young racing drivers in the country, earning experience and exposure to prepare for touring Late Model and Grand National racing.

Options available include those for drivers with their own race car fitting into the series rule book or for a rental option of several cars built specifically to the series rules. Travel packages can also be arranged in accordance with any package being purchased.

Teams interested in participating in this ground breaking new program for motorsports development, are urged to contact Altamont General Manager Jeff Macey at (530) 846-4545 or by emailing to jmacey@altamontracing.com

A meeting for all interested parties will be held soon to organize the program.

About Future Champions Development Series:
Future Champions Development Series begins action in 2008, pitting the top drivers ages 14-16 in Late Model competition on the Altamont Motorsports Park half-mile in Tracy, CA. The series is operated by Altamont General Manager Jeff Macey. A website is coming soon!

About Altamont:
Altamont Motorsports Park LLC is a multi-venue facility located in Tracy, CA, owned by Riverside Motorsports Park LLC. Altamont features a half-mile NASCAR- and USAC-sanctioned asphalt oval, with an interior quarter-mile and 1.1 mile road course. The track hosts events from more than a dozen different sanctioning bodies each year.

New California Sprint Car Team

In 2008, Sacramento, CA driver Mike Henry is going to do something he has always dreamed about. “I have wanted to run a full Golden State Challenge King of California season for so long,” said Henry. “This year it will happen.”

Henry has joined forces to create HMH Motorsports. The team is co-owned by Joe Mafara and Steve Harris. Both Mafara and Harris have seasoned years between them when it comes to sprint cars. Mafara, who resides in San Diego and owns Royal Lagoon Pools, has owned and driven sprint cars in years past. “I love this sport,” said Mafara from his home in San Diego. “I wanted to drive these cars and get a feel for what they are like. I think it helps me communicate with the driver and team.” Mafara plans on racing a handful of wingless spec sprint races this year at Chico. Harris had owned the #51 car that Chuck Gurney Jr. drove for many seasons.

The team is committed to run the entire Golden State Challenge series this season. They also plan on racing at selected World of Outlaw events, some Friday nights in Chico and end of the season 360 races. The team will use Don Ott Racing Engines and Maxim Chassis. Sponsors include World Environmental, Royal Lagoon Pools, C and H Veteran Enterprises and Nakke Shocks. More sponsors will be revealed soon. Helping with the crew will be Sean “Stymie” Pratt, Sean Ladd, Kyle Harris and Uncle Charlie.

Henry will sport the familiar #93 on the car this year. “I have longed to do something like this for a long time,” said Henry. “I appreciate all the people who I have driven for in the past or helped me to get to this point in my racing career. I am really excited about this and look forward to racing against the best 410 drivers in California.”

Henry’s first race for the Golden State Championship will take pace at the Mini Gold Cup in Chico on March 7 and 8. “I have finished second like three times in Golden State racing but never won,” said Henry. “This year our goal is to get a win and run consistently.”

 Mason Moore makes it to C-main in first Chili Bowl appearance.

By Gary Thomas
          Tulsa, Oklahoma – January 13, 2008…Young Mason Moore of Princeton, CA had the opportunity to head back to his first Chili Bowl Midget Nationals this past week and he made the most of it by making it all the way to the C-main on Saturday night in a field that saw an amazing 274 entrants compete. Drivers from all walks of motorsports took part in the action during the week in Tulsa, Oklahoma including competitors from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NHRA, World of Outlaws, USAC and more.

          The Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is one of the biggest short track races of the year and the 22nd edition of the event was the biggest ever as it saw a record car count and live HBO Pay Per View coverage of Saturday’s C, B & A-mains for the very first time. The field was split into three qualifying nights and Mason took part in the Friday portion, which was sponsored by O’Reilly Auto Parts. Also running during the Friday O’Reilly qualifying night were big names such as Kasey Kahne, Dave Darland, Cory Kruseman, Damion Gardner and Jason Meyers, as well as fellow California youngsters during week including Kyle Larson, Brett Miller, Ryan Kaplan, Justin Grant and Shane Golobic along with James Sweeney, Colby Copeland and Cole Peard who ran the Tuesday pre-qualifier.

Other major names competing at the Chili Bowl during the week included: Tony Stewart, Gary Scelzi, Cruz Pedregon, Joey Saldana, Danny Lasoski, Jason Leffler and many more. Drivers were split into nine heat races on Friday and Mason kicked off the night by finishing fifth in the sixth heat race aboard the Walker Racing, Moore Insurance Services & Financial Inc, Blue Shield of California No. 10m. It put him into the third last chance race of the evening and the 17 year-old got his elbows up to bring home a second place finish to transfer to the back of qualifying race number three, where he went on to finish 10th after passing World of Outlaw star Jason Meyers on the last lap.

With points determining line-ups for the main events, Mason found himself in the second of two twin semi mains where he started from the 12th position. Showing that he was getting more comfortable in the car that was wrenched by his normal crew chief Mike Clarke of Chico, the driver known as “Primetime” was able charge forward aboard the Colusa Casino, Rolling Hills Casino, Platinum Powder Coating machine and finish the B-main in sixth, just two spots shy of transferring to the A-main.

The 17 year-old however, gained enough points to give himself a starting position in the D-main on Saturday night, which was very impressive based on the fact that there were main events on Saturday as far back as a K-main.

Lining up fifth in the first 15 lap D-main, he continued his strong week and ran a mistake free race to finish third and earn a transfer to the back of C-main number one, which also helped him get on national TV for the first time. In the 15 lap C-main Mason was moving forward and had nearly driven the Selover's Body & Paint, theSkipperpartys.net, Withrows Motorsports No. 10m up to the top 10 when the engine in his midget cut out putting an end to his Chili Bowl bid. Despite the tough luck, the amount of success Mason had during his first Chili Bowl is something to be proud of and the experience gained while competing against that type of competition is priceless.

Not only did Mason compete at the Chili Bowl in Oklahoma, he also took part in a pair of high school basketball games back home earlier in the week. On Tuesday night he made three free throws in the final minute of the game to lead his Princeton Eagles to a 46-44 win over Biggs. Mason was also tied with a couple other of his teammates as high scorer for the game. Then on Wednesday night Princeton beat Paradise Adventist Academy to raise their overall record to 11-2.

Mason is coming off a successful first full season behind the wheel of a winged sprint car and he’ll be looking to build on that success during the upcoming season. This past year saw him spend the majority of his Friday nights at the Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico running a 410 where he took home Rookie of the Year honors. He also competed full time with the California Sprint Car Civil War 360 Series bringing home an eighth place finish in the final standings and earning Co-Rookie of the Year with good friend Kyle Larson. For 2008 Mason and the No. 22 team are once again planning to focus on the Silver Dollar Speedway and Civil War Series titles.

To keep up with Mason Moore in the '08 season log onto http://masonmoore22.com/

Brett Miller & Care Free Pools Racing win special awards at GSC Banquet
By Gary Thomas
Oroville, CA – January 7, 2007…The Care Free Pools Racing team made out well this past Saturday night during the annual Golden State Challenge Series award banquet at the Feather Falls Casino in Oroville. The top 10 drivers in the final season standings were given a chance to get up on stage and recognize those who make everything possible in this expensive sport of auto racing. John Padjen Motorsports announcers Troy Hennig & Bill Sullivan emceed the ceremony.

Brett ended up finishing seventh in points during his first full time campaign with the traveling 410 series and captured the Rookie of the Year award. “I have to thank my mom Beth who doesn’t get recognized enough and my grandparents Bill & Jeanne for everything they do for me and this team,” Brett commented on stage. “Overall it was a fun but tough year and I feel that I learned a lot of things that I can take with me in the future.”

Playday big success at MRP
71 Cars bring in New Year;
2008 schedule is posted

Marysville- The 1^st Annual New Year’s Day Playday was staged Tuesday at Marysville Raceway Park. With the track open for the entire day, 71 cars took to the new clay to start the 40^th Anniversary season at the venerable facility. Promoters Paul and Kathy Hawes were pleasantly surprised by the large turnout of cars and drivers.

According to local Appeal Democrat Sports Editor, Todd Hansen “All in all, the first ever New Year's playday at Marysville Raceway Park was a big hit, and proved to be a great way to drop the green flag on the celebration of the local track's 40th anniversary.” 

Hansen interviewed promoter Hawes and reported that the track will be a full quarter-mile from the inside of the driving surface, but technically a little larger than a quarter-mile from the more traditional measuring point of 10 feet up the racing surface. The previous track was a full quarter-mile from the outside edge, and so slightly smaller than from the official measuring point. But the precise measurements were of little concern Tuesday. Drivers were looking for a racier track, and for the most part, got one.”

Hansen also reported that Hawes said, "(Fans) are going to see more speed ... and it is definitely going to be two-groove racing." Hawes, who will circle the track with walls and stronger safety fencing (by opening day) was impressed with the speeds. Hansen also  interviewed Mike Monahan of Reno, the 2004 Winged 360 Sprint Car champion, and Monahan remarked, "I like the speed." Monahan, who put on his own show by popping some wheelies down the back straightaway continued, "They still have a little widening to do, but they say that's on the agenda." There were so many cars in the pits that there were enough cars for main events in a couple of divisions.

Jeremy Burt of Grass Valley, the reigning Winged 360 Sprint champion, was also present with his very quick #2b. The champ said he was anxious to get back into the car about two weeks after the season was done. Hansen further reported in his interviwew with Burt that he mused, "This gives us a little feed to pacify us until March," Burt, who brought his immaculately prepared sprinter to the raceway acknowledges he likes the track changes. "I think you are going to see more speed, and I think you are going to see more passing," Burt said.

Champion Modified driver Duane Cleveland of Yuba City provided a heart-stopping moment when he pawed his way into turn 3, hooked up hard against the cushion and flipped some 3-5 times and exited the surface landing close to Hawes’ newly planted trees on the very outside perimeter of the 3-4 turn complex.

Cleveland had turned in some of the most thrilling laps of the day prior to his big crash according to promoter Hawes. “He was twisting it in pretty hard,” Hawes quipped, in an interview with this observer. Cleveland commented that it was the hardest crash of his storied career as a modified driver. This observer, however, remembers a grinding wall-riding incident at Grass Valley some years ago in a street stock that was pretty wild.

As the Modifieds are concerned, Hawes has announced that MRP will host a 5 race Modified Series during the course of 2008.

Track announcer Tim Gilbert had his own take on the playday extravaganza. “…there was a lot of talking and catching up, and the racers were having a ball! Kids were riding in the pits on ATVs (with parents) and walking around with their parents and grand parents, who watched them carefully while giving them the thrill of watching from the pit side. I had the impression from the “out of towners” that they liked the track.”

A race car show and race car parade to the speedway on opening night will kick off the point racing season on March 22^nd. There will be no preseason open shows this year as Hawes will kick off the point racing season a week earlier than usual. The primary 4 divisions and the Nor Cal Dwarf Cars will be presented on opening night.

While expanding the track, adding an asphalt go-cart track and redoing many of the other facilities are all part of the future, Hawes will spend much of this year looking back. In the Hansen interview Hawes remarked, "This is our 40th anniversary so we are going to look back.” Hawes, who will honor many of those who got local racing started in the area, plans a year long look at the raceway’s spectacular past.

Hawes mentioned that an annonymous donor has presented the speedway with a large number of negatives that will take some time to sift through and the shots appear to be a real mirror into MRP’s past. A NARC reunion is scheduled for August 23^rd as all of the past stars from that original sanctioning body (yes it was stock cars back then) to the present will be honored for their daring contribution to racing at MRP. The Cy Francis Memorial Race remembering one of MRP’s earliest promoters will be Scheduled for August 2^nd.

A muriad of special events will be presented all year and more Special Events/dates are in the works. Nine Special Events nights are introduced in the new schedule. As other sponsored events are finalized they will all be announced and noted at the website.

Promoter Hawes will present point racing in 5 divisions. The MRP Winged 360 Sprint Cars, The MRP Wingless Sprint Cars, the MRP Street Stocks, Mini Stocks and Extreme Bombers will all have full point racing seasons. The 2008 schedule has been posted to the website. Promoter Hawes is always available for questions and inquiries.

Hawes’ efforts to promote series with national recognition has provided a WESTERN ALL-STARS Late Model Series (http://www.westernallstars.com/) event scheduled for April 26^th. In addition, 3 USAC (United States Auto Club) Ford Focus Midget events are being penciled in as well.

Hawes’ efforts are tireless, as his trips across the country in the off-season have brought him into contact with operations both good and NOT so good. Ideas and innovations will continue to breathe more life into the facility all year long and in the years to come. An exciting, thrilling and very forward moving 2008 is anticipated by everyone concerned. Please click on to the Schedule button to download the 2008 schedule.

Happy New Year.