8/9/2011
Sprint Source
Kids rock this Saturday night at Placerville for Mt. Democrat Kids Night
PLACERVILLE, CA (8-13-11) - Grab the bikes and bring all the tikes. It's time for "Mountain Democrat Kids' Night" at Placerville Speedway this Saturday, August 13th. This event is the biggest night for the littlest of race fans annually and marks the first of two big days of family fun at Placerville Speedway.
Saturday night will feature the return of Red Hawk Casino Championship point racing at Placerville Speedway. The winged sprint cars return to action this Saturday along with the Limited Late Models and the Pure Stocks in the 8th event the season long series.
This week, the racing is sure to be as exciting as it usually is on the quarter-mile clay oval that has been in operation since the summer of 1965. However, Saturday night is about much more than high dollar motors, the perfect tire and the perfect set up. Saturday marks the annual night at Placerville Speedway where families come together to give the true fans of this sport the opportunity to shine with the help of their racing heroes. On Mountain Democrat Kid's Night, youngsters get their turn to compete on the race track in numerous bicycle races during intermission.
"This is what it's all about, families and kids coming together at the track for a special night," says Andy Forsberg, current point leader at Placerville Speedway. Forsberg remembers being a youngster in the stands at Placerville watching his heroes duel it out. Along with the memories of seeing his father race wheel to wheel with names like Gene Gillihan, Doug Gandy, Brian Crockett and more, Forsberg remembers what it was like on the one night he had the opportunity to be on the other side of the fence.
"If you're a kid and love the races, there is nothing more meaningful then having the chance to be on the track with your favorite drivers and all the fans cheering you on. I remember back in those days, it was a lot of fun and now its even better be a driver helping these kids on Kid's Night. This is a great event, every family in the county should come out and check it out."
Saturday night, all kids 11 and under are admitted for free to Placerville Speedway. Additionally, the young fans receive complimentary popcorn and soda on this evening as well as a free ticket to the 38th Annual Hangtown Destruction Derby that takes place on Sunday afternoon. The free ticket comes courtesy of the Placerville Police Officers Association as they team with Placerville Speedway to make a fun filled weekend for families at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. The annual Destruction Derby is presented by the PPOA with the cooperation of the media staff of Handy Racing Promotions.
Youngsters are encouraged to participate in the bicycle races at intermission on Saturday night. Races will be broken up into various age groups with the distance of the competition being adjusted accordingly. The top three finishers of each age group will be awarded trophies and everyone who competes is awarded participation ribbons. Placerville Speedway will provide a secure parking area for the children's bicycles during the evening. Following the bicycle races, a brand new BMX Bicycle sponsored by the Mountain Democrat will be raffled off to a lucky youngster in the grandstands.
Like Forsberg, many drivers and associates of Placerville Speedway have seen the annual Kid's Night become one of the most popular nights at the speedway year after year. In tough economic times, Saturday's event is a perfect opportunity to bring the whole family to the races due to the free admission for kids.
"I grew up at this place and Kid's Night has been one of the most popular nights at the track for as long as I could remember, "said Bill Sullivan who is now the regular announcer at Placerville Speedway. "I'd like to be as cool as Forsberg and say I was a kid's night champion and all that, but I was never allowed to participate because I was such an uncoordinated dork I would have been a hazard. This is just a great night for families to come out to the track whether the kids race or not."
Saturday night marks the first of just four point races remaining at Placerville Speedway for the 2011 Red Hawk Casino Championship Season. The series titles in all three divisions remain up for grabs. Saturday's event will feature full race programs for all three divisions.
Entering the night of racing, Forsberg leads the winged sprint car standings. Mr. Excitement holds a 28-point margin over Sean "The Shark" Becker of Roseville. Scott Russell of Placerville is third in the standings, 37-points out of the lead. Shane Golobic of Fremont is fourth followed by Mike Henry of Sacramento in fifth place.
In the Limited Late Models, Dan Brown Jr. of Grass Valley leads the standings by a mere two points over Tom Arbogast of Auburn. Les Friend of Galt is third in the ranks, five points out of the lead. Matt Davis of Auburn is fourth overall with Jackson's Doug Grandboise of Jackson rounding out the top five.
In Pure Stock action, Clarence Holbrook III leads the standings with a four point advantage over Rick Grunert of Woodland. Dennis Armstrong of El Dorado is third in the standings over Burney McClure of Nevada City and Scott Grunert of Woodland.
Saturday night the gates of Placerville Speedway will open at 5 p.m. with qualifying starting up at 6:30. Adult tickets will be $13, Juniors and Seniors will be $11 and those 11 and under will be FREE for the evening. Raffle tickets for the BMX Bicycle will be presented to every youngster coming in the front gate along with a coupon for free popcorn and soda and a complimentary ticket to the destruction derby. For additional information visit the track website at www.placervillespeedway.com More information can also be found on the speedway's website at www.placervillespeedway.com
Article Credit: Handy Racing Promotions Inc.
Submitted By: Bill Sullivan