Community comes together to form richest race of the season with $5000 to win feature
[i By Bill Sullivan, Handy Racing Promotions Media Relations]
[b PLACERVILLE, CA (7-17-10)–] The richest race of the season at Placerville Speedway is just days away, the fifth annual Mark Forni Classic. As this prestigious race comes with a special format and a great deal of fanfare, it also comes with heartfelt memories of a man that truly loved his local speedway that sits on the land where he played as both a child and an adult.
"I think everyone at this race track knows who Mark Forni was and what it meant to him, if they don't then they should," said Bob Sweeney, owner of the #20 sprint car that is driven weekly by his son James Sweeney. "I was lucky, I knew Mark as a racer here and I knew him as friend. We use to run around and play on this land as kids. It was where my families' land and the Forni land came together. He was one of my best friends."
Sweeney is far from alone when it comes being a friend to Mark Forni. Nearly any local driver that raced at Placerville Speedway since it opened in 1965 was befriended by the man that left us far too soon after a courageous fight against a terrible disease. From the time he was old enough to walk, Mark Forni made Placerville Speedway his playground every Saturday and any local drivers who supported the facility that sat in his backyard were his heroes, his friends and later in life many of the drivers that were either sponsored by him or drove for him.
Three particular drivers that will be in competition on Saturday night for the richest point race of the year are members of the latest generation of wheelman that were fortunate to carry the support of Mark Forni before his passing. Not only his financial support in the way of sponsorship or car ownership but more importantly his friendship and his incredible knack for mentoring his drivers at times when the cards seemed like they were down. Those drivers include Sweeney, Placerville's Scott Russell, CJ Humphreys and Jimmy Trulli. While Saturday night will be home to many emotions regardless who wins, if one of these drivers takes home the prestigious title the nearby Raley's supermarket could very well have a sudden shortage on tissues.
"Mark was one of my best friends in racing and in business," recalls Russell, who credits Forni for his success in both racing and his career. "He had a strong passion for racing and El Dorado County. He showed that with his true commitment in the work he did for the track and so many local drivers. He would go the extra mile to do whatever it took to make sure the race would go on. I remember seeing him working many late nights with the racetrack staff using his equipment in a time of need. During those times he was always happy to lend a hand, that's just how he was."
One such instance that Russell is speaking of was in the spring of 2005 when an abundance of winter rains caused severe damage to the underground drainage system below Placerville Speedway. The continued underground run off caused a series of race cancellations. At the time, Mark had already been fighting his battle against Multiple Myeloma and its toll on him was visible. While Mark could have simply supplied the use of his heavy equipment to make the repairs he went much farther. Despite significant weight loss and exhaustion he pitched in and operated much of the equipment himself. Knowing his days were numbered, Mark was wearing his classic smile the whole time, doing what he loved at the place he loved and was going to sorely miss when his fateful time eventually came just a few months later.
"He never gave up. He taught me to never give up," added Russell. "All of us truly respected him as a friend, a businessman, father, husband and grandpa. He was taken from us way too soon. I will never forget that final trip to his house to say goodbye later that same year. He wanted to have one last beer together and we did. We knew we would one day be together again, we talked about it and we cried about it. This Saturday night and I think every Saturday night Mark is right there with us."
Only three drivers have claimed the prestigious Mark Formic Classic trophy at Placerville. The first winner was Elk Grove's Greg Decaires followed by Kyle Hirst who hailed from Loomis at the time. Antelope's Sean Becker has won the last two Forni Classic wins. So far this season Russell has had strong performances at Placerville as well as Humphreys and Trulli, who has claimed a feature win. While the local trio knows the added bounty is going to increase the risk taking to extreme levels once again they hope that maybe it will be one of them that finds their way to victory lane.
After numerous requests by race teams over the last two years, a new twist to the Forni Classic was added in 2010. In order to be eligible to compete in this grand event a driver must have entered a minimum of six Placerville Speedway point races or Placerville Speedway Civil War events prior to the event.
The eligibility format was formed in an effort to create a race that Forni dreamed of. A race where the local team that supports it's local venue and is rewarded for their efforts. Not only will this race pay a hefty amount to the winner, the money will go all the way down the line in the feature event with the last place finisher earning $225 just to start.
"Mark always wanted a special race where the local drivers that supported their track were honored, and that is exactly what they have done here," added Russell. "Every driver has had the opportunity and the choice to qualify for this race. The fans are going to see an incredible race with the extra money on the line and all of us who worked hard to be part of it."
After Saturday's most recent point race, 28 drivers have met the requirements to take the green flag on July 17th by competing in six or more of the combined races. A total of two drivers are just one race away from eligibility. The number of entries is living prove that the eligibility requirement was successful.
The overall number is merely four cars short of last year's event where anyone could show up and race and the roster will still exceed that of the average weekly number of entrants. The Forni Classic will feature Placerville Speedways finest talent that ranges from numerous seasoned champions down to some of the sports newest young talent. All of these men and women are in an event where championship points are still awarded, but will be the farthest from everyone's mind as they focus on the $5000 victory and more importantly, the legacy left behind by Mark Forni.
"I would like everyone who is involved in this memorial race to know how much our family appreciated this honor," said Karen Forni-Feathers, who continues to serve on the El Dorado County Fairboard, filling the empty seat her late husband left behind. Karen will be one of numerous members of the Forni Family in attendance this Saturday night as Mark's passing reaches the five year milestone. "Mark was a very generous man with his time and he felt there was no better place to use that energy than at the racetrack. He had some very special relationships with what we called our racing family and I know that he will be checking in on us Saturday night. I thank all of the drivers who have chosen to be a part of this and wish them the best of luck. All of us will be to show our support."
Topping the list of eligible drivers is two time winner Becker along with his arch rival Andy Forsberg the season point leader. Additional entrants will include former champion Mike Henry; Justin Johnson; Colby Wiesz; Mason Moore; Russell; Humphreys and Trulli along with Shane Golobic; Jeremy Phillips; Billy Strange Jr.; Nicole Miller; James Sweeney; Trevor Canales; Chad Compton; Charlie Cagle; Josh Bates; Craig Swim; Steven Tiner; Stephen Allard, Troy Machado and Cody Lamar, David Silveria, Herman Klein and Jimmy Steward, Billy Butler and Scott Hall.
These drivers have earned a starting spot in this prestigious race which Mark Forni will watch from the second best seat in the house. Second best seat? Yes, the first seat will be the one that carries the next Forni Classic Champion to victory lane.
"To win this race would be the most incredible thing for us. Just simply because it is named after Mark," said Humphreys, another longtime friend whom Forni sponsored for many season. "He was a hell of a guy, just a great person to know and be around. He loved the races and he loved the community. The fact this race is $5000 to win is great. But in reality it isn't about the money for those of us that knew him, it's about Mark Forni. I would love to win this race, but I can say if I am leading it at the white flag I'm not sure I'll every see that checkered because the tears will be flowing so hard, I'll be a mess."
In addition to the added funds to the winged sprint car division, both the Limited Late Models and Pure Stock classes will also be racing for increased amounts. In each of these divisions the winner will pick up a $250 bonus. Overall the Late Model winner will earn $750. while the Pure Stock winner will take home $550 for the night.
Area businesses that have come together to present Saturday's great race include Doug Veerkamp General Engineering, Hunt and Sons Petroleum, Les Schwab Tires of Placerville Pape' Machinery, MRO Iindustrial Supply, Sierra Landscape Materials, Steve Gomoluh of Placerville, Armonds Tire Service, Cummins West, Sierra Landscape Materials. These contributors are in addition to Handy Racing Promotions Inc. and Placerville's Speedway's season long sponsors, Red Hawk Casino, Hoosier Tires, Riebes Auto Parts, Coors Light, Pepsi Cola, Roger Miller Concrete, the Paint Spot, Food 4 Less, Carl's Jr., McDonalds, Windfall Classifieds, the Mountain Democrat and ADCO Driveline.
Action will start on Saturday night with the grandstands opening at 5 p.m. and qualifying at 6:30. The evening will feature a full format for all three divisions. Adult tickets will be $12, juniors and seniors $10, Children $5 and under six will be admitted for free. Due to the expanded purse of this event combined with the hundreds of friends that Mark Forni had in the county an early arrival to the speedway to insure seating is suggested. For complete point standings and additional information on Placerville Speedway and the legacy of Mark Forni please visit the track website at www.placervillespeedway.com.
- Bill Sullivan on Jul 14, 2010
- Article Date: 7/14/2010