[i By Bill Sullivan, Handy Racing Promotions Inc.]
CHICO, CA – For the first time since 1989, the Gold Cup Race of Champions concluded with a California favorite taking home the prestigious $50,000 victory. In the days leading up to the moment that Jason Myers of Clovis will long remember there were countless individuals that contributed to making sure that "the show went on" for the 57th Annual Gold Cup Race of Champions.
The 2010 version of the fall classic began on Wednesday, September 8th with the running of the Civil War Gold Cup Invitational. This event was expected to be a high octane race with three divisions of racing on hand. In addition to the Civil War Series the BCRA Midgets returned to the Gold Cup opener for the first time in several years along with the Wingless Sprint Cars of the Hunt Magnetos Shootout Series.
Shortly after qualifying began on Wednesday night, the wrath of Mother Nature returned to the Chico area and drenched the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in a downpour that produced over an inch of rain in less that an hour. The fast moving storm was so severe that area of Chico reported flooding and many roofs collapsed in the downtown area due to the heavy rains, causing millions of dollars in damages.
Race teams and campers at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds found themselves literally running for cover during the downpour Wednesday night. The thunder shower brought standing water high than 12" in many areas of the pits and the grounds, wreaking havoc that would carry over throughout the prestigious Gold Cup week. Many haulers had to be towed out of the pit area using heavy equipment and Thursday night the pit area was relocated to the back parking lot of the fairgrounds due to the saturated grounds.
Despite the wrath of Mother Nature, it was teamwork by a countless number of dedicated race fans, team owners and representatives of both the Silver Dollar Fair and Handy Racing Promotions that insured the 57th Annual Gold Cup took place.
"I can't thank everyone enough for all of their help and support to make sure the Gold Cup went on," said Alan Handy. "It was a great example of how the racing community is a big family that comes together in a time of need and gets the job done. I have to thank all of them; our staff could not have done this alone. It was a very difficult situation and time was of the essence."
Following the Wednesday monsoon, the World of Outlaws began three nights of racing on Thursday evening and it was then that many of the extra curricular activities began to take place on the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds ranging from concerts to tacos and, of course, chili and camaraderie.
On Thursday night a new addition was added to the Gold Cup race of champions with a fiesta taco night in the Silver Dollar Pavilion. On the stage was the well known energetic band Double Funk Crunch. Behind the grill was the energetic group known best at the "Placerville Speedway Gang" who volunteered to handle all of the cooking and serving duties for the event.
Even though the night's races went into overtime with a number of caution periods, race fans flocked to the pavilion afterwards to enjoy discount beer and tacos. Over 900 tacos were served during the event that was sponsored by Kronik Energy Drink. John Gaston and his crew from Kronik Energy were on hand during the concert and throughout the entire Gold Cup Race of Champions with various fan giveaways and promotions. Handy Racing Promotions would like to extend a huge thank you to Gaston and his entire crew for their participation in the 57th Annual Gold Cup, both on and off the track.
In addition to taking the reigns of food preparation for the Taco Night event, the Placerville Speedway gang also put on the annual Gold Cup Barbecue on Saturday afternoon on the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds. It was the hard work of this dedicated group that feeds thousands of campers annually at the Gold Cup and their efforts are greatly appreciated.
A big thank you is extended to Hunt Magnetos for their sponsorship of the annual Chili Feed on Friday night at the Gold Cup. This year the band "HotFlash!" was added to the venue and brought their energetic rock and roll sounds to the stage that also featured the crowing of Miss Gold Cup 2010 and the video highlights of Gold Cup's most fantastic finishes.
Despite the unfortunate visit from Mother Nature earlier in the week, the annual Gold Cup concluded with thousands of race fans cheering in celebration of their local hero taking home the gold for the first time in more than two decades. It concluded with old friends reuniting and new faces becoming part of the racing family as they made their first ever visit to the famed event.
Handy Racing Promotions wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to everyone that was involved in the running of the 57th Annual Gold Cup. It is your dedication and support that brings this event to life year after year and words cannot convey how much we appreciate all of you for your patronage and your support.
Advance tickets will go on sale for the 2011 Gold Cup Race of Champions beginning on Monday, October 11 at (916) 969-7484. The next event for Silver Dollar Speedway will be October 1 and 2 with the 360 Sprint Car Nationals returning. This year's event is a two day program that boasts a $44,000 purse. Friday's event will pay $3000 to the winner and Saturday will award $6000. Watch the track website at www.silverdollarspeedway.com for further information.
- Bill Sullivan on Sep 21, 2010
- Article Date: 9/21/2010