It's no secret that Santa drives one of the fastest hot rods around and next Sunday afternoon the jolly man and his famous sleigh will be joined by some of El Dorado County's fastest hot rods and on historic Main Street as Placerville Speedway returns to the annual Hangtown Christmas Parade.
In 2009, Placerville Speedway underwent new management for the first time since 1982 when Handy Racing Promotions Incorporated took the reigns of one of California's oldest operating dirt tracks. Following their new commitment to more involvement in the community it was decided on a whim to enter the annual holiday classic last year and for the first time in the 32 year history of this annual event that draws thousands many members of the local racing court too to the spirited city streets in grand fashion and was a big hit for everyone involved.
"After the response we received from the community last year how could we not do this again," said Bill Sullivan, spokesman for Placerville Speedway. "It's events like this that bring this sport up close and personal with the community. It's a great way to connect with all of its fans and draw new ones. There is no doubt we gained many new race fans after our inaugural parade appearance,"
Placerville Speedway’s 2010 parade entry will once again include a rolling “float” courtesy of Mountain Enterprises that will include the track’s show car in a holiday fashion along with a competitive midget car furnished by Rick Young of Shingle Springs and track support vehicles dressed in holiday décor. The float is just part of the entry as numerous drivers are registered to join in the event to create virtual parade of competitive race cars down the historic main street.
The entry in the 2010 Christmas Parade is the work of many volunteers that have been putting countless hours into the planning of this event and acquiring the resources to do so. Morgan Petersen, one of Placerville Speedway's long time supporters who provides the pace truck services weekly is one of the forces behind this project along with Sara Petersen and their family, who has been working hard on the decorating of the entry with the help of many more volunteers that have signed up to join in the project on parade weekend.
Drivers slated to participate along with their cars include weekly sprint car champion Andy Forsberg along with Pure Stock champion Chris Curtiss and former champion Tom Tilford. Sprint car entries will include El Dorado's Dave Shanks, Marc Mackay of Shingle Springs who will bring two rolling entries along with Placerville's Jimmy Trulli, CJ Humphreys and James Sweeney. Josh Bates of Carmichael will be a new face this year as he and the crew from Sport Clips will join in the action. In addition to the select group of locals nearly a dozen or more of the competitive Nor Cal Dwarf Cars will be in the presentation along with many more.
Much of the Placerville Speedway staff will participate in the event including promoters Alan and Diane Handy along with the track's colorful flagman Ed Entz and additional on track officials, scoring staff, office staff and various sponsors that will join in the walk along with a number of drivers and crew members that are expected all in the spirit of the holidays.
“When you plan something like this for the first time you never know what will happen, it's either success or disaster or a little of both," said Sullivan. "Last year we never expected quite the turnout and the response we had along with addition of snow. We're hoping to leave the snow off the list this year but we're looking to have a great time and show the streets of Placerville what a wonderful family sport we are in this community and our drivers should be filling up those boxes for Toys for Tots. I want to thank Jim McIntire and his entire family who puts this event on and once again has welcomed us with open arms."
The 33rd Annual Placerville Christmas Parade begins at 1 p.m on Sunday, December 5th. Additional drivers or crews wishing to join in the action can do so by contacting the track office by email at bsullivan@handyracingpromotions.com to receive specific staging instructions and entry information.
- Bill Sullivan on Nov 28, 2010
- Article Date: 11/28/2010