[i Media Release from Handy Racing Promotions]
[b PLACERVILLE, CA -] One of the most thrilling racing campaigns in the region is set to take the green flag this week at one of Northern California's most exciting race tracks. The war is on at the famed Placerville Speedway this Saturday, March 19th as the 2011 Red Hawk Casino-Hoosier Racing Tires Fast and Furious Dirt Track Racing season begins at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds with the high caliber Hoosier Tires Civil War Sprint Car Series.
Saturday's event will mark the first of 25 overall events at Placerville Speedway this year at the quarter-mile clay oval that is nestled in a hillside, just minutes from historic downtown Placerville. This high banked bullring style race track is known for it's wheel to wheel in your face racing excitement that has been thrilling nearly one million fans over the last 45 consecutive years.
The March 19 event will host the fire breathing winged warriors of the traveling Civil War Race Series. This regional series for winged 360 cubic inch powered sprint cars will bring nearly 40 race teams to the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, among them will be some of the most talented open wheel drivers from California and the Pacific Northwest.
While the winged sprint cars are sure to bring their share of excitement to the crowds of race starved spectators, the action doesn't stop there. One of Northern California's most exciting guest divisions will be joining the action in grand fashion, the Nor Cal Dwarf Cars. These small scaled colorful coupes pack a punch at every track in which they compete and Placerville Speedway to this division is much like Daytona is to NASCAR with it's high banking and constant close racing.
When it comes to speed thrills, the Hoosier Racing Tires Civil War Series will never let an avid open wheel race fan down and is sure to bring a new fan back to the track once they witness the spectacle. The latest version of California's premier series for 360 cubic inch powered winged sprint cars is sure to produce a stellar chase for the coveted statewide championship title and it all starts on the Placerville clay Saturday night.
This year, the Hoosier Tires sponsored series will compete for more than $250,000 over the year and an outstanding championship fund of $40,000 in championship funds is in place with $10,000 of that amount going to the 2011 Civil War Series Champion alone. This is the highest payday for a series champion in the history of the Civil War tour and one of the most lucrative among similar racing campaigns in the region. Additional contingency awards throughout the year are expected to exceed the $30,000 mark in various products as well. Contingency sponsors for the 2011 Civil War Series will be announced prior to opening ceremonies for Saturday's event.
Saturday's event is the first of 14 events at six of California's best known race tracks that have all experienced the thrill of Civil War Sprint Car Racing in year's past. The hosts of this tour span Northern California from the Sierra Foothills to the Wine Country and the Coastal Region. Every regular Civil War Series event will pay $2000 to the winner and $300 to start the 22 car A-feature.
In 2010, more than 125 different teams competed in various events in the traveling Civil War Series. The campaign consisted of 13 total events at six different California race tracks. Eight different drivers hoisted feature event trophies during the past season and one driver repeated in the form of a championship in grand fashion.
Starting this Saturday night, the rivalry is expected to pick up right where it left off at the checkered flag last September. In fact, the front lines of this newest version of the war is anticipated to be one of the most competitive campaigns yet since this series began back in 1991 as a small, impromptu campaign between a trio of tracks.
Returning to pursue his sixth possible championship in this series will be veteran racer Andy Forsberg of Auburn. Last season, Forsberg forced an upset in the Civil War Championship. Entering the final race of the year the driver known as "Mr. Excitement" was poised for a bridesmaid finish in the season ending point standings behind his arch rival Sean "The Shark" Becker of Oroville. Becker had dominated the top positions of the point standings all season long and was considered a shoe in for the title once the green flag flew on the final 30-lap feature event.
As the field took to the track for their final line up that night the unexpected became reality for Becker and his successful Scott Miller owned race team. As he was pushed onto the track the #2sb sprint car failed to start on several attempts and forced them to watch what would have been a historical championship run as the first team to ever win three consecutive titles. Forsberg went on to steal the title while Becker dropped to fourth in the ranks.
This year, Forsberg will get plenty of chances to go shark hunting once again. In doing so, he will be aboard a brand new weapon as he has teamed up to drive the well known F&F Racing Team #X1 sprint car. This team, owned by former drivers Alan Bradway and Steve Tucceli of Roseville is no slouch when it comes to wins and championships. They have 22 wins as a team along with championship titles in the Civil War Series and Placerville Speedway and their list of former drivers include names like David Robinson Jr., Colby Wiesz and Mason Moore.
As much as Forsberg is locked and loaded for a sixth title, Becker will be returning for redemption this year as well. Not only is The Shark expected to prey on Forsberg throughout the Civil War campaign, the former Golden State Challenge, Civil War and Silver Dollar Speedway champion has announced he will also run the weekly championship tour at Placerville Speedway in 2011.
Another driver that is expected to return this Saturday will be Sacramento's Herman Klein. Last season, Klein remained within striking distance of the championship title all the way to the final night. In the end the second generation hot shoe finished second in the standings ahead of former Civil War champion Mike Henry of Sacramento who also remained in the hunt for the gold down to the wire.
Moore finished fifth last year ahead of Chico's Stephen Allard, Cody Lamar of Sacramento who was the series Rookie of the Year. The top ten was rounded out by Nicole Miller of Elk Grove, Jeremy Burt of Grass Valley and Roseville's Trent Canales.
Nearly 40 competitive drivers are expected on the front lines of Saturday's war on the bullring. Among the drivers expected to join the series fulltime this year will be Fremont's Shane Golobic who will return to the seat of the John Taylor Motorsports #35. The 2008 series Rookie of the Year Alissa Geving of Penngrove has announced she will return to the tour fulltime again after a two year absence. Bradley Terrell, the 2010 Petaluma Speedway champion is returning to the series along with fellow Sebastapol driver Geoff Ensign who will team with Vertullo Motorsports for the tour.
When it comes to locals this Saturday, look for the Placerville posse to be in full force Saturday. Look for names like Jimmy Trulli, Scott Russell, James Sweeney, CJ Humphreys, Matt Barber, Brenton Nuggent, Dave Shanks, Justin Johnson and many more to be possible contenders.
In addition to the title sponsorship of Red Hawk Casino and Hoosier Racing Tires, the 2011 Placerville Speedway season is presented in part my the Mountain Democrat, Riebes Auto Parts, Pepsi Cola and Coors Light. Contingency sponsors and additional promotional considerations for the season to come will be announced prior to the opening of the weekly championship series next month.
The front gates to Placerville Speedway are set to open at 5 pm on Saturday. An early arrival is suggested as the anticipated season opener routinely becomes standing room only in quick fashion at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds.
Ticket pricing continues to be a great bargain for the entire family at Placerville Speedway for hours of great entertainment. Adult tickets for this special event will be $16, Seniors will be $14 Juniors will be $12 and children are $6.00.
For additional information on this event and the entire 2011 schedule at Placerville Speedway visit www.placervillespeedway.com or www.civilwarsprints.com. Placerville Speedway and the Civil War Series can also be found on Facebook. For any further information contact the track office at (916) 783-DIRT.
- Bill Sullivan on Mar 13, 2011
- Article Date: 3/13/2011