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| Press Release |
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USAC/CRA in Hall of
Fame Vintage Classic Sept. 25 |
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Phoenix, AZ (September 23)The 5th running of the Hall of Fame Vintage Classic is not just another race, it is a happening. The return of the USAC/CRA Sprint cars to Manzanita’s famed half mile track Saturday night Sept. 25 is the race that fans have been waiting for but the other activities associated with the Classic makes it one of the most special events of the year.
The Vintage part of the race features over 25 of the old time cars that will take part in exhibition races and displays. It all starts with a Bar-B-Que at the track at 2:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon. Then some cars will be displayed on the front concourse while others will be in the pits ready to race. Many old time drivers, including Walt James, one of the early and long time presidents of the CRA will be one of those in the pits and ready to bench race with the fans after the final checkered flag. Tony Simon, a CRA great, is also entered.
The Hall of Fame part of the show will be highlighted with the induction of Dick Moeller and Carl Trimmer of Tucson, perennial motorcycle champion Jon Sellers and two members of the racing fraternity who have gone the extra mile to contribute to the sport—Alvin Clark and Jimmy Blanton.
As part of the Hall of Fame theme, 12 drivers from out of the past will be participating in an autograph and bench racing session from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Ready with the stories and their pens will be 1970 Western World champion Jerry McClung, two time state Sprint Car champion Frank McDaniel and Jimmy Wood, the California driver of the “Flying Ford” fame. Others are Stock Car champion Mike Gibson, Midget champion and winner of the Bellville Nationals Mark Passerrelli, Larry Myers, a veteran of late models, super modifieds and sprints, Dennis Matousek of sprint car and late model fame as well as early sprint car and jalopies Jimmy Seay, Will Schmink, Bob Bishop, Russ Pollack and Bill Krug.
On the track will be competition asit once was between local drivers and the west coast invaders. Carrying the local banner will be former Western World champion Jeremy Sherman, last year’s Hall of Fame Classic winner Charles Davis, Jr., former Arizona champions Bob Ream, Jr. and Eric Wilkins, 17 year old R.J. Johnson, Bruce St. James and possibly others who will install big engines for this event.
They will be tested by USAC/CRA points leader Rip Williams, Mike Kirby, a ten time winner at Manzy, Damion Gardner, Tony Jones and Troy Rutherford and SCRA points leader Rickie Gaunt. There is expected to be a large supporting cast as well.
The Sprint Car program gets underway with qualifying runs starting at 6:30 followed by competitive action an hour later.
The Hall of Fame inductions ceremonies will be held during intermission, just before the 30 lap feature.
Books about early racing written by Buzz Rose and another by Windy McDonald will be sold on the front concourse. |
