|
Traditional Sprint Car FanSite |
See You At The Races!!! |
|
TWO SATURDAYS AT SEASIDE PARK IN FEBRUARY by Norm Bogan |
|
|
|
While racing season is getting underway in
southern California, much of the country is still suffering through
snowy conditions and frigid temperatures.
Like other venues, Ventura Raceway is optimistic about their
new season and began last week with the celebration of the 2005 VRA
Banquet. A very good
crowd of about three hundred attended and many participants picked
up their trophies and point money. Nearly all that took time to acknowledge their
families, sponsors and unpaid help also alluded to the camaraderie
that has become the Ventura Racing Association (VRA).
Each division said that a number of their close friends are
Saturday night competitors. While
younger racers look to advance to higher levels and dreams are of
big time auto racing, the veterans appreciate the fact that they can
race close to home, without the expensive travel and enjoy their
recreational outlet at Ventura Raceway. The following Saturday, the new-year began with
the first practice in three years that didn’t get rained out. Everyone was interested in the three new classes for
youngsters and a number of cars were on hand to test out the new
infield track. Joining
them were the continuing classes of racecars with familiar faces and
some new hopefuls. The new classes are the Mini Dwarfs for
children from five to twelve, Junior Midgets for eleven to sixteen
year-olds and Junior Focus for kids from thirteen to sixteen.
Ventura Raceway is keeping abreast of the times with the
plethora of early teen drivers entering into the adult competition.
These divisions will afford new racers an organized outlet,
offering education on safety and stable driving in competition with
their peers. As the
youngsters advance, they will be better prepared to race with the
mature racers. Another plus is that it will hopefully create
new race fans, as adolescents will urge their parents to take them
to watch their classmates in action.
Newcomers to Seaside Park will witness the closeness of the
fans, drivers and their families. For veteran racers, they enter the new season with high hopes and much optimism. A number have stepped up with new or upgraded equipment and are sure that they will be stronger in the hunt this year. Several racers have moved up from one of the lesser classes to the more powerful IMCA Modifieds and VRA Sprints. Of course, at the beginning of the season, most of the racecars have straight sheet metal and fresh paint jobs. Several of the VRA alumni are returning to race
at Ventura this year. Former
VRA Champ, Jimmy Crawford will run one of Cory Kruseman’s school
cars and vie for the championship.
Troy Rutherford, who cut his teeth at Ventura has purchased
the equipment of the recently retired Bill Welch and hopes to put on
a strong run near home. Long time racer, Rick Hendrix has purchased a VRA
feature-winning car and will campaign at Ventura this year.
He returns from several years of running USAC Western States
Sprints, USAC Western States Midgets and USAC TQs.
Amassing a couple of championships, while away he comes home
to the friendly confines of Seaside Park. The new season will include visits from the
USAC/CRA 410 Sprints, USAC Midgets, and USAC Ford Focus Midgets
along with two Grand Slam series for both 360 Sprints and Dwarf
cars. On a regular
basis, the VRA Mini Stocks, IMCA Modifieds, VRA Pro and Senior Dwarf
Cars and VRA Pro and Senior Sprints will fill the weekly programs.
Add to these divisions the new classes for the younger
racers. Ventura Raceway is also sprucing up the
facility. Under
construction is a new pit grandstand, which will include the new
Victory Circle. Renovations
are underway at the concession stands and other amenities are being
put in place to continue the friendly family atmosphere that has
been a hallmark for years. During the racing season, plan an outing to Ventura. There are various activities to be enjoyed during the day and then come spend an evening at the “Best Little Dirt Track in America”. |
