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Placerville Speedway, area businesses encourage and award “Fan Spirit” in 2008 |
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PLACERVILLE, CA – MARCH
19, 2008 --- Over the past several years, Placerville Speedway has been known for its very active race fans that pack the grandstands of the El Dorado County Fairgrounds every Saturday night. In 2008, several area businesses will partner with Placerville Speedway to present the nightly “Speedway Fan Spirit” award. The concept is all new to Placerville Speedway and is geared to promote a fun, family friendly atmosphere week after week at the arena that is home to the only professional spectator sport in El Dorado County.
During the 2008 El Dorado County New Car Dealers-Hoosier Racing Tires-Coors Light championship racing season race fans are encouraged to show their true love for the sport and their favorite weekend warriors that invest countless hours to compete each week. John Padjen has successfully promoted Placerville Speedway for 25 of its 43 years of operation. Today, his son Alan Padjen manages the facility and continues a legacy that is undoubtedly partially responsible for the continued success of dirt track auto racing in Northern California. So just how has this particular race promoter been so successful at a speedway that saw numerous promoters fail in single digit terms prior to his first contract with the El Dorado County Fairgrounds back in 1982? The answer is simple, to the Padjen family and their associates, the number one customer at every event is the spectator.P roviding affordable, fun, family entertainment keeps those customers coming back. In 2008 race fans are encouraged to display their passion for the sport and they can do it in any fashion they please. They may choose to don colorful clothes that represent their favorite team or be the most animated group doing the wave or the YMCA. They may make catchy signs of posterboard to support their driver or even proudly ring a cowbell when their favorite driver’s name is announced in the line up. “I can remember the days when Brian Crockett raced at Placerville and the cowbell would ring with every line up, it was pretty cool,” said Sullivan. “We want to make going to the races fun for the whole family and thanks to members of the business community we are going to be able to reward a lucky fan or family a night that we see displaying a great deal of spirit. It’s all about creativity that will surely create a buzz in our grandstands.” During a Civil War race last season Placerville’s colorful flagman Ed Entz, known to his counter parts as “The Dancing Flagman” was doing his routine of luring the crowd into doing the YMCA during a break in the racing action. A few moments into the song Entz was joined by pure stock drivers Tom and Matt Tilford and sprint car driver Dave Angus. The trio were spectators for the evening and chose to go in front of the crowd and lead them on. It was a night many fans will surely remember, not necessarily for the race itself but for the fun time they experienced overall. This year those who have such moxie could very well find a payoff in the end as Placerville Speedway will keep a watchful eye on the crowd each night and award one lucky fan or family with a donated gift certificate, product or perhaps complimentary tickets to an upcoming race. Businesses that have donated to the program so far include Food 4 Less of Cameron Park that will award over $2000 in gift cards to both fans and drivers in 2008. Durango’s Mexican Restaurant is expected to participate along with On Stage Productions Dance Studio, Cold Springs Community Church and even an area bed and breakfast. In return for their donation to the program, businesses and organizations receive positive advertisement through the track pa system and may gain a new permanent customer in the process. “Its all about working together. The economy is taking its toll on everyone, include race fans and race teams,” added Sullivan. “A family can have some fun at the races, win some free groceries and a business can gain some promotion through it then everyone wins. We’re looking to put Placerville on the map when it comes to great, family entertainment.” For any additional information on this program or to contribute donations please contact the track by email at placervillespeedway@yahoo.com or log on to www.placervillespeedway.com. |
