2010newsarchives

Partnership with World of Outlaws Gives Chizmark Larson Insurance A Platform to Express Importance of Being Covered

CONCORD, NC -- March 8, 2010 -- The World Racing Group announced today that Chizmark Larson Insurance Agency is a Proud Sponsor of the World of Outlaws. Specializing in affordable insurance for racers and race teams, Chizmark Larson will help fill an immediate need as the racing season heads into full swing.

"As an associate sponsor of reigning DIRTcar UMP Late Model National Champion Jason Feger, we immediately began to see the value offered by the World Racing Group and are excited about moving forward in a larger role over the next two years," said Mike Larson, motorsports division agent. "We specialize in offering affordable insurance for racers and race teams. With many insurance companies unable to insure members and equipment in the high-risk world of racing, we saw the need to help protect against the possible financial loss of fire, theft, or even disability while recovering from a race-related accident."

As the economy has tightened and sponsorship dollars are in short supply, many racers no longer have back-up funds to instantly replace stolen or damaged equipment. Other unfortunate circumstances, such as sustaining a physical injury on the track, can also be covered with the proper insurance policy.

"Racers don't always think about insurance because they're so focused on what they're doing," said Tim McCreadie, the 2006 World of Outlaws Late Model Series champion who wasn't covered by a health insurance program when he suffered a serious back injury during the 2009 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. "After I sustained my injury, I realized how important insurance is. Racers need to make sure they have some sort of coverage because anything can happen in this sport."

Celebrating its 60th year in business, Chizmark Larson is committed to insuring the racing community from teams to drivers. Also, while offering coverage to U.S.-based sanctioning bodies, promoters and sponsors, it covers off-track storage and contents of competition vehicles, trailers and racing equipment, as well. Worldwide coverage is also available for teams that compete outside of the United States.

Chizmark Larson prides itself in offering all the lines of insurance needed to protect your team, driver and equipment to make your racing season successful. For further information, visit www.chizmarklarson.com. For price quotes contact Mike Larson at Mike@ChizmarkLarson.com or 815-725-6527.

Open Wheel Modified drivers nationwide use COMP Cams® components to keep their names at the top of the leader board

Have you ever set in the stands at any one of a thousand dirt tracks across the United States and wondered why almost ever Dirt Open Wheel Modified that you see on the track uses COMP Cams® products? The answer is actually quite simple because no other company in motorsports works harder than COMP Cams® to give back to Dirt Modified racers, while also striving to produce specially-designed camshafts and valve train components for this highly, competitive class of racers.

The fact that most Dirt Modified drivers utilize COMP Cams® products to stay at the front of the pack is no coincidence. Obviously a big factor in the success that drivers enjoy with COMP Cams® products is the cutting-edge engineering and technology that go into the development and support of each and every part. However, perhaps even more important in the success of the products is that fact that COMP Cams® employ several present and former Dirt Modified drivers. These much-valued employees understand the unique challenge of creating usable horsepower and torque in a Dirt Modified, and their direct input leads to the development of superior products. The camshaft profile and valve train package is critical to creating a driver-friendly, engine package that is efficient in both hooked up and slick conditions. Regardless of whether you run under flat tappet or roller cam rules, COMP Cams® can custom design the perfect valve train combination for your engine combination and driving style. In fact, COMP Cams® does not implement any additional charges for a custom ground camshaft and can usually deliver it in less than 72 hours.

Not only does COMP Cams® provide great technological support for Dirt Modified competitors, but the company also provides a high level of sponsorship and contingency programs for the Dirt Modified division as a whole via series and tracks. For the 2010 season, COMP Cams® is sponsoring the Engine Builder of the Year Award for the IMCA sanction (Regional and National Series) as well as contingency sponsors for the USMTS Modified Series (National and Regional Series), the USCS Modified Tour (National and Weekly Racing Series), and the USRA Dirt Modified Series. In addition COMP Cams® participates with many local tracks via the Contingency Connection program.

For more information about COMP Cams® valve train products or any other COMP Cams® product, call us at 1-800-999-0853, or visit us online at www.compcams.com.

COASTAL 181 ACQUIRES WITNESS PRODUCTIONS OPEN-WHEEL RACING BOOK INVENTORY

Newburyport, Mass., February 26, 2010 – Racing book publisher Coastal 181 announced today that it has acquired the inventory of long-time and highly regarded publisher Witness Productions of Marshall, Indiana.

Ed and Sue Watson ran Witness Productions for many years, publishing classic open-wheel titles such as Dave Argabright’s Still Wide Open with Brad Doty, Bob Gates’ Vukovich, and Ed Watson’s own Tattersall the Legend, among many others. After Ed’s death in 2006, Sue Watson continued the company, publishing “Ed’s last book,” Midget Auto Racing: the First 70 Years, in 2007. She has now decided to cease the company’s operations.

Coastal 181 is well known in the racing community as both a publisher and distributor of racing books, DVDs and motorsports art. Coastal 181 has published 15 books to date and has hundreds of additional titles on its website, www.coastal181.com . The site is also visited frequently by readers of Lew Boyd’s semi-monthly racing commentaries, Tearoffs, which highlight interesting, colorful and often offbeat aspects of oval-track racing.

Both Ed and Sue Watson collaborated closely with Coastal 181 over the years. Coastal 181’s Cary Stratton said, “We are so pleased to be able to continue to make the Watsons’ wonderful historic titles available to the racing community. We will have the entire selection updated on our site by early March.”

VP INTRODUCES “CHP^TM” RACING FUEL FOR CRATE ENGINES

More Power, Wider Tuning Window, Lower Cost

SAN ANTONIO, TX (February 5, 2010) VP Racing Fuels, the world leader in race fuel technology, has introduced its newest race fuel—CHP^TM. “CHP, which stands for ‘Crate HorsePower,’ will make 15-20 more horsepower than premium pump gas,” said Steve Burns, VP’s President. “But perhaps the biggest benefit the racer will see is the ‘wide’ tuning window.”

“This fuel will provide a great complement to VP’s MS109^TM unleaded race fuel, which over the last several years has become the fuel of choice for serious crate late model racers,” Burns continued. "While MS109 makes better power than any unleaded fuel on the market, CHP will now provide another option for crate engines which, besides making 1.5% more Hp than MS109, actually costs less.”

“CHP will also outperform E85 by 4-6% in Hp,” Burns noted. “Significantly, CHP requires carrying about 50% less weight in fuel compared to E85.”

“The key to CHP’s performance is better fuel vaporization, which improves fuel distribution and burning speed,” added Burns. “Due to its oxygenation, CHP has to run 4-7% richer than nonoxygenated fuels. Running richer with better fuel distribution effectively adds 2-3 octane numbers and provides even more on-track protection against detonation than its standard ASTM motor octane rating would indicate. We do not recommend it for boost or nitrous applications, or for applications with compression ratios over 12.5:1.”

“We were very happy with MS109, but at VP’s suggestion, we switched to CHP,” said Lynn Geisler, winner of 200+ feature races and member of the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame. “MS109 made 8-10 more Hp compared to anything else we tried, and CHP gave us 8 more Hp on top of that. Besides that, both MS109 and CHP burn cleaner and keep water temperature low so it saves wear and tear on my engine. In my mind, CHP gives me the best gain vs. cost of any performance part I could put on the car.”

Technical questions about CHP can be directed to VP’s Tech Department at 302-521-1767 or OvalTrackTech@vpracingfuels.com. CHP is available in 5-, 15-, 30- and 54-gallon drums.

Questions regarding purchase and delivery of CHP can be directed to the appropriate VP Regional Distribution Center, all of which are listed online at vpracingfuels.com.

VP Racing Fuels is the Official Racing Fuel of World of Outlaws Sprint Cars, World of Outlaws Late Models, Super DIRTcar Series, American LeMans and NHRA Championship Drag Racing, among more than 50 VP-sponsored series and sanctioning bodies.

In addition to fuels, VP’s product line includes performance chemicals, specialty lubricants, traction adhesives and fuel handling accessories – each designed to produce the most power and best performance in their respective racing applications. More information can be obtained from VP’s website – vpracingfuels.com.

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Contacts: Freddie Turza – 302-521-1767; fturza@vpracingfuels.com or

Steve Scheidker – 210-635-7744; steves@vpracingfuels.com

Statement from Lenny Batycki on his status with Performance Open Wheel Racing, Inc. (POWRi):

“It was almost surreal when Kenny Brown, the owner and president of Performance Open Wheel Racing, Inc. (POWRi) and I met the week after the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.

At that meeting, he told me had “misunderstood” the part in our agreement that said they would pay me a salary for my work on behalf of his sanction.

“Just days before, at the Chili Bowl, Kenny and others within POWRi had proudly introduced me as their new vice president. Kenny had seemed like a man on his way to big things at that event. He had two trailers, new sponsors, and three race teams with paid crewmembers in action. And yet there he was, sitting in the same St. Louis restaurant where he and I had shook hands in agreement a few weeks before, telling me that he did not “understand” he would have to pay me. As he spoke, I kept listening. He said he believed in what good I could bring to his sanction and that he would try and find a way to get some money to make that happen. I wanted to believe this because I wanted to fulfill want I could see could grow from our teamwork. He said he would get back to me in a couple of days.

“Those days went by. And without hearing from Kenny, I decided to call him. He said he hadn’t been able to work on it yet but that would and get back to me soon. Days passed again and I tried to call him leaving messages. He finally sent me a text saying he was putting a new motor in one of his racecars and that he would call me later that day.

“That was this past Saturday and he has still not returned my calls or given me any cause to believe that this will get better. This leaves me no choice but to withdraw from any connection between myself and the POWRi sanction. I regret this for all those who supported and believed in what our combination would have meant for the good of midget racing in the Midwest.”

UPDATE: It's Finally Time For The INDY CIRCLE TRACK EXPO 10!

It's time for the off-season tradition: The Indy Circle Track Expo 10, Swap Meet * Trade Show * Auction, January 30, 2010 @ the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, IN!

THE SHOW

It's one of the biggest shows of it's kind in the entire country, and by far the biggest show in the entire Midwest!! Over 400 booth spaces, with vendors from 13 different states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin (and again, oddly enough, 2 with the name Arizona, but they're not from there):)! This Swap Meet, Trade Show, and Auction, will bring together local racers, professional racers, racing business's (manufacturers & dealers), race tracks, and sanctioning bodies all under 1 (well 2 actually) massive roof(s)! The 67,000 Sq. ft. Champions Pavilion was sold-out by the first week of January, as entries started coming in before the calendar turned to October!!.. This year's first entry, for the 2nd year in a row, was John Mahoney Photography! Congrats John! We'll have to buy you a Hot Dog, or something :)

THE VENDORS

Go here, and scroll down to third thread for complete list: http://www.indianaopenwheel.com/showthread.php?t=24300

Hurry! Limited Vendor Space is still Available in the Auction Hall!

Also, as was the case the last year, we will have some limited outdoor spots available in front of the building, which you can reserve online through our web site, or show up the day of the show.
Note to potential Outdoor Vendors: You must un-load. No selling from trailers is allowed.

Vendors don't forget, you can now quickly register online by visiting our web site: www.shoestringracing.com

THE AUCTION

Last year's inaugural "Racers Auction" was a hit! So with the expected growth of this year's Auction, we will be moving it to a larger, more Auction friendly, and MUCH CLOSER building! The Auction will be within a 100 ft. of the main show building (The Champions Pav.), and be held in Hall A of the South Pavilion! This will make transferring between buildings much easier, and eliminate the need for a shuttle! Returning to the auction, will be a real pro in the Race Auction business, Tom Wieck!!!! Tom also has the best rates inthe business... We call them very "Racer Friendly Rates"! The "Racers Auction" is scheduled to start @ approx. 1:30. Also of note: The Auction is open to any and all who wish to consign, and for our vendors, there will be some "Last Ditch" consignment slots open for you as well!! Just in case you don't want to take something back home !!! Check out our web site for details, or go to: www.tomwieckauctions.com
There is still a small amount of time to contact Tom for your last minute consignments!

THE FEUD

Last year's debut of the Beast Race Cars "Circle Track Feud" went down to the final question! But! There was controversy, as the winning team was said to be "Loaded" (in more ways than one)! This year, we eliminate the team concept, and go to every man for himself! PLUS!!! Each Celebrity Panelist will be playing for more than just bragging rights, they'll actually be playing for $500, which will then be donated to the charity of their choice!! The kings of historical knowledge on all things fast, will be returning!.. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Historian Donald Davidson and www.openwheeltimes.com Kevin Eckert will be tossing out the Questions & Points, in this battle for "mental" supremacy!! Also returning to help keep the train somewhat on the track, will be Jack Slash!!

This year's Feud is attempting to pit (no pun intended) the Legends vs. The Mechanics vs. Today's Heroes, in a racing trivia Cage Match ! As in years past, we will be utilizing some Legends of the sport, as well as some of today's heroes! We have been fortunate to have some of the finest in the business, grace our stage over the the years, and this year will be no different as Steve Chassey, Dave Darland, George Gamester, Tracy Hines, Don Kenyon, Johnny Parsons Jr., Casey Shuman, Steve "The Bopper" Stapp, and Bill Vukovich Jr. have all made commitments to The Feud!

You won't want to miss our second attempt at Game Show History!!! :)
The Indy Circle Track Expo's, Beast Race Cars "Circle Track Feud" Presented by H.A.R.F will start at approx. 1:00pm.
We sincerely want to thank Bob & Janice East for their continued support of our show, and their generous contributions!!

MICRO SPRINT MEETING IV

If you race a Micro, or are thinking about it, you'll want to be at this meeting!
Dwayne McIntire has once again worked hard to put together this year's panel, and for the fourth year in a row The Indy Circle Track Expo is proud to host this annual meeting for this, despite the name, HUGE segment of the racing world!!! The meeting will again be upstairs meeting room B at 12pm.

Dave as gathered panelists to include: Representatives from POWRi, The Rumble Series, American Race Tire, Hoosier Race Tire, Bakersfield Raceway(Linton, IN), Coles County Speedway (Charleston, IL), Miami County Speedway(Peru, IN), and U.S. 24 Speedway (Logansport, IN)!

HAPPY HORSEPOWER III

This is getting more popular each year, so we're going to do it again! We're talking a great seminar for anyone trying to get the most out of your Engine and your Wallet! Dave Conn, owner and operator of J & D Performance Inc., and engine builder to the stars :).. Actually, he really is. Will be holding a free seminar to help even the most grizzled veteran racer, get the most out of their engine!! Or, Dave said to me, "save $1,000's through proper valve lash"!
For those on a budget, and who isn't, this seminar will help you keep your engine investment in tip top shape for as long as possible!! Tuning tricks! Weekly, monthly, and annual maintenance suggestions! Ignition and Fuel system tips! Valve Train and Cylinder Head maintenance, care, and replacement!! Plus a Question & Answer session!!! You won't want to miss this informative and most importantly, cost effective seminar, by one of the top Engine Builders in the business!!
The "Happy Horsepower" seminar w/Dave Conn, will take place in the upstairs meeting room "A" and will start at approx. 11:30am!! Don't miss out this very informative & helpful session w/Dave!!

THE FREE STUFF

Michael Jones from RockStar Paint was feeling in a generous mood one night, and thought it would be a good idea to give away a free paint job on some lucky racers helmet!!... We couldn't agree more!!! :) So with that, you now have yet another reason to come out to the biggest (and dare we say best) show in the Midwest!! Walk up to the RockStar Paint booth, check-out some of Michael's fine work, and put your name in the drawing for an awesome custom paint job on your helmet... FOR FREE!!!! That's a $400 value, that you won't want to pass-up!!! Check em' out at: www.rockstarpaint.com

THE PARTS CHECK

Also returning will be the very popular "Beast Parts Check Room" where you will have a secure place to drop your "goodies", so that you can continue to enjoy the day without having to haul them around or take them out to your vehicle!

BRING THE ENTIRE FAMILY.... Really, Bring Em' Along!

There is PLENTY for them to do too!! : See em' here (4th thread down): http://www.indianaopenwheel.com/showthread.php?t=24300

It's a Tradition: Indy now has a Swap Meet/Trade Show/Auction BIG enough for "The Racing Capital of the World"!! Be sure you join us in the Champions Pavilion (and Hall A) for all the "wheelin', dealin', good times!!

Make your plans now to either vend or attend... You won't disappointed!
The Indy Circle Track Expo 10 January 30, 2010 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, IN. For further information go to: www.shoestringracing.com
Any other questions, please call us: 317-381-9931

General admission $10 (under 12 free)
Indy Fairgrounds Parking $3
Show opens to the public @ 8 A.M. Saturday January 30, 2010
Scheduled closing time is 4 P.M..
Circle Track Fued Scheduled to start at 1:00 P.M.
Auction sheduled to start @ approx. open 1:30 P.M.
* Line-up and scheduled times, subject to change

Thanks, and we look forward to seeing everyone there! Shoestring Racing

POWRi Tabs Batycki as Exec. VP

Longtime motorsports executive to focus on brand management, marketing

Tulsa, Okla. – Performance Open Wheel Racing Inc. (POWRi) owners, Kenny Brown and Jim Siner, announced here today at the Chili Bowl Nationals they have named Lenny Batycki as Executive Vice President of the sanction effective immediately. Batycki joins the organization after three years as vice president and general manager of Gateway International Raceway.

Since moving to St. Louis from Charlotte, North Carolina, Batycki has become a popular figure with the fans and the media at area dirt tracks due to his passion for motorsports and his extensive experience at the highest levels in motorsports. In his new role, Batycki will be responsible for brand management, promotions, and marketing of the popular series for midget racing.

“Lenny is one of the most broadly experienced and successful executives in all of motorsports,” Brown said. “Our goal at POWRi is to continue to build on the strong program we have and to enhance the benefits for our fans, sponsors and competitors.”

“Lenny has done so much in his motorsports career. We look forward to drawing on his unmatched history at the top levels to make POWRi even stronger,” Siner said.

Batycki said he is looking forward to working with the drivers, teams, sponsors, officials and media in the years to come. “POWRi consistently runs exciting, well organized midget racing events,” he said. “I have been blessed to work with many of the best motorsports organizations during my career and Kenny and Jim have built Performance Open Wheel Racing into an outstanding sanction.”

Midget races have a dynamic history in the Midwest, especially in the St. Louis area where the events at Walsh Stadium (now the site of the Science Center) consistently drew large crowds to see local, regional and national stars including a young A.J. Foyt.

“Today, with local stars such as Park Hills’, Brad Loyet and Belleville’s Nick Knepper and national stars like Bryan Clauson, Jerry Coons, Jr., Josh Wise and 2009 POWRi Series Champion, Brad Kuhn,” Batycki said, “I believe POWRi midget racing events have the talented racers more and more fans will want to come see.”

Performance Open Wheel Racing begins its 2010 season on the indoor track at the Southern Illinois Center at the DuQuoin Fairgrounds in March for the Dean King Memorial. For more information on Performance Open Wheel Racing and a complete schedule of POWRi midget racing events, please visit POWRi.com.

HighSide Media can be found on the Web at HighSideMedia.com and on Twitter at Twitter.com/HighSideMedia.

-HSM-

LENNY BATYCKI BIO INFO:

Batycki, 46, has worked in the motorsports industry for 24 years. Most recently, Batycki served as vice president and general manager of Gateway International Raceway in Madison, IL, promoting events for NASCAR, NHRA and many other national racing organizations. Batycki was honored by the St. Louis Auto Racing Fan Club in 2007 with the organizations Outstanding Media award for his work in promoting all forms of motorsports across the region. Prior to his work in the St. Louis area, Batycki worked in motorsports in Charlotte, N.C. He was team president of the Biagi-Denbeste NASCAR Nationwide Series team in 2006 and he served as the senior vice president of the motorsports group for Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide from 2003 to 2005. During his time with the agency, Batycki lead a team of public relations specialists responsible for clients participating in Formula 1, NASCAR, and NHRA, including his time representing Ogilvy in China as that country prepared for its first Formula 1 event. His most high-profile position may have come while Batycki was vice president of Richard Childress Racing from 1996 through 2002 working with all the RCR teams and drivers including Dale Earnhardt and the legendary #3 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet. Batycki duties included business development, marketing, and licensing for the multi-million dollar championship team. Being on the winning Daytona 500 team in 1998 and winning two NASCAR races in Japan highlighted his tenure at RCR, while the death of Earnhardt at Daytona in 2001 had an incredible impact on him both from a personal and business standpoint. Batycki had moved to North Carolina from Florida in 1990 where he had been working at short-tracks and drag strips. From 1990 to 1995 Batycki worked at North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, N.C. as the vice president of marketing for the high-banked speedway that each year hosted two NASCAR Cup Series events as well as many other forms of racing.

ABOUT POWRi:

Performance Open Wheel Racing, Inc. (POWRi) is based in Millstadt, Ill., and sanctions Midget Series and 600cc Outlaw Micro Series events throughout the Midwest. Since 2005, POWRi has increased the visibility of open-wheel dirt racing by combining the best up-and-coming racers with some of the biggest names in the sport. For further information on POWRi, its schedule of events, and the drivers who race in the sanction, visit the official Website at POWRi.com. POWRi can also be found on Facebook and on Twitter at Twitter.com/POWRi_Racing.

Cuba, Alabama (01/10/10) – Trak-Star Race Cars is the latest addition to the MSRMafia.com Team, and is proud to announce the launch of a brand new website at www.TrakStarRaceCars.com .

Trak-Star Race Cars, based in Cuba, Alabama, was founded in 2006 by Mike Boland of Boland Performance. The first Trak-Star Race Car chassis was rolled onto the track at the 2006 edition of the Ice Bowl at Talladega Short Track (Eastaboga, Alabama) with Justin McRee behind the wheel. Despite not having any track-time in the entry, McRee would go on qualify for the feature race at the illustrious event.

Trak-Star Race Cars went on to manufacture 50 chassis in its first year. Since 2006, the company has grown by leaps and bounds with over 135 cars built to date. Trak-Star Race Car customers are scattered across the country in states including Oregon, California, Kentucky, Florida, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Mike Boland and his entire staff pride themselves on customer service, and they look forward to hearing from their customers each week, and the success that they are having. The staff at Trak-Star Race Cars share their decades of knowledge with all of their customers as they strive to provide the top chassis in the country.

For the latest information on Trak-Star Race Cars, please visit www.TrakStarRaceCars.com and for more information on joining the MSR Mafia, please visit www.MSRMafia.com .

01-07-09 MIDWEST SPEED EXPO this weekend.. Anyone attending please read this......

Anyone attending the Midwest Speed Expo this weekend.... the normal main entrance doors on the East side of the building are not operable as the concrete pad outside has frozen and expanded not allowing the doors to open.... the other 3 sides of the building are all operating and you can enter any of them..

If you park in the normal lot on the East side of the building I suggest you walk around and use the South entrance where the lighted marquis is on the building....

I really apologize for any inconvenience... beyond my control as I only rent the building and have no way of fixing the problem, all part of living in the Heartland I suppose! TO TRY TO MAKE UP FOR THE INCONVENIENCE.... DOOR ENTRY HAS BEEN REDUCED FROM $7.00 to $5.00 each day...... come see us, the building is nice and warm, the coffee will be hot and the deals will be smokin! And if that isn't enough to entice you, some of the SPEED CHICKS will be on hand and they are so hot you will feel like you are in the Bahamas! :)

Look forward to seeing you all this weekend.... Show hours are 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Saturday and Sunday January 09 and 10. The vendor roster is full and will have tons of great deals for all those looking for parts, graphics, lubricants, trailers, motors, chassis and most all components you need for anything from a quarter midget to a sprint car, a 4 cylinder hornet to a late model!

The ORR Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds is the place to be on Saturday or Sunday.. and don't forget, if you purchase your UMP license at
the show, your one day entry into the trade show is FREE and if you compete at the DIRTCAR Roundup at I-55 Pevely, your entry fee for that event will also be waived as well!

Plan on getting your license at the show and be ahead of the game... and save money at the same time.

For further details you can always check out website at www.midwestspeed.net <http://www.midwestspeed.net> or call (217) 553-1963.