Forum: Northern California Sprint Car (go)
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Frank Dias 559.587.1111

www.kingsspeedway.net

By: Dan Harp

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Promoter Frank Dias wasted no time during the off season. He assembled 29 race dates, which includes 12 non-winged sprint car dates, 8 winged sprint car dates and convinced four tracks to work together towards a common goal. That goal being a season with as little as possible conflict of schedule dates.

The featured division in 2008 is the Kings Bandit 360's. These are the same non winged sprinters that competed at Kings in 2007. The King's Bandit label reveals the decision of track management to promote a division under local control.

Bringing back the Bandit label opened the door to a four track effort to promote the Bandit Grand Slam Series. Each track promotes their own program, with home track points earned. Each track has agreed to schedule around each other's schedule, with a Grand Slam race at each track with Grand Slam points earned. At season's end, a Kings Speedway track champion will be crowned as well as Grand Slam Champion. This degree of cooperation between the four tracks participating in this series is a long time coming. The four tracks are Kings Speedway, Ventura Speedway, Santa Maria Speedway and Bakersfield Speedway.

Returning for the '08 season will be Peter Murphy, track champion for the 2007 season. Murphy hammered the competition to gather up $ 3000 in year ending prize money. For the '07 season, Murphy garnered six feature wins, finished in the top five in 15 of the 16 races, and also won six heat races. The "Man from Down Under" proved very tough to best.

Davey Pombo finished second in points and money, collecting $2100. Pombo showed his "stuff" by setting fast qualifying time on four occasions.

Hanford's very own, sixteen year old Justyne Hamblin, captured "Rookie of the Year" honors by finishing sixth in points.

Hamblin is but one of several young lions joining in the points chase for '08. Joining Hamblin is Michael Faccinto, Myles Bishop, John Niggli, Richard VanderWeerd, Adam Firth-Smith, and Jonathon Logan.

We can look forward to returning veterans, Richard Harvey Jr., Jeff Gardner, Rusty Carlile, and Greg Bragg.

Another new name is the National Winged 360's. Again, the name change reflects the efforts of promoter Frank Dias to have a greater degree of local control, and to offer racing fans a better product.

In addition, the Turner Memorial race will honor and remember the tragic passing of local racer Jim Turner. This race will be on August 30^th.

The long standing Cotton Classic 410 race is sponsored by the Tachi Hotel and Casino and has turned into a two day event, September 26^th – 27^th.

Of course the IMCA Modifieds and the IMCA Stocks will make numerous appearances through the year.

Okie Bowl Vintage, Vintage Sprinters, and Vintage Midgets will find a home at Kings Speedway at various dates through the year.

Last but not least, promoter Frank Dias has scheduled approximately 100 loads of clay to be trucked in. Getting this new clay worked into the old clay and getting it to a workable, drivable raceable condition will come under the watchful eye of long time track preparer, Joe Sisson.

These but a few the positive changes Frank Dias has initiated to produce a better product and demonstrate why,

KINGS SPEEDWAY

IS

THE PLACE TO RACE!

"ARE YOU PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN

Will Frank post tha purse and make the checks out this year - on time?

Way too much noise last year about slow/no payment for races run......

Chuck.....

At a time that we are continuously reminded of Race Tracks not being profitable and/ or closing without replacements being built. It is hard to understand why Kings Speedway's manager Frank Diaz would be deserving of any fan or car owner support.

He has done everything he can to drive fans and owners away without reason to return. Sorry Davey Boy, but my last two visits to Kings Speedway were a reminder of why I didn't like it in previous years. I thought things would be different with the new guy but they aren't.

Among the most easiest deficiences to correct are:

1. Track Prep- what happened during the 09/28 race was a disgrace! It was as if the money was in Franks hand and he didn't care what condition the track surface was. Running that empty water truck around the entire track just to pack in one spot was stupid. Then following-up with a brief watering was unbelievable. The result was a hard, pourse, 70 grit surface. Like some goofy crew chief stated as they were heading for the swamp in search of tires, "looks like someone stole the keys to the wata' truck". Yes I know one race does not define a season. What other race dates do you want comments on?
2. The grandstand restrooms- I wouldn't let a Sow sit in those filthy things, much less subject my wife and children to those conditions. If you dont want to provide a clean and sanitary restroom then just lock the doors. Every track promoter should ask themselves "would I require my mother to use that restroom"?
3. How do you make a 4 hour program last 7 hours? I realize that in some places it takes a complete village to oversee a simple task. But then you find that each of the village idiots are taking orders from more than one person, each claiming to be in charge of whatever the task at hand is. My question: Who is in charge of the race program at Kings Speedway?
4. Who and the hell hired the Pit Boss or whatever he is designated as? I'm referring to the guy that sits in the high tower and barks orders over the PA. Not only is he confused about the classes of cars being run each night but he refuses to acknowledge he has made errors in his announcements. His post race comments announced over the PA system are usually inappropriate and are challenged as ramblings of somebody that like to hear himself speak.

Nope, in 2008, Kings Speedway will have to do without my $40 pit pass & however many overpriced grandstand tickets (more than one) I bought in 2007.

$40 pit pass? - I hope that was for a GSC race and not a regular show. I know that costs are up, but a local show in these parts has a $25 pit pass fee....tops....

Chuck.....

$40 pit pass is high for any show. It was not for a GSC night but why would that matter? If the price goes up for a special event (like a GSC night) then I would consider that price GOUGING.