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2008 Bandit Season Fires Off Saturday Night at Kings Speedway 03/12/08

by Peter Curto, Bandit Sprint Car Series Director

The 2008 Bandit Sprint Car Series' season begins Saturday night at Kings Speedway in Hanford California. Entering its 14^th year, the Bandit Series is back to its vision and roots. Created by promoter and former racer, Dave Swindell, to has produced legendary full blown sprint car racing entertainment. The Bandit Series has provided a foothold for some of today's top open wheeled stars and an affordable haven for the week-end warrior.

This year will see one of the most challenging seasons as return to tour with a great traveling legacy. Santa Maria Speedway will host 12 events, Kings Speedway to be home to 9 events and Bakersfield Speedway to feature 3 races including its annual Bandit-VRA Grand-Slam show June 28th. Ventura Raceway will cap of the Grand Slam Series on August 23^rd and crown a champion as the fourth track the Bandit Series and Grand Slam Series tour respectively. Kings Speedway (April 12^th) and Santa Maria Speedway (July 26^th) will each host Grand Slam Events for the 4^th year of the Championship tour. The overall Bandit champion will have well earned their crown on 4 different venues by demonstrating grit and fortitude in 25 different battles on the way to claiming victory in the ensuing war.

Unique is this year is its 4 series in 1 format throughout the 25 race 4 track tour. There will be 4 champions crowned this season. The premier over-all Bandit Series champion, a champion for the Bandit-VRA Grand Slam as well as individual track championships for Santa Maria Speedway and the Kings Speedway. This creates fantastic opportunities for race teams to balance their programs with their schedule.

Veteran Jessie Mack, entering only his 3^rd season, will be working for a repeat of his 2007 Bandit Championship. His chief rival looks to be the powerhouse juggernaut of Peter Murphy who earned what was essentially the Kings Speedway Championship for the defunct SCRA group. A gaggle of former champions and future champions, too numerous to give them justice, will certainly fight to the finale at the Bandit 360 Nationals to claim their own victories on the way to the ultimate title!

Kings Speedway promoter Frank Dias and Santa Maria Speedway promoter Dave Swindell are excited and looking forward to a series that will benefit racers and both venues while growing the loyal and fun loving fan base. This is a winning deal for everyone as requested by several teams looking for stability within the 360 non-wing sprint car community. Combine with the continued relationships with promoter and Renaissance man Jimmy Naylor at Ventura Raceway and the Schweitzer family at Bakersfield Speedway to continue the unprecedented success of the Grand Slam Series as an example of cooperation that benefits everybody.

The Bandit Series has seen great success over its history and flourishes largely due to few rule changes since the inception of the series. This has allowed for growth and consistency with the key rules to limit motor size, horsepower output and the use of spec tires to keep costs manageable. Otherwise, these are the exact same cars as their 410 unlimited cousins. This has been a formula for success while keeping these near 700 horsepower-1500 pound rockets real race cars.

The Grand Slam Series consists of the best racers from the Bandit Series along with the best of the Ventura Racing Association stars to duke it out for bragging rights and claim to be the best 360 non-wing driver in California. Competing again at the 4 charter tracks of Kings Speedway, Santa Maria Speedway, Ventura Raceway and the Bakersfield Speedway, the champion will again have to prove their ability on various tracks with differing dynamics and conditions. Not a cake walk for even the most experienced veteran let alone the hard charging young stars of today.

Australian native and Oakhurst resident Peter Murphy dominated the inaugural season to claim the title in 2005 representing the Bandit Series. Jimmy Crawford and Greg Taylor earned respective awards the past two hard fought seasons representing the VRA. The 2008 version has the makings of a heavy weight championship title bout with 60-80 teams participating. There is nothing like it in the state. Who will wear the crown this year?

Pound for pound and dollar for dollar the 2008 Bandit and Grand Slam seasons posess every indication of providing keen action and premium competition for racers and entertainment for fans in the central valley and the central coast of California. We will see you there!

Here is a question, for the big opener at Hanford.

http://www.kingsspeedway.net/pay_out_for__kings_bandits_360/

My understanding from the Kings Speedway web site is that they are only paying out to first and second place in the main?

Looks like 1000 to win 600 for second?

The winged 360's which is a new series this year with what I assume is a lower car count pays 1250 to win and 750 for second?

Nothing for 3rd? in either class? This is based on 22 cars what ever that means?

What are the entry fees? How much are pit passes? Transponder Rental? Any other dings or fees? What does it cost our family to go to the races?

Pete, Davy, one of the other two D's, Frank Dias, enquiring minds want to know? Please tell me I am not readying this correctly?

Wasn't the Bandit championship "essentially the Santa Maria track championship", just as the SCRA championship "essentially the Kings speedway track championship"? Seems like both championships are equal accomplishments. Its a nit, I know....

Good morning Merlin,

Your understanding of the pay out is incorrect, it looks to me like he posted only the top 2 payouts and not his balance. I believe I read that there is a family package that offers a discount on ticket prices. All of the other questions can be answered by calling Frank at Kings Speedway.

Ph. # 559-587-1111 or by e-mail [email protected]

Am looking forward to seeing you there, please say hello, I'd love to meet you speak with you.

Peter

I agree Mike, they were similar accomplishments, that is what was on my mind.

That is why it could be a compelling rivalry here. Don't you think so?  Peter Murphy and the Tarlton team are a class act, just as the Mack Team is. I am not sure of Team Tarlton's agenda but I hope to see them there.There are many other championship potential teams in the mix too, these are simply defending respective champs. I look forward as a fan to see how it plays out; we'll see who the players are over the first few races.

There will be some competing for track championships and some following the tour, and a few focusing on the Grand Salami. I think it is a unique and fun opprtunity.

Peter-

My Name is Butch, I will be in the 17v pit. Come by after the races, I will by you a beer, we can discuss politics, macro econmics, racing, anything you like.

Butch

Peter

Are you sure Peter Murphy DOMINATED the 2005 Bandit Inaugural season? If my score keeping records are correct Greg Porte won the 2005 Bandit Championship followed by Jimmy Reeves, Rusty Carlile, Evan Suggs and Davey Pombo. Peter Murphy finished 6th. Maybe you were referring to another championship somewhere other than KingsSpeedway. Jerome Warmerdam took the title in 2001, Gene Manhire in 2002, Greg Porte in 2003, Davey Pombo in 2004.

Hi Linda,

I was refering to the Grand Slam Series only and Murphy representing the Bandit Series. (The other Champs have rpresented the VRA warriors.) Murphy was pretty impressive in that stint due to his consistency. Every other contender, and Clark Templeman III and Kevin Kierce come to mind (as examples) of guys that were were among the compeitive that had a bad race. Murphy had 4 good/great races in a 4 race series. That was the only reference.

We miss you good folks and am glad to see Evan successful up north. Take care and hope to see you all maybe at Kings with a wing. Give my best to John and crew.

Peter

Peter-

I checked with Frank, he said that he planned to pay the same as they did last year, which he believes was $150 to start the main event.

I assume that will be the same basic format for the winged 360's as well.

Transponders are $25

Pit passes are $ 40 non member / $ 30 for Members / Membership is a $100 for the Owner and / or Driver, if you do not get a membership you will not be eligible for the points fund and or contingencies.

Thanks for helping me come to better understanding.

Butch

Thanks Butch,

I'll take you up on that. Look forward to it..., I gotta designated driver and everything.

Also, thanks for checking up on the questions and Frank could answer everything.

Pete

old pete is still politicing, even though he doesn't have to any more. And his info is still about 50/50 being correct.

Hey Top 5, How are you?

You make me smile friend. I do stand by the article I wrote and the information presented. I don't see any "politicking" because as you stated, there is no need. There is every reason to be excited that the season is getting underway. There is legitimate reason for enthusiasm and optimism for the schedule and the upcoming season. Why would there not be? I hope and pray that things go well for all four promoters mentioned. It is in the interest of the sport to go this way. Further, I am not sure of any good reason someone could come up with to the contrary.

As I understand your under-lying tone, there is some sort of happiness or glee over the SCRA situation. It isn't necessarily a joyful situation.

Here are my opinions and thoughts on the matter for any one concerned: I am sorry and saddened for the way things happened and transpired over the past few years.

When motivations are out of bitterness and screwing someone over and a bitter non healthy rivalry ensues, it is usually emotionally driven. For what ever side a person is on, it is easy to lose site of what the goal actually is. Emotion got in the way as much as anything.

From the get go, there was an anger and hatred in the forming of the SCRA along with the many positive things. The negative effectively killed the positive, and the biggest negative was an all-or-nothing attitude. There were opportunities to grow the sport without a war. There were opportunities to work for the benefit of everyone concerned that were squandered by myopic leadership. For instance, opportunities to not schedule against one another, to work within the Grand Slam program, and opportunities extended to breach any ill will. Opportunities with tracks, organizations, promoters and race teams were mismanaged, resulting in this situation.

The end result was many, many teams requesting working through differences, and this schedule, even dedicated SCRA guys. It was reflected in not only declining car counts but declining inventory. It has also been revealed in a declining fan base particularly in the central valley. War is not a good thing. And the damage is still apparent.

There were ways, if well thought out, could have accomplished everything and more. If those things would have happened, and free market competition is allowed to work, the result could have been much better, and I think it would certainly been much more likely. Not to be cliché, but create win-win situations rather than win-lose situations. What really resulted was a short-term lose-lose scenario. The damage was done internally, not externally. Personal responsibility would acknowledge that, but I doubt that will happen.

And all of this was in spite of the good. Realize, nothing is all bad, all evil or all perfectly good. The potential good from the success of the SCRA was lost to poor choices, poor decisions and a horrendous lack of forethought. And again, this is even though there were good and even great things there. There is no winner here. That is the point. So that is the reason for my lack of glee.

However, I am happy and hopefully optimistic about some things now. Why not be? But, that is contingent on where we go from here. Promoters working together, having races to run is the first step. Running good shows and getting buts in the stands is step number two. Every other good thing follows that, and make up your mind on what all the rest entails.

And as a final note, should the SCRA re-enter the scene, I would hope there would be a change in attitude and direction. What is essential would be a spirit of getting along, despite personal feelings; to over come some of these issues for the benefit of everyone. I think a management change would be in order but I don't fully know the structure, is it a club or a private enterprise.

So, to the end that I have some control and influence, to help administer the Bandit Series. Make sure rules and procedures are followed and run an orderly program, work between teams and promoters to keep the series operating smooth. Helping to promote the series and perform other duties are secondary. I don't set purses and I am not the promoter or business agent. So for my job, it is to focus on running a program and that is what I endeavor to do.

Feel free to say hello and share with me your ideas and opinions when I have a break or after the event. Feel free to contact me via e-mail [email protected] or 805-305-9884. Now isn't that fair?

Mr. Curto:

Just a few questions regarding this year's Bandit Series. I know for a fact that last year the SCRA, at their season ending banquet, handed out money from their season long point fund to its owners and drivers. In addition they had quite a few contingency awards to go along with trophies. I know the SCRA worked hard to put together some nice contingency awards last year. My question is will the Bandit Series have a season long points fund and will there be any contingency awards? Also are there plans for a banquet at the end of the season? The reason I ask about a point fund is because of the recent controversy regarding last year's point fund involving USAC/CRA and its car owners and drivers. As a result USAC/CRA has agreed to inform the owners and the drivers of the amount of their point fund in April or May. Will the Bandit Series allow the owners and drivers to track this fund (hopefully there will be one) on a race-to-race basis? Hopefully in negotiating with track promoters enough money is built into purse to allow for a season point fund. The reason I bring this subject up is that I feel communication with the folks that plan to support your series is important and will be instrumental in building an honest working relationship between track operators and the owners and drivers. And of course the fans will win also if everyone is happy. I realize that these questions may have already been asked and answered by the track operators and if so I apologize. However making this information public knowledge can only benefit the Bandits' program. No one opposes the track promoters the opportunity to turn a profit, but with a $40 back gate fee, I hope the race participants have been part of the equation and not been forgotten. Also will the race at Kings be rescheduled? I hope to make a few of your events this year and I am sincerely hoping that the Bandit Series is successful for many years to come.

A fan of sprint car racing...

Robert Davidson

Bellflower, CA.

"Ralphie, Senor, muchas gracias por una mas cerveza"  -
Scott Daloisio @ the PAS

Mr. Curto:

Are you still with us?

"Ralphie, Senor, muchas gracias por una mas cerveza"  -
Scott Daloisio @ the PAS

RADROBINLB

whats the matter Peter? The Daves got your tounge?

Pete, for your info SCRA paid $200.00 to start last year not $150.00. As for the rest of your B.S. only time will tell the real truth. People can also call me any time they want to (559)582-8816

Richard Harvey

TRIPCRWN,doesn't make a difference if pete says there's a points fund or not. There was a points fund in Hanford the year Mr Swindel pulled up and left town and no one saw it ,so yes or no you may never see it anyway. I think the winner's prize money is down , the make the show money is down and the fuel,tires,back gate and diesel are all up !! WHATS NEW ??

Top5 if Mr. Curto ever respondsat least he or the track operators will be on record.

"Ralphie, Senor, muchas gracias por una mas cerveza"  -
Scott Daloisio @ the PAS

Now all the promoters gotten together behind the pide piper and they don't have to have a point fund, bigger purses and raise rates while fattening their wallets. All along they know the clowns will keep paying to be in the circus.