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PRESS RELEASE, PLACERVILLESPEEDWAY, PLACERVILLE, CA
FROM THE OFFICE OF JOHN PADJEN MOTORSPORTS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008
MEDIA CONTACT: BILL SULLIVAN: [email protected]
3rd Mark Forni Classic is a thriller; new Dad Sean Becker brings home $5000 win
By Bill Sullivan
PLACERVILLE, CA – Sacramento’s Sean Becker has scored his share of victories at numerous tracks and different events. But Saturday night the former Silver Dollar Speedway and Golden State Series Champion had his biggest night ever in his racing career. Becker won on Placerville Speedway’s richest night, taking home $5000 and the crystal trophy in the 3rd Annual Mark Forni Classic.
“I can use that money, my little girl wants a lot of things, said an excited Sean Becker, after hoisting the big check to a jubilant crowd, many of them friends and relatives of the Forni family. “I never got the chance to meet Mark Forni personally. But I have read a lot about him and have heard stories about what he did for this place so its truly a pleasure to win this race. I’d really like to thank him for everything he did and thank all the sponsors that put this race together in his honor.”
The Forni family has a great history in El DoradoCounty and deep ties to the El Dorado County Fairground and much of the land on which it sits. Much like his forefathers, Mark Forni had a great passion for the county fair and its attributes, especially the race track Mark was actively involved with the weekly auto races, always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need involved with the sport he loved.
Later in life, Mark continued his contributions to local auto racing, sponsoring many race teams with his business, Forni’s Trucking. He later became a member of the El Dorado County Fair Board and focused on the issues regarding the future of the fair and the speedway. Mark Forni believed in working relationships. He understood the importance of race promoters, sponsorships and the one key element for every event to be successful, the spectator.
In November of 2004, Mark was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. In the summer of 2005, Mark passed away at the early age of 45 and left a legacy of community involvement behind. For Mark Forni, sprint car racing and his local racetrack were a very special part of his life. Saturday night the business community came together at Placerville Speedway to pay tribute to Mark Forni in the form of race sponsorship, making the victory worth an impressive $5000.
Contributors to Saturday’s 3rd Annual Mark Forni Classic include Doug Veerkamp Engineering Incorporated, Hunt and Sons, C&H Auto Parts, MRO Industrial, Les Schwab Tires of Placerville, Pape’ Machinery, Armonds Giant Tire Service, Sunrise Automotive Paint and Supplies and the Supply Broker, the Cold Springs Community Church and DSR Graphics and Signs.
A total of 31 cars visited Placerville Speedway Saturday night in an effort to cash in on the high bounty in Forni’s honor. In qualifying C.J. Humphreys of Placerville was the first driver to earn extra cash as he was the fastest driver of the night, earning an extra $100 from DSR Graphics and Signs of Cameron Park.
In the 25-lap feature event, Becker started on the outside of the third row. When the green flag waved second place starter Herman Klein drove around pole sitter Chad Compton of Fair Oaks while Becker began working his way into the to five. Six laps into the event Becker had driven his way past Jimmy Trulli, Troy Machado, Chistian Stover and Compton to move into the bridesmaid position and set his sights on Klein. On the seventh lap Auburn’s Andy Forsberg brought out a yellow flag when he spun off the second turn. The restart put Becker on the tail tank of Klein to begin an high octane dogfight for the lead.
At the waving of the green flag, Klein hugged the bottom line in the Dale Wondergem owned #91 while Becker pitched his Scott Miller owned #2sb to the risky high line and pulled beside Klein to steal the lead. One lap later Klein answered back and redeemed the position as the two raced side by side. On the ninth lap Becker muscled to the point once again in the race that had fans in a frenzy watching the multiple lead changes.
“Herman is a great driver, he ran the bottom so well,” said Becker, “He ran me clean. I don’t race here very often so it takes me awhile to get a run. I want to thank Herman for running me so clean tonight, that was a fun race. I’m just glad I was able to hang on up there in the top.”
Once he was in the lead for good, the race was far from over for Becker as Klein staying in striking distance in traffic and Kyle Hirst of Loomis, the 2006 race winner, in third place putting the pressure on Klein. At the finish Becker crossed the line ahead of Klein. Hirst finished in third after starting 8th. Point leader Colby Wiesz charged from 11th to fourth place. Stephen Allard started 14th and finished 14th.
Beckers was joined in victory lane on Saturday night by several members of the Forni Family including Karen-Forni Feathers, Mark’s wife who was very active in creating this event three years ago. Fran Forni, Mark’s mother was in attendance along with his brother Lance Forni, his son, daughter, granddaughter and many more members of the family that continues to support local auto racing in Mark’s honor.
“This is so special,” added Becker, who kissed the crystal trophy provided by Arnolds for Awards. “To win $5000 is one thing, but to meet the members of Mark’s Family and see what this race means to everybody is worth far more than that. This is a special night, its an honor.”
In the stock car divisions extra money was up for grabs as well Saturday as Don Wilson, Placerville Speedway’s track chaplain and the ColdSpringsCommunityChurch awarded the Pure Stock and Pro Stock winners an extra $200, more than doubling their victory.
In the Pure Stock division, El Dorado’s Eddie O”Rourke led the most laps in the 20-lap feature event. With 15 laps complete, Mike McClure of NevadaCity closed in on O”Rourke and took the lead. McClure drove to the victory and was followed across the line by O’Rourke. Jared Vilt of Cameron Park, the top runner for Rookie of the Year, drove an impressive race to finish third followed by Michelle McClure and Scott Grunert of Woodland.
Dan Brown Jr. of NevadaCity drove to his 10th victory in the in Pro Stock division. At the green flag Brown raced beside Ray Trimble of Auburn for the lead and took it in the first turn. Once in front Brown maintained his lead for the entire 15 laps. Trimble had his hands full behind Brown, battling with Placerville’s Forryst Carnett, Tom Arbogast of Auburn and Dennis Armstrong of El Dorado. At the finish line Brown was trailed by Arbogast, Trimblle, Carnett and Armstrong.
The Joe Hunt Magnetos Spec Sprints had limited entries Saturday with only 9 entries. In this division, series point leader Keith Bloom of Anderson took the win. Bloom was followed across the line by Mason Myers and Cody Meyers of BrownsValley. Taylor Simas of Chico finished in fourth ahead of Marc Zieske of West Sacramento.
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