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Marysville Raceway Park
Official Press Release 2.26.09
For immediate release
By Bob Burbach
LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE: Impressive improvements will greet spectators and racers alike.
Marysville- With the whine of heavy equipment STILL working in the background promoter Paul Hawes has tweaked the schedule a bit in September and October and is putting some of the finishing touches on the revamped Marysville Raceway Park. Most observers are in agreement that as promoters Paul and Kathy Hawes begin their 3rd season at the helm of this once troubled facility it is becoming a rising, sparkling jewel in short track racing. The momentum of the Hawes team as the track is prepared for 2009 shows no sign of slowing down.
Revamping the surface and widening the track has made this track longer than the quarter mile of the past and made it a third or more, middle to high. That is the dramatic visual difference in this year’s track configuration. Moving the backstretch wall out toward the adjacent stretch of highway has “opened up” the exit of turn two and the resultant speed difference that the cars can carry up the backstretch is a visual marvel.
One driver who was preparing for the 2009 season by taking some laps in his new MRP Winged Sprint Car was really impressed. “This place is getting fast,” he said. “You don’t have to feather it off of two or pitch it into one anymore…you’re free to move around”.
Some of the local stock car and mini stock drivers are really chomping at the bit to get a few laps in as well. The bigger, wider stock cars will have a lot of room now, without so much contact. One railbird said, “You’ll be able to out race the guy ahead of you without having to move him or rely on a mistake.”
Once again Marysville Raceway Park will host the first special event of the season for Winged 360 Sprinters and Wingless Spec Sprinters on March 7th. Bringing back the traditional Winged 360 Sprint Car opener to MRP was of paramount concern for promoter Hawes. The running of the Spring Sprint Car Open put that concern to rest. In 1992 the first Winged Sprint Car Open of the year was staged here at MRP. It used to be called the “Gold Fever” open. National standout Jimmy Sills (who now bases his school at MRP) was the first winner of that event. That event was staged through the 1996 season. In 1997 it became the opening round of the “Civil War”. Now, this year’s Sprint car enthusiasts will be ensured that MRP will once again hold the first Winged 360 Sprint Car Open of the season. The Spring Sprint Car Open will pay a sweet $2500 to win in the 30-lap winged sprint car finale. It will also pay a grand to the winner in the companion 30-lap wingless spec sprint feature. The winged feature will pay $150 to start and the wingless feature will pay $125 to start.
Other changes of note have been occurring with great regularity at MRP lately, including:
THE NEW COURTESY SHUTTLE
Promoter Hawes has purchased a Courtesy Shuttle (or small bus) that will seat some 50 people and will be available all night. The shuttle will cruise the parking lot all night long. This will help everyone reach the front gates with a minimum of effort. Additionally…and perhaps most importantly, after the races are over the shuttle service will continue unabated until every spectator has reached his or her car.
THE NEW ELEVATED PIT GRANDSTANDS
One of the most visual physical improvements in the pits is the new, restructured grandstand for participants. The general site remains pretty close to where it was. But, and here’s a big BUT. It is some 30 ft higher and is completely renewed. No more questionable boards remain at all in the seating area. The entire grandstand has a powerful overview of the raceway WHEREVER you sit in it. The first row is some 5-10 feet higher than the crash wall that surrounds turn 1.
A complete walkway of concrete and well thought out steps with rails will safely get everyone to their seats in the pit grandstand. The new beveled catch fencing and cable system is state of the art. The stand is very well protected from anything coming at it from the racing surface. The stands themselves are strategically well placed for watching your racecar unobstructed at both ends of the raceway. One could argue that it truly is now the best seat in the house.
THE NEW TOW TRUCK
Promoter Hawes has acquired a tow truck that will assist the other tow trucks that typically show up on Saturday nights. “The more help the merrier” seems to be the slogan here. While we hope there are few instances where tow trucks are needed. But, when they are the MRP Tow Truck will be there to assist. This new member of the fleet will get things cleaned up faster and help keep the program rolling at an entertaining pace.
NEW PRO-4 WINGED SPRINT CAR CLASS
Turning a corner and heading in a new direction is the latest class to be added to MRP’s exclusive line up. What used to be known (for the last 20 years) as the “Sprint 100s” have been re-vamped, opened up and are ready to grow for their next 20 years. This time, however, a new look, a new attitude and some quick new drivers will be competing regularly in the new PRO 4 Winged Sprint Car class. The class contains some new, excellent equipment and will now be an exclusive presentation of Marysville Raceway Park. This class will feature winged sprint cars with 4 cylinder engines.
MRP’s OWN AMBULANCE
Introduced during last season MRP has it’s own professionally manned ambulance. As MRP becomes more self-sufficient the quality of service to an injured participant or spectator remains top shelf all the way. Promoter Hawes has always insisted on that.
So it’s about time to get going at MRP as the prelude to the 2009 season continues to impress observers from all over.
Remember, the cream of the crop in open wheel 360 racing will be at MRP trying out first hand what has been the talk of the racing community in northern California. Whether you bolt on wings or “sling ‘em in sideways” without them the Spring Sprint Car Open, March 7th is a must see event.
A playday on March 14th will separate the Spring Sprint Car Open from the 2nd Annual Great Taxi Cab Open scheduled for March 21st. 4 divisions of fendered combat will stage a one night stand that featured over 130 entrants last time out. The Mighty Modifieds and the Pro Stocks will headline the program with both divisions paying $1000 to win. The always-competitive Pure Stocks will put on a complete program with $500 going to the winner. The MRP Mini Stocks will also appear in a non-points event that will likely bring nearly 40 entrants in this one division alone.
NEW GREAT WEEKLY PURSES FOR STOCK CARS ($500 to win) and MINI STOCKS ($400 to win)
Once again, promoter Hawes will pay the areas best weekly purses for our fine fendered friends. The MRP Stock Cars will pay $500 to win, $400 for 2nd, $300 for 3rd, $200 for 4th and a “C” note for 5th EVERY week that the MRP Stock Cars are scheduled. The MRP Stock Cars will not run for points this year opening up the field to travelers from all over who want to take a shot at the generous purses. Open shows, of course will carry their own purses. The “Mighty MRP Mini Stocks” will pay the biggest weekly purse paid ANYWHERE for the 4-bangers with $400 going to the winner. $300 will greet the runner-up. 3rd will pay a sweet $200 and 4th will garner $100. The weekly swirl of the ultra competitive point season starts on April 4th. Multiple divisions will test the new clay every week.
SPECIAL EVENTS SCHEDULED ALL YEAR LONG
This will be a year of special events, second to no other MRP season. The traveling Western All Stars Late Models will make a stop at MRP in June pitting nationally recognized Late Model Stock Car stars against local professionals who seldom get a shot at the Big Guns of Late Model racing. Look for a monster “King of the Hill” tussle in this one. If you’ve never seen a Late Model Stock Car paw it’s way around this track, you are in for a treat. With it’s new size and shape the Late Models will dazzle the fans with their outrageous thunder. The 12th annual West Coast Dwarf Car Nationals will bring late season thrills to Yuba/Sutter. 100+ entrants will swell the pit area for this event.
Late season 2 day open wheel shows for both winged and wingless sprint cars are featured in October. Then the Stock Car Spectacular and Bomber Trailer Race Regatta will put a period on the 2009 schedule!!!
REMEMBERING THE PAST/ROARING INTO THE FUTURE
Sometimes you need to know where you’ve been to see where you are going. History virtually drips from every nook and cranny at MRP. This year MRP celebrates its 41st year of continuous operation, the most of any track in northern California. The 10th Annual Mel Hall Memorial Race, the 2nd Cy Francis Memorial Race, the 2nd Fallen Racers Memorial and the 2nd NARC Stock Car Reunion will be presented again this year remembering MRP’s remarkable history. Kid’s Night and Fan Appreciation Night have also been placed on the schedule. Traditional events that will be included this year are Yuba City Scrap and Steel’s 9th Ice Cream Night in August. Mike Hall’s Dairy Queen Restaurant of Yuba City will continue with his tradition of Dilly Bar Night. The 6th Taco Bell Night is also on tap.
The events mentioned are but a part of the great racing programs that will be presented weekly at MRP. Please consult the website and click on the “Race Schedule” button for a complete current schedule. Check it often, as new special events are being negotiated and added.
Note: Please make this observer aware of any names that are misspelled or incorrect. The text is based on information we have at the time of its release. Complete finishes, stats and points become official and available at the close of business on Tuesday and will be posted to the web site.
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