The 2008-2009 winter racing season officially comes to a close on May 23d at the Havasu 95 Speedway. Since last fall the most scenic quarter mile paved oval in the southwest, located in beautiful Lake Havasu City-Arizona, has been treating their fans to outstanding ASA sanctioned racing featuring a variety of divisions.
As they approached the final night of 2009, speedway promoters Dennis Rudin and Bill Rozhon wanted to create a special evening that was completely different from anything they had presented all through the winter season. They wanted to present their fans with an evening that they would be talking about long after the event was over. It wasn't long before buzz phrases like "total carnage" entered into their conversation and from that point came the creation of May 23d's "Night Of Destruction."
This very innovative. not to mention unusual, evening at the Havasu 95 Speedway features a waterless boat race which will be filmed by 44 Blue Productions the creators of the new television show "Car Junkies" which will air later this year on the TRU TV cable network. That event will be followed by the carnage that comes with a massive demolition derby. The evening will conclude with a fireworks display followed by a pit road party complete with DJ Music.
In the past, at race tracks all over the country, a waterless boat race featured stock cars pulling boats loaded on trailers. However the Havasu 95 Speedway staff decided to take that tradition one giant step further: stocks cars, boats but no trailers. The competitors are going to literally drag the boats around the track.
Stock cars from any racing division are eligible to participate in this event. All boats being pulled must be made from fiberglass and must be connected to the car by a chain or cable with no more than a two foot separation. From that point it's all about dragging a boat around the track while trying to dislodge the boats of the other competitors.
There are a few other factors here that makes this event so very unique. First off it's a competition and not a race. It's recommended that a driver stays within the racing pack. Competitors are going to be judged by how well they take out other boats while preserving their own. The act of trying to out distance the pack in order to preserve your own boat my be judged poorly.
According to the official rules of waterless boat racing, and despite appearances there are rules, the car themselves are not allowed to ram into each other. However ramming some one's boat is not only acceptable it's actually the name of the game. The overall purpose of this event is to completely dislodge an opponent's boat.
But just because a car has lost its boat doesn't mean the driver is out of the competition. This style of racing has a contingency plan. A car that has lost a boat can push another dislodged boat left lying on the track with its front bumper. The cars may continue ramming other boats as long as they are towing or pushing any part of a boat.
All of this motorized marine mayhem is worth $500, a trophy and some major bragging rights to the winner. The last car with any part of a boat still being towed or pushed when the race ends will be declared the winner. If two or more cars qualify, then the race fans will choose the winner.
The excitement among the local Havasu 95 Speedway drivers regarding this event is apparent by the number of entries that has already been received. This event also has some special guest drivers as well. That includes Matt Kutcher. The name may not be immediately familiar but movie fans certainly know Kutcher's handy work in the entertainment medium. He's a special effects supervisor who scared us silly in the films "Righteous Kill," "Snakes On A Plane" as well as his current project "Piranha 3D."
Another special guest entered in this race is Bill Goldberg. Cars fans know his name as the host of the very popular "Bullrun" television series aired on the Speed Channel. Fans of the squared circle know him as a champion professional wrestler with the WWE, World Wrestling Entertainment, and WCW, World Championship Wrestling. NFL fans may recall Goldberg's stint as a defensive tackle with the Atlanta Falcons.
Also entered into the race is a genuine pair of wild and crazy guys. David Freiburger, the world's most renowned car junkie and editor of "Hot Rod Magazine" plans to win this race. So does his hard wrenching comedic sidekick Chad Reynolds. Both men are the host of a brand new television series, "Car Junkies" which will air on the TRU TV cable network later in the fall.
That new television series is being produced by 44 Blue Productions and it's another reason why May 23d is going to be such a special night at the Havasu 95 Speedway. The production team will be in Lake Havasu City May 20th through the 23d to shoot segments for the new show including the waterless boat race.
One of the best parts of 44 Blue Production's appearance at the speedway lies in the fact that they will be conducting an open casting call for some lucky car guy to join the "Car Junkies" team. According to company spokesperson Angela Weingrad "we're seeking a newcomer to the racing scene who has a definite need for speed. We want someone with a great story who's always dreamed of racing, but something always seems to hold them back. This is your one shot to fulfill your dreams and experience the thrill."
A very enthusiastic Wengrard went on to say "this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for a novice speed junkie to join our team as the experience the adrenaline rush that only comes with from a world that thrives on pure horsepower. If you've always dreamed of a life in the fast lane but never had the chance to make that happen-we want you. We want passionate gear heads who are ready to put themselves in the heat of the race for the first time in their life."
To be considered for this opportunity you need to email a brief bio of who you are that includes name, age and occupation. Tell them why you would make a great addition to the "Car Junkies" team, what makes you the ultimate die hard car fanatic and what put the brakes on you fulfilling your dreams of racing. You'll also need to submit a recent photo and a contact telephone number. Send the email to aweingard@44blue.com or call Angela Weingrad at 818-760-4442 extension 216.
Yet another part of the Havasu 95 Speedway evening will feature the all American Metal Rodeo known as a demolition derby. This dash for cash is a case of survival of the fittest and will have cars hitting each other as hard as they can until only one vehicle is capable of rolling away. That lone survivor will be taking home $800 for the effort.
Intermission during the evening will feature the opportunity for racing fans to rid themselves of some frustrations while supporting a very worthwhile charity. The fans will be afforded the opportunity to lay the hammer down on a car in support of "Whacked For Wounded Warriors." Whatever is left of this car will be completely destroyed by the Havasu 95 Speedway staff.
The evening will conclude with a gala, all American, fireworks show followed by a pit road party complete with DJ requests supplied by Lone Mavrick Productions from Ridgecrest-California.
The Havasu Speedway's "Night Of Destruction" begins at 7 pm. Tickets are only $15 which includes one adult admission along with one child 12 years old and younger. Children five and under will be admitted free when accompanied by a paid adult. In the Lake Havasu City area advanced ticket sales are currently on sale at the following locations: Anderson Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep, Walt's Motorsports, Anderson Toyoyta and Peggy's Sunrise Cafe. Advance ticket purchases are highly recommended because this special event is expected to be a sell out. Tickets for the speedway's VIP section are $30 and will be on sale during the evening of May 23d.
For out of town race teams and fans the Days Inn is the official motel of the Havasu 95 Speedway. They offer beautiful and spacious room at very affordable rates. For reservations call 928 855 7841.
For more information on the Havasu 95 Speedway's "Night Of Destruction" call Track and Marketing Manager Dennis Rudin at 928 716 6624 or Car and Tech Director Bill Rozhon at 928 716 6300. You can also dial up the speedway's official website at www.havasu95speedway.com.
