PLACERVILLE, California — This Saturday will be one of the richest nights of racing at the Placerville Speedway. The evening will pay Tribute to the late Mark Forni and the Winged Sprint Car winner on this tenth Red Hawk Casino Championship night of the year will receive an impressive $5,000 for their efforts thanks to a group of area contractors and business.
The Forni family has a great history in El Dorado County and deep ties to the El Dorado County Fairground and much of the land on which it sits. Much like his forefathers, Mark Forni cared deeply about the county fair and its attributes, especially the racetrack. From the time he was a young child 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.
“Mark Forni was a guy that just got things done for anyone,” said Placerville Speedway promoter, Alan Handy. “He would often ask if we had a problem and what it would take to get it resolved. Everytime he got involved it got done, even if he helped do it.”
In November of 2004 Mark was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and after battling the disease lost his life at just 45 years old in July of the following year.
After his passing, it was only appropriate for Placerville Speedway and the community to create an annual race that would pay tribute to Forni. The Mark Forni Classic is now the highest paying event annually at Placerville Speedway.
Four divisions of racing will be on hand Saturday with the Sprint Cars as they compete for the lucrative bounty. Limited Late Model Pro Stocks will be on hand along with Pure Stocks and the Nor Cal Dwarf Cars. Action is set to begin at 6:30.
Prior to racing on Saturday, two different race car displays will take place in Placerville. Carls’ Jr. on Fairlane will host a large display of cars and drivers from all divisions from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30. The second event will be RPM Photo Art at 259 Main Street in Placerville where several top sprint cars will be on display along with the racing art of local photographer-artist Phil Hamilton from noon until 4 p.m.
Primary sponsors for the Mark Forni Classic include; Doug Veerkamp General Engineering, Hunt and Sons Petroleum, Les Schwab Tires, MRO Industrial, Pape Machinery, Armonds Tire Service, Sunrise Automotive Paint and Supplies and Sierra Landscape Service. For further information on the upcoming Mark Forni Classic, visit www.placervillespeedway.com.
