The Havasu 95 Speedway will treat their fans to a full evening of racing led by the Gene Price Motorsports Late Model River Series this Saturday night, February 6th. The ASA sanctioned speedway, known as the most scenic quarter mile asphalt oval in the southwest, is located within the Sara Park Complex in beautiful Lake Havasu City-Arizona. Also seeing action on this night will be the speedway's legend, bandolero and thunder roadster divisions.
The Gene Price Motorsports, (GPM) Late Model River Series, presented by MAC Tools, is a fast paced racing program that is currently hosted by both the Havasu 95 Speedway and the Lucas Oil I 10 Speedway located in Blythe-California. Their last event, held November 28th at Havasu 95 Speedway, had 22 cars taking the green flag for the feature race and was considered a sign of how this special series is growing.
The series is at its half way point during the current winter racing season and there are plenty of signs that says the cream is rising to the top. That's certainly true of Lancaster-California's Austin Murphy. In the first four races of the series the teen driver has two wins, a second and a third place finish. That level of consistency has placed him on top of the standings with 194 points.
Local driver Bobby Keirns, no stranger to a late model championship, holds down second in the standings with 166 points based on three top five finishes and one top ten. While Keirns will be looking forward Saturday night in an effort to cut into Murphy's points lead, he will also have to monitor his rear view mirror for the presence of Mike Sutterfield who is third in the standings and only four points out of second.
There is also the presence of two drivers who has also found victory lane in the series this year. Mark Schriner, a former Lucas Oil I 10 Speedway late model champion, has made three of the four starts in the series and collected a win at Blythe. He's currently sixth in the standings. Lake Havasu City's Jerry Snell, eighth in the rankings, is running a partial schedule in the series this year. But in two starts he has garnered a second place finish and a feature win. Both of these drivers could be major factors in Saturday night's 50 lap feature.
Also seeing action Saturday night at the Havasu 95 Speedway will be those young drivers in their small, but very fast, bandolero cars. The big question here is: who can beat local driver Tommy Kelley? The division has ran three races so far in the current winter racing season and Kelley has won them all. Despite that dominance, the division's points standings are still very close. Ryan Cransdale, eight points out of first, and Kyle Niquette, ten points away, each have three top five finishes and are still very much in the points picture.
Just like the late model river series, the bandolero team are also in the midst of their own special racing series. The Sam Nichols Electrical Bandolero River Cup Series features ten races that are also hosted by the two tracks at Lake Havasu City and Blythe. Making this series really special is the fact that the points champion will receive a $500 savings bond with a $400 bond going to the second place driver and a $300 bond for the driver third in points.
The legend cars are a fan favorite at the Havasu 95 Speedway. Part of that popularity is based on their appearance which greatly resembles old style roadsters from the 1930's and 1940's. Also making them popular is their bullet like sense of speed. They are powered by Yamaha Motorcycle engines which allows the cars to fly around the track at lap times often compatible to the larger late model machines.
Saturday night will be the second appearance of the legends this season. In their November 14th season debut Andrew Smith won the feature event. Other notable drivers expected this weekend includes Chase Cantania, Cale Kanke, Kyle Weatherman and Zak Price.
The thunder roadsters will also be treating the Havasu 95 Speedway fans to their style of open wheel racing this Saturday night. Powered by 1250cc Yamaha Motorcycle engines, these elongated vehicles, measuring five feet wide and 14 feet long, resemble the open wheel racing cars that ran on American road racing facilities back in the 1950's and 1960's. The cars feature an open cockpit which means the fans will be able to see the driver working the steering wheel inside of the car.
The Havasu 95 Speedway weekend actually begins on Friday evening with a test and tune session for the racing teams. from 6 to 9 pm. This practice session is open to spectators free of charge. On Saturday race day the spectator gates will open at 4 pm with the racing beginning at 6pm.
General admission tickets for Saturday night are $12. Discounted tickets for seniors 55 plus, the handicapped and the military are $10. Kids tickets, for ages six to 16, are $6 while kids five and under are admitted free when accompanied by a paid adult. The speedway also offers the fans a family pack for $25 which admits two adults and two kids. Tickets for the speedway's VIP section, featuring the best seats in the house, are also available for $25.
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 rooms at affordable prices. Reservations can be made by calling, toll free, 800 835 2410. Reservations may also be made online.
For more information about the speedway's winter racing series dial up their website at www.havasu95speedway.com or contact speedway promoter Bill Rozhon at 928 716 6300.
