After taking some time off for the Christmas holiday the Havasu 95 Speedway will be celebrating New Years day in grand style with a full afternoon of red hot, ASA sanctioned, racing. The quarter mile paved oval, located in Lake Havasu City-Arizona, will be celebrating the arrival of 2011 with action from their ASA Street Stock, Gene Price Motorsports I love Legends Series, the Bandolero and the Factory Stock divisions. Also on the program is a demolition derby as well as the speedway's third annual Mayor's race. Race fans need to note that this event is a special day race that begins at 1 pm.
One of the major highlights of the afternoon will be the ASA Street Stocks who will be running a 75 lap, $1,000 to win, feature. Making their sixth appearance of the 2010-2011 winter racing season, the division's standings are still controlled by Blythe-California driver Bryant Sutterfield. In five previous appearances Sutterfield has three feature wins and two second place finishes. Local driver Rick Benzansen, with a feature win and five top five finishes, is only 14 points behind the division leader.
But the difference maker this Saturday afternoon could be the $1,000 winner's check. That kind of purse money has a tendency to elevate a driver's "A" game. It could also entice some visitors to make the trip to the Havasu 95 Speedway for a run at the big money. There are plenty of street stock teams, in eastern Arizona and southern California, who are sitting idle waiting for their home tracks to open in the spring.
The Gene Price Motorsports "I Love Legends" Series will also be a big part of the Havasu 95 Speedway action. Powered by motorcycle engines, these cars resemble roadsters from the 1930's and 1940's era and are lightning fast. Saturday's race is the second event of a special four race points series sponsored by the famed high performance parts distributor and race car fabricator located in nearby Parker-Arizona. This race will also qualify the drivers for coveted INEX national points. The legends feature will pay $300 to the winner and a guaranteed $75 just for starting the race.
The series' current points structure is based on the results of their first race held back in October. Chase Cantania won that event but finds himself closely followed in the rankings by Donny St Ours, Matt Hicks, Dustin Ash and Kyle Weatherman.
The youngsters in their very small, but very fast, Bandolero cars will be staging their third appearance of the current winter racing season Saturday. Young Blake Rogers sits on top of the division's standings with 98 points based on a feature win and a second place finish. However Jeremy Orozco, who won the feature during the speedway's special Thanksgiving weekend, is only four points behind him. Matthew Davey and Michelle Brachowski are tied for third with 88 points each.
The fan favorite Factory Stocks will be provide their usual high level of racing action and entertainment to Saturday's New Years Day festivities. They will also be bringing a skin tight points race for the division championship. With one feature win this season, Brent Delay leads the standings with 214 points. But he only holds a very slim two point lead over Jack Snell who is also a feature winner. Right behind them, only eight markers from the leader, is the high flying station wagon driven by O C "Bob" Berwick.
The Havasu 95 Speedway's New Years Day celebration will conclude with their version of the all American metal rodeo better known as a demolition derby. This smash and dash for cash will award $1,000 to the driver of the last car rolling.
Local politics will also take center stage this Saturday when the speedway presents its third annual Mayor's race. Local officials will climb inside of Factory Stock racers to earn the bragging rights of being the fastest driver in City Hall.
On Saturday race day the spectator gates will open at 11 am with the green flag falling on the racing at 1 pm. General admission tickets are $12 with discount tickets for seniors, military personnel and the handicapped set at $10. Kids tickets, ages six to 16, are $6 while kids five and under are admitted free when accompanied by a paid adult. Students from Lake Havasu High School will receive a one dollar discount with their school ID cards. The speedway also offers a family package which admits two adults and two kids for $25. Fans can also enjoy the amenities of the speedway's VIP section, featuring the best seats in the house, 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 very affordable rates. Call toll free at 800 835 2410 for reservations which can also be made online at www.the havasuinn.com.
For more information on Saturday's racing, or the the speedway's winter racing season, dial up their official website at www.havasu95speedway.com. You can also contact promoter Bill Rozhon at 928 716 6300.
