Pro-4 teams from throughout the west will converge on Bakersfield's Mesa Marin Raceway on October 20, 2001 marking the four-cylinder late models' first October Classic appearance. When asked how this opportunity came about, Pro-4 race coordinator Bob Coply stated, "This event was made possible by Mesa Marin's Sr. Vice President, Larry Collins', open mindedness and understanding of the potential of the Pro-4 cars. Sponsorship support by Honda Cars Of Corona and Recyclewise made it possible for the major Pro-4 racing organizations in the western US to work together in coordinating a top quality program to warrant participation in an event like the October Classic."
Coply stated that the major Pro-4 organizations supporting this October Classic event include central California's Pro Four Challenge, the Orange Show Speedway Pro-4's, the Modified Stock Racing Association (MSRA) and the Utah Late Model Lites. These groups recognize the strength in numbers that it takes to produce the type of quality program today's short track stock car market demands.
According to Coply the list of competitors is long, and many of the top four-cylinder teams from across the west have announced their plans to compete. Coply states. "Our June 16th 'Lucas Oil Products 50' winner, Eddie Secord, will be returning along with current MSRA points leader, Michael Wright. The Utah Late Model Lites will be sending their toughest competitors, led by Jeff Keller and Kenny Polla, while John Riparetti and Chuck Scott will be the ones to watch from northern California. Also expected will be Orange Show Speedway's 2000 NASCAR Pro-4 Champion, John Soares, and fellow California racers Scott Porter, Chad Pais, Tim Soares, Tim Gardner, Ron Stefani, Marty Elzig, Mike Douthit and a host of others."
