WAYNE COUNTY/LAKEVILLE JOIN FORCES FOR BIG 8 SERIES SPECTACULAR

Source: Doc Lehman
Date: 12/30/2006

For years Lakeville Speedway has produced their Big 4 Series of races for Super Late Models but in 2007 there will be a twist as Wayne County Speedway will partner up on the same weekend with the same format and payoff. Additionally, both tracks will also host a Big 8 Series for Sprint Cars on different weekends. Also being scheduled will be two Big 4 Series events for Pure Stocks and Mini Stocks and each race will pay the winner $1,000.

“I honestly think it’s a thing we have to do to keep racing healthy,” stated Ernie Coffman, owner & promoter at Wayne County Speedway. “Tracks have got to work together. (Lakeville owner) Bob (Schippers) and I have not been friends in the past but we have put our differences aside for dirt racing and we’re getting together and making something good.”

“And were doing it the right way by having each Big 8 Series as well as the Big 4 Series weekends at both tracks the same weekend. You can run at Lakeville on Friday night and then head up to Wayne County for Saturday night.”

“It’s really good,” added Bob Schippers, owner & promoter of Lakeville Speedway. “It’s taken awhile for someone who wanted to stay and work it out at the same time. Wayne County has been through a few different owners the past ten years or so and I always wanted to work together but I wanted to make sure they had their heart in it and I believe Ernie does have his heart in it with that race track and I think both will flourish pretty well with what’s going on.”

One aspect that will attract the attention of race teams is the phenomenal bonus program Wayne County and Lakeville have agreed upon. If one Late Model and/or Sprint Car driver wins four of the eight Big 8 Series events that driver will earn a $25,000 bonus. Coffman and Schippers have also implemented a $50,000 bonus program if any Late Model or Sprint Car driver wins five of the races.

“I think what we will do here is basically, and there could be some changes to this, but if you win four it’s a $25,000 bonus,” explained Coffman. “And if you’re the guy who won four and want to go for five you give up your $25,000 and go for the $50,000. And that $50,000 could be bigger. But this is going to happen for the Late Model and Sprint Car deal.”

“I think it will be really good for the racers and fans,” interjected Schippers. “We have a good group of fans in this entire region, we have plenty of fans for these two race tracks to get strong crowds. And fans won’t have to spend $20 to get in. We think the drivers will like this especially with the bonus money.”

The Big 8 Series for Super Late Models and Sprint Cars at each track will be held over four weekends during the 2007 racing season with dates and details to be announced in the near future including a huge Labor Day weekend extravaganza. Additionally the Big 4 Series for Pure Stocks and Mini Stocks will be held over two weekends this summer with dates to be announced shortly.

“I’m really excited about this thing,” commented Coffman. “We have to make it exciting for the fans and racers. I’m pumped up about the deal, I really am.”

Schippers, like Coffman, sees this as a new era of cooperation between the two tracks and are looking long-term to continue building upon this concept. “It’s going to continue and this will work out excellent for Lakeville and Wayne County,” said Schippers. “Drivers will know what to expect, they’ll run for good purses and they will be held on the same weekend.”

Wayne County Speedway is located nine miles east of Wooster, OH on US Route 30 or 15 miles west of Massillon, OH on US Route 30 then one mile north on Carr Road. For more information contact: 330.682.7435 (track), 419.522.8761 (office) or GM Tina Heil can be contacted at her office at: 330.642.0269 or via email at: tinaheil@zoominternet.net

For more information on WCS visit: www.waynecountyspeedway.com or telephone WCS General Manager Tina Heil at: 330.642.0269.

Lakeville Speedway is located one mile east of SR 3 on SR 179, then north on SR 226 at 14191 SR 226 in Lakeville, OH. For more information contact Bob or Judi Schippers at: Track: (419) 827-2072 or Business: (419) 827-5205. Email: JBSchippers@lakevillespeedway.com Visit the Lakeville Speedway website at: http://www.lakevillespeedway.com

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