ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHALLENGE SERIES SET FOR SEASON FIVE

Source: Rocky Mountain Challenge Series Public Relations
Date: 01/05/2008

BOISE, Idaho -- Officials for the Rocky Mountain Challenge Series are pleased to announce the 2008 schedule that will feature nine events at three very different racetracks in the region. The schedule is highlighted by several traditional marquee events at Magic Valley Speedway in Twin Falls, Idaho and Rocky Mountain Raceways in SLC, Utah along with a first ever trip to Stateline Stadium Speedway in Post Falls, Idaho as part of the Idaho 200 weekend August 1-3.

The series will kick off its fifth season of competition on Saturday, April 19 at Magic Valley Speedway with additional stops slated at the one-third mile paved oval on May 17, the traditional Pepsi "125" on June 7, and the series season finale NAPA "150" Saturday, September 6.

2007 RMCS champion John Newhouse of Twin Falls, Idaho cut his racing teeth at MVS and is excited about the upcoming season. "All the races we have at Magic Valley Speedway are great events," Newhouse said. "The fans always see a great show and the drivers love racing there. Good finishes at Magic Valley won us the championship last year and I can't wait to get back to racing."

Former MVS track champion and the winner of three RMCS races at Magic Valley Speedway last season is Bobby Latham III of Twin Falls. Latham has four career series victories and all coming at MVS. "The place is real special to me and I have a lot of great memories," Latham said. "The RMCS is a tough series with the invert, but racing the invert makes you a better driver. To win three times at Magic Valley last year was incredible and I hope to carry over the momentum this season."

Since taking over the Magic Valley Speedway last February, Eddy McKean and his team have continued to make improvements to the fan friendly race track in preparation for the upcoming season. "The RMCS always puts on a great show for our fans and we are thrilled to have the series back this season for four events," said Eddy Mckean, Promoter of Magic Valley Speedway.

The RMCS will make four stops at the ultra-fast banked oval of Rocky Mountain Raceways with the first trip Saturday, May 3. The series will return for the traditional Memorial Day event on Monday, May 26, along with stops on Saturday, July 12 and the annual fan favorite NAPA "125" August 23.

"The RMCS always brings us a great show," said Doug Binstock, General Manager of RMR. "The fans love the series and 20-car invert produces some great racing action."

Winner of two races at RMR last season is 2006 RMCS Champion Dave Minegar of Boise, Idaho. Minegar nearly swept the trifecta at RMR last season setting fast time at each race and picking up victories the first two trips to town. Minegar finished a close second to multi-time RMR winner James Eaton in the other event.

"I always thought that Magic Valley was my home track, but after the success we have had at RMR, it really feels like home," Minegar stated. "We love going down there and we know we have a car that can win. This is going to be a great year for the series and with the new venue up north it will make the chase for the championship something special."

Mike Minegar, President of the RMCS and Joe Doellefeld, Promoter of Stateline Speedway, worked closely over the last month to add the RMCS to the Idaho 200 race weekend August 1-3. "I have always felt that our series offers one of the best racing formats around and we cannot wait to showcase our brand of racing to a whole new group of fans," stated Minegar. "No one else around features a 20-car invert and I know the race fans up north will see a great show."

The RMCS has continued to see a steady increase in competitors, fans, and sponsors since its inception four short years ago. With the decline and consolidation of Late Model racing across the country, the RMCS has flourished through an open set of rules that accommodates all Late Model type cars. "Our style of racing has really struck a chord with fans, competitors, and track operators," Minegar continued. "I am thrilled to be where we are at and can't wait to get the season started."

“We are extremely pleased to be working with Mike (Minegar), and the great racers of the Rocky Mountain Challenge Series,” stated Joe Doellefeld. “We are sure that our fans will enjoy their level and brand of late model racing here in the Inland Northwest.”

With seasoned veterans like former NW tour champion John Dillon, two-time RMCS champion Zan Sharp, Craig Bell, Thane Alderman and Jim Wulfenstein from Las Vegas and Bruce Quale returning to the series along with young hotshoes like Bryan Warf, Nick Gibson, Tyler Monroe and whole new class of rookie competitors, 2008 is shaping up to be one of the most hotly contested championship battles in the short history of the series.

For all the latest news and information regarding the Rocky Mountain Challenge Series please log onto www.rmcsracing.com.

About the Rocky Mountain Challenge Series

The Rocky Mountain Challenge Series is a regional touring series that allows competitors to gain experience on different types of asphalt oval tracks up to 3/8-mile in length. It is a high-quality, professional racing series that offers maximum opportunity at an affordable price serving the Intermountain West. The motto of the series is to "Race Hard and Have Fun!"

The 2008 Rocky Mountain Challenge Series Schedule

Date Location Laps Defending Race Winner

Sat. April 19 Magic Valley Speedway 75 Laps Bryan Warf

Sat. May 3 Rocky Mtn. Raceways 75 Laps Rain Out

Sat. May 17 Magic Valley Speedway 100 Laps John Newhouse (2007 event held in June)

Mon. May 26 Rocky Mtn. Raceways 100 Laps Dave Minegar

Sat. June 7 Magic Valley Speedway 125 Laps Bobby Latham

Sat. July 12 Rocky Mountain Raceways 100 Laps Dave Minegar

Fri-Sat. Aug 1-3 Stateline Speedway 100 Laps Idaho 200 Weekend Inaugural Event for the RMCS

Sat. Aug 23 Rocky Mtn. Raceways 125 Laps James Eaton

Sat. Sept. 6 Magic Valley Speedway 150 Laps Bobby Latham

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