UKIAH –? Get ready for six months of non-stop racing action at the Ukiah Speedway.
All five of the North State Racing Association classes — the modifieds, street stocks, Legends Cars, bombers, and bandoleros — return on either a full-time or limited schedule beginning April 2.
Coming to Ukiah Speedway six times in 2011 are the Airport Auto Brokers Late Models. This late model touring show has designated Ukiah as its home track with one-half of its points races being run at Ukiah. The AABLM group is also including a Legends Car series to its agenda, which will also be a part of the speedway”s 2011 schedule.
For the first time, the INEX Legends Cars Spring Nationals will be held at the Ukiah Speedway on Memorial Day weekend ? May 28-29. This event will be a national qualifier for all Legends Cars. The California INEX Legends Car group, Legends of the Pacific, will return on July 2-3 for its second holiday outing at Ukiah. Local Legends drivers will complete in the field. With several graduates from the bandolero ranks joining this class, full fields are expected at every date.
Back again in 2011 after a long absence will be the Bay Cities Racing Association midgets and vintage midgets. BCRA has new plans for its asphalt racers this year in hopes of increasing car counts at all of its venues. The big day for midgets at Ukiah is May 14. Other vintage divisions running this season will be the vintage super modifieds on Aug. 13, and the Nor Cal Hard Tops on June 18, July 30 and Sept. 10.
The Pro-4 Modifieds also return this year and will visit 10 times, beginning with the April 16 show. The Pro-4 Modifieds will be on every holiday weekend racing card and will be a part of the Tri-Holiday Series, joining the Thunder Roadsters.
Thunder Roadsters should bring back many memories for people who experienced first-hand open-wheel racing during the 1950s and ”60s. The open-cockpit car utilizes a sprint car-type roll cage to protect the driver, and wide side-pods have been included in the design for additional safety. The Thunder Roadster also features a driver-friendly long wheelbase that will be a great asset for competing on asphalt ovals.
Another traveling series, The Tri-Track Challenge for modifieds, is a new series that will run at Ukiah Speedway, Shasta Raceway Park in Anderson and Redwood Acres Raceway in Eureka. Three of the six events will be run at Ukiah on April 23, June 25 and Sept. 3-4.
Three boat races are back on the schedule, two during spring carnival and fair-time activities, and one on Sunday night”s portion of the Labor Day weekend.
The newest class scheduled to race on Ukiah Speedway”s new figure-8 track will be the 4-Bangers, who debut on April 23. This beginner class has been well-received in the racing. Rules for the 4-Bangers and all NSRA classes are on the website at www.UkiahSpeedway.com.
Postseason events include the Bomber Bash on Sept. 10 and the “Bubba Silva Memorial” two-day event on Oct. 22-23.
Ukiah Speedway is located at the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds on North State Street in Ukiah. For more information about the 2011 schedule, call the speedway”s Mendocino County office at 462-7242 or the Lake County office at 274-1354.
