4th ANNUAL IRCO DIRT TRACK HEROES SHOW OFFERS THE BEST OF THE PAST PRESENT AND FUTURE OF MOTORSPORTS

4TH ANNUAL IRCO DIRT TRACK HEROES SHOW OFFERS THE BEST OF THE PAST PRESENT AND FUTURE OF MOTORSPORTS


By Steve Pados





The Tri-State area surrounding the Phillipsburg Mall in Phillipsburg, New Jersey enjoyed a wealth of great raceways dating back to World War II days and followed into the 50's years and beyond, and with that one of the great racers of the day, local racing ace Carl "Fuzzy' Van Horn cast his dreams, hopes and dollars in the local region not far from the Mall site and began building a dirt track fashioned after the old Pitman-Alcyon Speedway that was closed somewhere around 1960. Van Horn opened the Harmony Speedway in 1963 and then budding racing great great Sammy Beavers captured the initial grand opening night event. While the speedway never enjoyed the success Van Horn envisioned, the legacy of the Harmony race track and the many more speedways in the Tri-State area that hosted racing events, brings each of us to the fourth Annual IRCO Community Federal Credit Union Dirt Track Heroes Car Show set to return to the Phillipsburg Mall in 2011 with opening day set for Sunday, March 6. The show will continue through Saturday, night, March 12. The Phillipsburg Mall, located on Route 22 East in Phillipsburg, NJ is a popular location for this event and will offer a broad variety of race cars on display throughout the course of the week long show. Last year 122 cars from all divisions of racing filled the Mall space as the past, present and future of racing are highlighted in a week long show that celebrates the love each of us has found in attending races and meeting so many good people associated with the sport. With an exciting schedule of events to whet the appetite of any true race fan, large crowds are expected to "over flow" the Phillipsburg Mall. This event is a Mall favorite and one of the leading attractions, drawing record crowds for the week-long event.







The race cars are on display for various reasons. The restored race cars represent the past or as many race fans refer to as the "Golden Era" of racing. While some of the cars in attendance are original works, some of the race cars are replicars, re-created to look much like the racers the legendary drivers drove to glory at one of the many speedways that hosted the events. Those great cars and the saved memories gain much more impact when the fans have the opportunity to chat with many of the drivers who will be making special appearances during the week long event. All historical racing groups including Reading, Flemington, Harmony, Dorney Park and Nazareth will have their memorabilia on display and their scrapbooks open for the fans to take another long look at the glory years of racing and possibly find a picture or two they want to purchase as a keepsake of past glory or racing exploits.







Current day race cars are displayed by race teams to gain for their sponsors additional exposure and create an interest for mall walkers to visit a race track in their area. New cars are displayed for similar reasons, and to also show the new and changing technology of the race cars. You can visit the IRCO Dirt Track Heroes Car Show and on any given night, meet the drivers who pilot these four wheel high powered race cars. Many race tracks participate in this event as a way to distribute their schedules for the coming season and meet and greet their loyal fans and hopefully, make some new fans to attend their racing events.







Hall of Fame driver Carl Van Horn will be at the Mall on special nights to sign autographs and to talk about the 46 seasons he spent behind the wheel of a high powered Modified. His Grandson David will have the family hot rod in the show and will be part of the New Egypt Speedway night at the Mall. From the Flemington group it is reported that Stan "The Man" Ploski will be signing autographs at their display. URC will have representation from talented Jonathan Swanson, Mark Bitner and his Bitner Automotive and Performance sponsored sprinter and up and coming local talent Chris Weiss. Stephanie Stevens, the talented local female racer from Phillipsburg, New Jersey, will have her new TSRS 305 sprinter on hand for the event as she steps into a new phase of her racing career in 2011. "The Negotiator" Ricky Yetter will possibly have both of his race cars on display as the Wilson Boro resident prepares for not only a big season in racing but is running for District Court Judge as well. The "Rieglesville Rocket" Larry Lippincott will have his mount on display after a brilliant season at the Bridegport Speedway where he scored four wins and lost the point title by one single digit. His teammate Frank Dorry will have his car on display as well. Frank was 7th in the final points at Bridgeport a season ago. The "Magic Man" Mike Mammana will have his spruced up hot rod on display during the show. Mike rode the strength of two wins and the point lead into the final night of competition at Big Diamond only to be wrecked early in the event. The Gilmore Brothers, Mark and Brian will have their race cars on display. The New Jersey based brother act will go in separate directions this season as Brian will go after the 600 Wingless title at the Hamlin Speedway while brother Mark will test the waters in ARDC competition as he vies for Rookie of the Year in the series after a championhip season came his way in 2009 at Hamlin and he followed it up with a runner-up performance in 2010. Mark will be aboard a former Drew Heistand race car. More and more drivers will be referenced in upcoming stories as the pieces continue to fall into place for this great annual event.







Entries continue to be accepted to display in the IRCO Dirt Track Heroes Show. More information is available by calling: 443-513-4456 or you may complete the entry form located on the home page of the: http://www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com/ web site. Follow the simple instructions posted on the web site to register. Space is available for race cars of all divisions, vendors and race tracks as well.







In the previous events, cars that were on display include big and small block Modifieds, Sportsman, Micro-Sprints, ARDC Midgets, URC Sprints, Late Models, go-karts and a broad variety of vintage and restored race cars. Several race tracks will also use this event as an opportunity to get the word out on their up-coming 2011 racing season. New Egypt, Grandview, Bridgeport, Hamlin, Kutztown, Borger's and Snydersville will again be involved in the 2011 show. The week-long event will set aside one evening to salute the "Stars of Tomorrow" with a special night set aside for the budding young racing talents competing with the many quarter midget clubs in the area.







For the fourth consecutive year, CARQUEST Gasoline Alley and the Pados Brothers will host the nightly events and interviews along with some guest announcers. Bobby Stull, Joel Murns and Justin Beltrame have already signed on to play a part in the show. The taping of the show will be on Sunday, March 6th for a two hour span that will be aired the following evening through WALN at: http://www.walncableradio.com/ In 2010, 368 drivers, owners, racing legends and track promoters were interviewed or featured during the nightly activities.







The IRCO Dirt Track Heroes Car Show will again offer a great keepsake event souvenir program book and shirt. The Phillipsburg Mall is open Sunday 11 AM to 6 PM; Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 9 PM.







IRCO Community Federal Credit Union remains the lead show sponsor since the event first opened in 2008. More information on IRCO is available at the company's web site at: www.ircocu.com or please contact Greg Collins via e-mail at: gcollins@ircocu.com







For IRCO Dirt Track Heroes information, contact show organizers Bob and Donna Miller by phone at 443.513.4456, via e-mail at TOTH98@aol.com or on the web: http://www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com/.







And don't forget, the sister event to the IRCO Dirt Track Heroes Car Show is the wildly popular and established 26th Annual Reading Eagle-WEEU 830 AM Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show, set for the Fairgrounds Square Mall in Reading, PA February 20-26, 2011. For additional information on the Racing Legends event, contact Brett Deyo by phone at 845.728.2781 or via e-mail at Deyo99H@aol.com. In 2010, Brett Deyo assumed the role of show organizer working with event founder Bob Miller.







Both events offer race teams a great opportunity to promote their sponsors and announce their racing plans for the 2011 racing season.











2011 Fourth Annual IRCO Dirt Track Heroes Car Show



Schedule of Events







Sunday- March 6 - (Starting at Noon) - IRCO Dirt Track Heroes Car Show Opening Ceremony (Stage) - All Tracks and Driver Autograph Session: Highlighting Nazareth



And Nazareth National Speedways with Reading, Harmony, Orange County, Hatfield, Dorney Park, Langhorne, Trenton, Flemington, East Windsor, Sanatoga, Moc-A-Tek, Allentown Fairgrounds, Stroudsburg, Mahoning, Mountain

Taping of CARQUEST Gasoline Alley TV Show ……..







Monday- March 7 - (6 PM) – Saluting ATQMRA, Borger’s Speedway, Kutztown Speedway, Shellhamers Speedway, Snydersville Raceway, X-Cel 600 Modifieds, Oreville Karts, Marsh Creek, 390 Young Guns, Stage-One Modifieds and the Friends of Hinchliffe Stadium







Tuesday- March 8 - (6 PM) Saluting the “Stars of Tomorrow” featuring Quarter Midget Clubs: Oaklane, Blue Mountain, Lehigh Valley, West End Raceway, Keystone, Phoenixville, South Jersey and Garden State Quarter Midget Clubs







Wednesday- March 9 - (6 PM) - New Egypt Speedway and Wall Stadium Night - Saluting the Legends of the East Windsor Speedway - Invite to the Garden State Vintage Racing Club







Thursday- March 10 - (6 PM) – Hamlin Speedway, Accord Speedway and Orange County Fair Speedway Night with Salute to the Legends of the Moc-A-Tek Speedway……Invite to Speedway Photographers







Friday - March 11 - (7 p.m.) - Salute to Thunder on the Hill Series, Grandview Speedway, Big Diamond Raceway, ARDC Midgets, URC plus the Legends of the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway







Saturday - March 12 - (Noon) - Flemington Speedway and Flemington Speedway Racing Historical Society. Harmony Speedway and Historical Society



All drivers invited to return for fan-fest and Autograph Session



Saturday - March 12 - (2:30 PM) - Dorney Park Speedway Tribute & Autograph Session organized by Henry Wilt







Mall Hours: Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. -



*Schedule subject to change