FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE- - - THANK YOU
6th ANNUAL IRCO DIRT
TRACK HEROES CAR SHOW
CONTACT:
BOB MILLER 443 513 4456
Release
prepared by STEVE PADOS
TOWNPLACE SUITES BY MARRIOTT
BETHLEHEM-EASTON NAMED OFFICIAL LODGING LOCATION
PHILLIPSBURG MALL TO HOST HIGH
PROFILE LOCAL AUTO RACING EVENT SUNDAY, MARCH 10 TO SATURDAY, MARCH
16
DIRT
MODIFIED HALL OF FAME LEGEND CARL “FUZZY” VAN HORN LEADS AN IMPRESSIVE ARRAY OF
TALENT TO OPEN 6TH ANNUAL IRCO DIRT TRACK HEROES CAR
SHOW
With the
countdown for the show swiftly approaching zero hour, the behind the scenes work
continues for the upcoming 2013 edition of the IRCO sponsored Sixth Annual Dirt
Track Heroes Car Show. As additional pieces for the show are fitting into
place and with the solid backing from a cross section of a great group of
sponsors for the week long extravaganza, the final details are being finalized
for the show in what is projected to be another successful gathering of the
past, present and future of auto racing as they all join forces together under
one roof in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. The wildly successful event will take
place at the Phillipsburg Mall, opening on Sunday, March 10 and running through
Saturday, March 16.
The
TownePlace Suites by Marriott Bethlehem-Easton is the latest sponsor signing on
for the upcoming event and has been designated as the Official Lodging for the
Dirt Track Heroes Show. The hotel, built in late 2009, is located at 3800 Easton
Nazareth Highway in Easton ,Pennsylvania. The hotel is centrally located and is
within one mile of 24 various dining options. Each Suite features a kitchen with
full sized stainless steel appliances. Additional amenities include
complimentary high speed internet and breakfast, an indoor pool, 24 hour fitness
center and laundry center and is located within minutes of the Phillipsburg
Mall. To make a reservation, call: 610 829 2000
The March
10th opening of the show will feature tributes to two of the grittiest but
always entertaining dirt tracks, the Nazareth National Speedway and the Nazareth
Speedway. The often referred to "Big Track" at Nazareth enjoyed a few lives,
first as a dirt facility and then the move to a pavement surface when the
speedway was purchased by Roger Penske. Although the the now dormant facility
remains visible, the years of inactivity have taken their toll on the speedway
but for the fans that witnessed the great racing there, they can more than
likely remember each pass and each winner of the events they saw while it was
active. Much the same can be said for the half mile speedway as many of us
racing fans lived for Sunday nights and a quick ride in the family truckster to
take in a show at Jerry Fried's race track. The speedway closed in 1988 and left
the landscape shortly thereafter for a super market and strip mall that was
built over-top the old raceway.
Even though
the years have rolled by us in swift fashion, those of us who remember the
racing action and the excitement caused by the great driving stars who competed
there, the opening of the IRCO Dirt Track Heroes Show allows each one of us to
chat and listen to many of our racing heroes as the opening day takes us back to
a time when life was far more carefree, the racing was far more affordable and
the world in general was in a far better state of affairs than it is in present
day form. With a great group of stars contacted for the event, it is with great
anticipation the show will kick off and headlining the opening day will be five
time Whelen Modified Tour Champion Tony Hirschman and his son, five time ROC
Pavement Modified Champion Matt Hirschman.
Along with
this dynamic Asphalt Duo, a great array of dirt slingers are expected in to chat
about the their racing days at Jerry Fried's establishment. Heading the list
will be Dirt Modified Hall of Famer, "The Belvidere Bandit" Carl "Fuzzy" Van
Horn, who was the 1974 Champion at the Nazareth 1/2 mile and was also a champion
at Orange County in 1971. Carl was a fan favorite as his on the hammer style of
driving excited the crowd throughout his 46 years of racing. Carl built and
promoted the Harmony Speedway and will be at the Mall on select nights to sign
autographs and to talk about Harmony and his many seasons behind the wheel of a
high powered Modified. His Grandson David will also have the family hot rod in
the show as part of the New Egypt Speedway contingent at the Mall. Expected to
join Van Horn for the opening festivities include legends in the their right as
Carl Collis, Richie Smith, Bill Wilson, Sammy Beavers, Billy Tanzosh, Ken Wismer
Jr, Rich Marinelli, Tommy Vroom, Joe Poliacik, George Wambold, Del Buss, Jack
Zeiner, Gary and Brad Grim, Bruce and Jesse Kline, Ward Crozier, Stan Hawk,
Richie Yetter, Randy Bok, Danny Huston, Wilbur Force, Butch Tittle, Leroy Amey
and many more are expected for the opening day of the event. One of the all-time
legends in Modified racing wars, "The Old Master" Frankie Schneider, has
indicated he will be on hand for the opening ceremonies after a recent stay in
the hospital.
The
longtime broadcasting team of Ed and Steve Pados from Gasoline Alley fame,
veteran announcer Bobby Stull, Bridgeport and Thunder announcer Jeff Ahlum and
former Lake Mocatek co-announcer Justin Beltrame will head up the announcing
team for the week long show. IRCO Vice President Greg Collins, who also serves
as the noted historian of the Harmony Speedway, is expected to have much of his
memorabilia from the Harmony Speedway for the event and Beltrame will once again
spearhead and show the vast collection of Lake Mocatek material he has collected
over the years.
The "Golden
Era" of auto racing from the late fifties through the early eighties was an era
that saw many changes take place in the way the race cars were constructed. The
word "stock" gave way to ingenuity at first and followed closely by technology
as the race cars became less stock appearing and relied more heavily on the
latest speed part that would make the race car go faster. While the years have
changed the look and the cost of racing, the spirit of the competition remains
much as it was when racing in the local area was first launched. The great fan
base of racing can come out to this grand Mall event and be transported back to
a time when they could hop into their family jitney and travel less than a half
hour to witness the excitement of a night at the races. All historical racing
groups including Reading, Flemington, Harmony, Dorney Park, Tri State, Friends
of Nazareth and Bob Snyder Photos and Snyder Video will have their memorabilia
on display and their many 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 from past glory or racing exploits.
Entries are
being 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: 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, street rods, vendors and race
tracks as well.
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 and
from Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 9 PM.
For
additional IRCO Dirt Track Heroes information, contact show organizers Bob and
Donna Miller by phone at 443.513.4456, via e-mail at TOTHILL98@aol.com or on the web at: www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com.
The event
offers race teams a great opportunity to promote their sponsors and announce
their racing plans for the 2013 racing season.
2013 Sixth Annual IRCO Dirt Track Heroes Car Show
Schedule of Events
Sunday-
March 10 -
(Starting at 1:00) - Martocci
Automotive presents the IRCO Dirt Track Heroes Car Show Opening
Ceremony with Driver Interviews and Autograph Session: Highlighting Nazareth
And Nazareth National Speedways with Reading, Harmony, Orange County,
Hatfield, Flemington, East Windsor, Moc-A-Tek and Hinchliffe
Stadium
Monday-
March 11 - (6:30
PM) – Reagle Dodge and
Caffe Europa Saluting Action Track USA, SpeedSTRS, ATQMRA,
Borger’s Speedway, Shellhamers Speedway, Snydersville Raceway, X-Cel 600
Modifieds, Oreville Karts
Tuesday-
March 12 - (6:30
PM)- Persa Auto Repair
and Murante Auto Repair Saluting the “Stars of Tomorrow”
featuring all Quarter Midget Clubs: Oaklane, Blue Mountain, Lehigh Valley, West
End Raceway, Keystone, Phoenixville, South Jersey and Garden State Quarter
Midget Clubs
Wednesday- March 13 - (6:30 PM) – Hamlin Speedway/S&S Speedways
and Vogel Race Design Saluting New Egypt Speedway, Hamlin
Speedway Open Wheel Divisions, Wall Stadium and the Legends of the East Windsor
Speedway - Invite to the Garden State Vintage Racing Club
Thursday- March 14 - (6:30 PM) – Smith Fabrications/Stage One
Modifieds Saluting Hamlin Speedway Slingshot Divisions and Stage
One Modifieds, Accord Speedway and Orange County Fair Speedway Night
Friday -
March 15 –
(Tentative) 1st Show (4 p.m.) – MMF Chassis
presents Special Edition “The Legends of Racing” with Legendary stars Sammy
Beavers, Carl Van Horn, Richard Marinelli, Gerald Chamberlain, Red Coffin, Newt
Hartman, Gary Gollub and many more.
2nd Show (6:30 PM) Salute
to Thunder on the Hill Series, Grandview Speedway, Bridgeport Speedway, Big
Diamond Speedway, ARDC Midgets, URC, TSRS and CRSA Sprint Cars
Saturday
- March 16 - (Noon)
–Penn Jersey
Supermarkets Presenting Flemington Speedway & Flemington
Speedway Historical Society. Harmony Speedway
Pavement
Afternoon ---Flemington, Mountain, Mahoning, Dorney Park
All drivers
invited to return for fan-fest and Autograph Session
Caffe Europa is the official
designated restaurant for the IRCO Dirt Track Heroes Show
TownePlace Suites by Marriott
Bethlehem-Easton is the Official Lodging for the IRCO Dirt Track Heroes
Show.
Mall Hours:
Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
-
*Schedule
subject to change
END
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