Central PA Dirt Trackin’ Show to See Major Changes for 32nd Edition in 2015
Newberrytown, PA (January 27, 2014) – The 31st edition of the Central PA Dirt Trackin’ Show presented by Jack Giamblavo Family of Dealerships came to a close on Sunday, January 26 in the Memorial Hall at the York (PA) Fairgrounds. The show has seen three different producers over the past three years. Change has become the norm for the show however the 2015 show next January will see the most changes in the show in its 31-year history.
Todd and Rhonda Fisher purchased the rights to the show last July from Larry Miller. The first year they vowed to not drastically change things but to only add items to increase the interest in the show that has seen a steady decline in attendance and enthusiasm over the past five years. Their first year was to learn the behind-the-scenes issues and problems that needed to be fixed. “I was concerned about the limitations of the building and the relationship with the York Expo Center staff,” stated show producer Todd Fisher. “At SSP, I can make changes to anything I want, however, the Memorial Hall is their sandbox and I didn’t want to overstep any boundaries.” Fisher continued, “The staff of the York Expo Center was tremendous and extremely helpful. They made things very easy and I can’t wait to work with them again next year.”
Nicole Berkebile, the Jack Giambalvo Family of Dealerships Public Relations Manager repeated those statements, “We were happy to be part of another successful Dirt Trackin’ Show and look forward to seeing it grow over the next year.” A 31-year sponsor of the show, their display of new vehicles included a Mazda 6, Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger, Dodge RAM, a lifted Jeep Wrangler and a lifted GMC Sierra Truck. The Jack Giambalvo Family of Dealerships features Buick, GMC, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Hyundai and Mazda.
Although the car display count of vehicles was down for various reasons, the quality of cars was spectacular. Approximately twenty-five pre-registered vehicles failed to make its way to the show. The “Best Appearing Car of the Show” was awarded to the Late Model of Alan Sagi who also won “Best Late Model” award. A close runner-up to best appearing was Matt Campbell’s 358 Sprint Car that won the “Best Open Wheel (Full Size) Car” award. Cory Lawler’s Micro Sprint claimed the “Best Open Wheel (Small) Car” accolades. The baby blue Road Warrior driven by Curt McDade claimed the “Best Stock Car” honors. Other winners included Ashley Rumsey (Quarter Midget); Randy Doty (Classic Car/All American Outlaw); Bobby Weaver #20 Sprint Car (Vintage Car/Open Wheel); John Marks (Vintage Car/ Stock Car); Harlon Leppo (Legends Car); and Ryan George (Karts).
Following the awards presentation on Friday night, one major change coming to the show for 2015 will be replacing the “Best Appearing Car of the Show” award with the “Most Popular Car of the Show” award. Att endees of the show will vote for their favorite car of the show and the winner will receive $1,000.00; second place will get $500.00 and third place will be awarded $250.00 for their efforts. All cars must be pre-entered for the show as space will be limited with the additional activities and displays planned for 2015. Details and rules will be released in the near future.
On Friday night, the 12th annual Ms. Dirt Trackin’ contest presented by Zeigler’s Service Center (Spring Grove) was held with 13 contestants vying for the $500.00 first prize. After 8 years of competing in the competition, Biglerville’s Trish Heller was crowned Ms. Dirt Trackin’. Heller explained how determination paid off and what the show means to her, “I am so excited to be Ms. Dirt Trackin’ 2014. My father has taken me to this show since it first opened its doors 31 years ago. Those hours and many Saturday nights at Lincoln Speedway meant alone time together that we couldn’t always have as life gets in the way. Having been unsuccessful many times in the past in the Ms. Dirt Trackin’ contest, I wasn’t sure if I was going to run again, but because of those times with my dad at The Central PA Dirt Trackin’ show, this title meant too much to me to quit on it. It’s for those reasons and my love of the sport that I couldn’t be happier to put my efforts toward promoting this pastime that I love. I will do anything in my power to help the producers of the Dirt Trackin’ Show in order to return it to it’s wonderful past by encouraging more drivers, speedways and sponsors to attend to help promote this heart thumping, exhilarating, and electrifying sport. I am also willing to help owners and promoters of the various speedways to bring new audiences and fans to the tracks.” Victoria Trimmer of Spring Grove was the Ms. Dirt Trackin’ runnerup. Any promoters or owners can contact Trish Heller for any appearances or promotional events through Ms. Dirt Trackin’ on Facebook or at msdirttrackin2014@gmail.com.
Jaynee Zeigler, Pageant coordinator, produced the most professional and efficient contest in the 12 year history of Ms. Dirt Trackin’. Along with her tasks of the Ms. Dirt Trackin’ Contest, Zeigler developed the new Jr. Miss Dirt Trackin’ contest held on Sunday afternoon. Ten girls between the ages of 6 and 12 years of age entered the contest. Tessa Darrah of Red Lion won the Jr. Miss Dirt Trackin’ Contest with her bubbly personality. Tessa’s uncle is World of Outlaws Sprint Car driver Cody Darrah who drives for NASCAR’s Kasey Kahne. Runner ups in the Jr. Miss Dirt Trackin’ contest was Jesse Palm and Bailey Kress who ended in a tie.
The Insinger Performance Seminar Series presented by Sunoco included many informational seminars for everyone. The variety of topics included setups, sponsorships, charities, series information and more. National Racesaver Director French Grimes was on hand providing invaluable information about engines and his Sprint Car series. Scott Still from the American Motorsports Marketing Group shared ways for drivers and owners to find funding for the racing efforts. Jim Bernheisel of Bernheisel Racecars provided participants with invaluable information for all car set-ups. Brenda Wolfe of Northeast Safety Equipment provided information about the latest trends and equipment to drivers about their safety while competing. Mike Miller, product manager for Sunoco Racing Fuels was also on hand to discuss how oxygenated fuels affect engines. Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic Tire Specialists Coty Mallicoat and Terry Wilcher provided information about tires to seminar attendees. Rohan Beasley (Sidewinder Sprints) and Chad Earnst (Legends Cars) concluded the seminar series on Sunday by discussing the ways people can have fun at the speedways and getting from a grandstand seat to the driver’s seat of a racecar.
One of the highlights of the show was the speedway in the middle of the East Hall that featured Slider racing for both kids and adults. Local drivers competing against their small counterparts until their leg power ran out. Daryl Winkler from the All American Outlaw Series organized charity races on the Sliders and raised $231.40 for each of their two charities - the St. Judes Children Research Hospital and the Wounded Warrior Project. Plans are already in place to provide a full scale track for the Slider Bikes on the Slider RAACE Speedway complete with wooden guardrails, bleachers a nd more at the 2015 edition of the Central PA Dirt Trackin’ Show.
Another popular addition to the show was the “Storyteller’s Show” that featured local legends Lynn Paxton and Gary Wolford bantering back and forth about racing memories on the local tracks hosted by John Krall. Paxton, the President of the Eastern Museum of Moto Racing and notable Sprint Car driver discuss the best kept secret in Central PA. Wolford is the organizer of the popular Fish Fry held at the Latimore Valley Speedway Fairgrounds each May.
“The frustrating part of this show is that we have to wait a whole year to implement some new ideas. The show ended with a sense of enthusiasm of all participants and we received lots of encouragement and gratitude for taking on the challenge,” said Fisher. “Like Trish Heller’s determination to keep entering the Ms. Dirt Trackin’ contest after frustration, she is the perfect person to represent the enthusiasm and determination that future shows will be better than ever with many people coming together to represent the sport they love.”
The doors of the 32nd Annual Central PA Dirt Trackin’ Show will swing open to many race fans, drivers and supporters of local short track racing in the Central Pennsylvania area on the last weekend of January in 2015.
For anyone wishing to contact the Fishers concerning the show, they may call 717-292-1696 or email sspracing@hotmail.com.
Dirt Trackin’ Show News & Notes
- J.E.T. Response of Dillsburg had their ambulance on display giving all fans and inside look of the medical transporter found at local speedways every weekend.
- On Saturday, the Central PA Bloodmobile was on hand accepting blood donations. Everyone who attempted to donate received 2 complimentary general admission tickets to races at the Susquehanna Speedway Park for the 2014 season and a t-shirt. The pair of SSP general admission tickets are valued at $30.00. For more information, contact the Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank at 800-771-0059 or www.cpbb.org.
- Kart and Sports Cars driver Larry Mellott, author of the racing novel, Speedway Summer, signed copies of the book he penned about the racing experiences of Brock Lockeman as he enters the world of motorsports in karting. Mellott also wrote Project Orion. Mellott will have his SCCA racer, a 1985 Lynx Formula Vee sports car, on display as well.
- The Classic Racing Series assembled a complete race car over the three days of the show and started it up at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. The Classic Racing Series race car started as “a bare bones” powdered coated skeleton perched on four jack stands. The chassis took form with all brand new parts along with a brand new freshly coated five-(5) window coupe body. The crew worked throughout the weekend assembling the race car right before the eyes of onlookers. Series’ drivers and crewmembers were also on hand to answer any questions about the Classic Racing Series. The new machine came to life on Sunday afternoon when the proud new owner, Neal Reamer, flipped the switch and fired up his brand new 602 crate motor.
- All weekend, Lynn Schaffer, producer of the popular “Thunder in the PA Mountains” seasonal video, showed videos from the past on his “Big Screen” in the west hall of the Dirt Trackin’ Show. The highlight of the Video Theater was be the first-ever public screening of Lynn Schaffer’s “Silver Spring Speedway – the Little Track that Roared,” on Saturday afternoon. The showing received raving reviews. Also shown was the 2013 Williams Grove Speedway National Open features, Lincoln Speedway WOO feature races from the past two years, SSP’s 2013 Final Showdown features and Stock Car Highlights from Central PA.
- Barry Skelly, of Barry Skelly’s Collector Toys had many racing related toys from his vast collection on display all three days of the event as well. This display rekindled the memories of those who played with these toys that sparked their lifelong interest of auto racing.
- Brian Kuhn, chaplain for Racer’s For Christ, led a non-denominational worship service on Sunday morning for the racing community.
Ms. Dirt Trackin’ Contest Winners
2003: Cara Foss (Cherry Hill, NJ)
2004: Lynne Bruyn (Tower City, PA)
2005: Ashleigh Mull (York, PA)
2006: Beth Christine (Manchester, PA)
2007: Alyssa Sharman (Sinking Spring, PA)
2008: Lindsay Krug (Hanover, PA)
2009: Loralyn Brinster (Sussex, NJ)
2010: Arynne Moody (Dover, PA)
2011: Jaynee Zeigler (Thomasville, PA)
2012: Kimmie Trout (Reading, PA)
2013: Brittany Coleman (Mt. Airy, PA)
2014: Trish Heller (Biglerville, PA)
2015: To be determined in January, 2015
Jr. Miss Dirt Trackin’ Contest Winners
2014: Trish Heller (Biglerville, PA)
2015: To be determined in January, 2015
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