02/26/2002

TRAIN RACE TAKING TO RIVERHEAD RACEWAY FIGURE EIGHT COURSE

    The already unique Train Race that Riverhead Raceway promoters Barbara and Jim Cromarty introduced during the 2001 race season will have a new wrinkle for the 2002 campaign as it was announced the 10 lap event will now be staged on the track's Figure Eight course. The Cromarty's also disclosed that the race will now pay the winning team $500 to win.

    The first of eight scheduled Train Races will unfold on Sunday afternoon April 28th as part of the 2002 opening day events for the Enduro series at the quarter mile facility. Each team in a Train Race fields a "three car train", with the lead car having an operating engine but no brakes for the driver to use. The middle car has no driver, no brakes or power while the "caboose" car, the third car of the train, has brakes and that driver must stop the entire string of cars. The "caboose" machine also has no power.

    After their April 28th debut the Train race will then run a string of Saturday night races on May 18th, June 15th, July 13th & 27th, August 10th before returning for a Sunday engagement on Labor Day weekend September 1st. The final Train Race will hit the track on Saturday evening September 28th.

    In addition to announcing the switch to the Figure Eight course and the increase in the winners share of the purse Barbara and Jim Cromarty also indicated that runner-up money will now be worth $400, while third through fifth will now pay $300. $200 and $100. All finishers from 6th back will also pocket $100.

    As was the case in 2001, the team that wins the most Train Races in 2002 will again share a $600 season ending bonus as well as championship trophies to be awarded at the Riverhead Raceway awards banquet. Mike Mujsce of Hampton Bays and Bob Haeger of Westhampton Beach won the 2001 title and are hands on favorites to repeat in 2002 mainly due to Mujsce's vast experience in the track's regular Figure Eight division.

    If you thought the 2001 version of the Train Race was wild and unpredictable, just wait until you see these daredevils take to the Figure Eight course in 2002 starting with Sunday afternoon April 28th!

Sources:  Riverhead Raceway PR/Bob Finan
Posted:  February 26, 2002