Auto racing is returning to Rhode Island. The Dunkin’ Donuts
Center in Providence will host a two-day indoor racing event on
Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7.
The small, but powerful Three-Quarter Midget Cars will
headline the program with top- named drivers from several
Northeast state s planning to compete. Speeds reaching 70 mph
are expected to produce thrills and spills for the fans.
Exciting Senior Champ Kart racing will be on the under card.
Rhode Island is credited with holding the first ever oval
track race in United States history, in 1896.
But it has not had professional auto racing excitement within
its boundaries for many years.
“We look forward to bringing live auto racing back to Rhode
Island,” said event co-promoter Len Sammons. “The Northeast is
noted for great racing, and we proud to bring this event to
Providence to add to the heritage and future of the sport in the
state.”
Details about the program will be released in the forthcoming
days. However, Sammons indicated that each night will include
complete shows (qualifying and main events) for both classes.
The race is expected to draw top drivers from many different
racing divisions, including NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion
Ted Christopher of Plainville, Conn.
Sammons has organized previous indoor events in Philadelphia,
Pa., and Atlantic City, N.J. In fact, the seventh annual
Gambler’s Classic at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall was held
this past Saturday in front of a near-capacity crowd.
Indoor racing has a history in Providence. The last race was
held on April 18, 1959, when Jerry Wall of Wallenburg, N.J., won
at the Rhode Island Auditorium. Wall's victory in the American
Three Quarter Midget Racing Association feature was, according
to region motorsports historian R.A. Silvia, the Ocean State’s
last sanctioned racing event.
The first recorded indoor race at Rhode Island Auditorium was
held on January 22, 1937. Two events were held that year, along
with one in 1951, two in 1952 and three in 1959. The 1937 and
1959 races were on plywood planks that covered the ice hockey
rink.
The 2009 edition will be held on the concrete floor area
around the existing ice hockey rink. A similar surface is used
at the Atlantic City event, producing exciting racing each year.
The Dunkin’ Donuts Center recently ended a three-year phased
renovation in September 2008.
The premier event arena is home to the AHL Providence Bruins
and Big East PC Friars. It is host to various sporting events,
major concerts, family shows and first- class entertainment. For
the races the fans will view all of the non- stop action right
below them in the arena.
Tickets go on sale Saturday, January 24th at 10 a.m. at the
Dunkin’ Donuts Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by
calling 1-800-745-3000 or by logging on to www.ticketmaster.com
. Tickets subject to applicable service charges.
Show information will be available at aarn.com or by calling
Len Sammons Productions at 609-888-3618.
Source: Len Sammons
Productions PR
Posted:
January 15, 2009
