It is just about time to lay another offseason to rest,
marking the final installment of the Offseason News & Notes
prior to the start of the 2009 racing season. This coming
weekend, engines will roar to life at Riverhead Raceway once
again and LongIslandJam.com will return to regularly weekly
reporting, which will be headed up by Ryan McGrellis. In the
last month, many teams have been busy making their final
preparations for the season that lies ahead.
Sponsors, Sponsors, and More Sponsors
The Turbush clan has had a very busy offseason, securing lots of
new sponsorship for the growing stable of cars to be driven by
family members. Between Chris Turbush’s Charger car and Super
Pro Truck and brother Roger’s Super Pro Truck, the family
recently emailed LongIslandJam.com with profile updates that
required the combined addition of 18 sponsor names. To see the
full roster of companies associated with the three teams,
readers can check out the profile pages.
Also adding a new sponsor to the list are the members of the
Dumicich family. Erin and Frank Jr. have started their own
business, Teddy Bear Graphics. The company makes t-shirts, mugs,
and assorted other printed goods. They were on hand with a booth
at SpeedwayEXPO in Massachusetts. Teddy Bear Graphics can be
reached at 631-653-6246 or
Tdybeargraphics@aol.com.
One Last Crash
Veteran demolition derby competitor Mike “Gravel” Buksa recently
informed LongIslandJam.com that 2009 will mark his final season
of competition. Gravel has competed in demo derby events at
Riverhead and a number of other tracks, and has been a champion
at Orange County Fairgrounds in Middletown. He is hoping to make
all of the 8 cylinder demos at Riverhead in 2009, but will hang
up his helmet following the championship event that caps off the
season.
Part-Time Participant
Legends driver Mike Malone recently disclosed that he will only
be running a limited schedule at Riverhead in the #47 during the
2009 season. The driver missed part of the 2008 season after his
car suffered extensive damage early on, but he was able to score
three top five finishes in the four events he competed in.
Malone hopes for the same type of success in 2009, aiming to
finish in the top five in all events he enters.
Notes About Practice
Riverhead will host its two preseason practices, weather
permitting, on April 18th and April 25th. The pit gates will
open at 9 a.m. for competitors, with practice slated to hit the
raceway at noon. No car will be permitted on the track without
first going through and passing safety tech, so any competitor
who did not take advantage of preseason tech should plan to be
at the track early to allow enough time for inspection without
losing practice time.
It was announced during the week that tires will not be
available on either of the practice days. Competitors needing to
purchase tires should contact TS Haulers at 631-369-1265 to make
arrangements.
Grandstand admission is free on both practice days for fans
that don’t want to wait until Opening Night to catch a glimpse
of the cars in action.
Gambling For Point Fund Support
Leah Maynor recently announced that a second fundraiser had been
scheduled to benefit the Race And Collect Earnings (R.A.C.E.)
driver fund. The fundraiser, which will have a Casino Night
theme, is slated to be held at Lily Flanigan's in Islip from 2
p.m. until 6 p.m. on July 12th. Tickets for the event are $25
each, and include the initial buy-in to play and first drink.
Prizes will be awarded to those who accumulate the most chips,
including a first prize of $500. Tickets must be paid for in
advance. Questions should be directed to
racedriverfund@aim.com.
Far From a Farewell
As was disclosed on the message board last week, I will be
officially resigning as managing editor at LongIslandJam.com
effective April 18th, as I have accepted a position as the
official track PR writer for Bethel Motor Speedway (formerly
White Lake). I will remain with the Jam as an editor-at-large,
submitting occasional articles and assisting behind the scenes
as my schedule allows. I will be at Riverhead for Sunday races,
hopefully behind the wheel of the #83 enduro truck. I can always
be reached via email at
tchirico@longislandjam.com, or at
tracy.chirico@bethelmotorspeedway.com. I want to thank
everyone for the learning experience, the lessons, and the
memories, and I look forward to many more. Good luck to everyone
in 2009!
Source: Tracy
Chirico/LongIslandJam.com
Posted:
April 16, 2009
