Thursday, September 18, 2003 Orlando SpeedWorld "Experiment" Goes Full Time in 2004 - SpeedWorld 2004 Winternationals Set for February by Dave Westerman Two major announcements have been made concerning the 2004 racing season at Orlando Speedworld. Along with the regular Friday night program, Speedworld will begin a weekly Saturday night program starting the first weekend of March, 2004. Supported by INEX/600 Racing based out of Charlotte, NC, the Saturday night shows will revolve around the Legends and Bandelero cars which will be in action every Saturday night. The remainder of each Saturday program will be filled by other Florid based "traveling" series. The Classic Auto Racing Series has already indicated it will run a number of the shows in 2004 as well as the Florida Mini Cup Racing Association. The Modified Lites (formerly Dwarf Cars) and Pro Challenge machines are also expected to be a mainstay of the Saturday evening programs. A number of other groups are being contacted including TQ Midgets, Outlaw Modifieds, Mini Sprints and others. Orlando Speedworld General Manager Dick Westfall says this is a concept whose time has come. "We've been trying to build something here and, despite some curve balls the weather has tossed at us, we've been overwhelmingly successful and that's why I think this thing will fly as a regular show next year," says Westfall. "I've traveled a lot over recent years and it seems these groups like the Legends, Classics, Mini Cups, and Mod Lites always put on a great show wherever they race," says Westfall. "Unfortunately, for the most part, they're treated like second-class citizens most places they race and don't really receive the promotion they deserve because the track is more interested in promoting their local classes and drivers, and you really can't blame them for that," he says. "But at Speedworld in 2004, the traveling groups will get the recognition they deserve and this is going to be one heck of a show every Saturday night," says Westfall. Westfall also believes the Saturday night programs will be a boost to the Bandelero class. Speedworld is the only track in the State of Florida with regular weekly racing for the cars geared toward kids, however, the biggest problem facing the class has been running on Friday nights. "I've talked to parents all over the State from Jacksonville to Tampa to Miami who are interested in getting a Bandelero for their youngster, but it makes it very difficult to get off work, get the kids out of school, and make it to the track on a Friday night," says Westfall. "But Saturday is a different story. A number of new cars are being sold thanks to the fact we're running on Saturday and giving the families time to get here and really enjoy the experience," he says. Westfall feels that the Bandelero class will more than double in size by mid-2004. Drivers in other classes echoed Westfall concerning Saturday night racing. Long-time Classic Auto Racing Series competitor George Hall, Jr., who, along with his son George III have been making the trek from St. Petersburg to race the CARS machines since 1997, loves the idea of running on Saturday. "Fridays are just a huge hassle for us," says Hall. "The traffic is a nightmare and you basically have to take a half-day off work just to make it to the track on time. Saturday is much more laid-back and traffic's not problem which makes for a great family outing," he says. Track GM Westfall also says it's apparent to him fans already like what they see. "Saturday we only had about a hundred people in the grandstands which was actually better than I thought we'd do with the show being a make-up from the previous week's rain out. But on Monday alone I fielded five phone calls before noon telling me how much they enjoyed the show and asking me when the next show was going to be. I haven't had that kind of response for the Friday programs all year," says Westfall. The new "Hurricane" class will also run every Saturday at Speedworld. This bone-stock class of four-cylinder cars will give virtually anyone a "taste" of stock car racing without hurting their pocketbook. Westfall says the rules are very simple. "A stock four cylinder car exactly the way it came from the factory including wheels and tires. All glass with the exception of the windshield must be removed. Headlights and tail lights must be removed. Rear seat removed for fire safety. Driver must have an approved helmet and must wear at least a long sleeve shirt, pants and no open shoes. A full shoulder belt and an approved window net are required. Then all that's left is to show up and race," he says. In addition to the Saturday programs being added for 2004, Orlando Speedworld has announced the 2004 Winternationals to be held the week of February 9-14. After a media/practice/BBQ day on Monday, February 9th, there will be five consecutive nights of racing Tuesday, February 10th through Saturday, February 14th. The Legends Cars, Classic Auto Racing Series, and Bandeleros are already scheduled to be in action all five nights with the Baby Grand cars scheduled to race the final three nights. Other classes are expected to be added shortly. For more information call Dick Westfall at Orlando Speedworld at(407) 568-1367. Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! <news@karnac.org>or send a letter to the editor!