| World Figure Eight Tour Set To Decide Bragging Rights | World Figure 8® Racing Tour
As the week begins in sunny central Florida, northern teams and World Figure 8® Racing Tour staff are getting their southern home base setup.
The invasion of crossover competitors is convening at the Auburndale Speedway in Winter Haven from Thursday the 12th to Sunday the 15th for the civil war battle against the hometown drivers in this Florida Figure 8 Championship. That headlining division will be joined on the roster by local stars in five amazing oval classes.
The home state talent is looking to defend the asphalt against a fleet of incoming Indiana pilots on a racing vacation. Car owner Sonny Taylor returns to the sport with a two-car effort as son Tim and veteran Gary Bedell step back behind the wheel. Billy Skiles leads his mega squad with drivers Eddie VanMeter, Casey “the Big Cat” White, and rookie RJ Norton III in a quest for success. Also joining the action is RJ Norton Jr who looks to compete against his son for only the fourth time on the same track. Kentucky’s Tony Anderson will put his victory resume up against the stars from Florida. Fans do not miss this incredible series.
As the days dwindle nearing the kick-off to the Florida Figure 8 Championship to be held at the Auburndale Speedway February 12th to the 15th, we note the uniqueness of these competitors. These high-powered cars are very far from the “jalopies” that filled tracks in decades of the past. The hand-built, Late Model style machines constructed in race shops across the country put on the best show in town at speeds around 80MPH in the dreaded crossover. It takes a driver with a balanced list of skills in his or her inventory to drive them.
LINKS TO INTERVIEWS ON REAL RACIN USA
Eddie VanMeter
Rockin" Rodney Davis
Casey "Big Cat "White
Wayne Calkins
John Lavalle "world's most hated driver"
RJ Norton III
Cliff Rousseau
Tony Anderson
The King Kenny St. John - Speedrome Announcer
These thrill seekers have the preciseness of the best oval short track competitor. They seek to carry the most speed through the corners aiming for the fastest lap. Figure 8 drivers also incorporate the rhythm of a Road Course racer as they turn both right and left during each orbit of the track. And last but not certainly least is the crossover. Twice on every single lap the precision pilots have to avoid getting caught broadside from the oncoming traffic. This is really the art of the very entertaining sport.
On this upcoming four-race weekend, each competitor will have to brave the intersection 400 times in the series. Friday and Sunday nights have a 50-lap feature on the docket while Saturday’s main event sees the talented field going 100-laps under the beautiful Florida sky. Fans will witness the blend of the state’s best against invaders from the north. Mixing of unfamiliar drivers is a thing of test and calculation as the factor of never having raced with each other makes for some nervous trips through the Figure 8. Come on out this week to see this “ballet” for yourself.
The series staff is anxiously anticipating this four-event festival of speed. They will be working in unison with all the drivers, mechanics, and team owners to put on the best possible show for the fans. “It is always about pleasing the fans and giving them a reason to be on their feet the whole night long”, said five-time Florida track champion Rodney Davis. The spectators are going to be witness to some of the best Figure 8 racing in the nation.
Practice sessions begin each day 5:30pm
Qualification start at 6:45pm
Racing kicks-off at 7:30pm sharp
The Florida Figure 8 Championship is sanctioned by the World Figure 8® Racing Tour. It has dates set for February 12th to the 15th, 2009 at the Auburndale Speedway. These events evolved from the legendary World Figure 8® Championship held each year at the EDCO Welding Indianapolis Speedrome®. The $20,000 to win, 33rd Annual World Figure 8® Championship is September 10th to 12th, 2009.
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