Dirt from the Stands by Greg Cybulski
FIRST NEWS FROM THE CANADIAN PRAIRIES IN 2008
Well race fans, the 2008 racing season is getting closer and with it will be a different look. Some new, some old and some missing but definitely always interesting.
In the new department, Red River Co-op Speedway, Winnipeg has a new track manager/promoter. Derek Pollock takes over the driver's seat with a sense of energy and excitement that should make for a great season of racing in Winnipeg. Prairie Dirt wishes Derek all the best in his new role.
Winnipeg race fans will see their share of special races again in 2008. The annual Mid-Canada Sprint Car Challenge takes place on Thursday, July 10. Last year's event drew 21 Sprint Cars, the highest count in the event's short history. Late Models will be in the spotlight again as Winnipeg hosts 4 race nights, including a two night event featuring the Rumble Series Late Models on June 18 and 19. This series will be worth checking out.
To the west, exciting rumors are still swirling about possible big Sprint Car and Late Model shows in the Estevan/Williston/Minot region. More to follow...
Winnipeg's Sprint Car scene just got a little lighter as two of our racers have packed up their tents and moved on. Dave Sobczak has retired from the open wheel ranks following a stellar 2007 season which included his first feature win aboard his 17 sprinter. His win came the the Devil's Run Sprint Car Classic on June 2nd at Devil's Lake Speedway, ND. Prairie Dirt wishes Dave well in his future plans.
After 7 years of racing, Richard Rogers has called it a career following an unfortunate turn of events early in the 2007 racing season. On a personal note, Richie was my hero for many reasons. Of all the racers in our region, it was a low budget race team from Winnipeg who lived the dream that most people romanticize about when they think of old school racing travels. Unlike some "home-based" teams, he left his comfort zone and dared to travel and experience new places (tracks) that he had never tried before and raced against people he had never previously met. In 2005, when a proposal was presented for teams in the Upper Midwest to travel to Castrol Raceway in Edmonton for the Gold Cup weekend, it was Richard Rogers who answered the call. He and his team traveled an incredible distance, racing in Winnipeg on a Thursday to Edmonton on Friday to race that night. He made the tow in 2005 and 2006. In 2007, when the call was made to participate with the Alberta Sprint Tour in the inaugural "Prairie Dirt Classic" in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Richie answered instantly, without hesitation. My only regret is that the RX sprinter never got there to see it. Richard has always been a big supporter of Prairie Dirt and what I was trying to achieve. You will be missed my friend. Thank you just never seems enough.
Until next time...
Take care and good racing,
Greg Cybulski
