L8models
11-10-2005, 03:38 PM
Saluda, VA – Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway held a successful one-day test for the AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship Grand National Series in preparation for the July 15, 2006 running of the 1st Annual Joe Weatherly Memorial.
When July 15, 2006 rolls around it will be the first time in 36 years that the AMA Flat Track National touring series has visited the State of Virginia.
“We are extremely excited to be working with Bill and Clarke Sawyer to hold an AMA Flat Track Grand National event at Virginia Motor Speedway after an absence of 36 years in the State of Virginia,” commented AMA Flat Track Series Manager Bruce Bober.
“What a beautiful facility and as far as the racing surface with the good clay that is here and the banking that is in the track the fans will definitely see multi-line racing. The test went extremely well for us, after one lap on the track I could see a huge smile on the face of my test rider Steve Moorehead,” added Bober.
Eight riders took part in the one-day test session including Warren, CT’s Kenny Coolbeth. Coolbeth finished second in the 2005 Grand National Series point chase behind seven time Champion Chris Carr.
“Chris Carr is one of those guys that’s always on top of his game each and every race, I want that number one plate off his bike and that’s what I’ve been trying to do and I’m not giving up definitely,” commented Coolbeth.
Three local riders took part in the test session as Mike Hacker and Tim Eades of Colonial Heights, VA and John Nickens Jr. of Richmond all turned laps on the ½ mile speed plant.
It is the first time to Virginia Motor Speedway for all eight of the riders and everyone seemed to like the surface and the facility.
“This place is pretty nice and one of the best facilities we have been to in some time and I’m looking forward to racing here,” stated Coolbeth.
“I love this place, this is the type of facility that we need to advance our sport, we need to go to facilities that look nice with good track surfaces, I love this place and I’m excited to come here,” stated Mike Hacker when asked about the facility.
“This place is awesome and the tracks pretty sweet it,” added Tim Eades.
Hacker comes off a disappointing season where he injured his shoulder allowing him to only compete in two national events in 2005. After a long rehab Hacker is looking forward to getting back on the track and the opportunity to race close to home as well.
“I’m really excited about racing close to home, it is going to be neat for my friends and family that can’t travel to be able to come see what I do for a living and it would be nice to win at a track near my hometown so that is going to be my goal,” commented Hacker.
Each rider echoed the same feelings when asked what fans should expect when they come out for the Joe Weatherly Memorial on July 15, 2006 as Hacker summed it up best.
“The fans should expect to see a really good race and see what AMA Flat Track dirt racing is all about, I’m sure that they will leave here thinking wow, I should have been watching this stuff my whole life.”
Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway is a 1/2-mile, dirt oval. The track is located on U.S. Route 17, eight miles north of Saluda, VA and 25 miles south of Tappahannock, VA. The speedway is just a short drive from Richmond, Fredericksburg, Southern Maryland and the Hampton Roads area.
To learn more about Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway and its 2006 schedule of events, fans may call the Speedway office at (804) 758-1VMS or visit the track’s web site at www.vamotorspeedway.com.
MEDIA CONTACT: DAVE SEAY (804) 758-1867 OR (804) 357-7223
http://localracechat.smugmug.com/photos/43955442-S.jpg
Mike Hacker of Colonial Heights, VA was in attendance for the one-day test at Bill Sawyer's Virginia Motor Speedway.
http://localracechat.smugmug.com/photos/43955439-S.jpg
Jake Johnson of Deptford, NJ slides his TL1000 Suzuki through the corners of Bill Sawyer's Virginia Motor Speedway during the one-day test session for the Joe Weatherly Memorial on July 15, 2006.
http://localracechat.smugmug.com/photos/43955440-S.jpg
John Nickens Jr. of Richmond, VA took a few laps around the high mile oval before mechanical problems ended his test early at Bill Sawyer's Virginia Motor Speedway.
http://localracechat.smugmug.com/photos/43955438-S.jpg
Kenny Coolbeth (#31) of Warren, CT and Mike Hacker of Colonial Heights, VA(#67) have a little spirited battle going during the AMA Flat Track test session at Bill Sawyer's Virginia Motor Speedway.
When July 15, 2006 rolls around it will be the first time in 36 years that the AMA Flat Track National touring series has visited the State of Virginia.
“We are extremely excited to be working with Bill and Clarke Sawyer to hold an AMA Flat Track Grand National event at Virginia Motor Speedway after an absence of 36 years in the State of Virginia,” commented AMA Flat Track Series Manager Bruce Bober.
“What a beautiful facility and as far as the racing surface with the good clay that is here and the banking that is in the track the fans will definitely see multi-line racing. The test went extremely well for us, after one lap on the track I could see a huge smile on the face of my test rider Steve Moorehead,” added Bober.
Eight riders took part in the one-day test session including Warren, CT’s Kenny Coolbeth. Coolbeth finished second in the 2005 Grand National Series point chase behind seven time Champion Chris Carr.
“Chris Carr is one of those guys that’s always on top of his game each and every race, I want that number one plate off his bike and that’s what I’ve been trying to do and I’m not giving up definitely,” commented Coolbeth.
Three local riders took part in the test session as Mike Hacker and Tim Eades of Colonial Heights, VA and John Nickens Jr. of Richmond all turned laps on the ½ mile speed plant.
It is the first time to Virginia Motor Speedway for all eight of the riders and everyone seemed to like the surface and the facility.
“This place is pretty nice and one of the best facilities we have been to in some time and I’m looking forward to racing here,” stated Coolbeth.
“I love this place, this is the type of facility that we need to advance our sport, we need to go to facilities that look nice with good track surfaces, I love this place and I’m excited to come here,” stated Mike Hacker when asked about the facility.
“This place is awesome and the tracks pretty sweet it,” added Tim Eades.
Hacker comes off a disappointing season where he injured his shoulder allowing him to only compete in two national events in 2005. After a long rehab Hacker is looking forward to getting back on the track and the opportunity to race close to home as well.
“I’m really excited about racing close to home, it is going to be neat for my friends and family that can’t travel to be able to come see what I do for a living and it would be nice to win at a track near my hometown so that is going to be my goal,” commented Hacker.
Each rider echoed the same feelings when asked what fans should expect when they come out for the Joe Weatherly Memorial on July 15, 2006 as Hacker summed it up best.
“The fans should expect to see a really good race and see what AMA Flat Track dirt racing is all about, I’m sure that they will leave here thinking wow, I should have been watching this stuff my whole life.”
Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway is a 1/2-mile, dirt oval. The track is located on U.S. Route 17, eight miles north of Saluda, VA and 25 miles south of Tappahannock, VA. The speedway is just a short drive from Richmond, Fredericksburg, Southern Maryland and the Hampton Roads area.
To learn more about Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway and its 2006 schedule of events, fans may call the Speedway office at (804) 758-1VMS or visit the track’s web site at www.vamotorspeedway.com.
MEDIA CONTACT: DAVE SEAY (804) 758-1867 OR (804) 357-7223
http://localracechat.smugmug.com/photos/43955442-S.jpg
Mike Hacker of Colonial Heights, VA was in attendance for the one-day test at Bill Sawyer's Virginia Motor Speedway.
http://localracechat.smugmug.com/photos/43955439-S.jpg
Jake Johnson of Deptford, NJ slides his TL1000 Suzuki through the corners of Bill Sawyer's Virginia Motor Speedway during the one-day test session for the Joe Weatherly Memorial on July 15, 2006.
http://localracechat.smugmug.com/photos/43955440-S.jpg
John Nickens Jr. of Richmond, VA took a few laps around the high mile oval before mechanical problems ended his test early at Bill Sawyer's Virginia Motor Speedway.
http://localracechat.smugmug.com/photos/43955438-S.jpg
Kenny Coolbeth (#31) of Warren, CT and Mike Hacker of Colonial Heights, VA(#67) have a little spirited battle going during the AMA Flat Track test session at Bill Sawyer's Virginia Motor Speedway.