|
8/15/2008
The weather has been dynamite so far this month so
we are hopefully Mother Nature smiles upon us one week
from today for the 24th annual Dairyland Classic Presented
by Revolution Performance. Event-wise we are poised
to have the best event yet. We've never run our event
this late in the season, but I have to think the weekly
workout the track has gotten at the hands of the Plymouth
Dirt Track Racing Series (www.plymouthdtr.com) will
give us an even better racetrack than we are used to.
I know Dale & Kathy Baumann and the entire Sheboygan
County Fair group will outdo themselves once again,
as I would like to see one of our professional riders
break through the 15-second barrier during qualifying
(80mph lap average).
Our professional line-up was looking like a National
Championship event when the rains came in June. Now,
at the end of August, it looks like it's going to be
even better. For those of you not following the AMA
(American Motorcyclist Association) Grand National Championship
(the premier professional flat track motorcycle racing
series in the world), currently Kenny Coolbeth of Warren,
Connecticut (the 2-time, defending champ) is leading
the series with 7 races to go. Filling out the top ten
are Joe Kopp of Mica, Washington, Bryan Smith of Flushing,
Michigan, Jake Johnson of Franklinville, New Jersey,
JR Schnabel of Campbellsport, Wisconsin, Chris Carr
of Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, Sam Halbert of Graham, Washington,
Henry Wiles of Blanchard, Michigan, Jared Mees of Clio,
Michigan, and Shaun Russell of San Jose, California.
If my sources are correct, all except maybe Wiles will
be heading to Plymouth next Friday. This is a sincere
indication of the riders' appreciation for our event,
our facility, our town, our sponsors, and most importantly
our FANS who make them feel so welcome when they venture
up in the Dairy state.
I tend to go on about our Pro riders, but considering
our humble beginnings 24 years ago, this has been a
long time coming, and I couldn't be happier. Hopefully
the race fans in Sheboygan County turn out in droves
to help me show the riders our appreciation!
Our race line-up is not limited to the pro riders; our
Vintage division is likely to be the fullest one yet,
with bikes of all shapes and sizes competing head-to-head.
Harleys, Triumphs, Yamahas, maybe an old BSA or two.
We won't know for 7 more days, but it sounds like it
will be great.
Our 85cc Youth and 250cc Amateur divisions will be exciting
to watch as well. Always good to see youngsters progress
up through the ranks. Speaking of which, Sam Halbert
(currently ranked 7th in the Grand National Championship)
won our 250 Amateur division in 2004 and finished 3rd
in the Pro Division in 2005. Also, Matt Weidman (currently
ranked 11th in the Grand National Championship) won
our 85cc Division in 2003.
The Jim Sumner Memorial Dash For Cash is always an emotional
moment for our family, but we know Jim is smiling down
when he sees the inverted start back in use again. Last
year Jared Mees charged past five riders in six laps
to claim the win; it will be interesting to see who
steps up this year.
Discounted advance tickets are still available - for
one more week! - at Route43 Harley in Sheboygan, Hobans
Cycle in Newton, West Bend Harley in West Bend, Hartford
Harley Shop in Hartford, and Suburban Motors Harley
in Thiensville.
Our event web site (www.dairylandclassic.com) has been
completely reconfigured with more information in a more
user-friendly format (I hope). I even have a pre-entry
list of all the professional riders we expect to see
(I have to add a few more tonight).
Remember Friday night, August 22 - Grandstands open
at 5pm, an autograph session with the Pros at 6:30,
racing from 7:30 until 10-10:30pm. We provide a fast-paced,
fan-friendly racing event that is entertaining for the
entire family. All grandstand seats available for $10
and less, with kids just $3!
As always, my family and I appreciate your patronage.
The Dairyland Classic, Wisconsin's premier flat track
motorcycle racing event celebrating its 24th anniversary,
is presented by Revolution Performance and brought to
you by Hobans Cycle. Additional sponsorship is provided
by the Wisconsin Harley-Davidson Dealers Association,
Suburban Motors Harley-Davidson, West Bend Harley-Davidson,
Budweiser, Harley-Davidson Motorcycles of Appleton,
House of Harley-Davidson, Route43 Harley-Davidson, Hal's
Harley-Davidson, Janssen Racing, Pro Motorsports, Mueller
Sales & Service, Voodoo Motorsports, Quick Throttle
Magazine, Mid-Cities Motorsports, and Urban Motorsports.
Bert Sumner
Promoter
Dairyland Classic
www.dairylandclassic.com
262-339-7430
|
