FROM THE DESK OF THE GENERAL MANAGER
THIS IS ANOTHER RIVERSIDE RUMBLINGS
Welcome to another edition of Riverside Rumblings with General Manager, Dick Therrien. Another great racing season has come and gone. It was a solid season with a lot of positives included, and a few bumps along the way. We had great car counts this season in most divisions as we generally had 85-105 cars a week in the pits. This is some different than four years ago before myself and my team came on board. At that point it averaged around 50 cars per week. It looks to be even stronger in 2009 by all early indications.
GIANT CLASSIFIEDS ALERT!!!!!
I want to alert everybody about a scam that was attempted on one of our racers that had a classified ad on www.riversidespeedway.org. Tim and Kim Russell had their Cyclone racecar for sale on our website. They received an e-mail from a lady out west that wanted to purchase the car. Time went by and they received a bank cashier check for $4,000. The price of their car was just $1,500. They were advised to wire the rest of the money to a person that was suppose to come and pick up the car and transport it. This didn’t make a lot of sense so they took the check to the bank to check on authenticity before attempting to cash. The bank notified them that the check was a fake. Thank God they were smart enough to do that because if they had cashed it they would have been responsible for the money. Please make sure that you are positive of identity and sale before you cash check or finalize your deals!!!
SEASONS PASS SALES RETURN TO RIVERSIDE SPEEDWAY
Season passes will now once again be on sale for the 2009 racing season at Riverside Speedway. The track hadn’t sold season passes since 2004. Season passes will be good for every race at Riverside Speedway except for P.A.S.S. events. The cost will be $150.00 for Adults, $130.00 for Jr.(10-14 years of age) & Sr. (62 & over). Season pit passes will be on sale as well for the first time. All drivers must also have a pit license in 2009. These passes will be $325.00 and are good for all events except P.A.S.S. events. Passes can be ordered by mail, Riverside Speedway, P.O. Box 187, Lyndon, VT 05849, or by phone and using VISA or Mastercard. Call 603-636-2005, or 802-626-9617. Season tickets will be sold through January 31, 2009.
ADVANCED TICKETS ON SALE FOR XMAS
FOR
RICK’S RENOVATIONS & DAN’S CONTRACTING & MOBILE HOMEWORKS
PRE-HANGOVER 150 SET FOR DECEMBER 27TH
Advanced tickets to the Pre-Hangover 150 are now on sale. Tickets are $10 for ADULTS, Juniors and Seniors, $2.00 for Kids 9 and under. You can order your tickets by mail, Riverside Speedway, P.O. Box 187, Lyndon, VT 05849, or by phone and using VISA or Mastercard. Call 603-636-2005, or 802-626-9617. Advance tickets will be sold through December 20th to insure delivery in time for Christmas.
RICK’S RENOVATIONS & DAN’S CONTRACTING & MOBILE HOMEWORKS
PRE-HANGOVER 150 SET FOR DECEMBER 27TH
Preparations are being made for the 3rd Annual Pre-Hangover 150 sponsored by RICK’S RENOVATIONS & DAN’S CONTRACTING & MOBILE HOMEWORKS. Entries are rolling in for the big 4-6-8 cylinder endure paying $500 to win. Cars, pickups, mini-vans are all eligible to compete in this unique event on a hopefully snow covered surface. No 4 wheel drives, all wheel drives, studded tires, chains or any other traction enhancement devices are allowed. Rules and registration forms are available on our website. There will also be a $100 award to best decorated theme vehicle.
NEW STAFF AND PROMOTIONS FOR 2009
I made the decision to return to Riverside Speedway for one more year just prior to last week’s Banquet of Champions. After discussing the situation with my wife Kelly, and weighing all the options, including a couple of tremendous opportunities, I made the decision to commit to another year at the track. The only way that I would do so would be to establish a credible new team, and to delegate and relinquish much of my authority to a revamped staff. There will be several major changes in 2009 at Riverside Speedway. Many changes include new staff and internal promotions. The new lineup is as follows:
ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER
MICKEY MILLER
CHIEF TECHNICAL INSPECTOR / DIRECTOR OF COMPETITION
DOUG SHANNON
RACE DIRECTOR
JEAN LEBLANC
PIT STEWARD
MIN KENNETT
PIT COORDINATOR / PIT DIRECTOR
BOB WRIGHT
TECHNICAL INSPECTORS
DOUG SHANNON
HAZEN MITCHELL
TOM HICKEY
CHIEF STARTER / ASSISTANT RACE DIRECTOR
SHANE CARR
HEAD SCORER
VALERIE CARR
ASSISTANT HEAD SCORER
DAWN PELLETIER
GENERAL MANAGER / ANNOUNCER
DICK THERRIEN
I have also established a contest board which will oversee the major decision process of the Speedway. I am tired of being judge, jury and executioner, and will now rely on the help of the contest board to act on any situations that need to be resolved. The board’s duties will include resolving all disciplinary problems and hand out penalties as needed. The board will also iron out all technical problems as needed, and it will also work as a group to work out ideas for the betterment of the Speedway.
CONTEST BOARD MEMBERS INCLUDE:
DICK THERRIEN
MICKEY MILLER
DOUG SHANNON
BOB WRIGHT
JEAN LEBLANC
SHANE CARR
ANDY MITCHELL WILL SERVE AS AN ALTERNATE IF NEEDED
VALERIE CARR WILL SERVE AS BOARD SECRETARY
2009 RULEBOOKS COMING SOON
The 2009 rules for all divisions are being finalized, and should hopefully be available on our website, www.riversidespeedway.org, on or about December 1, 2008. It was decided this year to put a rules committee together instead of having rules meetings for individual classes. The individual meetings allowed everyone to look out for themselves, instead of for the betterment of the division. The group consisted of Doug Shannon, Tom Hickey, Butch Mitchell, Andy Mitchell, Mickey Miller, Bob Wright, Jean Leblanc, Paul Schartner and myself. Not many changes to chat about. Rules have been stroked along to hopefully close up many gray areas. The biggest changes will be appearing in the Outlaw Sportsman and the Cyclone rules. The changes being made are in best interest of both classes. Our goal in the Cyclone class is to bring this back to an entry level division, and keep it for low budget, novice racers. The proposed changes will certainly make things better and more competitive. You will be able to download rulebooks free of charge from our website at www.riversidespeedway.org. If you need a rule book mailed to you, the cost will be $1.00 per set of rules. This $1.00 fee defrays the cost of shipping and handling.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT MANDATED FOR 2009
In 2009 there are some new safety equipment mandates that will be followed. It is now mandatory that all Late Model and Outlaw Sportsman drivers must wear either a Hans or a Hutchins Device. This hopefully will cut down on injury when worn properly. It is highly recommended that all drivers in all divisions have one of these devices. It is now mandatory that everyone wears gloves at Riverside Speedway when racing. They can be racing gloves or any kind of hand protection. This will be up to the discretion of the Tech Officials. There will be no holes allowed in racing suits, as well as no suits that are heavily soiled will be allowed. This will also be up to the discretion of the Tech Officials.
SPONSORSHIP TIPS
The holiday season is upon us. Plan on doing something nice for your sponsors for the holidays. Invite them to a team gathering, and present them with a trophy you won, a team picture, team jacket or t-shirt and hat. Send them a Christmas card. Present them with a photo album or video of your racing season. These little inexpensive ideas just may open the door again for you in 2009.
Happy holidays,
Dick Therrien