by Scott Porter – FAST Public Relations
MAUMEE, OH (2-18-10)
The countdown is on for the start of 2010 racing season in Northern OH, but it unofficially starts this Saturday, February 20th as many in the racing community will be heading to the Ballville Township Community Hall (1413 West Cole Rd.) in Fremont, Ohio to take part in the 2nd Annual Racer’s Chili Challenge presented by the Fremont/Attica Sprint Title (F.A.S.T.) and Hoserville Ohio. This event brings local teams, drivers and fans together during the long off-season to compete for some early bragging rights as the top chili cook and also to do a little bench racing before the long, grueling season begins. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Hoserville Ohio Injured Driver’s Benevolent Fund & the 2010 F.A.S.T. point fund.
“I’m pretty excited to be bringing this event back for the second year to showcase some of the great racing in this area to the general public in our attempt to attract new fans as we get ready to kick off the 2010 season,” said event organizer Bryan Autullo, “We’re looking forward to another successful event in helping to promote local racing.”
Fremont Speedway & Attica Raceway Park track announcer Brian Liskai will again host the Racer’s Chili Challenge in between serving up some chili. Interviews with local drivers will be held throughout the afternoon to help fans learn about the upcoming plans of the stars and cars that compete weekly at Fremont Speedway and Attica Raceway Park. Drivers, teams and fans can also pick up a copy of the 2010 schedules for Fremont, Attica, the Kistler Racing Products Fremont/Attica Sprint Title and the newly formed F.A.S.T. 305 Championship Series.
The afternoon will heat up with the help of the 17 teams competing for the 2010 “People’s Choice Award” and for bragging rights amongst the sprint car, late model/dirt truck and the fans/media divisions. The celebrity-judging panel consists of local racing legend Rick Ferkel, Warner Brothers recording artist Clay Kirchenbauer of “The Undeserving”, and NBC24 Meteorologist Norm Van Ness. The judges will determine the three divisional awards.
Four award-winning teams from the inaugural event are returning to challenge the rest for their chance at the grand prize of a chili pot trophy and the choice of either a $100 Kistler Racing Products Gift Certificate or $100 cash. The three divisional winners will also receive a chili bowl trophy as well as a prize pack donated by Fremont Speedway, Attica Raceway Park, F.A.S.T. & Hoserville Ohio.
The 2009 “People’s Choice Award” team of 3J Motorsports along with Hammer Motorsports, Colvin Racing & Gibsonburg’s Finest currently make up the sprint car division. Roelle-Wank Racing Team, Hennig Racing and Schowochow Racing will compete in the late model & dirt truck division. Highlighting the fans & media division is the 2009 “Chili Chief Award” winning team of Racing World joined by Team Schiets, The King’s Den, 4thturnfreaks, Fremont Speedway, Scoop & Becky, Jake The Snake, 5i Fan Team, The Best Damn Chili Team Period, and Tailgators Sports Bar & Grill.
“We’re really pleased with the number of teams entering again this year,” continued Autullo. “It just goes to show you that we have a great community of racers in this area as well as fans who support the teams and these two race tracks. I hope to see a large turnout again this year as fans are gearing up to go racing in about 6 weeks.”
Other events include a Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournament presented by Computer Man Inc. for kids 17 & under with a single elimination format tournament helping to determine the overall champion and trophy winners. Contestants can sign-up and find out more information once the doors open. Hoserville Ohio will also host a Charity Beanbag Tournament with a $10 per team entry fee to play. Team registration is set to begin as doors open and will continue until shortly before the start of the tournament after the Racer’s Chili Challenge awards presentation. Chili teams can also join in on the fun.
The KS Sales & Service “Hot Head” Jalapeno Pepper Eating Contest will return this year. This was the highlight of the afternoon in 2009 as Jason Tomczyk ate 15 peppers in 5-minutes. This year the payout has been increased to $100 to win with second place taking home $50 and third place paying $25. There is no entry fee for this contest and it is open to anyone who can withstand the burn of trying to eat the most jalapeños in 5-minutes. A sign-up sheet will be available for anyone willing to sign his or her name into this heated battle.
Fans will also get the chance to meet their favorites local stars during several driver autograph sessions that will be held featuring the special guest judge Rick Ferkel along with the tentative scheduled appearances of Byron Reed, Craig Mintz, Bryan Sebetto, Mike Linder, Chris Andrews, Roger Shammo, Chuck Roelle, Jeff Wank, Dan Hennig and many more.
Come out and support one of the most affordable forms of family entrainment in 2010 – dirt track racing! Doors to the 2nd Annual Racer’s Chili Challenge are set to open to the public at 1 pm and costs only $5 for adult general admission. Children 12 years of age and under will get in free with a paid adult. Everyone will get a sample cup and spoon with their paid admission to take around to the various chili teams to sample as many chili entries as you wish. Also hot dogs and refreshments, such as pop and water, will be available at the concession stand.
Directions to the Ballville Township Community Hall can be found by clicking here: DIRECTIONS
More information can be found online at www.fastondirt.com