From Tony Bahorst, Jan Dunlap Photo
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Dates for the 13th annual “Rumble in Fort Wayne”
indoor midget races have been announced. In keeping with the theme,
“Racing’s Holiday Season Party,” the event will be New Year’s Eve,
Friday, Dec. 31, and New Year’s Day, Saturday, Jan. 1, at the Memorial
Coliseum Expo Center.
Rumble Series president Tony Barhorst said, “These are the only open
dates on a weekend for the next edition of the race. Doors will open
at noon, with a full midget show after 7 p.m. each day. We are working
toward having the events end around 9:30 or 10 p.m. so people have
time to do what they prefer.
“We will have the Indy DownForce Fanzone, where fans can lounge and
catch up on the football action on big-screen TVs. We have plans to
have a postrace pit party with Danny Laycock, host of the ‘Racin With
D.O.’ internet racing show. ATV stuntman Henry ‘The Pit Bull’ Rife
will attempt an indoor world record jump of cars after the races. We
expect many special guests to be announced in the near future
regarding the party.”
The event will feature midgets, outlaw modified winged midgets, karts,
quarter midgets and Slingshots by Tobias. The Slingshots, scale-downed
East Coast modifieds, are built by former Silver Crown driver Rich
Tobias Jr. At least three legendary drivers have accepted invitations
to drive one of the cars. Those drivers will be announced soon. Other
Slingshot cars are open, and interested drivers should contact the
Rumble Series.
Self-contained recreational vehicles may stay on the Coliseum complex
grounds. Reservations are available for $25 with electrical hookups
and $20 without.
Information about entries racer’s rate hotels and tickets is available
at www.rumbleseries.com. The event information line is (317) 418-3216,
and questions may be e-mailed to tbracefest@aol.com.
HOST HOTEL INFORMATION
FORT WAYNE MARRIOTT, 305 E. Washington Center Road, (260) 484-0411
(ask for the racer’s rate) – $65 plus tax for Thursday, Dec. 30; $95
plus tax for Friday, Dec. 31; $65 plus tax for Saturday, Jan. 1 (same
as last year); $65 plus tax for Sunday, Jan. 2 (same as last year)
DON HALL’S GUESTHOUSE, 1313 W. Washington Center Road, (260) 489-2524
(ask for the racer’s rate) — $59 plus tax per night for Thursday,
Saturday and Sunday; $99 plus tax for Friday
RED ROOF INN, 2920 Goshen Road, (260) 484-8641, (use code b008 for the
racer’s rate) — $39.99 plus tax per night for doubles if reserved
before Nov. 30; $45.99 plus tax for doubles after Nov. 30. Truck
parking available.
MOTEL 6, 3003 W. Coliseum Blvd., (260) 482-3972 – Regular rate is
$29.99 per night plus tax for single and $35.99 per night plus tax for
double. Truck parking available.
COLISEUM HOLIDAY INN, across street from Memorial Coliseum,
1-800-HOLIDAY (use group code IMA) – $90.06 per night for Thursday and
Saturday; $147.06 for Friday (tax included). Shuttle service,
complimentary continental breakfast.
HAMPTON INNS & SUITES, 5702 Challenger Parkway, (260) 489-0908 (ask
for racer’s rate) – $65 plus tax per night for Thursday, Saturday and
Sunday; $99 plus tax for Friday.
HYATT PLACE, 111 W. Washington Center Road, (260) 471-8522 (ask for
racer’s rate) – $65 plus tax per night for Thursday, Saturday and
Sunday; $99 plus tax for Saturday.