By Rod Ort
26 teams were on hand for the Racesaver® PA Sprint Series annual meeting held Saturday at the Family House Restaurant in Mifflintown PA.
This year’s presentation once again featured a review of the 2010 season and highlighted accomplishments by several drivers. In 2010 the series had 12 different winners in 30 races. Rodney Westhafer was the highest attending team along with 4 wins, including his first career win at Williams Grove. Other first time winners included; Brian Walker, Logan Wagner and Steve Whary. Mark Watkins garnered the highest win total with 6 wins, 2 of which came on the same night at Port Royal. Other drivers were highlighted including Ryan Lynn with 4 wins as well as some other drivers that exemplify the recreational aspect of the series including Don Sotosky, Marcus Defreitas and Justin Zap. 2010 also saw the first marriage of competitors when Brian Walker wed Nicole Miller this summer just one week before picking up his first career win.
2010 was a successful season for the series with good car counts at Saturday tracks. Friday car counts at Path Valley we somewhat off as a struggling economy kept some racers away. The series expects to continue their relationship in 2011 at Path Valley. The 2011 schedule was discussed as it is beginning to take shape. The series expects to return with a similar schedule as all tracks have indicated a favorable experience with the series. One race is already booked with commitments from 2 other tracks.
For 2011 the series is again holding to the Racesaver® national rules which basically have not changed since their inception. Some minor changes and compromises are expected as each of the Racesaver® regions works to standardize their regional variances such as front wings, weight etc. Attendees were informed they will be updated as these items are worked out.
Teams were updated on the registration process which includes numerous new teams registering. A thorough interview process was described which makes sure that each competitor is interviewed and understands all aspects of the series, including an exclusive requirement and the requirement that all driver changes be approved with owners and drivers being interviewed and signing a waiver.
In 2010 teams will once again be asked to contribute their schedule via their web site to help communicate expected car counts to tracks. Participation within the region is not required from teams on the active roster and posting the anticipated schedule for each team helps to gauge expected turnout. If teams participate in the registration process the system can be utilized to accept visiting teams from other regions if car counts are below certain parameters. Teams will also receive a postage paid schedule to fill out if they don’t have the internet. Schedules are compiled and posted on the series web site which allows viewers to see who is expected to compete via their schedule, viewers can also see the schedule by team as each team has their own customizable page on the site.
Triple X Race parts provided door prizes at the meeting and teams were encouraged and challenged to bring forth more local sponsors as the series web page gets frequent visits and is utilized by all teams as a central point for updates and information.
Teams can get a complete rundown of meeting minutes by logging onto the web site.
The PA Sprint Series is an organizational entity of racers established and committed to fun fair and safe racing. The series was established in1998 by a core group of racers from Hesston and Path Valley Speedways who chose to adopt the Racesaver® sprint racing standards established by French Grimes and the Virginia Sprint Series.
Information on the series can be found at Pasprintseries.com