By Ben Deatherage
Spanaway, Washington- Midget racing has a long and storied history in the United States. Traces can be found as far back as the inter-war days of the 1930’s from tracks all over the country. Sadly, many of these organizations have vanished throughout the decades. However, one such organization can boast that they are still around and racing to this day. The organization is the Washington Midget Racing Association or WMRA for short.
The WMRA has produced some memorable races and legendary names throughout the long and storied history of the organization, going as far back as 1945. Names like Shorty Templeman, Bob Gregg, Ken Peterson, Palmer Crowell, John Starks, Rick Moss, and Mike Bliss have been able to hoist the champion’s crown on high over multiple seasons. In fact, current defending champ Tony Seidelman is looking to make to make history and win his sixth consecutive WMRA title. Shorty Templeman (1949-53), Rick Moss (1993-97), and Seidelman (2011-15) hold the record for five championships in a row while overall Rick Moss has recorded the most titles with ten.
The 2016 racing schedule will feature the series visiting four different facilities in the state of Washington and the Canadian province of British Columbia. A total of nine dates are on tap for the upcoming campaign that should really be one action packed event after the other.
“I think this year is going to be really great,” commented Tony Seidelman, Vice President of the WMRA, “there are going to be some new drivers apart of the series that have never been on asphalt before. It’s great that there is an interest from new people in this deal and it will make it even better in the years to come.”
The season opens up on April 23rd in central Washington at Ephrata Raceway Park for the only visit at the facility. Agassiz Speedway, British Columbia, will host the WMRA three times including May 14th, June 11th, and September 10th. Another track the tour will frequent on a regular basis is Tenino, Washington’s South Sound Speedway where May 28th, June 25th, July 9th, and September 24th will be the scheduled dates. The other facility on the calendar is one visit to the Wenatchee Valley Super Oval on August 27th in central Washington.
For the latest news and information log on to www.wmraracing.wix.com/wmra . Also follow he Washington Midget Racing Association via Facebook by clicking “Like” on their page to follow them on your favorite mobile devices.
2016 WASHINGTON MIDGET RACING ASSOCIATION SCHEDULE:
April 23rd-Ephrata Raceway Park-Ephrata, Washington
May 14th-Agassiz Speedway-Agassiz, British Columbia
May 28th-South Sound Speedway-Tenino, Washington
June 11th-Agassiz Speedway-Agassiz, British Columbia
June 25th-South Sound Speedway-Tenino, Washington
July 9th-South Sound Speedway-Tenino, Washington
August 27th-Wenatchee Valley Super Oval-Wenatchee, Washington
September 10th-Agassiz Speedway-Agassiz, British Columbia
September 24th-South Sound Speedway-Tenino, Washington
2016 WASHINGTON MIDGET RACING ASSOCIATION SERIES SPONSORS:
Classis Window Products
PP&S Heating and Air
Pioneer Muffler
Bellingham Autoworks
Tiger Construction and Excavation
R.F. Architecture
FORMER WASHINGTON MIDGET RACING ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONS (ASPHALT/DIRT)
1945- Allen Heath
1946- Chick Barbo
1947- Allen Heath
1948- Stan Muir
1949- Shorty Templeman
1950- Shorty Templeman
1951- Shorty Templeman
1952- Shorty Templeman
1953- Shorty Templeman
1954- Mel McGaughy
1955- Mel McGaughy
1956- Pogo Lundquist
1957- Bob Gregg
1958- Bob Gregg
1959- Palmer Crowell
1960- Bob Gregg
1961- Palmer Crowell
1962- Bob Gregg
1963- Ken Petersen
1964- Ken Petersen
1965- John McIntyre
1966- Ken Petersen
1967- Ken Petersen
1968- Bob McLees
1969- Ken Petersen
1970- Eric Gibson
1971- Ken Petersen
1972- Ken Petersen
1973- Palmer Crowell
1974- Eric Gibson
1975- Sonny Hanson
1976- Jim Edwards
1977- Arnie Starks
1978- Ed Shefchik
1979- Trevor Boys
1980- Dennis Kitts
1981- Mike Munce
1982- Palmer Crowell
1983- Billy Kennelly
1984- Dennis Kitts
1985- Terry Petter
1986- Rick Moss
1987- Rick Moss
1988- Mike Stryker
1989- Mike Bliss
1990- Mike Bliss
1991- Mike Stryker
1992- Dennis Kitts
1993- Rick Moss
1994- Rick Moss
1995- Rick Moss
1996- Rick Moss
1997- Rick Moss
1998- John Starks
1999- John Starks
2000- John Starks
2001- John Starks
2002- Ken Ferris
2003- Rick Moss
2004- Rick Moss
2005- Rick Moss
2006- Spence Gatrell
2007- Evan Margeson
2008- Mark Atkinson
2009- Ben Petter
2010- Mark Atkinson
2011- Pat Bliss/Tony Seidelman
2012- Troy Globe/Tony Seidelman
2013- Tony Seidelman
2014- Tony Seidelman
2015- Tony Seidelman