|
|
|
|
|
Topic: 2009 Bandit Season Begins with a Slam in Ventura
|
Email this topic to a friend |
Subscribe to this Topic
| Report this Topic to Moderator
|
|
Page 1 of 2 of 39 replies
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2009 at
09:15:45 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
04/21/2006
|
|
Posts:
|
379
|
|
|
This message was edited on
April 01, 2009 at
12:08:16 PM by Pete Curto
The 2009 Bandit Season Begins in Ventura by Peter "the Pretty Good"
Dave Swindell's Bandit Sprint Car Series has announced a "Super Schedule" in partnership with several great venues. The 2009 Bandit season will kickoff at the beautifully renovated Ventura Raceway on April 4th as scheduled with a matchup with the Bandit-VRA regulars on the VRA home turf. The Bandit Championship Series features a $5,000 championship purse in 2009 plus contingency prizes and awards through-out the season. This will be an 11 battle war at 4 sites for the 15th Bandit season championship crown plus the Grand Slam Challenge championship. The schedule consists of the previously announced season dates with an alternative date on May 2nd at the Tulare Thunderbowl as the series is unfortunately minus the Santa Maria Speedway dates while the '09 season remains in doubt and litigation at the coastal track.
A huge addition to the Bandit Series is the Thunderbowl in Tulare thanks to promoters Steve Faria and Don Sharp. The Thunderbowl will feature the Bandit series on four great evenings with the Golden State Challenge Series supporting the best sprint car racing program in the state. April 11th, May 2nd, May 16th, and June 27th are the dates to mark your calendar for these spectacular shows. The Tulare Thunderbowl may just be the current crowned jewel of central valley race tracks. The track is characterized by its smooth and racy multi-grooved 1/3 mile clay and great spectator amenities which make this special event venues dates a highlighted must on every open-wheeled fans calendar.
The Schweitzer family's Bakersfield Speedway will again host the Grand Slam series and Bandit Series for three combined dates in '09. The Grand Salami will be at the legendary raceway April 25th with May 9th and July 18th as the Bandit series events on the ultra fast 1/3 mile oval. The three races there last year were swept by series champion Peter Murphy but not without significant challenge from his competitors. The well prepped venue is among the most challenging on the schedule because of the changing surface and tight multi-lane surface. A growing fan base and being the home track to a growing number of Bandit teams makes its 64th season as Kern County's premier auto racing venue on tap to be a memorable one. .
Another huge addition to the Bandit Schedule is the renovated Chowchilla Speedway. The venue has new management and a positive vibe as the track has seen significant improvements to its lay out and surface under the direction of Kenny Shepherd and his team. The fast 1/3 mile oval will feature open wheel only nights with the Bandito's bringing their injected excitement to the Bandit's northern most track. July 11th and August 22nd will see the Bandits in addition to an exciting field of winged sprint car action. The grand finale will be October31st as the Chowchilla Speedway hosts the PUMPKIN CUP presented by Port Authority Apparel. It will be a Halloween Bash Pumpkin Shootout featuring the Bandit Sprint Cars, Wright One 360 winged Sprint Cars, and Wingless Spec Sprint Cars verses NCMA Sprint Cars and Open Comp Hobby Stock Race plus a Destruction Derby. This racing party will feature Trick or Treat for the Kids through the Pits just before the mains and a costume contest in the grandstands, the winner receives two season tickets for 2010! The fireworks will be donated by the racers who will let the sparks fly in wheel-to-wheel combat. This event will cap off a 2009 season to remember while crowning the 15th Bandit Series Champion!
The defending Bandit Champion Peter Murphy will again be on the attack to go back-to-back in his famous black 21 racecar. The Tiger Woods of the central California non-wing sprint car world over the past couple of seasons is back from an injury sustained at Kings Speedway with a win at the track that caused a hiatus from driving for several months in Tiger- like fashion this past week-end.
The Bandit dominator over the past decade is multiple champion "big daddy" ( and proud new papa) Davey Pombo, freshly healed from his own back surgery aggravated at the same event of Murphy's injury. Davey is as determined as ever to regain his crown and has teamed with longtime owner-driver John Iturriria to challenge for his third title of the decade. Not one to take a back seat to anyone Davey is sure to have his steely eyes focused, jaw clinched and his elbows up for every event on the card! Pombo and Murphy emerge as clear initial favorites as both are proven champions who have won on every type of race track the series competes on.
Those who want to be the best step forward and challenge the best and don't look for easy pickins' which is what makes the Bandit field the greatest! The make-up of the field can be described as fast and battle tested, so wins and champions can emerge from anywhere. Rusty Carlile is among veteran talent that has the mettle to win on any given night. Joining him with that is a great group of young and proven young winners including Justyne Hamblin, the VanderWeerd Brothers, Wes Gutierrez, Michael Faccinto and the unstoppable veteran "Hollywood" Danny Faria. 2008 Rookie-of-the-Year Tyler Schmidt, Rick Kirkbride, Jared Little, and T.J. Smith lead a batch of fresh young challengers to gain enrollment onto the win column in 2009. Kevin Barnes, Davey Knott, Jimmy Thompson, Greg Porte and Jeff Fiscus top a list of veteran challengers for the '09 season. The up coming season promises to make memories and lead to a rejuvenated 2010 season.
The Grand Slam's fifth season will be held this week-end and again in Bakersfield on the 25th of April with the Santa Maria date in legitimate doubt. This year the VRA gangs appears insistent on being spotted their right rear tire and their pill draw system to even things up and try to reclaim the Grand Slam title from the Bandit contingent. Last seasons events were swept by Bandito's Danny Faria (2 wins) while Murphy won the other and claimed the title. It will still be a challenge to win the championship for either group teams as the talent level for these events have been extraordinarily high over the history of the series. In a shortened series the winner can come from anywhere, just put together a couple of great races. On paper the abbreviated schedule favors the VRA warriors but that what makes for great racing and a fantastic challenge in its own right. Arguably the best at this and given the two tracks would be the two-time Grand Slam champion Peter Murphy and fellow Grand Slam Challenge champion Greg Taylor. This list is much too short as Davey Pombo, Kevin Kierce, Danny Faria Jr. and all the rest would attest to. The talent level is so high that the best could be had from two dozen or so teams. The answer will be had in just a few short days.
2009 BANDIT SPRINT CAR SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP SUPERSCHEDULE
**APRIL 4 - VENTURA RACEWAY (GRAND SLAM #1)
APRIL 11 - THUNDERBOWL RACEWAY
**APRIL 25 - BAKERSFIELDSPEEDWAY (GRAND SLAM #2)
MAY 2 - THUNDERBOWL RACEWAY
MAY 9 - BAKERSFIELDSPEEDWAY
MAY 16 - THUNDERBOWL RACEWAY
JUNE 27 - THUNDERBOWL RACEWAY
JULY 11 – CHOWCHILLA SPEEDWAY
JULY 18 - BAKERSFIELDSPEEDWAY
AUGUST 22 – CHOWCHILLA SPEEDWAY
OCTOBER 31 – CHOWCHILLA SPEEDWAY PUMPKIN CUP CHAMPIONSHIP FINALE
** Designates Special 5th Bandit-VRA Grand Slam Challenge Series Events
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2009 at
09:30:37 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
12/24/2006
|
|
Posts:
|
68
|
|
|
|
Hello Pete
I think you have made a mistake. You can call the Ventura Grandslam what you want.
But the other races in Bakersfield are West Coast Sprinter races Not Bandits.
Please do not confuss the issue,.
The West Coast Sprinters (360 non wing) will run at three tracks for 2009, Santa Maria, Bakersfield, and Hanford...
|
.jpg)
|
|
|
April 01, 2009 at
11:20:15 AM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
11/27/2004
|
|
Posts:
|
589
|
|
|
|
Okay, I must say my peace on this. The garbage that's going on in this series is bad for everyone. More importantly, it's making the drivers look bad.
What are the real intentions here?
If you (Kings/Peter) have the drivers BEST interest in mind, none of this mudsling would continue. It's gone on way too long. All of this bickering makes the series look unprofessional, and is taking the focus off of the drivers, teams, fans and sponsors.
You want this series to flourish? Quit the crap, and take care of the drivers. The drivers and teams work their asses off, and deserve better.
From the things that I'm hearing, Frank is trying to make things better. But it better happen soon or there will be no cars at any of these tracks.
Peter, quit worrying about what's going on at Kings. Every time that you make a snide remark, it only draws negativity towards the series. I would also like to add, that if you're doing PR for a series, it doesn't look good when you slam somebody.
All these guys want to do is race. I advise you to get a hold of some of the veterans in the series, and ask them how all of this looks through their eyes. I would also ask them how to make things run smoother and better. These guys know!
In ending, all I care about is the sport. However, I do understand that racing is a business. With that being said, run it like one.
I have one last question: Why can't "The West Coast 360's" and "Bandits" come to an agreement? It would benefit all parties involved wouldn't it? This is the kind of crap that irritates me to no end.
I will be quick to admit that I don't care about anything but Sprint Car racing. So I may be seeing things through "Rose Colored Glasses". I like both of you, but when I see my beloved Sprint Car racing start to get "out of bounds", for one reason or another, I've got to say something.
If you guys want to talk, you know how to contact me.
Respectfully,
Gary Costa
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 01, 2009 at
11:32:01 AM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
07/30/2006
|
|
Posts:
|
473
|
|
|
This message was edited on
April 01, 2009 at
11:35:07 AM by JayP
Agreed Gary. We used to play divide and conquer in grade school, got over it then.
|
|
|
|
|
April 01, 2009 at
01:11:21 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
04/21/2006
|
|
Posts:
|
379
|
|
|
This message was edited on
April 03, 2009 at
06:42:16 PM by Pete Curto
Hello Big Gary and Jay P,
Gary, I do have a great deal of respect for you and expect my call.
Folks, take the time and heart to think about this. There are no divide and conquer games. There was an agreed upon schedule made at the beginning of the year. Unfortunately the SMS season is in doubt because of a contract dispute that will be settled in the courts or between the parties. There was an effort to work things out with Kings from a group of drivers but some felt the problems at Kings were going to continue, and from what happened last Sat., the race management has not improved.
How much of a "learning curve" do they get? Seriously! This is their 3rd season of the same problems, which I am not bagging on them for its sake but saying come on! The teams deserve a fair shake don't they? We all make mistakes, I have a list with what I have done over the past seasons (that is the learning part or 'sperience, right?). Those are not repeated mistakes, thank goodness while the way the teams are treated at Kings is ultra super poor and that keeps going! Isn't that your point my friend?
The racers can vote with their attendance. A couple of teams that were giving it try claim they will not return, so it is like you say my friend, it better be sooner rather than later.
As far as what I do/did for the racers was to and for the betterment and benefit of the race teams. If you get a concensus, I believe thats what would be reflected. Over the years doing the Bandit stuff, the beefs I have had overwhelmingly were not with drivers or teams. They are the easiist part of the equation because they want to know what is going on and what is expected of them and to be treated with respect and like adults, period. Those beefs were mostly with officials and various track staff at both SMS (pre Dave Swindell) and Kings mostly. So the record shows I am for the teams with the perspective of running a great program for both the venue and the fans.
I am not a PR guy, I am more of a racer/race fan than anything. I wish there was a budget for a guy like you to do this kinda thing for a group like this. I see myself more as having a heart for racing, and I enjoy writing and filling a hole that would otherwise be void. I am a put up or shut up kind of guy too. So, I will not complain about something without offering a solution, which is why I took this job. It is also why I stuck with the problems at Kings or am willing to staighten out a place like Kings or Santa Maria. I am not afraid to say my peice either and stand up for the racers and teams. It is more a call to service, to make a positive difference.
It is not for the betterment or interest of ANY groupto have poorly run races, unsafe race tracks or the like. Neither is keeping silent, many teams keep silent in my opinion because they want no retribution- and simply they want to race. I hear it privately from most all of them, that is my job. Is keeping silent the answer? Whatever the case, they still want and without question or dispute deserve a professionally run program that operates with integrity and responsibility. I am confident that even with warts and blemishes they got that with the Bandit series (any series) without a doubt. It is not the case with the WCS so far. There is no exscuse for that. Folks, it isn't rocket science, that is the problem. That is why and it maybe simply my ego, but I know that I can do it and I have seen countless other races that were well run. So, hire someone that can do it and has the heart for it and a mind for it. It is worth the investment.
From my experience and the feedback I recieve from racers : in the end, most teams do not car if they race for any series for that mater; they want to be treated well (by the venue and a safe track); be left to race and have fun; go home in one piece to be with their families and do what they do for a living PERIOD. It is not complicated!
I to love this racing and if not doing this, I will go back to stooging on a car and scraping mud and changing tires. You might just see me set my old butt in something with doors on it (or not) some night...
Pete
|
|
|
|
|
April 01, 2009 at
02:13:21 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
11/27/2004
|
|
Posts:
|
589
|
|
|
|
Pete-
Money doesn't mean jack to me. The sport is all I care about. I don't consider myself any better than anyone, and just like you, I'm a fan.
I have said my peace,
Gary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 01, 2009 at
03:51:29 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
01/17/2007
|
|
Posts:
|
723
|
|
|
|
Pete.
How do you figure VRA killed this series?
This series has been flavored by all the BS that has been floating around these three racetracks for years with everybody in charge doing their best to get whatever they can out of it. Rules changing from race to race, favoritism, format changes etc. I myself would prefer the VRA go back to running their own series, travelling for their own points races to Bakersfield, Tulare, Kings, Perris etc. The addition of SMS and Kings with their bickering and swindels malarkie hasnt helped at all.
Honestly, how do you manage to take a great idea like this and turn it into a political vechile to further enforce the divisions between all 360 sanctioning bodies and groups in california instead of working together and putting on one hell of a show with the best drivers in the state as was the original intent of the series.
I might just be a bitter part time photograher but I know what im sick of and im sick and tired of all this stupid infighting, name calling, finger pointing and sabotage. Seriously, someone begin to take accountability and get this series back on track, there are huge numbers of awesome drivers and race tracks available if everyone can get over themselves and their egos and work together for the good of the sport. Bickering and allocating blame on a message board from someone who appears to have their cranium firmly lodged in their rectum is counterproductive and just promotes the type of schoolyard shenanigans people claim they dont want.
How is it that speedway can race in california three or four nights a week without this sort of bollocks going on? Someone get one of those guys to help out with this...
|
|
|
|
April 01, 2009 at
03:57:02 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
06/18/2008
|
|
Posts:
|
132
|
|
|
|
Pete. Give it a rest. Shut the piehole and let the racing do the talking. Like Gary said, you're not helping your series or any racing in general. Also, stop bashing on the other sites as well.
You've been acting like my 6y/o nephew. But he knows when to quit. lol
Cover your beer, the race is on!
|
|
|
|
|
April 01, 2009 at
04:10:01 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
06/18/2008
|
|
Posts:
|
132
|
|
|
|
Pete. Did you really type that VRA killed this series? You are arrogant and an Idiot. I wonder if Mr. Naylor will ever work with you or your series again after knowing how you feel?
Keep writing Petey, I love the drama. Gives me something to read during the week.
Kenny Redman
Cover your beer, the race is on!
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 01, 2009 at
07:16:26 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
01/29/2007
|
|
Posts:
|
2129
|
|
|
|
The Thunderbowl will feature the Bandit series on four great evenings with the Golden State Challenge Series supporting the best sprint car racing program in the state.
How do you consistently manage to piss off race fans? Maybe you meant the best winged sprint car racing program in the state?
"Ralphie, Senor, muchas gracias por una mas cerveza" -
Scott Daloisio @ the PAS
|
|
|
|
|
April 01, 2009 at
09:11:58 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
01/17/2007
|
|
Posts:
|
277
|
|
|
|
A quote from that famous philosopher, Bugs Bunny.
"What a maroon"
|
|
|
|
|
April 02, 2009 at
11:00:17 AM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
07/30/2006
|
|
Posts:
|
473
|
|
|
|
Hey Pete, see you in the pits this weekend at Ventura, the "best little track in America". Oh wait...you might not go? Bummer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 02, 2009 at
11:25:42 AM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
12/06/2004
|
|
Posts:
|
286
|
|
|
Reply to:
Posted By: Pete Curto on April 01 2009 at 01:11:21 PM
Hello Big Gary and Jay P,
Gary, I do have a great deal of respect for you and expect my call.
Folks, take the time and heart to think about this. There are no divide and conquer games. There was an agreed upon schedule made at the beginning of the year. Unfortunately the SMS season is in doubt because of a contract dispute that will be settled in the courts or between the parties. There was an effort to work things out with Kings from a group of drivers but some felt the problems at Kings were going to continue, and from what happened last Sat., the race management has not improved.
How much of a "learning curve" do they get? Seriously! This is their 3rd season of the same problems, which I am not bagging on them for its sake but saying come on! The teams deserve a fair shake don't they? We all make mistakes, I have a list with what I have done over the past seasons (that is the learning part or 'sperience, right?). Those are not repeated mistakes, thank goodness while the way the teams are treated at Kings is ultra super poor and that keeps going! Isn't that your point my friend?
The racers can vote with their attendance. A couple of teams that were giving it try claim they will not return, so it is like you say my friend, it better be sooner rather than later.
As far as what I do/did for the racers was to and for the betterment and benefit of the race teams. If you get a concensus, I believe thats what would be reflected. Over the years doing the Bandit stuff, the beefs I have had overwhelmingly were not with drivers or teams. They are the easiist part of the equation because they want to know what is going on and what is expected of them and to be treated with respect and like adults, period. Those beefs were mostly with officials and various track staff at both SMS (pre Dave Swindell) and Kings mostly. So the record shows I am for the teams with the perspective of running a great program for both the venue and the fans.
I am not a PR guy, I am more of a racer/race fan than anything. I wish there was a budget for a guy like you to do this kinda thing for a group like this. I see myself more as having a heart for racing, and I enjoy writing and filling a hole that would otherwise be void. I am a put up or shut up kind of guy too. So, I will not complain about something without offering a solution, which is why I took this job. It is also why I stuck with the problems at Kings or am willing to staighten out a place like Kings or Santa Maria. I am not afraid to say my peice either and stand up for the racers and teams. It is more a call to service, to make a positive difference.
It is not for the betterment or interest of ANY groupto have poorly run races, unsafe race tracks or the like. Neither is keeping silent, many teams keep silent in my opinion because they want no retribution- and simply they want to race. I hear it privately from most all of them, that is my job. Is keeping silent the answer? Whatever the case, they still want and without question or dispute deserve a professionally run program that operates with integrity and responsibility. I am confident that even with warts and blemishes they got that with the Bandit series (any series) without a doubt. It is not the case with the WCS so far. There is no exscuse for that. Folks, it isn't rocket science, that is the problem. That is why and it maybe simply my ego, but I know that I can do it and I have seen countless other races that were well run. So, hire someone that can do it and has the heart for it and a mind for it. It is worth the investment.
From my experience and the feedback I recieve from racers : in the end, most teams do not car if they race for any series for that mater; they want to be treated well (by the venue and a safe track); be left to race and have fun; go home in one piece to be with their families and do what they do for a living PERIOD. It is not complicated!
I to love this racing and if not doing this, I will go back to stooging on a car and scraping mud and changing tires. You might just see me set my old butt in something with doors on it (or not) some night...
Pete
|
Pete, Lets do the math,... Ill make it easy so you can count on your fingers.
When the series ran Hanford, VRA cars made up about 40% of the field
When we ran Santa Maria, VRA cars made up about 40% of the field
Bakersfield,.. 50%
When the series came to Ventura, Less then 20% of the field was made up of Bandit cars but your going to claim that "VRA killed the series"?
Its not the VRA promoter that is in litigation and has no home track. VRA has had to endure the cost of the RC3 for four years and now that we are going to turn that deal around "VRA killed the series"?
Mr. Curto, do sprint car racing a favor, Go promote the midgets.
|
|
|
|
|
April 02, 2009 at
11:38:54 AM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
11/26/2004
|
|
Posts:
|
1845
|
|
|
|
Love it, real facts from a Driver.
|
|
|
|
|
April 02, 2009 at
11:40:15 AM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
04/26/2007
|
|
Posts:
|
29
|
|
|
|
Hey Peter, you know I'm loving every minute of this, keep digging brother...
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 02, 2009 at
12:43:58 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
11/09/2006
|
|
Posts:
|
402
|
|
|
Reply to:
Posted By: RichCee on April 01 2009 at 09:11:58 PM
A quote from that famous philosopher, Bugs Bunny.
"What a maroon"
|
My kinda guy. Thethethethe...thatsallfolks!
Everything you know is wrong.
|
|
|
|
April 02, 2009 at
01:59:10 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
12/27/2007
|
|
Posts:
|
417
|
|
|
|
Hey Pete;
Sounds like Kevin has a point!
|
|
|
|
|
April 02, 2009 at
02:34:31 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
01/29/2007
|
|
Posts:
|
2129
|
|
|
|
Here's an idea Mr. Curto. Take the time to read press releases from Scott D. @ the PAS, Gary Thomas with GSC, or Lee Elder with VRA. If you are to continue doing p.r. work for the bandits you may learn something from these excellent publicists. They manage (and very well too) to promote the series or track that they cover without pissisng preople off.
"Ralphie, Senor, muchas gracias por una mas cerveza" -
Scott Daloisio @ the PAS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 02, 2009 at
03:02:32 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
04/26/2007
|
|
Posts:
|
29
|
|
|
Reply to:
Posted By: K_Kierce on April 02 2009 at 11:25:42 AM
Pete, Lets do the math,... Ill make it easy so you can count on your fingers.
When the series ran Hanford, VRA cars made up about 40% of the field
When we ran Santa Maria, VRA cars made up about 40% of the field
Bakersfield,.. 50%
When the series came to Ventura, Less then 20% of the field was made up of Bandit cars but your going to claim that "VRA killed the series"?
Its not the VRA promoter that is in litigation and has no home track. VRA has had to endure the cost of the RC3 for four years and now that we are going to turn that deal around "VRA killed the series"?
Mr. Curto, do sprint car racing a favor, Go promote the midgets.
|
Well put Kevin,....... you meant midget wrestling right ?
|
|
|
|
|
April 02, 2009 at
04:16:24 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
12/27/2007
|
|
Posts:
|
417
|
|
|
|
I get it now, you guys don't like each other!
How about a 2000 gallon water truck dumps a full load of water in the middle of the infield saturday night and makes one big mud puddle! Then Pete and Gary can jump in at intermission and have one great big ol' mud wrestling and mud slinging match. Last man standing wins! The other goes back to stoogeing on a car scraping mud or changing tires or just sitting in the stands with his mouth shut!
Just an idea!
We're not racing this weekend, but I'de drive to Ventura to watch that!
|
|
|
