Gold Cup Fantastic Finishes event on the big screen added to activities
New event will feature classic Gold Cup films and Happy Hour Spirits Thursday night
By Bill Sullivan, Handy Racing Promotions, Inc.
CHICO, CA – The Annual Gold Cup Race of Champions is known historically as the fastest four days of sprint car racing in California. The high dollar event is also known for it’s many activities that surround the competition on the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico, California.
This year, the 56th Annual Gold Cup Race of Champions will add a brand new post-race event to his list of activities that is sure to draw a huge crowd to the Silver Dollar Pavillon Thursday night following the first preliminary night of racing featuring the World of Outlaws sprint car series.
It’s being bannered as “Fantastic Finishes, a tribute to the Gold Cup” featuring historical highlight footage of past Gold Cup events for nearly three decades. This historical highlight film has been assembled by veteran videographer Mike Doyle. Doyle’s talents behind the camera have been capturing action at Silver Dollar Speedway for many years and most recently he has assumed the role of the Golden State Challenge Series’ videographer.
Doyle has worked close with track promoter Alan Handy to assemble this series of historical highlights that race fans can enjoy on Thursday evening. For many race fans this will be first time they have the opportunity to witness a number of open wheel legends turning laps and celebrating at Silver Dollar. Among the many highlights is early footage of legendary drivers including Doug Wolfgang, Brad Doty, Steve Kinser and many more.
The documentary is an awesome tribute to California’s biggest race and a great tribute to all of the hard work put forward through the decades by lifelong racing promoters John and Robbie Padjen, who originally brought the Gold Cup Race of Champions to Silver Dollar Speedway and built it into a nationally recognized event during their dedicated career.
On Thursday night, a giant jumbo-vision flatscreen will be erected in the Silver Dollar Pavillon following the waving of the checkered flag and it is then that the party will begin. Race fans can enjoy a “Happy Hour” atmosphere with $3 Coors Light and soft drinks on tap along with appetizers while they enjoy the historic videos and camaraderie of fellow race fans and drivers.
“This is great event to bring the fans together on Thursday night of Gold Cup,” said Handy. “We have hundreds of fans from all over the world camping right here on the fairgrounds and we wanted to give them something new on Thursday night. Mike Doyle has done a great job on the film and it’s a must see. We want everyone to come out and join us.”
Extra Activities Plentiful at Gold Cup
Thursday’s new “Fantastic Finishes, a tribute to the Gold Cup” is among a series of extra curricular activities during the week of the 56th annual Gold Cup. The four day series of races begins on Wednesday night with the Civil War Sprint Car Series Pacific Sprint Cup Invitational and the Wingless Sprint Car Invitational event.All Seats are general admission for the Wednesday opener.
On Thursday, the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series will take to the track for the first of two premilinary nights of action. In addition to the “Fantastic Finishes, a tribute to the Gold Cup” event after the races, off track events on this particular day include the 23rd Annual Gold Cup National Sprint Car Hall of Fame Golf Classic Thursday morning. The event begins with a shotgun start at on Thursday at the nearby Tuscan Ridge Golf Course.
On Friday, the second night of preliminary action will be followed by the famed Gold Cup Chili Feed and Ms. Gold Cup Bikini Contest in the Pavillon after the races. This annual event will begin shortly after the final checkered flag of the evening, tickets will be available at the door for all you can eat Chili, Corn Bread, Salad and more while watching the famed Bikini Contest that pays $1000 to win.
On Saturday, prior to the Gold Cup Race of Champions grand finale night of action, the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds will host the annual “Placerville Speedway Rib BBQ. Located on the fairgrounds near the pit entrance, this event is presented by Handy Racing Promotions and a number of volunteers that operate and attend the events at Placerville Speedway, the sister facility to Silver Dollar Speedway.The event starts at and is free to all Silver Dollar Speedway campers and fans.
Each morning, campers and race fans can enjoy good eats at the “Silver Dollar Speedway Sunrise Breakfast.” A variety of items from eggs cooked just the way you like them to omelets, hash browns and more are on the menu at a fraction of the cost of eating out. Breakfast is served from until daily.
For further information on the many events taking place at the Gold Cup Race of Champions, please visit www.silverdollarspeedway.com and go to the special Gold Cup section where you find up to date information daily. Information can also be found in the official event program which will go on sale beginning Wednesday, September 9 beginning at
Ready to go Bill. There will be a few music videos playing before the start of the Gold Cup FF thing. It will give people some time to get over to the Pavillion if they want to join us. Maybe some Gwen Stefani along with Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris. Speedway At Nazareth is a great tune.
