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PRESS RELEASE, HOOSIER RACING TIRES CIVIL WAR SPRINT CAR SERIES
FROM THE OFFICE OF JOHN PADJEN MOTORSPORTS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2008
MEDIA CONTACT: BILL SULLIVAN: [email protected]
Remembering Al Hinds; racers and fans recall special times with the local racing legend
By Bill Sullivan
PLACERVILLE, CA – As the weekend nears, race teams and local race fans are gearing up for Placerville Speedway’s very special night of racing. It’s the fifth annual “Tribute to Al Hinds” Civil War Sprint Car race presented by Family Chevrolet-Cadillac of Shingle Springs.
On this single night, there is sure to be a special feeling in the night air around Placerville Speedway as the racing community remembers the man that made racing his lifelong passion. While he wasn’t the originator of Placerville Speedway, Al Hinds was the man who brought a small town together with the sport of auto racing, a feat that many believe is partially responsible for the success of Placerville Speedway today because in the business of auto racing promotion, if the community isn’t behind you it is difficult to succeed.
The arena that is now known as Placerville Speedway was originally built in 1956 as a community football field for El Dorado High School. In 1965 a lot of things were going on in the nation, Lynden Johnson was our president, Sonny and Cher had a hit song called “I got you babe” and a gallon of gasoline was just 31-cents. But in Placerville, the sport of auto racing was new in town as Anderson Field became home to hardtop racing due to the efforts of fair manager Warren Jewitt and Bruno Romani, who operated race tracks in both Roseville and Auburn.
In 1968, Hinds took over the management of Placerville’s newly built speedway, known then as “Hangtown Speedway.” Since he was old enough to drive, Hinds maintained a lifelong career in the automotive industry. He was the founder of the Hinds Machine Shop in Placerville and was known as one of the best racing engine builders in the nation, fielding power plants that went as far as the brickyard for the famed Indy 500.
When Hinds took the reigns of Placerville Speedway, profits were not a top concern at the time as liability insurance and operating expenses were a fraction of what they are today. For Hinds and his partner Richard Hirst, promoting Hangtown Speedway was about bringing the business community and the sport together to provide great, affordable family entertainment.
“We really brought the people out here on Saturday nights,” said Hinds in a humous interview back in 1993. “We had powder puff races, tire man relays. One night we even had a special doctors night when area doctors got behind the wheel. We really made it fun. The problem was…we didn’t make dime doing it. Back then you could do it as a past time, but not today. With insurance issues, a payroll and the cost of goods you’d go broke pretty fast. We did, but back then being broke was nothing like it is today.”
For Hinds, taking on the auto racing promotions was a not for profit venture. It was a classic tale of “If you build it they will come” and they came by the hundreds every Saturday night. In his later years, Hinds remained active with Placerville Speedway. He sponsored a number of drivers and continued to build competitive motors. In his final years he was a regular spectator of Placerville Speedway and became the beloved friend of nearly every fan and a true mentor to many drivers and those who work at the speedway today.
“That guy was a legend at this place,” said Alan Padjen. “He was the first one in the stands every Saturday afternoon and he would come out here during the week and visit with me when I was grading the track. He knew a lot about racing and I always listened to what he had to say Whether it was about a better way to grade turn four or family values, he loved this place and he knew so much about it. I miss hearing those words of wisdom each week.”
In 2001 Alan Padjen and track announcer Bill Sullivan surprised Hinds on the fourth of July with an infield presentation that presented him with a gold plated, lifetime pass to Placerville Speedway. On that night Al Hinds stood on the front stretch of the speedway and proudly held that shiny pass up high to a capacity crowd that rose to their feet, cheering in appreciation for their friend and the patriarch of local auto racing as he stood in his very own field of dreams with tears rolling down his cheeks.
That night remains vivid in the mind of local resident Stormi Runkle. Stormi and her husband Doug have been involved with auto racing for many years, from the local level to the World of Outlaws. Prior to the passing of Hinds, Stormi spent her Saturday nights in the stands at Placerville Speedway and recalls the antics of Hinds and the company that surrounded him.
“I will never forget the night was presented with his pass,” recalled Runkle. I escorted Al down to the infield that night. He had no idea what was going on, he was shaking with excitement all the way down the stairs and and kept asking me what they were going to do. When he finally made it down there he lit up like a kid in a candy store. He held my hand until it was bright red and then I saw the tears in his eyes. He had always told me stories about his days. When I saw the passion that came through that smile and those eyes that evening, I knew what a proud man he was in it came to Placerville Speedway. I didn’t have a lot of years with Mr. Hinds but in the short time I did have with him he taught me a lot about living life. He taught me to live life to the fullest, just as he did.”
Kami Arnold grew up in El Dorado County and spent many of her Saturday nights in the stands of Placerville Speedway not only as a child but as an adult as well, watching her fiancée Scott Russell race sprint cars. Much like Hinds, the Arnold name is rich in the history books of the racetrack here. Phil Arnold, Kami’s uncle was a top stock car driver back in the day at Placerville and her grandfather turned many laps doing track prep in the early days when Hinds was so active in the operations of the track.
“I remember sitting behind Mr. Hinds as a spectator when Scott and I had started dating almost 10 years ago,” said Arnold. “ He always wore that one funny hat- I'm sure many remember it. He was always nice and was always willing to entertain a conversation. It was refreshing to meet Mr. Hinds because he had a passion not only for motor sports and Hangtown Speedway, but it seemed for life in general. He was passionate about making certain you knew he was genuinely interested in what you were talking about. He shared stories of my Grandfather that I had never heard before. It was nice to hear stories outside of my own family members,it was different perspective. I feel it was a privilege that I was able to get to know Mr. Hinds for the short period of time that I sat behind him each weekend.”
While many spectators have their memories of Hinds, several of today’s drivers do as well. Hinds had an eye for talent behind the wheel and he especially enjoyed watching the younger generations make a name for themselves in the sport. Former Tribute to Al Hinds winner Andy Forsberg of Auburn shared a funny story of Hinds in victory lane here last Saturday night.
“I didn’t get to spend a lot of time with Al Hinds, but I learned who he was and what he did here from my dad.” said Forsberg. “When I first started racing I remember I had saved some seats in the stands and a lady went up there and tore my blankets down and threw them over the fence. Al Hinds looked at me, smiled and said “Andy that is about the rudest thing I have ever seen,” and he left it at that. That’s how he was, he knew how to let things go and move on. That’s something we all must learn in life. This race is important and its important for everyone to come out here Saturday night and show their support for this man once again.”
Saturday the legacy of Al Hinds will live on at Placerville Speedway with the fifth annual running of the “Family Chevrolet Tribute to Al Hinds.” Some 40 drivers will pack the pit area to compete in the third segment of the competitive Civil War Sprint Car Series. Prior to the race more than a dozen sprint cars will be on display at Family Chevrolet at 4050 Motherlode Drive in Shingle Springs for the first annual Tribute to Al Hinds Sprint Car Show and BBQ. The event will offer free hamburgers, hot dogs and refreshments sponsored by Strauss Foodservice and Family Chevrolet and will provide an opportunity for fans and families to meet many of the drivers. A limited number of complimentary tickets to the night’s race will be given away by dealership owner Tony Montalbano who is looking forward to the event.
“This isn’t about trying to sell more cars on a Saturday,” said Montalbano. “This about paying tribute to a great person in the community and having a special day for the racers and fans. We’re looking forward to it.”
Saturday’s pre-race event will begin at 10 a..m. and will wrap up at 1 p.m. Family Chevrolet is located at 4050 Motherlode Drive in Shingle Springs just off Highway 50 and the Ponderosa Road Exit. Saturday night Family Chevrolet will award a $1000 bonus to the winner of the feature event. DSR Graphics and Signs will present the fast qualifier with a $100 bonus as well. For additional information on this event visit www.johnpadjenmotorsports.com.
This article is part of a series of stories by John Padjen Motorsports’ Director of Communications Bill Sullivan that takes and in depth look at the upcoming Tribute to Al Hinds at Placerville Speedway. For additional articles on this upcoming special event be sure and visit www.johnpadjenmotorsports.com.
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