MOTORSPORTS TEAM PRESS RELEASE – BULLET RACING #35 & #53 SPRINT CAR TEAM 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 2, 2009 

MEDIA CONTACT: Bill Sullivan: [email protected] 

TEAM CONTACTS: John Taylor  [email protected] Andy Palmer: [email protected] 

Three time champion owner John Taylor and Wiesz return in 2009 with newly formed two car team 

ROSEVILLE, CA (3-2-09) – Last year, veteran race team owner John Taylor of Roseville made history when he became the first sprint car team owner to win three consecutive sprint car titles at Placerville Speedway. For Taylor, it was a Cinderella story as the season marked the first with the talented Colby Wiesz of Colfax behind the wheel of the #35 sprint car. 

                After their successful season together, Taylor and Wiesz are back together for the 2009 racing season. While they will return with the same winning attitude that drove them to the Placerville Speedway track championship last season, they will also return with a new look and a brand new two car team for the year to come. For the first time in his sprint car racing career, Taylor has joined forces with longtime friend and businessman Brett Irvin of GraniteBay to form ‘Bullet Racing.” The duo will field two cars for much of the upcoming racing season. Wiesz will defend his Placerville Speedway title in the primary #35 car for the entire season while the secondary car, donning an identical  #53 will field a variety of talented drivers throughout the year. 

                “Colby Wiesz did an outstanding job behind the wheel of the #35 car last season, I knew before the season even came to an end he would be back for 2009,” said Taylor. “We have a new look and a new team this year as we have joined forces with Bret to bring two cars to the majority of the events we will be competing. Having a two car team is something I have always wanted to do and Brett and I go way back when it comes to racing. I’m looking forward to working with him on this deal.” 

                Ervin is the founder and operator of the Ervin Sales Group out of GraniteBay. The company specializes in the sales and service of machinery that is designed for fabrication of glass products including that of shower doors and mirrors. Before his business venture, Ervin was involved in racing when Taylor drove a mini sprint. With the sudden growth of his business and the need for travel, he steered away from his hands-on love of motor sports and remained active only as a sponsor on select teams. Now, Ervin is ready to reunite with his longtime friend and give many drivers an opportunity to showcase their skills in the secondary car he will manage during the year. 

                During the 2008 racing season, Taylor and Wiesz took the competition by storm at Placerville Speedway. Together they garnered 13 top five finishes out of the 14 point races in which they competed. Within those 13 top finishes, they earned a total of five feature victories. The end of the season marked Wiesz’ first ever Placerville Speedway title and his fourth of his career, adding to his previous three championships aboard his family owned car at Marysville. 

                For Taylor the season was history making. In the history of Placerville Speedway, no other car owner had ever claimed three straight championships in the 360 sprint car division. At the end of the season he was recognized for the effort by the family of the late Dan Ramey Sr. with what became the one and only “Dan Ramey Lifetime Achievement Award” presented by the son of Taylor’s longtime friend and supporter that passed suddenly just before the final point race of the year. 

                “Dan was a special part of our team, he was with me right from the start and to this day I still can’t believe he is gone,” said Taylor. “Receiving that honor from his family was just as big as the championship for me, maybe even bigger. It truly meant a lot and it will surely motivate us to perform well in the season to come.” 

                While Taylor and Wiesz are expected to pick up right where they left off to defend their Placerville Speedway title and compete in several select events including the Civil War Series, many inquiring minds are asking the question, “who will be in the secondary car during the year.” The answer; multiple talented drivers from throughout Northern California. 

                “We’ve talked with several different drivers about competing and have made those arrangements,” explained Taylor, who will not reveal the hired guns until the roster is complete at start of the racing season. “We’ll announce who will be in the car prior to the upcoming events; we are still finalizing the schedule and determining exactly which events where we will have both cars in competition.” 

                Taylor assures all of his loyal fans and sponsors that having a secondary car will in no way affect the performance of Wiesz and his quest for a repeat championship at Placerville Speedway as well as the Civil War Sprint Car Series. Taylor’s talented crew will return for the year to come and Ervin will be in charge of the second car and its needs during every event. 

                “In no way is John Taylor Motorsports and our track record going by the wayside with this deal, we are simply joining forces and working together,” explained Taylor. “Bret will have in car and I will have mine and we will work it that way and share the support as needed in the turn of events. We’re excited for the year to come.” 

                Currently, Taylor is seeking additional sponsorship for the year to come. At this time M&M Structures of Woodland has returned to the team along with Taylor’s own company, Performance Plus Carpet Care of Roseville along with Ervin Sales Group of GraniteBay and additional support of Powdercoat It, Shark Motors, Tony Borello Racing Engines, Guts Racing Products and Graphics, PT Shocks and Rowes Auto Body. 

                “Times are tough on everyone,” said Taylor, who works a fulltime position and operates his carpet cleaning business to make ends meet. “We appreciate anything and everything these people are helping with this year. Hopefully things turn around soon for everyone. At least we can all go racing and for a few hours a week not think about everything that is going on in the country. Racing is good for that, but at the same time is expensive.” 

                Colby Wiesz and the newly formed Bullet Racing Team will debut on Saturday, March 22 at Placerville Speedway with the Civil War Sprint Car Series opener.