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Banquet honors champions and participants;
Racer’s Swap Meet this Saturday.
by Bob Burbach
(November 19, 2007 - Marysville, CA) --- Paul and Kathy Hawes presented the inaugural banquet for Marysville Raceway Park Saturday November 10th at the Colusa Casino. A full house celebrated champions and participants from the 2007 championship point racing season. 37 drivers and 1 special award category were honored at the best attended banquet in memory. Only 5 of the 43 scheduled recipients were unable to make the star studded extravaganza.
Champion drivers Jeremy Burt (Winged Sprint), Pat Russum (Wingless Sprint), Lisa Shelby (KKCY Mini Stock) and the dual champions, Phillip Shelby and Heather Bartlett (KKCY Street Stock) headlined the show. Zach Johnson was named champion of the inaugural Extreme Bomber division in a special award presentation.
The ceremony began with a word on the state of things at MRP by promoter Paul Hawes. Hawes’ positive look to the future was an inspiring part of the festivities. Track photographer Mike Dehoogh also presented an amazing 20-minute look at the season in photographs. The slide show was a hit of the show.
Jennifer Merritt received the “Sportsperson of the Year” award for her tireless efforts in helping to produce “Kids Night” in June. Despite personal health problems that would put most of us on the shelf, Jennifer dug in and was instrumental in gathering bikes, toys and other gifts so EVERY child in attendance that night received a prize. EVERY CHILD.
Rookie of the Year awards went to Rod Ramirez in the Winged Sprint car division, Eddie Gardner in the Wingless Sprint car division, champion driver Heather Bartlett in the KKCY Stock Cars and Alan Furuta Jr. in the KKCY Mini Stocks.
Promoter Hawes made special presentations to 4 drivers that showed, that with a little help, they could compete at a higher level. Well, help came in the form of complete race ready engines built by Tony Massey and the crew at the CSD Machine shop. Sprint Car drivers Eddie Gardner and Nate Herbert along with Street Stock drivers Ray Benkowski and Wes Shermantine each took immediate delivery of a CSD bullet.
Don’t forget coming up this Saturday morning (opening at 7 AM) is the annual racers Swap Meet. Spaces are $35 for racing related products ONLY. Admission and bench racing BS are free according to promoter Hawes. This observer might suggest a look at the speedway itself while you are there. Hawes and his crew have worked tirelessly since the final checkered flag. So, take a walk around the track, we think you'll like what you see. The 40th anniversary season is upon us and it should be a great one.
Next year Paul and Kathy Hawes will be back to MRP celebrating that 40th year of continual operation. Look for many special events to be posted here in the near future. Put www.marysvilleracewaypark on your “favorites” button on you computer. Watch this site for press releases, updates and complete results.
Note: Please make this observer aware of any names that are misspelled or incorrect. The text is based on information we have at the time of its release. Complete finishes, stats and points become official and available at the close of business on Tuesday and will be posted to the web site.
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