Sacramento's Fensler Ready for Legends World Finals in Sonoma

SONOMA, Calif. Sacramento's Steve Fensler Jr. hopes to complete a near-perfect season at Infineon Raceway, Nov. 10-11, at the 10th annual INEX Legends Car Road Course World Finals.

Fensler is currently tied for first in points in the elite Pro division entering the season-finale weekend, which will feature more than 130 drivers from all over the world. The San Ramon native has posted nine road-course victories in 11 road-course events this year and is seeking to win his first-ever World Finals.

Fensler is also hoping to avenge last year's heartbreak at Infineon Raceway, where he suffered mechanical problems during qualifying on Friday and did not start the main event. He enters the weekend tied for first in the points race with Oklahoma's Bobby Pugh. Fensler will pilot his 1934 Ford Coupe around the 12-turn, 2.52-mile road course.

"It gets frustrating when we run good all year long and then during the last race something happens," said Fensler, a San Ramon Valley High School graduate. "We look forward to better luck this year."

Fensler's most notable win this year came at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where he won the prestigious Silver State Championship for a second consecutive year. He was also victorious in two regular-season events at Infineon Raceway, and he holds the Legends track record for the Sonoma Valley road course. He has also set track records at Las Vegas and Thunderhill Raceway.

"This is the biggest race of the year for us, and we're getting really excited as the days get closer," said Fensler. "To win at Infineon Raceway would mean a lot."

Milpitas' Martin McKeefery looks to secure his first road course win at Infineon Raceway in the Pro division after taking home top honors in 2005 in the Semi-Pro class. Additional Northern California drivers who will compete over the weekend include Vallejo's Phil Joy (Semi-Pro), Elk Grove's Chuck Scott (Semi-Pro), Livermore's Steve Wilson (Masters) and Pittsburg's Hank Smedley (Masters).

Action will be contested over the weekend (Nov. 10-11) in five-eighths scale cars capable of reaching speeds up to 120 mph. All cars feature 1,250cc Yamaha engines and date as far back as 1934. Competition will be featured in four divisions: Pro (drivers with racing experience); Semi-Pro (drivers with limited racing experience); Masters (40 and older); and Thunder Roadster. Some of the countries represented include the United States, Denmark, Scotland and England.

WHAT:  10th annual INEX Legends Car Road Course World Finals.

WHEN:  Friday-Saturday, Nov. 10-11.

WHERE:  Infineon Raceway, Highways 37 and 121, Sonoma, Calif. 95476
(800-870-RACE or www.infineonraceway.com <http://www.searspoint.com/> ).


2005 EVENT WINNERS:  Jeremy Christensen (Pro, Laramie, Okla.); Martin
McKeefery (Semi-Pro, Milpitas); Mike Rard (Masters, Stillwater, Okla..);
Randy Raduechel (Thunder Roadster, Oakdale).

CIRCUIT:12-turn, 2.52-mile road course.

SCHEDULE:  Friday - Two rounds of practice beginning at 8 a.m., with two
rounds of heat races scheduled to begin at 12:05 p.m. Each heat race
will span five laps.

Saturday - Early-bird practice at 10 a.m. Feature races begin at 11:45
a.m., with each race spanning 11 laps. 

ADMISSION: Parking and admission are free. Gates open at 7 a.m. each
day. All times PST.