Fort Wayne Indoor Midgets

INDOOR TRADITION CONTINUES AT FORT WAYNE

Indoor racing, which dates back to the very beginning of Midget auto racing, concludes the 2006 USAC calendar next Friday and Saturday (Dec. 29-30) with the 9th Annual "Rumble in Fort Wayne" at the Memorial Coliseum Expo Center in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Located next to the famed Memorial Coliseum where USAC's debut event took place nearly 51 years ago, the Expo Center will play host to various forms of motorsport, including the USAC Midgets, which will include Ford Focus and Kenyon cars. A 60-lap feature is on tap both nights, following preliminaries. Midget racing each night gets under way at 7 pm, although qualifications are slated at 5.

Two-time NASCAR Cup Champion, former IRL Champion and former USAC Triple Crown Champion Tony Stewart won one of two races held at Fort Wayne last year and is expected to compete on Saturday. Rich Corson, also among early entrants, won last year's other Midget feature.

Mel Kenyon, the winningest driver in USAC National Midget racing history, is also entered, along with former "Rumble" race winners Dave Darland and Tony Elliott and recent "Turkey Night Grand Prix" Champion Billy Wease.

Fort Wayne indoor racing dates back to 1953 when Gene Force won at the Coliseum, which also hosted the final event sanctioned by the American Automobile Association (AAA) in 1955.

Race organizer Tony Barhorst has arranged a package for race fans that will keep them entertained both days.

Rumble Series events feature the USAC (United States Auto Club) National Midgets, Ford Focus and Kenyon Car special event with a 60-lap A-Main on a one-tenth mile oval. The popular Outlaw 600 Modified Winged Midgets, go-karts and Lucas Oil Quarter midgets will also compete. Briggs World Formula Junior Sprints have been added to the event. Three-time IndyCar Series and 2006 Indy Champ Sam Hornish Jr. will make an appearance at Sam Hornish Day in Ft. Wayne. He will be meeting fans, and doing a question and answer session from at least 4:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. on Friday, December 29. ABC Television analyst Jack Arute will arrive at the Indy FanZone on December 29, and may race in the event.

Having Sam appear at our event will really put the focus on his roots....the kart competition from this region that he emerged from," said Tony Barhorst. "Tony Stewart has put on quite a show here over the years, win or lose."

Early entries include these drivers who will be there to compete with Stewart: Lou Cicconi will compete in Chuck Rencurrel's Kalamazoo Twister midget and he is also bringing three Outlaw Modified Winged Midgets. There has been quite a bit of interest from east coast Modified Midget drivers. We expect drivers from New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Canada.

In addition, an Indy DownForce FanZone area will be available both days, December. 29 and 30 in an agreement reached between the IndyCar Series and Rumble Series president Tony Barhorst. Fans can visit the DownForce pre-race party before and during the races just outside of the one-sixth mile oval racetrack's grandstands set up inside the Expo Center. The FanZone will feature Sprint Car Race simulators and more racing and entertainment oriented booths.

Load-in for participants is scheduled Thursday from 3-9 pm, with an optional practice session from 7-9. Pit gates open at 8 am Friday and Saturday. Driver/Team Meetings are at 9 and practice starts at 9:45. Spectator gates open at noon.

Reserved and general admission tickets are available at all TicketMaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com, and can be charged by phone at 260-424-1811. The promoter event information line is 317-418-3216. The series has a website at www.rumbleseries.com.

Rumble In Ft. Wayne Ticket Prices

Reserved Seats Adults 21.50 / $40.00 2-Day

Reserved Seats Kids 12 and under: $10.00 / $16.00 2-Day

General Admission Adults : $18.50 / $34.00 2-Day

General Admission Kids 12 and under : $10.00 / $16.00 2-Day

Pit Passes : $30.00 / $50.00 2-Day- Pit Passes can be bought anytime after 7:30 a.m. the days of the events only at the SOUTHEAST marked corner of the EXPO Center. Buyers must sign in for insurance purposes.