LEGENDS 12-14 YR. OLD DIVISION CONSIDERED FOR 2011

TOYOTA SPEEDWAY CONSIDERS 12-14 YEAR OLD
LEGENDS CAR DIVISION FOR 2011 RACE SEASON

Irwindale, Calif.  (September 21, 2010) - - “We’ve had a lot of interest in the concept and we’re going to give it some very careful consideration over the winter break …”  That was Toyota Speedway GM/VP Bob DeFazio talking about adding a new Legends Cars division for 12 to 14 year olds to the 2011 racing schedule.

“There are a number of families who race with us here at the Speedway who want to move their young drivers up from the Bandoleros and this Legends Cars age group would be the perfect place for them to get more experience,”  DeFazio explained.

These “young(er) guns” would race among themselves and not in the ranks of the regular Legends events.  “Jumping from Karts or Bandos into a Legends Car as we expect that many of the youngsters in this division would be doing is big enough step in the first place,” said DeFazio, who’s own son, Nick did that very thing (jumped directly from the top ranks of Karts into the Legends Cars) a few years back at the Speedway.  

Interestingly enough, many racing families are thinking in terms of Legends Cars (even though the initial outlay may be somewhat more) as a form of racing more economical than Karts.  

“There’s just not the sort of constant expense for upgrades with the Legends Cars,” Speedway Race Director Lester Boyer told us.  “With a Legend you tune the chassis and work on set-up, the engines are all sealed, the tires are all the same, and even a new set of them is not worth 2/10ths on your lap time.  With Legends, there’s more horsepower than grip, and a young driver can really learn something about racing rather than worrying every race about the latest trick parts upgrades that his competitors have.”  

Both DeFazio and Boyer are going to be listening hard to the folks and the fans over the winter break.  If a 12-14 division in the Legends Cars sounds doable and enough family teams decide to take a shot … It’ll be in the regular racing event rotation in 2011.  

There’s the good possibility of a special track day where Legends regulars would bring their machines out to the track and tutor the 12-14’s who want to take a shot at the bigger wheels.

Toyota Speedway is a living, breathing, thing … there have been many classes and divisions that have been born there, and a few that went quietly away as well.  “We’re about competition, we’re about having a place for people to race, and we’re about putting on a show that the public will pay to see, bottom line,” DeFazio concluded.  “In only 12 years of existence this track has seen terrific innovation and great competition, we are always open to new ideas.” 

COMMENTS and/or QUESTIONS: Lester Boyer (626) 674-3607