(Ventura Raceway, Cliff Morgan, April 5th, 2013) OXNARD, CA - Ventura Raceway is back in action this Saturday night April 6 with a very special event. Saturday night feature the first of four scheduled 2013 Battle of the Beach races for VRA and USAC Midgets. Also on tap are six other adult classes, VRA Dwarf Cars, IMCA Modifieds, VRA Mod Lites, VRA Focus, VRA Quads and VRA Go Karts. All these classes will keep you on the edge of your seat as they battle on Ventura's 1/5 mile high speed dirt oval.
The first VRA/USAC Battle of the Beach race of 2013 promises to be one of the best ever as stars from VRA battle stars from USAC's Western States Midget Series. Ronnie Gardner, Cody Swanson, Jake Swanson and several other VRA Midget racers will battle David Prickett, USAC Champion Shannon McQueen and several other USAC Western States racers. 2012 VRA Midget Series Champion Cody Swanson took the USAC Midget race at Bakersfield last weekend and he will be here to try to win his first Battle of the Beach Trophy. He won the season opener for VRA Midgets as well on March 16. Ronnie Gardner won the last midget race here at Ventura on March 23 and will be going for two in a row Saturday night. Other VRA drivers expected to compete include Jake Swanson, Rick Hendrix, Randi Pankratz, Kyle Smith and all the regular VRA Midget drivers. Several USAC Western States drivers are also expected to be there to go for the win in this prestigious series. Other Battle of the Beach Series races are scheduled for May 18, July 20 and the final race to name the King of the Beach will take place on Sepember28.
Point leader Josh Vogt will be back to try for three wins in a row in the IMCA Modified Class. So far in 2013 he has dominated the racing in this class. Others trying to end this domination will be past champions, Jack Parker, Austin Rodarte, Aaron Rodarte, Donald Hougton, top challengers Brad Prows, Dennis Eckert and many others. The high speed, V8 powered open wheel stock cars always put on exciting, fast and furious racing.
VRA Dwarf Cars return to action this weekend with opening night and last race winner Brent Stevens going for three wins in a row in Pros and Mike Lewis in Seniors going for two wins in a row. Both are expected to be back to compete against the top competitors in each class. Other racers expected to be on hand to try to get their first wins in 2013 include Bill Van Praag, Tom Stephens Sr., Bob Kaufman and Curt Cook in Seniors and Eric Alton, Johnny and Tim Conley, Kevin Calvo, Randy Gordon, and many others in Pros.
VRA Focus Midgets will also be on the card Saturday. Point leader Brennan Rogers leads the field into competition as he goes for two wins in a row. Also scheduled to compete are Ashley Hazleton, who won on March 13, 2012 series champion Wally Pankratz and several other young up and coming drivers.
VRA Go Karts will resume their season as well Saturday night. All the top drivers in this division will be back to try to see who will take the series championship at the end of the season in November. These racers will race on the large track as they did in the 2012 season. Matt Jones took the win on their first night of competition on March 23. Since moving to the large track last season the kart drivers have put on excellent races. Saturday's competition should be no exception.
VRA Mod Lites will be here the weekend. This growing class racing downsized east coast Big Block Modified-styled cars have been racing for two seasons and we are hoping it will grow into a great VRA Class. 2012 season champion Mike Sweeney is not competing this season so the championship is open to drivers like Ricky Lewis, Dave Dotson and Chris Kordner. Lewis took the win in their first race and will be back to go for two in a row.
The final class racing Saturday night is the VRA Quads as they open their 2013 season. These racers race all out on very high powered racing quads around the Ventura Raceway 1/5 mile oval. David Knight is back to defend his title in the Quad Open division and Brian Hudnell took the Sportsman Division in 2012
Pit gates open at 12 noon with front gates opening at 3:00. Racing gets underway with warm ups at 3:30 and racing getting under way at 5:30. Admission for this event is $15.00 for adults, $11.00 for Seniors, Juniors and Military. Kids under 12 are free with an adult admission. For more information, please call Ventura Raceway at (805) 985-5433.
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- Ventura Raceway on Apr 05, 2013
- Article Date: 4/5/2013 by Ventura Raceway/Cliff Morgan