Two New Circuits for L.A.: One Temporary, One for Real
6 August 1998
Formerly called the Los Angeles Grand Prix the 1998 Los Angeles Street Race presented by Ford will blast off Saturday September 5 on a temporary 1.4 mile course in the streets around the fabled Los Angeles Coliseum. Dr. William Burke, race promoter, outlined the schedule and players for the three day speed fest in front of dozens of TV cameras stationed outside the Peristyle entrance to the venue that catered to the 1984 Olympics. Burke founded and now conducts the L.A. Marathon, which kicked off 12 years ago (the event press kit says it was 14 years ago) and said four classes of race vehicles will run: American Cities Racing League (Sports 2000) Pro Racing series (Acura, Porsche, Lotus, etc) Ultra Wheel spec truck series, and NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Tour stockers. One highlight will be the filming of a segment of the Baywatch, night time network TV soap during one of the races. Two of the Baywatch Babes were on hand at today's race kickoff, to add to tittilating photo ops. Dr. Burke, holder of a litany of community, commercial and fraternal titles and appointments said the Coliseum site was appropriate for an auto race event, as the first auto race held in L.A. was run inside the Coliseum at the turn of the century. The Coliseum was built in the 1920s. Besides the 'stars' of NASCAR's Featherlite series, other racers will make an appearance, including Winston Cuppers Mark Martin, Chad Little and Ken Schrader. Local favorite, Craftsman Truck series driver, Ron Hornaday will drive in two events, and former Trans-Am standout Willy T. Ribbs will also drive. Dr. Burke said the cars could hit 185 to 200 mph on the back straight, but chicanes are going to be put in to curtail these high speeds. For more information: 310 474 5116. Irwindale, California, at one time, was the site of a very active NHRA drag strip (Irwindale Dragway) and also the location of a Sprint car, midget, and stock car paved semi-banked 1/4 mile bullring (Speedway 605). On March 27, next year, Irwindale Speedway opens its gates to showcase a 6,500 seat speed circuit designed to replace the now defunct Ascot Park. The track's opening has been eagerly awaited by Southern California's open wheel short track racing aficionados and fendered freaks. General Manager/Promoter, Ray Wilkings, formerly of Las Vegas Motor Speedway management team, says the 1/2 mile superspeedway will feature a twin-ring pairing of separate 1/2 and 1/3 mile oval tracks, and every spectator accommodation that one expects at major speedways. The racing plant will feature corporate suites, annual box seats (stylized version of PSLs), elevators to the upper levels, special catering sections, paved and lighted parking (lordy, lordy, do you remember Ascot parking?) concert quality sound and ballpark-bright lights. Over 60 race dates have been set with the featured classes to be: Super Late Model stocks, Grand American Modified, Super Stocks, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, USAC Midgets, 3/4 midgets, Sprint Cars, Legends, Spec Trucks, Speed Trucks, American Race Trucks and Karts. Irwindale will soon announce a number of on-site driving schools at the facility, which is freeway close for most Southern California race fans at the 605 freeway and Live Oak avenue just 40 minutes from downtown L.A. But then, who would be coming to the race track from downtown L.A.? Ain't no race buffs in downtown L.A. More info: 888 954 2500 Bill Maloney -- The Auto Channel
