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Track: East Bay adds Hav-A-Tampa event 2/3

20 November 1998

East Bay Raceway readies for $325,000 Winternationals with Added Hav-a-Tampa Event

GIBSONTON, FL - Tickets for the 1999 East Bay Raceway Winternationals will go on sale Nov. 25 and for the first time in the tracks 23-year history, four separate groups of racers will take turns in the spotlight over a three-week period with a record $325,000 payout. The 360 sprints start things off Thurs. Jan. 28, 29 and 30, 1999 followed by a televised $10,000-to-win Hav-a-Tampa 75-lap late model race on Wed. Feb. 3. The STARS late Models begin a three day $100,000 series on Feb. 4, 5 and 6. The 23rd annual Sprint Winternationals, sanctioned by the All Star Circuit of Champions, will be four days beginning Feb. 10, 11, 12 and 13, with $123,000 up for grabs. A press and media practice day barbecue is set for Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 9. The inaugural Winternationals for the fast growing 360 sprint class carries a $51,000 purse. Drivers from at least eight of the top 360 sanctioning bodies are expected to compete for bragging rights to being crowned king of the 360 Winternationals. Groups that received entry forms include the ASCS Renegades, ASCS Challengers, the Knoxville 360s, KARS, Empire Super Sprints, Eastern Limited Sprints, United Racing Club, the United Sprint Car Series from Georgia and the home-based Florida Outlaw Sprints. Track manager Tom Hall has revealed that a $1,000 bounty will go to the winner Saturday night if he can prevail against an East Bay regular. Under the same rules, the preliminary night winners are eligible for a $500 bonus.

The following week, on Wed. Feb. 3, East Bay will host its first ever televised show running under the sanction of the UDTRA with the Hav-a-Tampa racing series. The $50,000 one day event will be Round Two of the 1999 Hav-a-Tampa racing series National Championship. Their top runners will be in town to compete in a full show of time trials, heats, two last chance races and a 75-lap A Main. The total program will be over 150 laps on the 1/3 mile clay oval.

On Thurs. Feb. 4, the STARS late models will be in town to sanction the 22nd annual Late Model Winternationals for a posted purse of $100,000. Thursday, Feb. 4 gives $4,000 to the winner for a 40-lapper. The next night, Friday, Feb. 5 pays $6,000 for 50 laps while a whopping $10,000 is up for grabs for the 100 lap finale on Saturday night.

On Wed., Feb. 10, the four-day $123,000 Sprint Winternationals kicks off with each night being a complete show. Their final night, the All Stars have scheduled a 50-lap feature with $10,000 going to the winner on Sat. Feb 13. All drivers will race each night in a complete show of time trials, heat races, last chance races, dashes and C, B and A Main features.

Previous ticket holders will have first opportunity to renew their seats before the tickets go on sale to the public. To place an order by phone, call toll free 1-877-457-5611 and have a MasterCard or Visa ready. When ordering by mail, send a check made out to East Bay Raceway, 6311 Burts Road, Tampa, FL 33619.

Part of the celebration of the 23rd Winternationals will be the second Annual United Expressline National Sprint Car Hall of Fame Golf Tournament which will be at 8:00a.m. on Wed. morning, Feb. 10 at Summerfield Golf Club. All fans, driver s and crews are welcome and may reserve spaces by calling the Hall of Fame at 515-842-6176.

For more information, ticket prices or driver entry forms, call the track toll-free at 877-457-5611 or Jean Lynch at 724-727-7482 or fax 724-727-2235.