Big rigs and Mr. Dizzy entertain crowd at ERP

The North American Big Rigs round the first turn of the quarter-mile oval at the Ephrata Raceway Park Friday, Aug. 10.

The action slows to a crawl following a spinout in turn two as cars are put back in the proper racing order.

by Bob Kirkpatrick & Herald Sports Editor
| August 15, 2012 6:05 AM

The action slows to a crawl following a spinout in turn two as cars are put back in the proper racing order.

EPHRATA - It was a hot and balmy, but nonetheless race fans were treated to two nights of thrilling entertainment as Inland Oil and Propane and Tjoelker Trucking brought the North American Big Rigs out of Canada and Mr. Dizzy to the Ephrata Raceway Park (ERP) last weekend.

"On Friday the racing was action packed and wall pounding," Rita Witte, co-owner of ERP said. "We ended Saturday ... Kid's Day at the Races with, one of Mr. Dizzy's "toasty" car explosions. All made for an exciting weekend at ERP."

Friday night was first appearance for the North American Big Rigs at the raceway as variety of semi-trucks from a 2004 Peterbuilt to a 1958 Kenworth made their way around the quarter-mile track.

The "wall pounding" came in the middle of the 35 lap main when the semi-truck driven by Terrill Schmidt blew a front tire to put him into the wall in turn four causing no injuries ... just a bruised right fender and possibly a bruised turn four," Witte said. "The action resumed with the race won by Darren Burdahl from Calgary."

Mr. Dizzy joined in for Kid's Day at the Races on Saturday performing one of his car explosions to the delight of the fans, Both nights also saw the cast of usual suspects race for bragging rights.

Race results Aug. 10

Kim Janke State Farm Youth HornetsFast Time:

Erika Veenstra - 17.13

A Trophy Dash: Dylan Heer

B Trophy Dash: Chase Mulalley

A Heat: Dylan Heer, Austin Weber, Erika Veenstra, Diana Schaible and Patrick Hector.B Heat: Tyler Larr, Chase Mulalley and Jesse Cook

First Main Event for rain out: Austin Weber, Erika Veenstra, Dylan Heer, Patrick Hector, Diana Schaible, Tyler Larr, Jesse Cook, Chase Mulalley, dnf

Second Main: not counted

Schaeffer Oil

Mini StocksFast Time:

Jeff Hector - 16.19

A Trophy Dash: Greg HectorB Trophy Dash: Dallas White

A Heat: JR Miner, Doug Brown, Greg Hector, Kelly Olsick, Jeff Hector, John Hagood and Sid WhiteB Heat: Ty Mitchell, Eddie Razey, Dallas White, Charlie Larr, Andrew Razey, Mykkal Mulalley and Colton Fisher

Main Event: Jeff Hector, JR Miner, Sid White, Kelly Olsick, John Hagood, Ty Mitchell, Eddie Razey, Andrew Razey, Mykkal Mulalley, Greg Hector, Dallas White, dnf, Doug Brown, dnf, Colton Fisher, dnf and Charlie Larr, dnf

Race results Aug. 11

Ephrata Pioneer Muffler II Pure Stocks

Fast Time: Derrick Kapalo

A Trophy Dash: Derrick Kapalo

A Heat: Mike Baughman, Heidi Larsen, Nathan Schell, Jeremy LarsenB Heat: Derrick Kapalo, Kyle Foster

Kim Janke State Farm Youth HornetsFast Time:

Erika Veenstra - 17.13

Main Event: Christopher Weber, Mike Baughman, Kyle Foster, Heidi Larsen

Pepsi Street StocksFast Time:

Derrick Kapalo

A Trophy: Skyler LesemanB Trophy: Tyler Redin

A Heat: Skyler Leseman, Shad Darwood, Neil Nelson, Fred MooreB Heat: Jeremy Razey, Jeremy Larsen, Charlie Neville

Main Event: Tyler Redin, Shad Darwood, Neil Nelson, Fred Moore, Charlie Neville, Jeremy Larsen, Skyler Leseman, Derrick Kapalo, Jeremy Razey, Justin Dunagan

Jerry's Auto Supply 360 SprintsFast Time:

Joe Smith - 13.36

Trophy Dash: Joe Smith

Heat Race: David Macken, Joe Smith, Richard Black, Rick Bretches, Rafael Kurek, Adam Smith, Dustin Kapalo

Main: Joe Smith, Richard Black, Rafael Kurek, David Macken, Rick Bretches, Adam Smith, dnf, Dustin Kapalo, dnf.Upcoming dates

ERP will be closed Aug. 18 for the Grant County FairAug. 24

Drive-in Movie Night - Movie TBDAug. 25

Racing resumes with the Jerry's Auto Supply Racing Series

For more information, contact Rita Witte at (509) 398-7111 or visit the ERP website at www.ephrataracewaypark.com.