Northwest Tour revived, schedule

ASA NORTHWEST TOUR RESURRECTS HISTORICAL STOCK CAR TOURING SERIES

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 2, 2007) -- Stock car racers and fans in the Pacific Northwest can breath a sigh of relief with the announcement that the American Speed Association will be part of the legendary Northwest Tour.

"So many of the best racers in the nation come from the Northwest and this has been proven time and time again when they venture out of the region and pit their skills against drivers from other areas," said Ron Bennett, acting series director for the ASA Northwest Tour. "Historically, the Northwest Tour has been very viable for so many years and was the series that so many racers in Hobby Stock, Super Stock and the other track divisions looked up to and dreamed about racing in. And it was a very realistic goal to aspire to."

"We are just tickled to death that ASA sees the value in the Northwest Tour and want to be involved and help us. They are like a beacon of light at a time when so many competitors in the area thought that the equipment they owned would no longer have a place to compete. And as a national organization, the ASA brings credibility to the series," Bennett added.

Bennett was quick to point out that although the new series is ASA-sanctioned, it will be managed by a local committee who will have oversight on the rules and other competition elements. In fact, many of the former officials who worked on the tour in past years have indicated a desire to return which would allow for continuity of rules enforcement.

"This is wonderful for the future of touring racing in the Northwest," added advisory board member Melinda Moulaison. "By partnering with ASA, we are going back home. Dennis Huth started the Northwest Tour and to have his organization be part of our vision for the future of the ASA Northwest Tour is tremendous."

The cars formerly approved for Elite Series competition will be the basis for the equipment with only minor modifications required. One of these is the installation of a four-inch diameter exhaust to comply with the noise requirements at the racetracks currently on the schedule.

"It's great to be back in my old stomping grounds and have ASA partnered with the Northwest Tour," said Dennis Huth, president of the ASA Member Track and Regional Racing programs. "We have made a long term commitment to the ASA Northwest Tour and are working towards helping the racers reduce their costs and offer improved benefits and an enhanced insurance package. I think that the ASA Northwest Tour competitors, teams and fans will all see a rejuvenated group behind this program and the disappointment of the past quickly forgotten."

Bennett said that the 2007 schedule currently stands at six events at three racetracks, though he is optimistic that it can be quickly increased to eight or ten races. The confirmed dates are:

<pre> May 5 South Sound Speedway Rochester, Wash. 150 laps 3/8-mile track May 26 Yakima Speedway Yakima, Wash. 125 laps 1/2-mile track June 9 Stateline Stadium/Speedway Post Falls, Idaho 150 laps 1/4-mile track July 6, 7 Yakima Speedway Yakima, Wash. 200 laps 1/2-mile track August 25 Stateline Stadium/Speedway Post Falls, Idaho 150 laps 1/4-mile track September 1, 2 Yakima Speedway Yakima, Wash. 200 laps 1/2-mile track

</pre> The July and September races at Yakima Speedway will feature qualifying on the first day, followed by the race on the second date shown. These events will also be highlighted by live pit stop action.

"We are just taking baby steps right now, but I think people will see an immediate difference with the ASA involvement," Bennett stated. "The insurance program is a great improvement, and we don't have plans to make any massive changes to the rules. So far we have already been getting a good commitment from racers in the Northwest, and even some calls from interested teams out of the region."

-credit: asa