2008illini

www.illiniracingseries.com
Tom Arthur, PR Director
Illini Racing Series (IRS)
(815)730-1960 days (815)485-4959 evenings
victrelane@comcast.net
photos courtesy of IRS Photos....click on picture to enlarge
2007 archives

MAYHEW OVERCOMES MAYHEM TO ILLINI WIN AT ANGELL PARK

Sun Prairie, WI, 07/06/08 Just one week after having a hit and run driver destroy his tow vehicle and trailer, Kurt Mayhew found himself in victory lane at the world’s most famous midget track. Mayhew had planned to run once again with the Illini Racing Series, but after his highway accident, that seemed in doubt. When the “friends of Mayhew” brought the car into the pits tonight, everyone was happy to see the veteran driver feeling well enough to give it a try.

With his Brayton/Buick choked down with the required intake restrictors, and a set of Illini spec tires bolted on his Buzzard chassis, Mayhew gingerly slid his bruised ribs into the cockpit of his racecar. With no qualifying, his draw put him in the 2nd heat with four of the five feature race winners from this year, Joe Knippel, Allen Gillis, Lamont Critchett, and Doug Orseske. The heat also included Sean Murphy, Mark Morey and Duke Fulton in his 1980’s vintage Vogler chassised car from Iowa compete. Knippel won the heat, with Mayhew 2nd.

The first heat saw a sweep of the top three positions by Wisconsin drivers. David Budres took the early lead, but spun in turn one, sending him to the back of the pack. The Beloit driver came back to win, followed by Milwaukee’s Dick Kaiser, and Rockdale’s Mike Adams, Jr..

The A-Main featured a number of great batttles for positions, with Mayhew working his way to the front, chased by a determined Gillis and Knippel. Mayhew was able to catch a breather under yellow flags on lap 6 for a Budres brush with the inside guardrail in turn 4, on lap 8 for Murphy’s broken Panhard bar, and on lap 12 when Orseske lost the right front tire and gently brushed the wall.

RESULTS:
Heat #1 (10 laps): 1. David Budres, Beloit, WI, #31 Snap-On Tools Quad-4/Ellis; 2. Dick Kaiser, Milwaukee, WI, #82 Dan George Scream Focus/Stealth; 3. Mike Adams. Jr., Rockdale, WI, #21A Joe Albert Chevy II/Mislich; 4. Loran Critchett, Jr., Alsip, IL, #17 Dave Gass VW/Challenger; 5. Eddie Sauer, Loves Park, IL, #74 Sauer Racing 2300cc Ford/Edmunds; 6. Scott Dunning, Joliet, IL, #1 Knippel/Spencer Racing Illini Ford/Hawk; 7. Scott Koerner, Joliet, IL, #4 Task Management Sesco 2x4/Bishop; 8. Tom Shilkuski, Spring Valley, IL, #66 Ray Shilkuski VW/Kenyon

Heat #2 (10 laps): 1. Joe Knippel, Mokena, IL, #33 INR Beatty Lumber Quad-4/Buzzard 2. Kurt Mayhew, Hammond, IN, #21 Mayhew Racing Buick/Buzzard; 3. Allen Gillis, Westmont, IL, #39 Task Management Illini Focus/White; 4. Lamont Critchett, Chicago Heights, IL, #44 Critchett VW/Stapp; 5. Sean Murphy, Evanston, IL, #5 Half Fast Quad-4/Hawk; 6. Duke Fulton, Winton, IA, #32 Arnold Automotive VW/Vogler;; 7. Doug Orseske, Frankfort, IL, #0 Orseske Farms Quad-4/Buzzard; 8. Mark Morey, Sugar Grove, IL, #3 RaceFab Illini Focus/White; 9. Jason Dull, Machesney Park, IL, DNS

A-Main (25 laps): 1. Mayhew, 2. Gillis, 3. Knippel, 4. La. Critchett, 5. Kaiser, 6. Sauer, 7. Lo. Critchett, Jr., 8. Fulton, 9. Morey, 10. Shilkuski, 11. Koerner, 12. Orseske, 13. Adams, Jr., 14. Murphy. 15. Dunning, 16. Budres, 17. Dull (DNS)

CURRENT ILLINI RACING SERIES POINTS AS OF 7/7/08: 1. Joe Knippel, 1705; 2. Lamont Critchett, 1532; 3. Loran Critchett, Jr., 1496; 4. Doug Orseske, 1473; 5. Allen Gillis, 1277; 6. Jason Dull, 1195; 7. Dick Kaiser, 1008; 8. Scott Koerner, 970; 9. Mike Adams Jr., 916; 10. Scott Dunning, 879; 11. Mark Morey, 813; 12. Dan George, 661; 13. Eric Nitz, 579; 14. David Budres, 549; 15. Charlie Holt, 548; 16. Freddy Teer, 518; 17. Eddie Sauer, 421; 18. Tom Shilkuski, 414; 19. Sean Murphy, 399; 20.. Kurt Mayhew, 293; 21. Duke Fulton, 211; 22. Bob Shreffler, 181; 23. Mike Krysiak, 120; 24 Ken Dull, 5; 25. Jolene Slomka, 5.

Next Scheduled Illini Racing Series midget race: Saturday, July 26 at Rockford Speedway with the ASA Northern Late Model Series.

Five Races, Five Faces

Princeton, IL (6/7/08) On a beautiful night for racing at the historic Bureau County Fairgrounds, the Illini Racing Series showed once again how well their rulebook works. The fifth different driver in five races found their way to victory lane, but it wasn’t easy.

Doug Orseske picked up his seventh career feature win, his third on dirt. Orseske started his heat from the pole, but did a 360 degree spin in turn one in front of the entire field. The 0 car kept running, but flagman Matt Rahmer had already alertly thrown the yellow flag in anticipation of the big pile-up that never came. Orseske took the lead on third circuit of the 25 lap feature, but was pressured by Joe Knippel until lap 14. Knippel was finally able to clear Orseske just as the red flag was thrown.

The red was to allow the ambulance to leave the infield for a non-race emergency. With the restart based on the previous completed lap, Knippel would have to try again to take the top spot. He wasn’t able to, and Orseske became the first driver to win a feature event on our new American Racer tires. A great battle for 3rd was won by Allen Gillis, with Dick Kaiser 4th, and Lamont Critchett 5th.

The second heat was won by Gillis, and the trophy dash hardware went home with the Sean Murphy team, a team who debuted their new car with style.

The Illini Dwarf Car/Mod-Lite Division saw Jeff Norton sweep the heat and feature. The Davenport driver was chased to the feature finish by Bobby Fox in 2nd, David Norton in 3rd, Shon Sanders 4th, and Dan Guss 5th.

The next Illini Racing Series race is June 21st at Bureau County Speedway.

Illini Racing Series Event #5, June 7, 2008 Bureau County Speedway, Princeton, IL

Illini Sportsman Midgets:

Peacock Publishing Heat #1: 1. Lamont Critchett, Chicago Heights, IL #44 Critchett Brothers Racing VW/Stapp; 2. Joe Knippel, Mokena, IL #33 Knippel/Spencer Quad 4/Buzzard; 3. Doug Orseske, Frankfort, IL #0 Orseske Farms Quad 4/Buzzard; 4. Loran Critchett, Jr., Alsip, IL #17 On the Gass Racing VW/Challenger: 5. Scott Dunning, Bolingbrook, IL #1 Knippel/Spencer Illini Focus/Hawk; 6. Scott Koerner, Joliet, IL #4K Task Management Sesco/Bishop.

Spencer’s Jewelry Heat #2: Allen Gillis, Westmont, IL #39 Task Management Illini Focus/White; 2. Sean Murphy, Evanston, IL #5 Quad 4/Hawk; 3. Jason Dull, Machesney Park, IL #56 D & D Racing Chevy II/Stealth; 4. Mark Morey, Sugar Grove, IL #3 Morey Enterprises Illini Focus/White; 5. Charlie Holt, Lemont, IL #4H Thompson/Engstrom EcoTech/Stewart; 6. Dick Kaiser, Milwaukee, WI #82 George Racing Enterprises Scream Focus/Buzzard; 7. Tom Shilkuski, Spring Valley, IL #23 Ray Shilkuski Illini Focus/Jack Rich; 8. David Budres, Beloit, WI #31 Knippel/Spencer Quad 4/Ellis.

ADM Real Estate Feature Event (25 laps): 1. Doug Orseske, 2. Joe Knippel, 3. Allen Gillis, 4. Dick Kaiser, 5. Lamont Critchett, 6. Loran Critchett, Jr., 7. Charlie Holt, 8. Mark Morey, 9. Jason Dull, 10. Sean Murphy, 11. Scott Dunning, 12. Scott Koerner, 13. Tom Shilkuski, 14. David Budres

Illini Sportsman Midget Points after 6/7/08: 1. Joe Knippel 1420, 2. Doug Orseske 1300, 3. Lamont Critchett 1276, 4. Loran Critchett 1263, 5. Jason Dull 1195, 6. Allen Gillis 999, 7. Scott Koerner 790, 8. Dick Kaiser 745, 9 Mike Adams Jr. 721,10. Scott Dunning 721, 11. Dan George 661, 12. Mark Morey 625, 13. Eric Nitz 579, 14. Charlie Holt, 548, 15. Freddie Teer 518, 16. David Budres 361, 17. Tom Shilkuski 233, 18. Sean Murphy 226, 19. Eddie Sauer 188, 20. Bob Shreffler 181, 21. Mike Krysiak 120, 22. Ken Dull 5, 23. Jolene Slomka 5.

Illini Dwarf Car/Mod-Lites:

Heat Race: 1. Jerry Norton, Davenport, IA, 2. David Norton, Moline, IL, 3, Shon Sanders, Blue Grass, IA, 4. Bobby Fox, Moline, IL, 5. Rob Guss, Muscatine, IA, 6. Dan Guss, Muscatine, IA, 7. Dan Vincent, Solon, IA, 8. Jeep Leiker, Joliet, IL

Feature Race: 1. Jerry Norton, 2. Bobby Fox, 3. David Norton, 4. Shon Sanders, 5. Dan Guss, 6. Rob Guss, 7. Dan Vincent, 8. Jeep Leiker

Illini Dwarf Car/Mod-Lite Points after 6/7/08: 1. Sean Sanders 563, 2. Jeep Leiker 474, 3. Jerry Norton 300, 4. David Norton 278, 5. David Imming 271, 6. Bobby Fox, 271, 7. Erik Close 263, 8. Dan Guss 233, 9. Rob Guss 233, 10. Dan Vincent 210

Wreckers to Checkers, Gillis and Critchett Rebuild and Win

photo by Kathy Costerisan

Morris, IL (5/25/08) After being involved in a five car crash last weekend, everyone knew it would a week of long nights in many race shops to get everybody back on the track. The time and effort was put forth and it paid big dividends for two of the teams.

Saturday night marked the first appearance for the Illini Sportsman Midgets at Bureau County Speedway in Princeton, IL. The track was a perfect fit for the Illini group. Illini Rookie of the Year candidate Dick Kaiser drove the Dan George #82 to the trophy dash win. Joe Knippel took advantage of his outside front row starting position to win heat one. Heat two saw Scott Koerner pick up his first heat race win, although his Chevy Sesco was smoking heavily.

The feature race was one of the great ones. Allen Gillis’ #39 may have been the most seriously damaged cars at Rockford. The car looked straight in hot laps, but it lost brakes and had to be worked on further. Gillis managed to finish 2nd in his heat, but by time the main rolled around, it became apparent the Task Management car wasn’t going to finish 2nd to else this night. A late caution to remove a stalled car bunched up the field, but Gillis held off all challenges to claim his first feature win.

Less than 24 hours later, the group found themselves as part of the big ASA show at Grundy County Speedway. After finishing last in his heat, and 7th in the feature the night before on the dirt, Lamont Critchett looked strong in hot laps. In fact, he looked strong winning his heat. And he still looked good taking to the high side to get around Joe Knippel on his way to his first feature win of the season.

Celebrating in victory lane with his crew and car owner (brother Loran Critchett, Jr.), Lamont revealed the team had to pull an all-nighter to get their cars repaired and changed over to their pavement set-up. They did, and it paid off.

Four races, four faces in victory lane. A first time trophy dash winner, a first time heat race winner, a first time feature winner, two new tracks visited, 22 drivers, and a bunch of new cars. Not bad for just two weeks into the season.

Next Illini Racing Series race is June 7th at Bureau County Speedway.

Illini Racing Series Race #3, May 24, 2008, Bureau County Speedway, Princeton, IL

Heat race #1 (8 laps):1. Joe Knippel #33, Mokena, IL, Knippel/Spencer Quad 4/Buzzard; 2. Doug Orseske #0, Frankfort, IL, Diana Orseske Quad 4/Buzzard; 3. Loran Critchett, Jr. #17, Alsip, IL, Dave Gass VW/Challenger; 4. Tom Shilkuski #23, Spring Valley, IL, Ray Shilkuski Focus/Stewart; 5. Mike Krysiak #7, Peru, IL, VW/White; 6. Eric Nitz #31, Beloit, WI, Knippel/Spencer Quad 4/Ellis; 7. Charlie Holt #4H, Lemont, IL, Thompson/Engsrtom EcoTech/Stewart; 8. Lamont Critchett #44, Chicago Heights, IL, Critchett VW/Stapp

Heat race #2 (8 laps): 1. Scott Koerner #4K, Joliet, IL, Task Management Chevy Sesco/Bishop; 2. Allen Gillis #39, Westmont, IL, Task Management Illini Focus/White; 3. Dick Kaiser #82, Milwaukee, WI, George Racing Enterprises Scream Focus/Buzzard; 4. Jason Dull #56, Machesney Park, IL, Fontana/Stealth; 5. Mike Adams, Jr. #21A, Rockdale, WI, Albert Racing Enterprises Chevy II/Mislich; 6. Mark Morey #3, Sugar Grove, IL, Knippel/Spencer Illini Focus/White; 7. Scott Dunning #1, Bolingbrook, IL, Knippel/Spencer Illini Focus/Hawk; 8. Dan George #81 DNS

Feature race (20 laps):1. Gillis, 2. Kaiser, 3. Knippel, 4. Orseske, 5. Adams, Jr., 6. Dull, 7. Lamont Critchett, 8. Loran Critchett, Jr., 9. Nitz, 10. Morey, 11. Holt, 12, Koerner, 13. Shilkuski DNS, 14. Krysiak DNS, 15. Dunning DNS, George DNS

Illini Racing Series Race #4, May 25, 2008, Grundy County Speedway, Morris, IL

Heat race #1 (10 laps): 1. Lamont Critchett #44, Chicago Heights, IL, Critchett VW/Stapp, 2. Loran Critchett, Jr. #17, Alsip, IL, Dave Gass VW/Challenger; 3. Joe Knippel #33, Mokena, IL, Knippel/Spencer Quad 4/Buzzard; 4. Doug Orseske #0, Frankfort, IL, Diana Orseske Quad 4/Buzzard; 5. Jason Dull #56, Machesney Park, IL, Fontana/Stealth; 6. Dan George #81, Milwaukee, WI., Scream Focus/Stealth; 7. Mike Adams, Jr. #21A, Rockdale, WI, Albert Racing Enterprises Chevy II/Stealth; 8. Eric Nitz #31, Beloit, WI, Knippel/Spencer Quad 4/Ellis; 9. Scott Koerner #4K, Joliet, IL, Task Management Chevy Sesco/Bishop DNF; 10. Joline Deheve-Slomka, Addison, IL, Deheve Racing Ford 2300/Genenten DNS; 11. Dick Kaiser #82 DNS

Feature race (20 laps): 1. Lamont Critchett, 2. Knippel, 3. Orseske, 4. Dull, 5. Adams, Jr., 6. Loran Critchett, Jr., 7. Nitz, 8. Koerner DNF, 9. George DNF, Slomka DNS, Kaiser DNS.

Illini Racing Series Sportsman Midget Points after 4 races:
1. Joe Knippel #33, 1134; 2. Loran Critchett #17, 1022; 3. Doug Orseske #0, 1015;
4. Lamont Critchett #44, 1006; 5. Jason Dull #56, 970; 6. Mike Adams Jr. #21, 721; 7. Allen Gillis #39, 714; 8. Dan George #81, 661; 9. Scott Koerner #4, 609; 10. Eric Nitz #31, 579; 11. Scott Dunning # 1, 526; 12. Freddy Teer #54, 518; 13. Dick Kaiser #82, 504; 14. Mark Morey #3, 399; 15. Charlie Holt #4, 323; 16. David Budres #31, 263; 17. Eddie Sauer #74, 188; 18. Bob Shreffler #21S,181; 19. Tom Shilkuski #23, 128; 20. Mike Krysiak #7, 120; 21. Ken Dull #82, 5 ; 22. Joline Slomka #95, 5

Wacky, Wet, Windy, Wild Weekend of Racing

Rockford, IL (5/18/08) The Illini Racing Series opened their 17th season by taking part in two out three of the Midget MAYnia races this weekend. The club’s first visit to Slinger Super Speedway got things started quickly.

Union, IL’s Freddie Teer adapted well to the high banks of Slinger, winning his heat and the feature. David Budres of Beloit, WI won heat two. Stock car veteran Scott Dunning made his open wheel debut, but suffered some new car gremlins with his new car.

2008 Illini Racing Series Race #1, Slinger Super Speedway, Slinger, WI 5/17/08

Heat #1 (10 laps): 1. Freddie Teer (#54), 2. Allen Gillis (#39), 3. Joe Knippel (#33), 3. Lamont Critchett (#44), 4. Mark Morey (#3), 5. Bob Shrefler (#21S), 6. Ken Dull DNS

Heat #2 (10 laps): 1. David Budres (#31), 2. Loran Critchett, Jr. (#17), 3. Jason Dull (#56), 4. Dan George (#81), 5. Doug Orseske (#82), 6. Scott Dunning (R)(31) DNF

Feature Race (25 laps): 1. Freddie Teer (#54), 2. Joe Knippel (#33), 3. Lamont Critchett (#44), 4. Jason Dull (#56), 5. Loran Critchett, Jr. (#17), 6. Dan George (#81), 7. Doug Orseske (#82), 8. Scott Dunning (R)(#1) DNF, 9. Mark Morey (#3) DNF, 10. Bob Shreffler (#21S)DNF, 11. Allen Gillis (#39) DNS - fuel management problem.

At Rockford, when the green flag dropped on the feature event, turn one on lap one took out five cars and caused two others to retire early. The cars immediately went three and four wide, then it was all tire smoke as drivers locked up their brakes to try to avoid what was going to end up being “the big one”. Allen Gillis’ #39 seemed to get the worst of it, ending up on his lid. Thankfully, no drivers were injured.

Joe Knippel would win the shortened feature, with Doug Orseske bringing home his repaired #0 2nd. Loarn Critchett, Jr., Mike Adams, Jr. and Dan George rounded out the top 5.

2008 Illini Racing Series Race #2, Rockford Speedway, Rockford, IL 5/18/08

Heat #1 (8 laps): 1. Lamont Critchett (#44), 2. Joe Knippel (#33), 3. Loran Critchett, Jr. (#17), 4. Mike Adams, Jr. (#21A), 5. Doug Orseske (#0), 6. Dick Kaiser (R)(#82), 7. Dan George (#81), 8. Charlie Holt (R)(#4H)

Heat #2 (8 laps): 1. Allen Gillis (#39), 2. Freddie Teer (#54), 3. Jason Dull (#56), 4. Eddie Sauer (#74), 5. Eric Nitz (R)(#31), 6. Scott Dunning (R)(#1), 7. Scott Koerner (#4K) DNF

Feature Race (20 laps): Joe Knippel (#33), 2. Doug Orseske (#0), 3. Loran Critchett, Jr. (#17), 4. Mike Adams, Jr. (#21A), 5. Dan George (#81), 6. Dick Kaiser (R)(#82), 7. Scott Dunning, 8. Scott Koerner (4K), 9. Lamont Critchett (#44), 10. Freddie Teer (#54) DNF - flat tire, 11. Jason Dull (#56) DNF - crash, 12. Allen Gillis (#39) DNF - crash, 13. Eddie Sauer (#74) DNF - crash, 14. Eric Nitz (R)(#31) DNF - crash, 15. Charlie Holt (R)(#4H) DNF - crash

Unofficial Drivers Points after 2 races
1. Joe Knippel, 571; 2. Loran Critchett, Jr., 533; 3. Lamont Critchett,503; 4. Doug Orseske, 474: 7. Dan George, 458; 6. FreddieTeer, 450; 7. Jason Dull, 448; 8. Scott Dunning, 421; 9. David Budres, 263; 10. Mike Adams, Jr., 256; 11. Allen Gillis, 240; Dick Kaiser, 226; 12. Scott Koerner, 203; 13. Mark Morey, 175; 14. Bob Shreffler, 163; 15. Eric Nitz, 155; Charlie Holt, 128; 16. Ken Dull 5.

Next up for the Illini Racing Series is another new track for us, Bureau County Speedway in Princeton, IL next Saturday night (May 24th) on the 1/4 mile dirt track. On Sunday May 25th, the “Flyin’ Illini” will make the trip to our old home, the Grundy County Speedway to share the pits with the American Speed Association.

Hines, Bacon, Sweet, Darland and Coons Highlight MAYnia Entries

This Monday May 12th, from 12:35 pm to 1:35 pm on WBEV 1430 AM (Beaver Dam, WI), tune in to hear the Midget MAYnia Hour!

With dozens of drivers preregistered, five of the best will take time to discuss the three straight days of top shelf midget racing this weekend!

Tracy Hines from Tony Stewart Racing will discuss this weekend's debut of the brand new Chevy Midget Motor!

Brady Bacon and Brad Sweet will tell you what to expect from the Kasey Kahne Racing MOPAR Team!

Team 9's Dave Darland will be on hand to talk Toyota!

Two time USAC Champ, and two time Sue Thiel Memorial race winner, Jerry Coons, Jr. will also be on the show!

MAYnia USAC entries as of 5/10/08:
05 Brad Loyet
07 Brad Kuhn
2 Levi Roberts
4 Bobby East
5 Zach Schiff
6 Stephanie Mockler
8 Rickly Ehrgott
8T TBA
9 Dave Darland
10 Mike Murgoitio
11J Josh Butler
17 Chris Windom
19 Kody Swanson
20 Levi Jones
20D David Byrne
21 Tracy Hines
21D Shane Hmiel
23 Mark Atkinson
28 Joe Liguori
29 Bradley Galedrige
30 Chad Boat
32 TBA
33 Davey Ray
36 Jim Anderson
49 Brad Sweet
50 Even Margeson
51 Dallas Melby
67 Darren Hagen
71 Cole Whitt
77 Brian Olson
89 Caitlin Shaw
90 Chase Barber
91 TBA
97 TBA
99 Brady Bacon
132 TBA

Midget MAYnia Adds Illini Midgets to Fox Memorial at Slinger

Mokena, IL 3/26/08 Midget MAYnia Tour promoter Dan Thiel announced the addition
of the Illini Racing Series (IRS) Midgets to the May 17th Stan Fox Memorial at
Slinger Super Speedway. The event, presented by Mid States Equipment and
Kubota, will be highlighted by the USAC MOPAR Midget National Championship
Series, which is expected to include the NASCAR development teams of Tony
Stewart Chevy, Kasey Kahne MOPAR, Nine Racing Toyota, Klatt Racing Ford, plus
all the top USAC National Midget starts and cars.

The race will be the 17th season opener for the IRS cars, and their first ever
visit to the high banks of Slinger. The 2008 IRS schedule now features 12
races, with five on pavement at Slinger, Rockford, Grundy, and Hawkeye Downs,
and the rest at Angell Park and Bureau County Speedway.

The USAC cars are part of the Midget MAYnia Tour which will kick off on Friday
May 16th with “The Battle of the Bluffs” at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway in
West Salem, WI, stop at Slinger on Saturday, then finish up the three day
weekend series at Rockford Speedway on Sunday May 18th for “The Open Wheel
Rumble in Rockford”. On May 30th, “The 7th Annual Mid-State Equipment Sue Thiel
Memorial Classic” at Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, WI will rap up the
Midget MAYnia Tour for 2008.

For more information on the Midget MAYnia Tour, contact Dan Thiel at STM
Promotions, LLC at 930-319-0177. For more on the Illini Racing Series, visit
illiniracingseries.com

Illini Racing Series 2008 Schedule Fills in More Dates

Mokena, IL 2/26/08 The IRS (Illini Racing Series) has announced an additional four dates to the earlier published 2008 scheule for the original, and only true sportsman midget club. June 21st has been added to the visits to Bureau County Speedway in Princeton, IL.

The other three dates are all on pavement, visiting Grundy County Speedway, Hawkeye Downs and a return trip to Rockford Speedway. These dates are all part of the ASA (American Speed Asociation) Late Model North events at these tracks.

The Illini season will kick off on the high banked 1/4 mile Rockford Speedway on May 18th as part of the Dan Theil promoted MAYnia Series, a race card which is scheduled to feature the USAC National Midgets. The Illini Sportsman Midgets will headline the five classes on the programs run at Bureau County Speedway 3/8 mile dirt track, beginning on May 24th. The next night, the IRS Midgets join the ASA cars for an assault on the 1/3 mile pavement of Grundy County Speedway. Three totally different tracks, paved and dirt, all a part of what makes the 2008 Illini schedule one of the most diverse in all of motorsports.

June 7th and 21st the Illini head back to the Bureau County Speedway, before joining the Badger Midget Racing Association at Angell Park in Sun Prairie, WI on June 22nd. July 5th will be celebrated at Princeton, with a couple of weeks off before returning to Rockford Speedway with the ASA.

August finds the IRS on the road again, visiting three tracks in three states in the month. On the 2nd, the final trip to Bureau County, on the 10th it’s back to Sun Prairie, and on the 30th it’s off to the pavement at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Negotiations are still underway for two more dates, May 17th and August 31st. There will be a practice day and car show at Bureau County Speedway on April 12th, and Jennifer’s Garden will once again be the site of the Illini Racing Series banquet on November 15th. All dates are subject to change, but it looks like a great season.

The possibility of winning a new body and chassis kit from Zero Motorsports tops the list of contingency prizes up for grabs, from Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, Jaz Products, Hinchman Racing Uniforms, Joe Gibbs Racing Oil, Guts Wear, and Ohlendorf Racing Supply.

More information and rules can be found at illiniracingseries.com.

Illini Racing Series at Bureau County Speedway Swap Meet

Princeton, IL 2/18/08 The Illini Racing Series will be taking part in the 2008 Bureau County Speedway Swap Meet this Saturday, February 23, 2008. Doors open at 8am at the Bureau County Fairgrounds Allen Building located at Rt 6 & 34; West Peru St. in Princeton, IL.

The IRS will have a race car on display to introduce the club and their racing to folks from the area.

Also at the Fairgrounds on February 23rd Ramer Race Promotions will host all drivers, owners, and crews to discuss the 2008 season. This meeting will be at 2pm. Illini competitors will attend to show their support.

Illini Racing Series Brings Midgets Back to Bureau County

Princeton, IL 2/5/08 Paul Ramer announced today that Ramer Race Promotions has reach an agreement to bring midget auto racing back to the Bureau County Speedway in Princeton, IL for the first time since 1992.

The Illini Racing Series will bring their touring group to the fairgrounds for the first time on April 12th for a practice session, with races planned for May 24th, June 7th, July 5th and August 2nd at the 3/8th mile, semi banked, shaped clay oval.

This is as American as apple pie, racing midgets at a county fairground dirt track, on a summer Saturday night, said one of the Illini club owners, LaVerne Spencer. He continued, It was the midgets that made auto racing popular in America, by bringing the races to where the fans are, as opposed to having to go to, say, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, or Chicago to see races?

Roy Caruthers won when the Midgets last raced at this track, the late Bob Meyers was 2nd, and Allen Gillis 3rd. Gillis is still an Illini competitor and his son Ben has made one start and will be one of the drivers competing for Rookie of the Year with the Illini Racing Series in 2008.

Going back to the 1970's, Dick Akins, Don Vogler and his son Rich Vogler, some of the biggest names of their day, have all won at Princeton with the now defunct United Auto Racing Association.

The Illini Racing Series will have a booth at the track's swap meet on February 23rd, and participate in the preseason race show at the Peru Mall to introduce themselves to the fans from the area.

Illini Racing Series announces two more ‘08 dates

Tulsa, OK 1/29/08 As announced at the Chili Bowl, the 2008 schedule for the legendary Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, WI includes two visits by the Illini Racing Series, the original Sportsman Midget organization formed in 1992.

The touring group will make their first appearance on June 22nd to help celebrate Fan Appreciation Night and return on August 10th for the Summer Sizzle. Both nights will feature 30 lap A-Mains for the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association’s Sunday regulars, some of the best dirt trackers in the country.

Two Illini drivers with “Prairie” experience won the two events run in 2007. Beloit, Wisconsin’s David Budres, a Badger rookie, won with the #1 on the car’s first night on the track. Budres was able to hold off the hard charging Eddie Sauer for the win. The second 2007 race was won by Badger regular, Jason Dull, a crowd favorite. Dull’s win came after a great battle with veteran driver Allen Gillis.

2008 will mark another milestone for the Illini Racing Series. For the first time, the independent club will not be promoting any of their own races. “After the success we’ve had over the years, we’ve been contacted by more promoters than we have available race dates” said Illini Racing Series PR director, Tom Arthur. He went on to say “The most impressive thing is the trust this group has been built on, I mean, they even put their profit and loss statement on the table for all to see at our winter meeting”.

When asked about the support groups who raced with the Illini in 2007, Arthur said “we hope to see them at some of the shows we are signing, in fact it looks like we may see three of the clubs at as many as eight of our events in 2008. Plus, with two races at Angell Park, one at Rockford, and one or two yet to be announced, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some more older midgets come out of storage, just like they did last year. We’re looking great in two thousand and eight”.

Look for up to half a dozen more dates to be firmed up by the end of THIS week!

Illini Racing Series Looking Great for ‘08

Joliet, IL 1/27/08 The IRS (Illini Racing Series) released a tentative schedule to over 50 attendees at their winter meeting today, revealing a diverse mix of venues for the 17th season of competition for the club. 33 current and past car owners were among those on hand to make their plans for the upcoming season.

The season will get off to a fast start when the Illini midgets return to the high banks of Rockford Speedway as part of the “Open Wheel Rumble in Rockford” on May 18th. This is just one of four Midget MAYnia programs planned by SPM Promotions and Dan Theil. The Rockford show is slated to feature the return of USAC’s National Midget tour for the first time since 1979.

Other MAYnia events will take place on May 16th at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway in West Salem, WI, May 17th at Springer Super Speedway in Slinger, WI, and at Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway in Beaver Dam, WI.

Bob Shreffler was the last Illini Midget feature race winner in 2001. He joined Joe Knippel (2000). Scott Shilkuski (1999 and 1997), Sue Spencer (1998 and 1993), Johnny Parsons, III (1996 and 1995), and Frank Reiss in the history book.

Eight Illini races for 2008 are already booked, and negotiations are under way for an additional five dates, with an announcement expected soon.

The complete schedule will be available at www.illiniracingseries.com.

01-17-08

Illini Racing Series Winter Meeting Set

The 2008 Winter Meeting for all interested parties is set for Sunday, January 27th at 1 pm. This year’s meeting will be held in the Conference Room of the Best Western at 430 Enterprise, in Joliet (Shorewood), IL, located near the junction of I-55 and Rt. 52 (Jefferson St.), just south of Rt. 52 on the east frontage road.

A variety of topic will be covered, including the 2008 schedule release, new rules and technical updates, new sponsorship packages, and a question and answer session.

The Illini Racing Series is the founding organization of the cars known as Sportsman Midgets, a concept very similar to the “B” midgets dating back to the 1930’s to combat the ever increasing costs of midget racing. 2008 marks the 17th season for the group, which has run 224 races at 17 tracks in five states since 1992.

01-16-08

Tom Arthur, PR Director
Illini Racing Series (IRS)
(815)730-1960 days (815)485-4959 evenings
victrelane@comcast.net

Zero Motorsports has announced an extraordinary sponsorship program for the 2008 midget racing season. Working with Southern States Midget Association, Ozark Mountain Midget Series, and Illini Racing Series, this program will give racers from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian border the opportunity to win a brand new Zero Motorsports chassis and body kit.

"I want to support people who just want to have fun racing, but at a reasonable cost to race" Zero Motorsports' president Johnny Murdock said in a recent phone interview. He continued "these three clubs are doing a good job of containing cost". The program will be open to all registered members of the three clubs. The winner of the chassis and body kit will be drawn at the end of the 2008 racing season. For every $50 purchase from Zero Motorsports, a racer will receive one chance at the grand prize.

Zero Motorsports is a proud dealer of Winters Performance Products, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Fuel Safe Racing Cells, KSE Racing Products and the Auto Meter line of products from their new location at 11012 Lin Valle Dr., Suite C, St. Louis, MO 63123 and can be reached by phone at (314) 416-9376 (or 416-ZERO), by e-mail at johnny@0motorsports.com or visit them on the web at www.0motorsports.com.