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| Orlando SpeedWorld Closes Out 2002 with Standing Room Only | by Jane Smith
Bithlo, Fla - The Orange County Sheriffs Department had
their hands full as they directed the hundred of cars
coming into Orlando SpeedWorld on Friday, November 29,
for the last show of the 2002 season - CRASH-A-RAMA.
Orlando SpeedWorld will be closed until March 2003 but
the last show definitely was the favorite as thousands
packed both grandstands and stood around the whole
track in spite of the very cold weather. Blankets,
sleeping bags, whatever would warm the bones was used
to enjoy the show.
The last show of the season is also the National points
race for the Classic Auto Racing Series bringing in
out-of-state drivers to join the Florida drivers for
two nights of racing. The second night, held at New
Smyrna Speedway, showcases some of the talent in the
Classic Cars.
State Senator Bill Posey, who owns the #00 Classic Car,
does not get to race much with his schedule but he
joined the field of 29 cars and came in ninth which
is very good for someone who does not get to do the
sport he loves so much.
Taking the win was Gary Kelley of Del Rio, TN followed
by Eddie Thornton of Orlando, Ed Yates of Orlando,
Dennis Gilliam of Mims, Al Hagan of Merritt Island,
Bart Baxter of Dandridge, TN, Ron Rudder of Knoxville,
TN, Bud Spencer of Palm Harbor, Bill Posey of
Rockledge, and George Hall III of St. Petesburg, FL.
Saturday night's show at New Smyrna Speedway should
have at least 24 or 25 of the Classics as some did
have repairs to make.
A motorcycle stunt team from Jacksonville, Florida
entertained the roaring crowd with thrills and
daredevil tricks concluded by jumping a twenty five
foot tall ramp.
As the fans snuggled under their blankets and sleeping
bags, the chain race thrilled everyone. As the dust
flew and the cars whipped around, the crowd wanted
more.
Two School Bus heats also got their blood flowing as
one tipped over but the driver was fine and the bus
was rolled back onto all fours. Jim Erb won the
feature race for the School Bus Figure 8 beating a
field of more than 20 buses.
Boats and campers were flying as the racers had the
boat/trailer race and the camper/trailer race. You
dont want to be too close to the fence as these
boats and campers are smashed into small pieces and
parts are a flyin.
Concluding the last night at Orlando SpeedWorld was
the 4 cylinder and 8 cylinder demo derby with one
8 cylinder demo derby driver coming all the way from
Louisiana to join the night's fun.
The more smoke from these demo derby cars, the louder
the crowd would get enjoying every hit and loud
bang.
The night ended with cars, parts, boats, trailers
covering the surface of Orlando SpeedWorld but the
fans left happy and looking forward to next year's
CRASH-A-RAMA.
As Bugs Bunny would say, "that's all she wrote folks,"
for 2002 at Orlando SpeedWorld.
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