IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

August 17, 2004 FSCR Charley wipes out Citrus Race Card by Larry MacMillan (Inverness, Fl. 8/14/04) Two hurricanes hit Florida this week. Bonnie hit the big bend area in North Florida on Thursday. Then on Friday hurricane Charlie was anything but friendly with the citizens of Florida and the aftermath has been a major disaster throughout Southwest, Central and the North Central east coast areas of the state. In line with the storms path are 9 speedways that had their regular Saturday night racing schedules affected this weekend. With more heavy rain following Charley more problems cropped up for the already devastated areas. Just about all racing activities and outdoor events were cancelled for the weekend, to include a preseason football game in Tampa. Fortunately, Citrus County Speedway was sparred any damage but two days of rain left it soaked. With many of the racers coming from areas that were hit hard by the hurricane their concerns were certainly on their family and property rather than racing. Mother Nature was the big winner this week but has left a bad taste for what occurred on Friday the 13th 2004. Charley will be remembered and compared to Andrew for many years to come. Next week’s, Citrus County Speedway schedule will feature the Open Wheel Modified Division, the Florida Mini Stock Challenge time trialing to qualify for their 50 lap race. The Super Stocks will make another effort to get in their rained out feature two weeks ago plus a regular race program, Hobby Stocks, Thunder Stocks and 4 cylinder Bombers. We will keep our fingers crossed, our eyes on the weather and hope we don’t go for our third rainout of the season. Ironically, Tropical Storm Earl is following the track that Charlie took and is heading into the Gulf of Mexico. This will be a concern of all Floridians and hopefully will either break up or take another track away from Florida. Bonnie and Charlie were enough for one week much less a lifetime. Citrus County Speedway management, drivers, car owners, pit crews and fans extend their heartfelt regrets to those who have suffered through Bonnie and Charley and wish you a speedy recovery from the devastation you have experienced this past week. Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! news@karnac.org or send a letter to the editor!