IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

December 5, 2004 FSCR Snowball Derby Postponed until next Saturday It was a record that Five Flags Speedway didn’t want to break. For the first time in the 37-year history of the Snowball Derby, rain washed out the 300-lap race Sunday. It was postponed until 6 p.m. Saturday. Track officials decided that continued rains Sunday wouldn’t allow the track to be dry in time to complete the race at a decent hour. Plus, a continued threat of rain into Monday led them to decide to push the race back to Saturday. In two previous Snowball Derbys, rain pushed the race into the evening. "We sure hated to reschedule, but the facility was flooded by noon and the forecast was iffy at best," said track promoter Tim Bryant. "Logistically, scheduling the race next weekend accommodates the majority of fans and drivers. We want to present the quality event that fans have come to expect in a Snowball Derby." Snowball Derby tickets purchased for Sunday’s race will be honored Saturday. The drivers' starting positions are locked in and will not change. Gary Helton of Sevierville, Tenn., will start on the pole and lead the 38 cars in the race. The defending champion is Charlie Bradberry of Chelsea, Ala. Gates will open at 9 a.m. Saturday. Drivers will have a practice sessions from 2-2:30 p.m. and pre-race ceremonies start at 5 p.m. Also, to accommodate the race, Pensacola Memorial Gardens next to the track will move its 12th annual Luminary Candlelight Service from Saturday to Sunday at 5 p.m. Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! news@karnac.org or send a letter to the editor!