PLENTY OF FESTIVITIES INCLUDED IN UPIR FALL FINALE THIS SATURDAY

ESCANABA, Mich. (September 13, 2010) – Upper Peninsula International Raceway’s Fall Finale, beginning this Saturday, Sept. 18 at 2 p.m. (EST), will be much more than just a race. Fans will get the same racing excitement from the UPIR Triple Crown, with a few extra twists.

The racing program will be shaken up with a new division. UPIR officials have split the small car class into two different divisions. The class had permitted both four cylinder and six cylinder cars to compete, but will split the two into separate divisions to encourage more competition.

“We’re going to add a six cylinder and dual overhead cam class for a couple reasons,” Boyd Widdis, volunteer coordinator said. “Those cars are a little faster and it will give us a chance to put on a few more races.”

Revised rules for the division are available at upirracing.blogspot.com or by calling Boyd Widdis at 906-450-5112.

Fans will also be treated to a return of the Tough Truck/Car division. Three divisions of Micro Sprints will join in the festivities, as well.

UPIR officials have also added mechanics races and powder puff races. Mechanics races allow the crew members who work on the cars to get some time behind the wheel. Wives, girlfriends, sisters, etc. jump behind the wheel for the powder puff races.

When the racing action ends, the fun will continue at UPIR. Once the final checkered flag has fallen an awards ceremony will crown the champions and top finishers in the 2010 UPIR Triple Crown. A DJ will be on hand to play after the races from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. under the grandstand.

Other special events include a kids’ nickel drop and a food drive. The food drive is sponsored by Radio Results network and Drivers & Volunteers. Boxed, canned food items or monetary donations will be accepted. Any monetary donations will be used to purchase food items. Donors can register for prizes.

Contact Jim Baldwin with questions or for donation pick up at 906-789-1900 or 906-553-1042. Collection points will be under the grandstands and in the pit area.

The pit area opens this Saturday at 10 a.m. The grandstand opens at 1 p.m. with racing slated to begin sharply at 2 p.m. Grandstand admission is $5.

UPIR is an abbreviated 1/8-mile multi-surfaced course carved out of the existing course at the Delta Co. Fairgrounds. A Triple Crown in 2010 was used to gage the interest of race fans in the area and to fund the efforts of reopening the facility in 2011 on a full-time basis as a multi-purpose motorsport facility featuring a 3/8-mile asphalt oval.

Rules and registration are available by contacting Boyd Widdis at 906-450-5112. For more information visit upirracing.blogspot.com or www.deltami.org.