Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
By BOB BOYLE
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 3, 2001
WHAT: 2001 WinterNationals featuring a School Bus Figure 8 race, 50-lap "Wild Bill" Memorial Figure 8, plus other short-track stockcar events -- Outlaw Late Models, Open Wheel Modifieds, Mini Stocks, Street Stocks and Hornets.
WHEN: Sunday. Modified time trials start at 1 p.m. Racing begins at 2. The grandstands open at noon, pit gates at 11 a.m.
WHERE: Sunshine Speedway, 4550 Ulmerton Road (State Road 688).
ADMISSION: Adults, $15; children 6-12, $5; children under 6, $2; pits, $18; free parking.
NOTES: With the beginning of the regular season at Sunshine Speedwaya month away, fans hungry for real racing and exciting specials will be happy with the track's WinterNationals program. At the top of the bill is Sunshine's most popular event -- the School Bus Figure 8 race. The metal-crunching bash draws large crowds of regular and occasional fans, who take delight as the big buses bang, flip and roll. The "Wild Bill" Memorial Figure 8 is a major event for anyone even remotely associated with the sport. The race was named after "Wild Bill" Revard, a popular, front-running driver who was killed in the last race of 1999. It will be the first appearance of Sunshine Speedway's newest class, wedge-shaped Outlaw Late Models. Most of the drivers will come from the old Street Stock class, which has kept the name but was modified to move up the former amateur class of Enduro drivers. Part of the special show will be the familiar Mini Stocks, the new Street Stocks and Hornets, which is a special class for drivers 16-19 years old. Because of the popularity of the School Bus race, it is strongly recommended that fans arrive early to obtain preferred seating.