Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Back-to-back Northwest U.S., and Canada Events Highlight the 2011 Super Chevy Show Schedule



KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Nov. 30) -- As the Super Chevy Show says goodbye to a successful 2010 and says hello to 2011, it does so with high expectations on its 31st season, which begins in April and will feature 12 events, including stops at four new venues.
The highlight is expected to come in back-to-back weeks when the national touring series returns to the Pacific Northwest with a visit to Spokane County Raceway in Airway Heights, Wash. on Aug. 26-28, then travels north of the border, making a stop at Castrol Raceway in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on Sept. 2-4.


"Spokane County Raceway has always had a huge Canadian contingent, both spectators and participants, so we feel it makes sense that the events are scheduled back-to-back," said Cindy Gibbs-Arias, Spokane County Raceway manager.  "We have a great working relationship with Castrol Raceway and intend to work together to make these events a huge success."

Spokane County Raceway is an up-and-coming track that hosted its first NHRA divisional event this past July. It recently under went a huge makeover when Charlie Allen, who operates Firebird International Raceway near Phoenix, and Ron Hodgson, who is co-owner of Castrol Raceway, took over operation of the facility this past spring. Gibbs-Arias was then brought in as manager.
Several changes have been made to the track, including safety improvements on the venue's three racing courses - a dragstrip, oval and road course.


The Super Chevy Show event in August is expected to be the top attraction on its 2011 schedule. It will be the series' first trip to the Northwest in nearly 10 years.


"It's shaping up to be a great year for SCR, including the announcement of adding Super Chevy Show to our schedule," said Gibbs-Arias, whose father, Steve Gibbs, was the long-time director of racing operations for NHRA, as well as spending time as now-defunct Irwindale Raceway's general manager. "It's been a while since SCS has made a stop in the Northwest, so the region is all a buzz with this exciting news. The feedback from the local car clubs has been overwhelmingly positive.


"Charlie and Ron have stepped in and have taken SCR to a whole new level.  We are excited for the fans, racers and car enthusiasts across the Northwest to be able to check out the much-improved facility."


There is also a a lot of anticipation for the race at Castrol Raceway, which is hosting its first Super Chevy Show event. It's another coup for a venue that is considered to be Canada's premier motorsports facility. Castrol, in addition to the Super Chevy Show, will also host the IHRA River Cree Rocky Mountain Nitro Jam Nationals in June and the World of Outlaws Oil City Cup in late August. The track also hosts Canada's largest jet car show, Hot August Night, ever August.

"We're very excited that the Super Chevy Show's return to Canada will be held at Castrol Raceway," said Rob Reeves, Castrol Raceway managing partner. "It's the perfect addition to our season with the event taking place during the September long weekend, which traditionally is one of the best weekends of the summer.


"We're looking forward to working closely with car clubs from across Western Canada, and since the event is taking place in Alberta, we anticipate the Chevy truck market will be a really big part of the show."