March 6, 2008
USLMRA SET FOR FIRST-EVER STA-BIL LAWN MOWER RACING SERIES
TRIPLE HEADER, 3-RACE WEEKEND!!!!!!!!
LaBelle, Florida, Friday night, April 4, 2008
Avon Park, Florida, Saturday night, April 5, 2008
Avon Park, Florida, Sunday afternoon, April 6, 2008
Well it’s that time again Sod Warriors, once again The USLMRA 2008 Sta-Bil Racing Series returns to exciting beautiful Florida April 4-6, 2008. As always I am honored to be the Chief Steward for this traditional event. We can look forward to a spectacular 3 days of racing with the first ever Sta-Bil Tripleheader Weekend (the first of several this year) hosted by the Florida Lawn Racing Association (FLA -
www.floridalawnracing.net) and NASGRASS
www.nasgrass.com (USLMRA’s 1st Affiliated Chapter).
Thanks to the efforts of FLA Officials Tom Ast; FLA and Sid Whiteside; NASGRASS, they have put together 3 days of exciting mower racing at 2 separate locations and you can expect nothing but a first class event to kick off the 2008 Calendar year of USLMRA Sta-Bil US Points racing.
It all starts off with racing in LaBelle Florida, hosted by NASGRASS.
The track address is 1155 Pratt Boulevard LaBelle, FL 33935, they have a link on their
Website at;
www.nasgrass.com, if you like to copy it. There are also two videos taken on a hot lap around the track.
NASGRASS plans a racer banquet after the event on Friday night, so most racers will probably want to plan on staying overnight, since the Saturday events won’t start real early the drive shouldn’t be a problem.
For those Racers or event personnel, that want to come in on Thursday, there are many Interesting things to do in LaBelle and the surrounding area! There are Airboat Rides in The Everglades, a Casino, area fishing guides, golf, etc. all either in LaBelle or a short drive.
ALL Spectator Admission and Concessions will go to benefit Healthy Start Southwest Florida in their efforts to aid premature and low birth weight babies in Hendry County, they will be providing the concessions. The NASGRASS website has a link to their website if you need more information about this worthy organization.
Event Sponsors include Acoustical Services, Highlands County Tourism, and Gulf Breeze Landscaping.
NASGRASS plans on having the Pit Gates open to accommodate racers as needed. They also plan on having something to help fill the time taken between the Heats and Features to keep the spectators entertained. They will definitely run a Kid’s Stock race (7-11 year olds on STOCK mowers),
For the first time I am proud to announce that the Kids J/P class will be run as a STA-BIL National Lawn Mower Racing Series US Points National Class Race for the first time!
Please see the JP Class Rules posted at
http://www.uslmra.com/forum/index.php?topic=483.0If you want to let anyone that has a K/S class mower know to bring them with them that would be great! They are also working on the possibly having a celebrity race, they
will probably run this race on the K/S (Completely STOCK) mowers for this event to help with media exposure.
After a night of racing we will return to Avon Park for the 12 Minutes of Avon Park hosted by the Florida Lawn Racing Association. As in years past you can expect nothing but the best from Tom Ast and his team of Sod Warriors.
It is reminded that the 2008 rule book changes have been implemented and will be enforced. Both tracks will be open for early arrivals and maybe for a little pre race Skoaling Session the evening before.
On Saturday morning, April; 5, 10:00 AM at the Avon Park MowerPlex, USLMRA Founder & President Bruce Kaufman will lead a roundtable discussion on race team sponsorship and marketing. Bruce will give case histories, share ideas and open up a discussion on how to market your race team to prospective sponsors. All are welcome, and Bruce plans to do this several times this season.
After Saturday’s activities the FLA plans on hosting a barbeque for all racers.
Race Day Schedules:
Friday April 4, 2008 (Labelle)
Registration 3 – 5:30
Tech 3:-5: 30
Drivers meeting 6 pm
Practice 7 pm
Racing starts 8 pm
Saturday April 5, 2008 (Avon Park)
NASGRASS AC Race TBD
Registration 3-5 Pm
Tech 3-5 pm
Drivers meeting 5:30 pm
Practice 6 pm
Racing starts 7 pm
Sunday April 6, 20080 (Avon Park)
Registration 9-11 am
Tech 9-11 am
Drivers meeting 11:30 am
Practice 12 pm
Racing starts 1 pm
The running order for practice and features will be IMOW, AP, CP, JP, SP, BP, and FX
During intermission between heats and Features they will run The Kids Stock class and JP Class.
Directions to Labelle, Florida from the Orlando area:
1: Start out going WEST on W SOUTH ST toward BOONE AVE. 0.1 miles
2: Merge onto I-4 W via the ramp on the LEFT toward TAMPA. 28.0 miles
3: Merge onto US-27 S via EXIT 55 toward HAINES CITY. 98.7 miles
4: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto FL-29. 14.0 miles
5: Turn RIGHT onto FL-29 / FL-80 / E HICKPOCHEE AVE. <0.1 miles
6: Turn LEFT onto FL-29. 1.0 miles
7: Turn LEFT onto E COWBOY WAY / CR-80A. 0.5 miles
8: Turn RIGHT onto PRATT. 0.2 miles
9: Turn LEFT onto PRATT BLVD. <0.1 miles
10: End at 1155 Pratt Blvd
Labelle, FL 33935-4405, US
Motels for Friday 4 April Race in LaBelle Florida:
Port LaBelle Inn $59 per night
1 Oxbow Dr.
LaBelle, FL 33935
863-675-4411
Rivers Edge Motel $60 per night
285 N. River Road
LaBelle, FL 33935
863-675-6062
Best Western of Clewiston
1020 W. Sugarland Highway
Clewiston, FL
863-983-3400
Big V Motel $47 per night
32 Hall St.
LaBelle, FL 33935
863-675-2917
Campgrounds:
Grandma’s Grove $25 Full
2250 SR80 W.
LaBelle, FL 33935
863-675-2567
LaBelle Wood’s Resort
620 S.Main St.
LaBelle, FL 33935
863-675-3641
Riverside Retreat $23.10(w/tax)
7305 CR78 Primitive Tent $5 per person
LaBelle, FL 33935
863-675-0334
Whisper Creek RV Resort $30 Full
1980 Hickory Dr
LaBelle, FL 33935
863-675-6888
Riverbend Motorcoach Resort
5800 SR80
Alva, FL 33920
863-674-0089
Directions:
The correct address for the Avon Park track site is 2155 Herrick Rd; Avon Park, FL 33825 .
I have map quested this from 2 locations; 1st from LaBelle, 2nd from Jacksonville for those not attending the Friday night race at LaBelle
From LaBelle, Florida:
1: Start out going SOUTH on PRATT BLVD toward PRATT. <0.1 miles
2: Turn RIGHT onto PRATT. 0.2 miles
3: Turn LEFT onto E COWBOY WAY / CR-80A. 0.5 miles
4: Turn RIGHT onto FL-29. 1.0 miles
5: Turn RIGHT onto FL-29 / FL-80 / E HICKPOCHEE AVE. <0.1 miles
6: Turn LEFT onto N BRIDGE ST / FL-29. Continue to follow FL-29. 14.0 miles
7: Turn LEFT onto US-27 N / FL-25 N. 51.1 miles
8: Turn LEFT onto FL-64 / W MAIN ST. Continue to follow FL-64. 1.3 miles
9: Turn LEFT onto SHELL AVE. <0.1 miles
10: SHELL AVE becomes W HERRICK ST. <0.1 miles
11: End at 2155 W Herrick Rd
Avon Park, FL 33825-9094, US
From the Jacksonville area:
1: Merge onto I-95 S via the exit on the LEFT. 88.2 miles
2: Merge onto I-4 W via EXIT 260B toward ORLANDO. 77.8 miles
3: Merge onto US-27 S via EXIT 55 toward HAINES CITY / CYPRESS GARDENS. 47.2 miles
4: Turn RIGHT onto W MAIN ST / FL-64. Continue to follow FL-64. 1.3 miles
5: Turn LEFT onto SHELL AVE. <0.1 miles
6: SHELL AVE becomes W HERRICK ST. <0.1 miles
7: End at 2155 W Herrick Rd
Avon Park, FL 33825-9094, US
Cost:
Admission is $5.00 for spectators, and additional $5.00 for Pit pass and Drivers will not be required to pay a race registration fee.
Camping facilities:
There is limited Camping in the pits. There is limited electric but no water hooks.
There will be portable latrine facilities on site at the track.
Hotel information:
Motels for April 5-6 2008 for the Avon Park race
Ramada Inn $65 Single/Double
2165 US Hwy 27 S $10 ea. additional
Lake Placid, FL 33852
863-465-3133
Reed’s Motel $63 Single
102 US Hwy 27 S $73 Double
Avon Park, FL 33825 $10 ea. additional
863-453-3194
Holiday Inn Express $89 Single/Double
4400 US Hwy 27 N $10 ea. additional
Sebring, FL 33870
863-386-1115
The Econo Lodge
(863)-453-2000
Rate: $70.00.
2511 US 27 S
Avon Park, FL 33825
Travel Inn of Sebring
863-385-4448
$50, Single or Double
The Oak Tree Inn
Avon Park,
863-453-3165
$56 single, $65 Double
Sebring Inn
Rate: $59 Single
863-385-7049
The Quality Inn, $89.
863-385-4500
Campgrounds
Trails End Fishing Resort $85 - $98
4232 Trails End Road
Lorida, FL 33857
888-603-9209
863-655-0134
Pratt’s Resort on Lake June Call for rates
$10 ea. additional 786 Lake June Road
Lake Placid, FL 33852
863-699-1223
I look forward to seeing everyone once again and look forward to 2 great days of fun, competitive and safe racing.
. Have a safe journey to the Sunshine state!
Manny
Subj: [USLMRA] Countdown to the Triple Header Weekend in Sunny Florida
Date: 3/30/2008 6:00:49 PM Central Daylight Time
From: sidwhiteside@embarqmail.com
Reply-to: USLMRA@yahoogroups.com
To: USLMRA@yahoogroups.com
Sent from the Internet (Details)
Only five (5) days until the first race of the Triple Header weekend
in Sunny Florida!! The Southern Shootout at the Hendry-LaBelle
Mowersports Park in beautiful LaBelle Florida will mark the first AC
Hosted USLMRA Stabil National Lawnmower Racing Series event EVER! It
will also be the first event with the J/P class competing for
National Championship Points! With continuous improvements to
NASGRASS' home track this event promises to be exciting for both
competitors and spectators!
Following the Southern Shootout at the Avon Park Mowerplex will be
the 12 Minutes of Avon Park! The reputation of the Mowerplex is
legendary, with more improvements made this year to keep the
competition at the highest level, these two days promise to make the
weekend an unforgettable competition experience!
Both NASGRASS and the Florida Lawnracing Association are planning
post event racer banquets on Friday and Saturday nights! There will
also be several breakfast choices available to competitors and
spectators alike. With breakfast available at both the VFW and local
restaurants on Saturday, and the Poincianna Masonic Lodge and local
restaurants on Sunday there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
To help ensure we have enough food we would like to get a head count
for both Friday and Saturday nights. Several have already responded,
but if you have not please do so now.
Healthy Start Southwest Florida will be handling concessions on
Friday, they will have food and drinks available for racers coming in
on Friday.
To add your name to our list either respond to this post or e-mail me
directly at sidwhiteside@embarqmail.com.
Mow Ya L8R,
Sid
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