Port Royal Speedway Banquet notes

Port Royal Speedway crowns champions.

Port Royal, PA The Port Royal Speedway honored drivers and others Saturday night January 11. The event was held at JC Entertainment Center in Mifflintown, PA. Craig Rutherford and Tom Little were Masters of Ceremonies. A record crowd attended.

Keith Kauffman of Mifflintown was crowned the 2002 Aumiller's Insurance Sprint Car champion. He received his awards from Brandon Aumiller, Insurance executive and members of the speedway race committee. Aumiller indicates his firm is on board for the 2003 season and is anxious for the new year to begin. Dave Middleswarth was presented with the championship owners award. Kauffman teammate Todd Hestor finished second. Todd Shaffer finished third & will return for the 2003 season in the Beam Racing no. 88. Alan Cole was fourth with Dustin Hoffman fifth. Sixth through tenth were Mike Erdley, Kevin Schaeffer, Cliff Brian, Rick Lafferty and Mark Smith. Cole received the Sprint Car Sportsmanship award. Dustin Hoffman was named Sprint Car Rookie of the Year.

Steve Campbell of Danville, Pa is the Late Model champion. Campbell plans to return to Port Royal for another run in 2003. All were informed of the addition of AB Auto Glass and Ramsey's Car Wash as the new division sponsors. Plans include at least two races paying $ 2000 dollars to win for the Late Models. Jere Wierman finished in the runner up spot with re- tiring driver Ken Dickson third. Travis Dillman finished fourth with Dave Kepner fifth. Sixth through tenth were Shane Garman, Steve Earnest, Eric Kauffman, Mike Hess and Billy Wampler. Hess received the Late Model Sportmanship Award. Wampler was named Hard Luck driver.

Lisa Noss of Stong's Auto Parts presented drivers with the Pro Stock Awards. Bill Powell was crowned Champion. Jason Schmidt finished second with Corey Kepner third. Matt Parks and Scott Dorman tied for fifth.Glenn Miller, Jim Palm, Gary Beward, John Heane and Todd Snook completed the top ten.

Powell also earned top honors in the Enduro Division over Craig Imes. Adam Yetter, Neil Foust and Butch Renninger were also recognized. Pizza and Sub Shack of East Waterford, PA will be the title sponsor of the Enduro Cars in 2003.

Leadership Awards were presented to Fair Board members Don Adams, Butch McCachren, and Bill Ritzman. Appreciation Awards went to Timer Perry Shallenberger, Track Maintenance man Tony Dalton, Grounds man Elmer Brackbill and track employee Bill Poorman. Also honored were the Port Royal Ambulance League and the Mifflin Fire Company.

Little concluded his remarks by stating there will be a Bob Weikert Memorial Race added to the schedule at a later date. Following the presentation local radio personality Mel Thomas provided dance music for the crowd.

Up next for the speedway staff is the Guys, Gears & Gadget show Saturday January 18 at the Harrisburg East Mall. Presented by WHP TV-21 of Harrisburg, the show will be held in the former JC Penney location at the Mall. Show opens at 9 a.m. and will include the Championship Show Car owned by Dave Middleswarth and driven by Keith Kauffman. Also scheduled to appear is the Secrest & French/ Beer & Soda City/Keystone Light no 8 driven by Mark Secrest. A 2002 Port Royal highlight tape produced by Lynn Schaeffer will be played during the days activities. Schedules, Casino Night Tickets and other information will also be on hand. Joining the speedway at the show is new Port Royal Speedway sponsor Rhino Linings By Precision Auto Body of Burnham, Pa. Precision comes on board to present a special night of racing during the month of August and plan on being involved in other Port Royal activities. They are big in accessories and have recently started selling performance auto parts as well. They also do auto body repair and refinishing in their companion business, Precision Auto Body. The show ends at 6 p.m. Following that speedway officials head to Hagerstown Maryland for the Auto Racing Club of Hagerstown's annual Awards Banquet.

The month concludes with Casino Fund Raiser Night at JC Entertainment Center January 25. Tickets are available from Fair Board members. Cost is $ 40 dollars each. Small games of chance will be offered during the night.

Make plans to attend one of these upcoming events. Information will be released as it becomes available through the news media.

-prs-