Dirt Trackin' York '06

Thanks to great weather, 160 display vehicles and over 120 vendors...The 23rd annual Dirt Trackin' 2006 show held at the Expo Center of the York Fairgrounds was the biggest ever! Thousands of fans packed the event over the weekend to see the cars and drivers of yester years, plus the young guns of today's racing. Dozens of drivers including Greg Hodnett, Frankie Herr, Mares Stellfox, Paul Miller, Jake Jones, Bud Barton, Chris Knopp, Dion Ciccorelli, Jessie Morrison, Steve Wilbur to name just a few, were in attendance meeting fans and handing out autographs. The flow of people never ceased throughout the whole weekend. Free parking was a blessing...but vehicles went all the way out into the grass, as the parking lots overflowed, due to the huge crowd on hand. Special events included the Ms. Dirt Trackin' Contest sponsored by CarSoup.com and WHP-TV 21 where Beth Christine a local favorite from Manchester was crowned the champion. Following the contest, fans were serenaded by the Jazz Me jazz and blues band. Saturday night the entire East wing of the show was entertained by the PWE Wrestling superstars. Doink the Clown was a crowd favorite, and show promoter Kirk Wise even entered the ring to help the colorful wrestler win in his match, when the clown was double teamed by Jack Pot and his sinister manager. Sunday was Kid's day, featuring big wheel and tricycle racing sponsored by Brothers Trucking. The ARMY had a computerized shooting range, RFC Ministries a drag racing simulator, there was remote control racing, even a Pit Stop challange game for all to try their hands at. Lots of fun was had by young and old at Dirt Trackin' 2006. The best in Show trophys, that were sponsored by the Jack Giambalvo Auto Group of York, went to a 1963 split window Corvette owned by Jim and Kit Schmock in the Street/ Drag catgegory, the #461 restored Dyer/ Deweese entry, Ryan Wilson's #29 in the micros, Gene Knaub's #5 Thunder car, Late model #24 owned by Jeremy Miller, and the open wheel sprint cars driven by Davey Sammons and Frankie Herr. All the cars at the show were maticulously prepared, but these entries were the best in class. Pancho's Racing Parts also received an award for the best appearing vendor display. The Zimmerman's Automotive People's Choice awards went to Jimmy Shuttlesworth's #22h in fifth, fourth to Brian Leppo, third place to Don Shetler's #98, Smoke Christine took second, and the first place car, that helped to raise nearly $2000 for the York County Racing Club's Injured Driver's Fund, was the #74 late model team of Randy Christine...yes, his wife is the new Ms. Dirt Trackin'!. Tracks on hand with their schedules and events for 2006 included Willaiams Grove, Lincoln, Susquehanna Speedway Park featuring the new National Sprint League, Shippensburg, Trailway, Bowling Green, Selinsbrove, Port Royal , and Hagerstown. Missing of course was Silver Spring Speedway, but Alan Kreitzer and his son were in attendance. Former owner Walt Kline was still working the ticket window, and will return in 2007 `God willing`, to see what the show special events will include next year. Vendors came from as far away as Connetecut and West Virginia...but others from further away will probably be at the next show, as it continues to grow every year..as long as the weather cooperates. For photos of the show go to the website at www.york-dirt-trackin.com