2008 Racing Season set to start Saturday

April 9, 2008

Marne, MI - Berlin Raceway's 58th season presented by Comerica Bank is set to begin Saturday night at the historic .438-mile oval track in Marne. The 2008 season is packed with racing action from both Berlin's weekly local divisions and visiting traveling series. All indications point to increasing car counts in all five of Berlin's local racing divisions, and since high car counts lead to hot action on the track and more fans in the stands, Berlin Raceway officials are looking forward to a great season for racing in 2008.

A record 91 cars turned out for last Saturday's first test-n-tune, a four-hour open practice that allowed drivers to shake down their cars and make any fine-tuning adjustments before the racing season begins. A final test-n-tune is scheduled for tonight from 5 to 9 p.m. before the track opens for business this Saturday, April 12.

Saturday's opener includes points races for the four familiar weekly racing series: the top-level Coors Light Late Model plus the Engine Pro Super Stock, De-Jay Slick Truck Pro Stock and Instant Cash Advance Sportsman divisions. The following week, April 19, will feature the debut of Berlin's newest full-fledged points division, the Burnips Equipment 4-Cylinder division. The 4-Cylinders raced several times last season on an exhibition basis and the popularity of the division, both from the fans and from the drivers (proven by ever-increasing car counts), convinced Berlin Raceway management to promote the series to full-time points status beginning this season. A 4-Cylinder race car can be purchased and modified for racing for around $1200 to $1500, much less than the other four racing divisions, which range in price tags from $6,000 for the most basic Sportsman car to more than $75,000 for the top-end Late Model machine.

In addition to the five local weekly racing divisions, the 28-date 2008 season includes many traveling series events, fireworks, free kids nights, food and drink specials, school bus races and several "amateur" races.

Several marquee events highlight the 2008 racing season:
- The prestigious ASA Series (June 14) and ARCA Series (July 26), both in for 200-lap features,
- The eighth annual "The Chet" presented by Comerica Bank, a 100-lap Coors Light Late Model feature on Saturday, August 9 in honor of track founder Chet Mysliwiec,
- The third annual Boyne at Berlin presented by Wolverine Power Systems on Friday and Saturday, September 12 and 13, featuring all five local divisions plus the CRA Super Series and USA Modified in a 7-in-1 two-day show that is expected to set Berlin Raceway records for both number of racecars competing and highest prize money awarded,
-ÝThe third annual Open-Wheel Extravaganza on September 27 that includes the ISMA Supermodifieds, Auto Value Super Sprints and a triple-sanctioned midget event including Wolverine Outlaw, USAC and UMARA midgets.

Other traveling series scheduled to visit Berlin Raceway this season include the Short Track Trucks (June 7), the open-wheel Auto Value Super Sprints (June 28, August 30, September 27), the Wolverine Outlaw Midget Series (June 21 and September 27) and the Vintage Racing Organization of America (August 2).

Other highlights of the 2008 schedule include the always-popular School Bus Races scheduled for four dates (May 3, May 31, August 16 and Friday, September 12). All Faiths Night (April 26) will feature the fourth annual "Faster Pastor" event where clergy members will have the chance to race around the track to raise funds for their church. Kids Nights, where kids 12 and under get in free and several kids activities will be set up around the facility, will be held on June 21 and August 23. "Dollar Beer and Dollar Dogs" are on the schedule four times (May 24, July 5 August 30 and September 12). Fans can participate in Spectator Drags (May 24), Trash Can Bowling (May 24, July 5) and Fan Time Trials (July 5).

Fireworks will light up the sky five times, and plenty of autograph sessions, where fans can walk onto the track, meet drivers and see cars close-up, are scattered throughout the schedule all season long.

The 153rd Berlin Fair comes to Marne July 13 through 19, with grandstand events including the Demolition Derby and 4-Cylinder Race presented by Budweiser, WMOR Demo Scramble presented by CARSTAR, Cage Combat MMA presented by Budweiser and Bus Mania presented by Coors Light scheduled for Fair week.

On the track, expect two-time defending Coors Light Late Model Champion Tom Thomas to make a run for a three-peat, but watch out for contenders Terry Van Haitsma (last year's runner-up), Billy Shotko and Scott Thomas to make a run for the championship. Engine Pro Super Stock Champion Mike Bursley will not race a full season this year, leaving the door open for perennial favorite and former champion Brian Wiersma, Ray VanAllsburg, Dave Lake, Andrew Nylaan and Ray Clay to battle it out for the top spot. Brian Tillema is back to defend his De-Jay Slick Truck Pro Stock championship, and with last year's second- and third-place finishers moving up to higher divisions, the door is open for Scott Root, Kevin DeGood or Andy Stormzand (the 2007 Instant Cash Advance Sportsman champion) to challenge for the crown. In the Instant Cash Advance Sportsman division, the door is open for a new champion as last year's top two points finishers are moving up to the Pro Stock division. Allen Davis, Ken Roelofs, Dave Cutler and Allen Troup are among several contenders in the Sportsman division. In the new Burnips Equipment 4-Cylinder division, watch out for early favorite Jason DeVos.

Fans as young as 14 years of age may now enter the pits during race days; management lowered the pit entrance age from 16 to 14 in an effort to promote hands-on exposure to the sport of racing to a younger generation.

Tickets for all Berlin Raceway events are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.berlinraceway.com or by phone to Berlin Raceway at (616) 677-5000. Tickets are also available in person at the Fifth Third Ballpark box office (4500 West River Drive, Comstock Park) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, or at the Berlin Raceway administrative office Monday through Friday (please call ahead for an appointment if going to Berlin's administrative office). On racedays, tickets are available at the Berlin Raceway box office beginning at 11:15.