Welcome to our 2^nd annual awards presentation award summary.

 To start the ball rolling, we would like to give our thanks to those companies that have helped support us in 2008.

 Firstly, many thanks to Hyper Racing for their support in 2008. Hyper Racing is the recognized “gold standard” in micro-sprint racing. Everything they build and market is done with the utmost professionalism. They are truly the manufacturer that all other manufacturers compare themselves to and it was our honor to be associated with them in 2008. Their new 2009 Hyper Black Series (HBS) chassis has all of micro world buzzing with the latest innovations.

 As a thank you to all drivers that were present at the banquet, Hyper Racing supplied gift cards to all drivers in attendance.

 Unfortunately Mike and Christy were unable to be with us last night, so on their behalf we called on the Hyper Racing Fuel Injection Guru, Ryan Greth to accept our appreciation plague on their behalf.

 As many know, the raffle car was the way we raised the required revenues to help support this class in 2008.

Hyper Racing, not only supplied the car, but was also instrumental in negotiating the premium Gas Shock package on the raffle car supplied by Advance Racing Suspension (ARS). Our many thanks go to ARS for their generosity.

 The car would have been really hard to move around without the generosity of Keizer Wheels providing the wheels and Lias Tire /American Racer for providing the tires. Both companies have supported us from our humble beginning in 2007. Keizer wheels are some of, if not the lightest wheel in the industry.

The great fit of the American Racer spec tire to the racing surfaces has allowed most teams to only use 4 right rear tires for the entire season and thus all teams benefited from a substantial cost savings on tires.

 H & H Wings are another supporter of Sidewinder Sprints that has been with us from the inception. Chris believes in supporting his customers, and jumped at the opportunity to supply the wings. When it came time for the powder coating, Chris knew it just had to be the best, so naturally he chose Coating Concepts. Coating Concepts came on board with the superb black powder coating.

 That powder coating and the black gel coat fiberglass body supplied from Hyper proved to be a worthy background for Sean Campbell from SC Signs and Designs to layer on the award winning graphics.

For those that might be unaware the exceptional 2008 Sidewinder Sprints Hyper Racing raffle car won 1^st place at the York Dirt Trackin’ Show. Sean also supplied the fantastic SidewinderSprints.com leading edge wing logo for the teams.

 Sean was presented with a plague as a gesture of our appreciation.

 Obviously having a raffle car was a huge undertaking. Transportation of the car could easily have been a logistics nightmare. Enter Team Funck. Gary took control and transported the car everywhere. From Atlantic City to The Dirt Trackin Show in York, back up to Motorarma in Harrisburg  and then down to the Chambersburg Mall for the Path Valley show and this was before the race season even began. During the race season the car made multiple appearances at, Trail-Way, Path Valley, Linda’s and Lanco. The special events included the Super 600 Showdown, multiple 600cc speedweek events and lastly the Kevin Gobrecht Memorial where we were honored to have Mrs. Gobrecht draw the winning ticket. The lucky winner was…. John Wentz of Hanover, Pa.

 Gary Funck was presented with a plague of appreciation for his efforts.

 The raffle car eventually found a new home with Joe Robertson purchasing the car. Joe will be the 3^rd of three brothers racing with Sidewinder Sprints next year. Joes other brothers John and Art will make a formidable family team. Speaking of Art, many here may not be aware of just how serious Art’s flip during the Gobrecht was. Art sustained multiple broken bones, including his neck and back and the good news is that Art is on the road to a full recovery and is looking forward to next season.

 Part of the raffle car give away included cash awards to the highest ticket sellers. During the year, Jason Morrison accepted a huge challenge. The original Super 600 Showdown looked doomed. Dale Thomas had become too busy at work to fully execute the planning of this annual micro racing event. With just 6 weeks before the event, Jason jumped in to pick up the pieces and promote the show. In doing so he also decided to purchase the www.microracing.com website from Dale. At that time Jason spent considerable amounts of his own money for the betterment of the sport in general and it was through this new business venture that he was able to display a “banner ad” on his newly purchased popular website that attracts 1000’s of visitors. That ad helped Jason record the highest ticket sales. Originally the award was going to be $500, $300, $200. Gary Funck came in second by the slimmest of margins. Rohan Beasley was 3^rd.

 In a show of respect for Gary Funck’s efforts all year, at that time Jason suggested that we split the first and second place, by totaling the award for those two positions and then 1/2ing it.

 Gary Funk and Jason Morrison were both presented with $400 checks in appreciation of their efforts.

 Rohan Beasley received a $200 check for coming in 3^rd.

 During the year, many teams received some extra cash from our Hard Charger Award.

 In 2008, The Workshop Yamaha / Polaris helped make this award a reality. When anyone thinks about purchasing any type of 4 wheeler or snow mobile, or they would like to just have their existing one serviced.. you really do need to make The Workshop you first choice. Their customer service is outstanding.

  On behalf of The Workshop, Mark Strickler was presented a plague in honor of our appreciation of their support in 2008.

 Before we spoke about the next controversial section… we wanted to recap on the original concept behind the formation of this class to keep it fresh in everyone’s minds and give a brief “state of the union”.

 Sidewinder Sprints was formed in September 2006 with the following
goals in mind;

We started with the basic 600cc racing rules... and modified them to achieve the following;

1/ Decrease the cost (OEM standard engines, tire rules, limitation on cockpit adjustables etc)

2/ Increase the horsepower to make the car more exciting to drive (who doesn't want more HP?)

3/ Unhook the car to focus on driver and car setup ability (More HP, Harder tire, Less grip)

4/ Focus on promoting micro racing as a premier division in speedway racing.

 We feel that we have achieved 3 of those goals. Goal 4 still needs some attention.

Now to the controversy…..

 Late in the year, we floated some ideas…. In our annual planning meeting, we discussed the next development needs of our class. Some of our ideas revolved around some minor cost effective changes that could be made to change the look of the cars. The most obvious cost effective changes were bigger wings and bigger tires… We set out to not only test the concepts but also keep our teams informed as to our thoughts. The bigger wing idea was killed off rather quickly. It just didn’t align itself with our original intentions of the need to unhook the cars and bring back driver/setup priority.

 The next portion, bigger wheels and tires went into the testing phase. Rick Hench from Henchcraft Racing Products was ideally positioned to help us with the logistics since he already built mini-sprints with 13” wheels and he also had 2 Sidewinder Sprints available. Rick was extremely helpful, providing cars and tires for the testing. This testing proved many things to us. The cars felt much smoother over the ruts, and the cars moved more on the suspension. During one particular test at Trail-Way, Shawn Seifert lapped his car and returned to comment on his tire rub on the left arm guard. (Something never experienced with the smaller 10” wheels) This proved how much further the car traveled on the left rear without bottoming out. Everyone that saw the cars fitted with the 13” wheels commented on how much better, bigger and more proportioned the car looked.

 We have always had a five year development plan for this class, and at that time we decided that our focus needed to be on car count growth in 2009 by having some higher paying shows with less emphasis on the end of year point fund.  We have effectively shelved the 13" wheel rule for the 2009 season, although more testing is planned throughout the 2009 season to give us greater insight into the potential advantages of this concept.

 That ends the recap on the controversy.

 Back to Rick Hench for a moment, Rick was instrumental in operating a rental program where anyone could rent a Sidewinder Sprint and experience true race conditions. This program alone accounted for 11 different drivers gaining the opportunity to race with us in 2008. It was for his efforts in the rental program and his desire to help see this class succeed including helping with the previously mentioned testing program that we would like to award Rick Hench a plague of appreciation.

 Rick unfortunately couldn’t be with us last night. It was his daughters 16^th birthday.

 On that statistical point of interest. We had 50 different drivers try Sidewinder Sprint racing this year. On my last count, I know of 34 different cars that competed with us in 2008. Assuming the average car cost of $13,000, that’s over $442,000 worth of machinery that teams have built, believing in this concept, and we are very humbled by that. When all racing classes showed a declining car count in 2008, we grew. At this early stage we already have approximately 8 new teams that will be joining us in 2009.

 Now to the awards;

  One of the original competitors, it seems like he owns opening day having won both our 2007 and 2008 opening day races at Trail-Way. This immaculate black and florescent car stands out in all the pictures. With his daring highline performances he makes his car impossible not to notice.

Congratulations on the Best Appearing Car award went to 

Jeremy Lynch

A lot can be said about this next driver, but he is genuinely one of the nicest guys in the pits. This driver exemplified the exact qualities that this award represents. When all the teams were tasked with selling 25 raffle tickets to be eligible for the bonus bucks, we knew it would be quite a task for some, but we figured the carrot was large enough for most to make the effort. This one driver only raced 5 times with us all year and therefore had little if anything to gain personally from the bonus cash awarded to the eligible top 24 drivers. But guess what…. He sold his entire book. He understood that it was for the greater good of the entire class and he wanted to contribute as much as possible.

Congratulations on the Sportsman Award went to

Ron Taggert

 The next award can be very subjective. We decided that the fairest way to ensure consistency with this award would be to measure it on the improvement from last season to this season in points. One driver finished 19 places higher in the points this year than last year.  He continued to show improvement throughout the year as his experience and confidence continue to increase.

Congratulations on the Most Improved Award went to

Jerry Strausbaugh

When the teams that voted looked back on the season to find an example of “Hard Luck” it was obvious by the voting that some incidents stood out from the rest.  Not many teams can claim the fame of destroying 2 cars in one night, let alone destroying a car again on the first lap in the comeback heat race. Then to rub salt into the wounds, this drivers bad luck continued, managing to put the Henchcraft rental car on its side twice during the Gobrecht Memorial. After a horror 2008 season, it is great to welcome this team back for the 2009 season.

Congratulations , and in this case commiserations on the Hard Luck Award went to

Mark Strickler

Last year, we started an annual award. The “Got Funcked Award”. This award was in recognition to everything Gary Funck did during our first year.  To put this award into perspective, let me recap on our thinking by sharing once again the original award presentation script from our 2007 awards.

In our inaugural year… it was obvious that a special award was needed. Sidewinder Sprints appreciates the extra effort that one particular team put in to support the most exciting, fastest growing new class ever in the history of micro racing

From the start of the year in Atlantic City to the final race at Path Valley… They were there.

When we needed to perform an exhibition at Lanco……

They were there.

When cars were being crashed in hot laps……

They were there.

When team cars had a magnetic attraction….

They were there.

When crashed parts needed to be replaced….

They were there.

This award tonight is presented to the one driver/car owner gave tremendous support to Sidewinder Sprints and especially the parts suppliers.

What better to award the winner than actual parts from H & H Wings that he can use in the coming season…..

In appreciation for his efforts… we were pleased to announce the inaugural….

Got Funcked Award.

This year, we sought to award this to the team that kept coming back, even after mishaps that would have spelt the end for many teams. This team had parts break that put them in the wall at Path Valley. They had further contact with the wall at Trail-Way. Bad grounds were blamed on bad injectors… the list goes on. The one thing this team gained this year was experience.

What better to award the winner than a gift certificate from H & H Wings that he can use in the coming season…..

In appreciation for his efforts… we were pleased to announce the winner of the….

Got Funcked Award.

And the winner was Patrick Roller

Last but by no means least we come to the Rookie of the year Award. This award is being presented to the highest points finisher that did not compete in any points races in 2007. This may come as a shock to many… We even had to check this 3 times to make sure that We were correct. But when We looked  back on the 2008 season, there was one telling incident where you could just tell this guy was a rookie……. Well maybe not a total rookie….Even Rookies know to go to the scales and how many rookies have already won a $10K to win race???

Congratulations must go to the 2008 Rookie of the Year,

Ryan Greth

And now to the Season Points Award winners.

The first for awards stand out as great examples of sportsmanship. All of these drivers sold all of their tickets and managed to finish in the top 24 in points that made them eligible to receive the cash bonuses. Our many thanks goes out to these drivers for making the effort in tickets sales.

Sidewinder Sprints 21st Place

                                             Congratulations to our 21st place points finisher

Jared Hudson

Sidewinder Sprints 18^th Place

                                         Congratulations to our 18th place points finisher

John Robertson

Sidewinder Sprints 12^th Place

Congratulations to our 12th place points finisher

Jeremy Lynch

Sidewinder Sprints 10^th Place

This driver started his racing in the 270 class at Selinsgrove. The Sidewinder concept of more speed for less money captured his imagination… After selling out of his 270 equipment, he purchased a chassis and engine and was on his way ! After making his debut in May, he tried his very best to make every race, including the wingless race at Path Valley. By his own admission, the learning curve was a steep one… almost as steep as the increase in the speeds. Always smiling and just happy to be at the races our

 Congratulations to our 10^th place points finisher

Patrick Roller

 Sidewinder Sprints 8^th Place

Some teams start racing because their fathers, uncles, bothers, mothers or sisters race. Some race because they have watched from the stands and wondered what it would be like. Then they help a team and as enjoyable as that can be they soon realize that their desire, their passion is still not being met. The racing bug has bitten and nothing except for driving will cure the disease. This driver fits that description. After starting out in the 600’s he quickly realized that the new Sidewinder Sprints would be the place to be. Improvement throughout the season was obvious to all as this driver learned the trade.

Congratulations to our 8^th place points finisher

Jerry Strausbaugh

Sidewinder Sprints 7th Place 

A lot can be said about this next driver. His dry sense of humor is infectious. His genuine willingness to help has been proven many times. This year he changed chassis’s from a Probe to a Henchcraft …next year he is changing from a Sidewinder Sprint to a Super Sprotsman.. The super sportsman division are gaining exactly as their name implies….. a super sportsman. Our loss is their gain, but we would like to make sure that this driver knows that after driving the slow bus like creature that is a super sportsman, that we will welcome him back with open arms.

Congratulations to our 7th place points finisher

Sean Campbell

Sidewinder Sprints 6th Place

This next driver might have found the “holy grail” towards the end of the season. Changes to his chassis helped him become more comfortable in the car. It showed on the night before the Sprint Nationals at Path Valley when he produced his season best finish in only his second time out with the changes..This new found comfort has this driver chomping at the bit for 2009. The cars are always immaculate, and from what I know about this team, I am sure they are already stripped down and in the process of being rebuilt. 

Once again this team went above and beyond to help support this class in 2008.

 Congratulations to our 6th place points finisher

Gary Funck

Sidewinder Sprints 5th Place

Part two of the two car team, this driver was able to keep the car on all 4 wheels with one exception…. Wingless practice at Lanco when contact with “the boss” sent him over. With a fast Suzuki under the hood, he showed his potential with a season best 3^rd place at Path Valley mid way through the season. A close runner up for sportsman of the year, this driver was always quick to congratulate the winners and by his constant smile, it was obvious to all that he really enjoyed his season.

Congratulations to our 5th place points finisher

Denny Landvater

Sidewinder Sprints 4th Place

It all started for this driver losing a left rear wheel at Trail-Way. It progressed to broken wheel centers, broken axles, front ends being destroyed and finally flipping his car for the first time. His season finished with another destroyed front axle in the season finale wingless show at Path Valley. 2008 was a very trying year for this driver. He was told last year to focus on taking the small steps of improvement..try and win heat races first..then move on to feature wins. Part one of that mission was achieved with multiple heat race wins. In 2009 he is determined to capture part two of the mission with a feature win.

 Congratulations to our 4th place points finisher

Rohan Beasley

Sidewinder Sprints 3rd Place

Last season’s “Bridesmaid” nickname carried over to the 2008 season and never was it more obvious than the last points race at Path Valley.  This driver had led the Path Valley points for the entire year only to have Ryan Greth overtake him and win the track championship by the smallest of margins – 4 points. Once again the bridesmaid had the most 2nd places, being tied with Ryan Greth on 6  2^nd places for the season. Always a tinkerer, I don’t think there were 2 weeks in the entire season where he started with the same set up. 2009 will see this driver tinkering yet again with a specially built Hyper Chassis, affectionately nicknamed by the Hyper employees…the FU-CAR.

 Congratulations to our 3rd place points finisher

Jason Morrison

Sidewinder Sprints 2^nd Place

What a sensational points battle our 2008 season ended up being. No one would ever think that the points lead would change 12 different times in only 25 points races. During the year we had 6 different drivers all sharing the points lead at one stage during the season. Between Ryan Greth and Tim Merzt alone, they swapped the points lead an amazing 7 times.

Leading into the last points race of the year, both Ryan Greth and Tim Mertz were tied on 1982 points each. It all came down to the last points race of the year. The feature would line up with Tim Mertz on the pole, Ryan Greth lined up in position 5. Ryan quickly hustled his way into 3^rd and tried to chase down the leaders on the dry slick track, but to no avail. Tim went on to take the win and the championship. The effort that Ryan and the team put in despite the adversity of the mid season scale incident needs to be commended. Many people would have thrown in the towel at that point, but not the “Grethalyzer”. With 5 wins for the season and 14 podium finishes for the season the Greth team bounced back and is looking forward to going one place better in 2009.

Congratulations to our 2nd place points finisher

Ryan Greth

Sidewinder Sprints Champion

We started the year with Hyper Racing as our major backer. How lonely it must have felt being the only RTS chassis surrounded by all of the Hypers. Last year Tim showed moments of outright speed, but his year was over shadowed by just plain bad luck causing numerous dnf’s. What a difference a year can make. Easily the fastest car during the year at Path Valley, Tim Mertz and team showed that they definitely learned from their 2007 experiences. Their consistency enabled the Mertz Team to capture the Trail-Way Championship.  With 8 wins for the season and 12 podium finishes The Mertz Moving team earned the right to call themselves champions.

Congratulations to our 1st place points finisher and 2008 Sidewinder Sprints Champion

Tim Mertz

  Our awards presentation would not be complete without out us extending our thanks to our contingency award partners.

The Workshop ( www.workshopwelovesnow.com ) For all of your 4 wheeler and snow mobile needs.

Guhl Motors( www.guhlmotors.com )  ; For the best fuel injection conversions ; For a limited time, call Don (717-625-1411) and ask about the Sidewinder Special for your fuel injection conversions (600 and 1000)
 
Keizer Wheels ( www.Keizerwheels.com );The ultimate in racing wheels

American Racer / Lias Tires (www.americanraceronline.com) ( www.liastire.com ); For the tires that provide the best racing action.

SC Signs and Designs  www.scsigns.net ; For standout vinyl graphics.

H&H Wings...Phone 717-303-8231;    Wings that make you fly ! ; Call Chris now for his winter wing special !

H& H Wings also provided a special end of year bonus!

 H & H Wings

$300 Gift Certificate for the Sidewinder Sprints Champion - Tim Mertz

The next highest points finisher using H & H wings

Top wing and Nose wing combo - Jason Morrison

Sidewinder Sprints would also like to thank our fellow competitors that had the guts to take a chance on an idea. We realize that each team place their trust in us to produce a series that contains costs, increased the Hp and put more excitement into racing. A huge thank you from us to the 50 different drivers that participated in 208.

Also, special thanks must go to Paige Lynch and all of the other volunteers for helping perform tech inspections during the course of the season.

It has been a fantastic second year. This time in 2006 we had just 2 cars…This year we have over 30 and we continue to grow every week. I know that both Jason and myself have appreciated the encouraging words throughout the year and the support shown by the teams that joined our 2^nd season. Our thanks must go out to everyone that sold tickets to the raffle car and everyone that continues to spread the message about Sidewinder Sprints. We will continue to build on the foundation that continued this season and look forward to racing with you all in 2009

2009 Information;

Our schedule is still a work in progress, currently we have 36 dates on the schedule…  some of the important dates we can confirm;

May 23^rd and 24^th – Microracing.com Spring Nationals at Trail-Way

August 21^st Top 24 invitational – Williams Grove

Sidewinder Sprints will next appear at Trail-Way Speedway on 03/14/09