All Star and Invitational Event Draws Top Racers

Slot car racers from 14 states will be converging on Route 93 Raceway on March 1-2 for the running of the First All Star & Invitational Retro event, which is shaping up to be one the most unique and exciting events of the year.

The event, which is similar in scope to the NASCAR Nextel Cup All Star race held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway every May, will feature drivers who have won a championship in a regional retro series, or a major retro race during their career going head to head against one another in Formula One/Indy and Can-Am competition on Sunday, March 2. Racers who have never captured a series title, or major race win will be eligible to compete in the Invitational race slated for Saturday, March 1.

Individual awards, prizes, and giveaways will be presented to drivers competing on both days. As an added bonus the top-eight drivers in their respective classes from the Saturday Invitational races will be afforded the opportunity to compete in the Sunday All Star portion of the program IE: The top-eight finishers in the Invitational F1/Indy race may participate in the F1/Indy All star race. The top-eight finishers in the Invitational Can-Am race are eligible to participate in the All Star Can-Am contest. Invitational racers who elect to race on Sun. will not be charged an entry fee for participating.


The race will follow all IRRA LLC car specifications, procedures, guidelines and bylaws.

Among the All Star drivers already planning to be in attendance are Jay Kisling (Retro East champion, and winner of major races at the Sano, R4 and Demon Does Dallas), Tom Lauterbach (multi-time Penn-Ohio champion, and winner of races at the R4 and Demon 500), Ron Hershman (the winningest driver in retro racing, with multiple ORS championships and victories in the Sano, R4, Southern Shootout, Music City Shootout and Retro Summit events), Dave Fiedler (IRRL champion and a victor at the Race of Champions, R4 and the Sano), Willy Custer (American Raceways Series champion and a race winner at the Race of Champions), Gary "Hip" Cully (race winner at the Fall Brawl), Terry Watson ( Sano race winner), Dave Simerka (Retro Summit winner), Jeff Lauterbach (Penn-Ohio champion), James Merriman (Retro South champion and Music City Shoot Out winner), Dave Geehring ( Race of Champions winner), Ralph Throrne (Retro South champion and winner at the Sano and Race of Champions) and Gary Clinton (Winner at the the Retropalooza).

Route 93 track owner Debbie Baldwin-Evalsky has assured that everyone will be a 'winner' in the food department as her legendary trackside buffet will be catering to the racers appetites by serving breakfast, lunch and a hot dinner on both days.

Race entry fees will be $20.00 per class on both days, which includes practice and food privileges. The raceway will open at 8:00 AM on race days. Practice will be held from 8:00 - 9:30 AM. Tech will commence at 9:30 for both classes, followed by qualifying, which will be conducted using a 'laps and sections' format.

The raceway will be open for practice on Friday, Feb. 28 from Noon until 10:00 PM. A $10.00 pit and track pass will be charged.