People Places & Racing News

Racing News: W.E. Rock Professional Rock Crawling Eastern Series to Wrap Up in Tennessee

Compiled by SEMA Editors

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After the Eastern Series wraps up this weekend, East meets the West at the Grand Nationals in Cortez, Colorado, September 28–29.
  

W.E. Rock Professional Rock Crawling Eastern Series to Wrap Up in Tennessee August 9–10
When the final round of W.E. Rock Trail-Gear Western Pro Rock Crawling started in Goldendale, Washington, last week, three ProMod drivers were tied for first place. The Eastern Series wraps up in Dayton, Tennessee, August 9–10, then the East meets the West at the Grand Nationals in Cortez, Colorado, September 28–29.

The winner of the Pro Mod class was Jason Feuilly and Cody Folsom—the only ones to finish every obstacle over the course of the weekend. The three teams that had been tied for first at the start of the weekend were drivers Aaron Sykes, Jared Neff and Jesse Haines, who finished second, third and fourth respectively, giving Sykes the National Series win. Shawn McNearney took fifth and Mike Stokes finished sixth.

When all eight courses and the shootout were complete, it was Justin and Mark Hall who were on top of the podium. They had swept the Unlimited Class all season, making the father-and-son team the National Series winner. Matt Messer and John Gabriel finished second, Todd Young and Tate Elquist challenged them for third and Randy and Tyler Southall finished fourth.

Nathan Osburn and Ben Carlson led all weekend and took home the win in the Sportsman class. James Treacy took second, Wayne Mortensen third, Tory Trinka fourth, Alan Phenis fifth, Richard Crist sixth and Clark Williamson finished seventh.

Jeremy Eaton and Kraig Williams took home the win in the Stock Sportsman class, followed by Larry Smith. Karl Vanpetten finished one point behind in third, Rob Flandro finished fourth and Cody Gabriel finished fifth. Terry Jones took sixth, Gerald Gaines seventh, James Jacobson eighth and Shane Lemm in ninth.

World of Speed Plans Motorsports Exposition in Oregon
World of Speed—a nonprofit experiential motorsports exposition—has purchased an 80,000 sq.-ft. building in Wilsonville, Oregon, as the permanent home for an auto racing and performance car tourism destination and an auto industry educational program. World of Speed plans to occupy the former location of Town and Country Jeep Dodge in Wilsonville, which will be organized to accommodate more than 100 vehicles, a workshop area, and space to accommodate educational activities. Melvin Mark Brokerage Co. represented World of Speed in its purchase of the building.

World of Speed's collection is comprised of race and performance cars from various venues, including NASCAR, land-speed racing, drag racing, open wheel, sports cars and motorcycles. The collection includes classic American musclecars as well as race cars with a Pacific Northwest connection.

Through interactive exhibits and hands-on activities, World of Speed will offer visitors a behind-the-scenes view of the world of racing. Recently, Ford Motor Company donated a Mustang that will be reconfigured into a hands-on display to showcase how a car is constructed, what materials are used and how materials are recycled. A real Indy car will function as a simulator for fans of all ages, while a car formerly raced by Danica Patrick should appeal to female visitors. Several historic race cars are in the collection, including Mickey Thompson's famous record-breaking Assault, Herm Petersen's Northwest Terror and the Gaines Markley/Rob Bruins National Hot Rod Association Top Fuel Championship Car from 1979. World of Speed is also undertaking restoration responsibilities for any need that arises.

Plans for redevelopment are underway. The World of Speed is expected to open in the fall of 2014.

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Sleepy Tripp in the #67 car racing against Tommy Astone at the 1987 Turkey Night Grand Prix at Ascot. Photo credit: Scott Daloisio
  

Sleepy Tripp Named Grand Marshal of the Turkey Night Grand Prix at Perris Auto Speedway
Perris Auto Speedway promoter Don Kazarian and JC Agajanian Jr. of Agajanian Promotions have announced that Midget driver Ron “Sleepy” Tripp, who will turn 60 years old August 13, has been named Grand Marshal of the 73rd Turkey Night Grand Prix. The annual race, which features the Honda USAC National Midget Series, will be back on dirt for the second year in a row at Perris Auto Speedway on Thanksgiving night, November 28.

Tripp was named 1974 Rookie of the Year in the Southern California-based United States Racing Club. He headed for the USAC National Midget tour in 1975 and not only won the Rookie of the Year award in that Indianapolis based series, but also won the championship. He backed that up in 1976 when he won the National Championship again.

Tripp came back to Southern California in the early ’80s and dominated Midget action in the newly formed USAC Western Midget Series. He won more than 250 Midget main events, was inducted into the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in Wisconsin in 1986, the National Midget Auto Racing Museum Hall of Fame in Kansas in 2000 and the Legends of Ascot in 2004.

Tripp also spent 17 winters racing in New Zealand and Australia.