The Premier Racing Association will expand to include midget racing
in 2007. Last year the PRA began sanctioning races involving "Big
Cars", pavement race cars previously included in the USAC Silver
Crown Series. Now with an eye toward driver development, the PRA
has announced plans to sanction a "Junior Midget Series" aimed at
drivers aged 14 to 17.
"The Junior Series was launched at Ventura Raceway in
California last year by Jim Naylor and proved highly successful",
stated PRA co-founder Jason Smith. "With PRA backing, the series
will expand in 2007 to include Orange Show Speedway in San
Bernardino and other Northern California venues to be announced
later."
The Junior Midget series concept was first developed by
SCREAM, engine supplier to the popular Ford Focus Midget Series.
The engines for the Junior Series are restricted versions of the
same power plant. Rules limit costs and maintain parity, and the
Junior Series also uses "combo cars" only, so that the same race
car can be used on both dirt and paved tracks.
"The new program fills a niche that my customers have
been demanding for quite some time", stated Keith Iaia, President
of SCREAM. "The formula for this series gives young competitors a
place to start racing traditional Midget Cars that is very
affordable, yet extremely competitive. Best of all, there is a
zero cost upgrade path built into the program. When they're ready,
they'll already own everything they need to go racing in the
unrestricted For Focus Midget Series."
Driver development is a key element in the Junior
Series. Jason McCord, the other PRA co-founder, is a former driver
and knows the importance of learning at an early age. "We're
pleased to announce that Cory Kruseman will be the instructor at
Ventura, and veteran Wally Pankratz will provide the lessons at
Orange Show Speedway. With help from these two outstanding
drivers, the Junior Series will provide an important step in the
development of young men and women competitors."
The PRA Junior Midget Series has plans to expand
further in 2008. For more information visit
www.juniormidgetseries.com, a web site currently under
construction, or contact Keith Iaia with SCREAM at
(805) 467-9351 or the Premier Racing Association
at (765) 642-1700.
The PRA Big Car Series is preparing for its opener on
April 7th at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Cecil, Georgia.
Keep checking www.PRARacing.com for more news about the PRA Big Car
Series and the PRA Junior Midget Series.
Premier Racing Association, Inc.
714 West 53rd Street
Anderson, IN 46013