Jeff Heotzler Enters
Atlantic City Races
Jeff Heotzler, winner of Atlantic City’s
2005 Gamblers Classic Indoor Race at Boardwalk Hall, is the
latest TQ (Three quarter) Midget driver to enter the annual
event. The 10th edition of the event under the direction of Len
Sammons and staff is planned for Friday and Saturday nights Feb.
3-4, 2012. Heotzler, of Wallkill, N.Y., was the winner of a
memorable race that was decided in Heotzler’s favor on the final
lap.
The lightning-fast TQ (three quarter)
Midgets join three other classes of race cars: the
out-of-control dirt 600cc Micro-Sprints, the aggressively-driven
Slingshots and the missile-like Champ Karts.
Heotzler’s entry confirms eight of the
nine previous Gamblers Classic are planning to compete.
Joey Payne (2004, 2007); Lou Cicconi Jr.
(2006, 2010); and Ted Christopher (2009, 2011) are two time
winners; each is seeking a third Gamblers Classic victory in
this year’s race.
Mike Tidaback (2008), like Heotzler, is
a solo Gamblers winner; only Andy Mackareth (2003) is not
entered and is inactive in the sport.
Heotzler has not raced at Boardwalk Hall
in three years; his car was demolished in a 2009 accident at
Providence, R.I. but has been repaired for this event.
The driver roster for the four competition classes stands at 73
TQ teams, 54 Champ kart teams, 31 dirt 600cc Micro Sprint cars
and drivers, and 27 Slingshots.
That number is expected to grow steadily
with two weeks remaining prior to race time. Upward of 200 teams
are expected to be vying for starting berths in the four feature
races.
TQ Midget entries are wide ranging,
having been received from eight states one Canadian province.
Vintage TQ midgets have been added to
the weekend of events. Cars will be displayed on Friday, Feb. 3
throughout Boardwalk’s Hall spectator concourse.
A warm-up session is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, Feb. 4.
Cars will then be displayed and drivers will be available for
autographs and photos during the interactive evening Fanfest
session prior to the beginning of racing program. Drivers will
hand out full-size souvenir pennants to the first five hundred
youngsters during Fanfest as well.
Racers wishing to enter any of the
divisions competing in Atlantic City may still do so and can
find entry and rule information available at aarn.com.
Tickets for the Atlantic City event are
on sale now at Ticketmaster outlets online at
www.ticketmaster.com and at the Boardwalk Hall box office.
Ticket prices remain the same as the past event. Premium seats
sell out quickly.
Further information can also be obtained
by calling the show office (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at 609-888-3618.
TQ Midget entries are also pouring in
for “The Coffee Cup”, the indoor race scheduled for Providence,
R.I. on March 10-11, 2012 at Dunkin Donuts Center.
Early entries include Ryan Tidman, Ted Christopher, Billy Pauch
Sr., Steve Craig, Frank Fischer, BJ MacDonald and Jonathan Reid
are among those who have joined Paul Lotier Jr., who was the
first entrant for the March event.
Racers wishing to join in the TQ Midget
action at Dunkin Donuts Center may find entry and rule
information available at aarn.com.
Dimension Design (DD), Brodheadsville,
Pa., has enhanced both the Atlantic City and Providence races
with a cash bonus program for all cars running Dimension Design
component parts and sporting DD decals.
The plan is as follows: overall fast
qualifier (if a DD eligible car) $100; Gamblers Classic top
three finishing DD cars (any position) $100, $75, $50.
The top three Dimension Design finishers
in the Providence Indoor race will also receive like bonuses and
if a DD eligible car wins both the Atlantic City Gamblers
Classic and Providence Coffee Cup that team will earn an
additional $250.
Five $100 gift certificates will be
distributed throughout the field each weekend.
Dimension Design will once again supply TQ and 600 racers with
pit side service at both indoor races.
Tickets for the Dunkin Donuts Center
Indoor Race event are on sale at Ticketmaster outlets online at
www.ticketmaster.com.
Source:
Ernie Saxton/AARN PR
Posted: January 14, 2012
