Orange Show Speedway postpones Toys for
Tots 100 to make facility available to families displaced by fires
SAN BERNARDINO (Oct. 24, 2007) –
There will be no stock car racing at Orange Show Speedway this Saturday,
Oct. 27.
The National Orange Show Events Center , which includes
Orange Show Speedway, is being used as an evacuation center for families
and individuals forced from their homes by the wildfires in the San
Bernardino Mountains . All of the Events Center facilities are being
utilized to meet the needs of the evacuees and various support organizations
and that may be the case for some time.
As a result, the Oct. 27 racing program that was
to have included the Toys for Tots 100 open competition race for Late
Models has been postponed, as well as the open practice scheduled for
Friday, Oct. 26. The event will be rescheduled as soon as possible.
This is the second postponement of the race, which
was rained out on Sept. 22.
“I hate to have to postpone the race
again, but obviously our first concern is for the health and welfare
of the people that have been forced out of their homes and their communities
by the fires,” Director of Racing Joe Ganino Jr. said. “Some
of them have lost their homes and all their possessions. They’re
the ones in our hearts and prayers right now. They have our condolences.
“Racing is what we do for fun, even though
we make it seem awfully important at times. There’s nothing remotely
funny about what’s happening to our friends and neighbors right
now, and I know all our speedway officials, our hundreds of drivers
and our wonderful fans will gladly do whatever they can to help the
victims of this devastation.”
The NOS Events Center was designated an evacuation
center Monday afternoon, and by 9 p.m. Monday night about 1,000 people
and 200 dogs and cats had taken up temporary residence at the facility.
That number had grown to 1,500 by 8 a.m. Tuesday, and more families
arrived throughout the day as the fires continued to ravage Running
Springs, Lake Arrowhead and other mountain areas.
There is a possibility the NOS Events Center could
be needed as an evacuation center for several weeks. The Toys for Tots
100 and the other races scheduled for Saturday night cannot be rescheduled
until that determination has been made.
There has been no change to the racing program scheduled
for Nov. 3 at this time.
Those seeking more information on the evacuation
center or wishing to donate goods or services may call the Inland Chapter
of the American Red Cross at 909-888-1481.
Racing at Orange Show Speedway is sponsored by Lucas
Oil, Blackhawk Protection, Hype Manufacturing, Del Taco, Aflac Insurance,
KTTD radio (AM 1350), Leno’s Rico Taco, Soboba Casino, Budweiser,
Hoosier Racing Tires, Frank’s Radio Service, Torco Racing Fuels,
Parker Pumper/BSR West, Eibach Springs, JP Striping, Star Auto Parts,
Pepsi, Matich Corporation, L. Curti Truck and Equipment, One Stop Landscape
Supply, Extreme Exhibits & Logistics, Little Green Onions and the
San Bernardino County Sun.
For further information, contact Jim Short at 951-203-2649
or jimshort65@sbcglobal.net, call Orange Show Speedway at 909-888-6788,
X438, or visit the web site at www.nosevents.com.
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