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HUGE TURNOUT WELCOMES DAVE KELLY & GLENN FITZCHARLES TO URC's 60TH
ANNIVERSARY AWARDS BANQUET. . . . . . . .
CURT MICHAEL & KATHY PALLADINO HONORED AS 2007 CHAMPIONS WITH $46,000
IN CASH AND $20,000 IN CONTINGENCY AWARDS DISTRIBUTED
It was one of the greatest nights in URC history. A night to remember
legends of yesterday, and the stars of today, as plans were announced
for an even better tomorrow. URC (United Racing Company) celebrated
their sixtieth anniversary as our Nation's Oldest Traveling Sprint Car
Organization in 2007 and Saturday night at the Lancaster Host, in
Lancaster, PA, all were honored. Lights were flashing and panning the
room, there was a large screen video presentation, tiered seating for
the guests and Diamond Awards for the competitors, one would think you
were at the Academy Awards. In total, more then $46,000 in cash was
distributed and an additional $20,000 in contingency awards. Guests of
Honor Dave Kelly and Glenn Fitzcharles, the two winningest drivers in
URC history, were greeted with a standing ovation and both greatly
enjoyed their time to re-united with former competitors and friends as
well. One of the largest turnouts in URC banquet history was present
to see the crowning of 2007 URC Driver Champion Curt Michael and Owner
Champion Kathy Palladino. The Michael/Palladino Team collected more
then $10,000 in cash for winning the twenty-eight race URC Bar's Leaks
Sprint Tour. Michael won three features in a very competitive season
that delivered a record setting twenty different feature winners in a
single season.
Looking to 2008, URC continued to send the message, "We will deliver
what we promise". The "smart schedule" of 2007 will be duplicated for
2008, with the focus on booking events close to home in light of the
on-going fuel price increases. A top notch insurance plan for the
competitors will also return and American Racer will again be the
official tire of URC. Big events for 2008 will include the URC Sprint
Nationals at Williams Grove along with the 2nd Annual URC/358 Challenge
at Selinsgrove. A third big event is also in the planning.
Special Awards are always a highlight to the URC Awards Banquet. Here
are the various special award winners that include the award sponsor,
award nominees and the award winners.
Special Awards
Award/Sponsor Nominees:
Winner:
Presidential Award/John Zimmerman No Nominees
Steve Peters & Flo Fling
Best Appearing Car/Clark Angstadt Welsh 2W,
McClaren 21A Zuczek 50/Miller 8 Team 2W, Kevin
and Pete Welsh
Crew Member of the Year/Cher Zimmerman Tommy Allan #99, Jeff
Kline #56, Dave Martzel #21A,
Brandon Weibley
#73 Jeff Kline #56
URC Dedication Award/Area Auto Racing News John Pinter, Scott
Pursell, Kramer Williamson, Gary Bacon John Pinter
Jim Shaw Memorial Award/Pat Miller Jimmy Martin,
Guy Howie, Bruce Engler, Gary Bacon Gary Bacon #21A
Harry Johnson Founders Award/Buzz Rose No Nominees
Billy Gallagher
URC Women of the Year/Larry & Jan Gilbert No Nominees
Dawn Pursell
URC Mechanic of the Year/Gene Franckowiak No Nominees
Pat Palladino
Joe Fiore Determination Award/Andi Weiner Jimmy Martin,
Adam Gordon, Mike Kostic, Jason Clauss Scott Pursell
Most Improved Driver of the Year/Program Dynamics JJ Grasso,
Robbie Stillwaggon, Davey Sammons, Adam Gordon Davey Sammons
URC Rookie of the Year/Cher Zimmerman Andrew Hannula and Joey
Biasi Andrew Hannula & Joe Biasi
Co-Rookie Winners of 2007
*Rookies shared cash awards from URC, Hank's Performance and a
Certificate from J&H
The Wilwood Tough Break Award, valued at $1,300 and organized each year
by Scott Pursell, was presented to car owner John Pinter.
The LikeWise Construction $1,000 Award presented to Scott Pursell
The Chip Rewards Program returned in 2007. Each driver and owner earns
one chip for doing a car display, personal appearance, radio or TV show
or for sending out a Press Release. The more events you do, the chips
you earn, increasing your chance to win the draw. Thirty-three drivers
or owners participated that resulted in 113 promotional activities.
The $500 cash winner was Ed Aikin.
A Manufacturers Drawing took place and included certificates from
American Racer, DMI, Hank's Performance, Kinsler, KSE, Penske Shocks,
Saldana, Ultra Shield, Wilwood Brakes, XXX, Berkibile, DSR, J&J, Kramer
Kraft, Mason MRI, Pro Shocks, Simpson, VP Fuels, Wings Unlimited, Zemco,
Brodix, GME, Jereco Engines, Kreitz, Maxim, Ron Davis, Top Flight, Weld,
Winters, Any owner making ten events or more was eligible for the
drawing. The winner was Mike Kostic.
The annual drawing for a set of Brodix Heads, valued at $2,500 was won
by Bill Gallagher, owner of the 5G.
A drawing also took place for a GME Steering Unit valued at $1,595 with
J.J. Grasso winning the draw.
A drawing was organized by Valocity Management, suppliers of safety
equipment and Kyle Purks was the award winner.
Point Fund money was distributed to the top twenty drivers and owners
that were in attendance. Curt Michael and Car Owner Kathy Palladino
collected the largest slice of the $46,000 cash payout. Michael Carber
finished second in driver points with Bill Gallagher of BBJG Inc.
finishing second in owner points. Ed Aikin was third in driver points
with Josette McClaren third in owner points. Kramer Williamson was
fourth in both driver and owner points. 2006 URC Rook of the Year Davey
Sammons finished fifth in the driver point chase. Using two drivers to
get the job done, Car Owner Guy Howie finished fifth in owner points.
Along with the season long URC Bar's Leaks Sprint Series point fund,
there were three mini-series that took place in 2007. Kramer Williamson
was the champion of the Valley Forge INC Pennsylvania Sprint Series and
sponsor Bill Gallagher made the presentation. Winning the Fred's
Trailer Sales & Service New Series was driver Curt Michael and Owner
Kathy Palladino. Fred Kennedy made the presentation. In the Taylor &
Messick Delaware State Sprint Series, Jimmy Messick made the cash
presentation to Champion Driver Curt Michael and Owner Kathy Palladino.
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