L.A. STREET RACE SET FOR WEEKEND.Byline: Kirby Lee Special to the Daily News Promoters of the Ford Los Angeles Street Los Angeles Street is a historic avenue in Downtown Los Angeles, California. Traffic on the street travels northbound only, from the I-10 Freeway in the south of downtown, through the Fashion District, and on through Little Tokyo, where it ends after passing between LAPD Race have to be credited for the recent marketing blitz of billboards, television and radio segments and print media advertising. On Monday, the excitement will go into high pitch when the Kragen Z-One 200 competitors will go after a purse of $153,300, the largest in series history. The Ford Los Angeles Street Race will be the marquee event of the 17-race season for the semi-pro racers of the Southwest Series. The circuit stops on tracks in Bakersfield; El Cajon El Cajon (ĕl kähōn`), city (1990 pop. 88,693), San Diego co., S Calif.; inc. 1912. Electronic equipment, aircraft parts, irrigation equipment, furniture, and men's suits are among its manufactures. ; Tucson, Ariz.; and Monroe, Wash. A crew of more than 100 have worked five weeks to build the course, which includes 10 million pounds of concrete flat rail, 9 miles of fencing and steel rope and 200 tire pallets. The last of the 1,400 concrete embankments was put in place Friday. The Kragen Z-One 200 is the only street race on this year's Southwest Series schedule and will mark the first Los Angeles street competition in the 50-year history of NASCAR NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing), organization that sanctions American stock-car races, est. 1948. It held its first race in Daytona Beach, Fla. . The 1.4-mile layout winds its way through Exposition Park Exposition Park is the name of more than one place:
The Kragen Z-One 200 figures to be among the most competitive of the Southwest Series. More than 70 drivers will be vying for a spot in Monday's 44-driver field. ``When you have 70 to 75 guys out there, you're going to weed out the guys who cause a lot of wrecks,'' said Southwest Series driver M.K. Kanke. ``The cars and drivers are going to be better. You're going to have a quality race.'' There will be no home-course advantage for any driver in the Ford Los Angeles Street Race. The Southwest Series drivers will not get a chance to make a test run on the course until Sunday. Dennis Dyer of Palmdale walked the course after flying back from Colorado's NAPA 125 last weekend. Dyer was concerned about the safety of the course, particularly with the bumpy conditions along Coliseum Drive and the road crown along Figueroa Street and Exposition Blvd. ``You can use the crown to your advantage or it can throw you right into a wall,'' Dyer said. ``The cars are pretty light and can pick up a head of steam along the back straightway straight·way adv. 1. In a direct course: plunged straightway to the rocks below. 2. Without delay; at once: Straightway a storm began to brew. Adv. . If you lose control, you're not going to wind up in a field of weeds. You're going to hit something.'' Race fans can get a glimpse of the biggest names in auto racing in the 89-lap, 124.6-mile race. Winston Cup superstars Mark Martin, Chad Little and Kenny Schrader are expected to make a rare appearance in the Southwest Series. THE FACTS WHAT: Ford Los Angeles Street Race WHEN: Saturday through Monday. Racing begins at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday and 8 a.m. on Monday. WHERE: Exposition Park The Kragen Z-One 200 on Monday, part of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing: see NASCAR. Featherlite Southwest Series, highlights the three-day festivities fes·tiv·i·ty n. pl. fes·tiv·i·ties 1. A joyous feast, holiday, or celebration; a festival. 2. The pleasure, joy, and gaiety of a festival or celebration. 3. . The race will mark the first time a NASCAR event has been held on the streets of Los Angeles. INFORMATION: (310) 444-5544 CAPTION(S): Map MAP: LOS ANGELES STREET RACE |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion