by Jody Spear and Kelly Meyer –
MASON CITY – Racers from all over were showing off their hard work during the off season at Southbridge Mall , getting their race cars in great running condition as well as making them eye candy to draw attention for their sponsors.
Some racers changed cars and some changed colors.
Larry Portis, IMCA Stock Car #59, is one that changed cars all together. Still sticking with hot pink, his favorite color and purple, his daughters favorite color, the car “is obnoxious” said an onlooker. With the help of Aaron Haggerty, owner of Sixty-Two Graphics, Portis said, “The Car came together around 11:00 pm last night.” He tells in the video how the powdered paint is applied to the frame of the car. He had a video, showing on his laptop, of the progress, starting with cardboard cutouts, a plain white car and a vision of the final product. “My first race will be here at the I-35 Speedway, April 8th.”
Kyle Germundson, owner of the IMCA Sport Mod #69, changed his colors from black and white last year to a fiery red this year. The change of color makes the car stand out, gain respect and shows it means business. “I like to change colors every year. I want a nice looking car, that isn’t boring,” Germundson says about changing colors. “We’re very optimistic going into this year. We have good sponsors. We ran and finished good last year and hope to continue this year.”
Some drivers do a lot of the work themselves. Phil Ricke #7, out of Algona and owner of Ricke’s Engine & Machine, and friends did the decorations themselves, “The details are all airbrushed.”
Ben Kraus, from Garner and owner of IMCA Sport Mod #6, has on the back of his car, “Some people live to race, Some people race to live, We race to find a cure for Cancer.” Kraus has been racing most of his life, his mom tells, “Ben started in the go-cart races in Forest City.”
There were many other cars and drivers at the mall from all categories of racings. The IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Sport Mods, IMCA Hobby Stock and the Hornets.
Not to forget some old favorites, the North Iowa Vintage Club, had some very impressive cars at the show too.
Joe Ringsdorf, owner of The Midwest Best Racing Tracks, I-35 Speedway, Hancock County Speedway, and the Algona Raceway was at Southbridge Mall handing out 2012 Event Schedules. The first night of the I-35 Speedway is Sunday, April 8th. Pit gates open at 4:30 pm, Grandstands open at 5:00 pm and Hot Laps at 6:00 pm and Races follow. The Grandstand admissions are $12.00 for adults, $5.00 for children, $25.00 for Pit Admission and $30.00 for a Family Pass.
The I-35 Speedway is a 1/2 mile dirt track located at the North Iowa Fairgrounds in Mason City, IA. For more information call 641-424-6515 or go to http://www.i-35speedway.com.
1 thought on “Racers gather their cars for a show at Southbridge Mall”
Boy that 69 car looks prety sharp.just wanted to say kelly and jody did a very good job on this story