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The "Thundering Herd" of the Desoto Champ Kart Series will make it's sixth appearance of 2008 at Desoto Super Speedway in Bradenton, on Saturday night, August 16.
The Desoto Champ Kart Series is proud to announce that the August 16 race will be dedicated to the contributions and memory of the late Don MacCalla of Tampa.
Don MacCalla Tribute Webpage: http://www.desotochampkartseries.com/tribute.html
Series Website: http://www.desotochampkartseries.com
Don MacCalla began his racing career in the Tampa area, racing both full-bodied and sprint cars. Don started karting in 1985 at Fruitland Park, after quitting stock cars. Over the next few years, Don traveled to tracks throughout Florida including; Seffner, Lakeland Tri-Oval, Sarasota, Sunshine Speedway, Naples, Maxville, Dirt Devils, Dade City, Top Gun, Brooksville and Auburndale. His daughter Lorrie began racing with him in the late 1980's.
In 1995, Don received his first set of tech tools. Immediately, he became hooked... Don eventually became known at "the" tech guy around Central Florida tracks for many years. Don also served as the tech man for the Tri City Kart Club at Desoto Super Speedway. Don cared about every karter, especially the kids, and always made an extra effort to prevent a karter from leaving the track angry, regardless of what happened during a race.
For several years (2000-2003), Don also campaigned two champ karts, giving other drivers an opportunity to race his karts. One of those drivers that drove for Don was the 2007 TBARA Winged Sprint Car Champion Troy Decaire. And.... Troy Decaire will join the Desoto Champ Kart Series for this event on August 16! Although Troy's schedule is extremely tight, he also said that he is "99%" sure that he will bring his feared red #5 champ kart with him to the track, to compete for the win!!!
One of Don's proudest memories came in 1993, when daughter Lorrie (then a Senior in High School) won the Stock Lite championship at Seffner Speedway, before it closed. Lorrie won over 80 races that year, and it was a season that Don always recalled fondly. Don passed away in 2007, just two weeks shy of his 60th birthday.
In remembering her father, Lorrie said "He was my most fierce competitor and my best friend all rolled into one."
On August 16, Lorrie will join the Desoto Champ Kart Series as our special guest. A unique trophy will be made for this event. In addition, Lorrie will drive a champ kart in the race. It will be the yellow #68 champ kart, the same colors and number that her dad raced for many years.
The drivers will race to the white flag, and then will coast down into the infield. If Lorrie's yellow #68 champ kart is still in the race, she will continue around the track, taking the checkered flag in honor of her dad.
Immediately following the feature, Desoto Super Speedway track owner John Sarppriacone has graciously agreed to allow all karting crew in the back gate, to walk across the infield to the start/finish line, to join the karters for a Don MacCalla Tribute Race Memorial Photo.
In addition, John has also agreed to open the pitgate below the flagstand, to allow any interested karting family and crew from the front grandstand to join the drivers and crew for the photo! Please come to Desoto Super Speedway on August 16, and join us in the Don MacCalla Tribute Race photo. Everyone is welcome to join us in a tribute to a special man. Thank you John (!) for your flexibility, in making this night very special for all involved.
Don MacCalla's daughter Lorrie will present the trophy to the winner in Victory Lane.
We are also looking for additional sponsors, that would be willing to post a prize for the 6th through 15th place finishers. Prizes could be as simple as a shirt, hat, part, coupon, etc. Any prize is welcomed. We'd like to make this a special event for all involved. All prize sponsors will be recognized at the champ kart driver's meeting. Please contact series director Phil Harp at 727-510-5401 if you'd like to donate any prizes.
2008 Series Primary Sponsors:
VEGA Tires from http://www.TSRacing.com,
GECKER Motorsports at http://www.Geckermotorsports.com,
C&D Motorsports and Hurricane Speedway at http://www.hurricanekartinginc.com,
Cutting Edge Kart Shop at http://www.cuttingedgekartshop.com
COMPETITION Karting, Inc. in Welcome, NC
2008 Series Race Sponsors:
VP-Motorsports at http://www.VP-Motorsports.com,
HEAT RACING of Brandon, Florida,
J. Hite Exterminating at http://www.hiteexterminating.com
PBS Sales and Service of Tampa at http://www.pbssalesandservice.com
5 STAR MOTORSPORTS at http://www.5starmotorsports.net
The Desoto Champ Kart Series is proud to announce that the August 16 race will be dedicated to the contributions and memory of the late Don MacCalla of Tampa.
Don MacCalla Tribute Webpage: http://www.desotochampkartseries.com/tribute.html
Series Website: http://www.desotochampkartseries.com
Don MacCalla began his racing career in the Tampa area, racing both full-bodied and sprint cars. Don started karting in 1985 at Fruitland Park, after quitting stock cars. Over the next few years, Don traveled to tracks throughout Florida including; Seffner, Lakeland Tri-Oval, Sarasota, Sunshine Speedway, Naples, Maxville, Dirt Devils, Dade City, Top Gun, Brooksville and Auburndale. His daughter Lorrie began racing with him in the late 1980's.
In 1995, Don received his first set of tech tools. Immediately, he became hooked... Don eventually became known at "the" tech guy around Central Florida tracks for many years. Don also served as the tech man for the Tri City Kart Club at Desoto Super Speedway. Don cared about every karter, especially the kids, and always made an extra effort to prevent a karter from leaving the track angry, regardless of what happened during a race.
For several years (2000-2003), Don also campaigned two champ karts, giving other drivers an opportunity to race his karts. One of those drivers that drove for Don was the 2007 TBARA Winged Sprint Car Champion Troy Decaire. And.... Troy Decaire will join the Desoto Champ Kart Series for this event on August 16! Although Troy's schedule is extremely tight, he also said that he is "99%" sure that he will bring his feared red #5 champ kart with him to the track, to compete for the win!!!
One of Don's proudest memories came in 1993, when daughter Lorrie (then a Senior in High School) won the Stock Lite championship at Seffner Speedway, before it closed. Lorrie won over 80 races that year, and it was a season that Don always recalled fondly. Don passed away in 2007, just two weeks shy of his 60th birthday.
In remembering her father, Lorrie said "He was my most fierce competitor and my best friend all rolled into one."
On August 16, Lorrie will join the Desoto Champ Kart Series as our special guest. A unique trophy will be made for this event. In addition, Lorrie will drive a champ kart in the race. It will be the yellow #68 champ kart, the same colors and number that her dad raced for many years.
The drivers will race to the white flag, and then will coast down into the infield. If Lorrie's yellow #68 champ kart is still in the race, she will continue around the track, taking the checkered flag in honor of her dad.
Immediately following the feature, Desoto Super Speedway track owner John Sarppriacone has graciously agreed to allow all karting crew in the back gate, to walk across the infield to the start/finish line, to join the karters for a Don MacCalla Tribute Race Memorial Photo.
In addition, John has also agreed to open the pitgate below the flagstand, to allow any interested karting family and crew from the front grandstand to join the drivers and crew for the photo! Please come to Desoto Super Speedway on August 16, and join us in the Don MacCalla Tribute Race photo. Everyone is welcome to join us in a tribute to a special man. Thank you John (!) for your flexibility, in making this night very special for all involved.
Don MacCalla's daughter Lorrie will present the trophy to the winner in Victory Lane.
We are also looking for additional sponsors, that would be willing to post a prize for the 6th through 15th place finishers. Prizes could be as simple as a shirt, hat, part, coupon, etc. Any prize is welcomed. We'd like to make this a special event for all involved. All prize sponsors will be recognized at the champ kart driver's meeting. Please contact series director Phil Harp at 727-510-5401 if you'd like to donate any prizes.
2008 Series Primary Sponsors:
VEGA Tires from http://www.TSRacing.com,
GECKER Motorsports at http://www.Geckermotorsports.com,
C&D Motorsports and Hurricane Speedway at http://www.hurricanekartinginc.com,
Cutting Edge Kart Shop at http://www.cuttingedgekartshop.com
COMPETITION Karting, Inc. in Welcome, NC
2008 Series Race Sponsors:
VP-Motorsports at http://www.VP-Motorsports.com,
HEAT RACING of Brandon, Florida,
J. Hite Exterminating at http://www.hiteexterminating.com
PBS Sales and Service of Tampa at http://www.pbssalesandservice.com
5 STAR MOTORSPORTS at http://www.5starmotorsports.net
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Just ask Super Late Model Driver Jeff Choquette about Tara's ruthless dimeanor behind the wheel......
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