The announcement of dakotadirt.org and Jon Breckel teaming up to help attract new late model drivers to attend the Jamestown Stampede was just a few weeks ago. This created a buzz within the late model community as fans will be treated to see new drivers attend the Stampede. In recent years the late model numbers have dipped a bit and the attraction of new drivers should help encourage the growth in numbers for the class. When announced Dakota Dirt and Breckel, figured that they would cover four late model drivers entry fees. Since then, the incentives of accepting this offer has increased as each driver accepting would receive $100 in tow money. If the drivers were to make the feature, they would essentially be racing for a minimum of $400 ($300 starting + $100 tow) and could potentially receive upwards of $3,100.
So how far has this program reached out from Jamestown? Well the first driver to accept our offer was Craig Rodgers. Rodgers calls Gillette, Wyoming home which is an approximate distance of 494 miles or approximately 7 hours and 50 minutes. So why did Craig reach out to us? The history and the prestige of the Stampede was his reason. Word travels if you put a good quality show on consistently for a long period of time and that's what made Craig reach out to the offer.
Since then another two drivers have committed to racing the Stampede and taking our offer. Those drivers are a father son tandem from our neighboring country to the North. Dave and Matt Smith will be trekking down from Parkland County, Alberta Canada which is just West of Edmonton! Which is approximately just shy of 17 hours of driving...one way.
Since the original announcement of the Late Model opportunity a new party has jumped on and has decided that four new late models would
n't be enough. We are excited to announce that Mason Aaron of Mason Aaron Videos has stepped up to help cover an additional two new late model entries! Many of you may know Mason for his camera work seen on youtube which covers a wide variety of North Dakota dirt track racing.
So now we sit half full of entries as 3 of the 6 slots are filled. If you are interested or have any questions shoot an email or contact the Jessup Pelkey, Jon Breckel, or the site itself. Remember this opportunity is for those drivers who have not competed in the Late Model portion of the Stampede in the last five years (2013) or ever.
Photo credits http://www.westernwandererphoto.com/