NewswireToday - /newswire/ - Anderson, IN, United States, 03/25/2007 - The Premier Racing Association will expand to include midget racing in 2007. Last year the PRA began sanctioning races involving “Big Cars”, pavement race cars previously included in the USAC Silver Crown Series..

Now with an eye toward driver development, the PRA has announced plans to sanction a “Junior Midget Series” aimed at drivers aged 14 to 17.
“The Junior Series was launched at Ventura Raceway in California last year by Jim Naylor and proved highly successful”, stated PRA co-founder Jason Smith. “With PRA backing, the series will expand in 2007 to include Orange Show Speedway in San Bernardino and other Northern California venues to be announced later.”

The Junior Midget series concept was first developed by SCREAM, engine supplier to the popular Ford Focus Midget Series. The engines for the Junior Series are restricted versions of the same power plant. Rules limit costs and maintain parity, and the Junior Series also uses “combo cars” only, so that the same race car can be used on both dirt and paved tracks.
“The new program fills a niche that my customers have been demanding for quite some time”, stated Keith Iaia, President of SCREAM. “The formula for this series gives young competitors a place to start racing traditional Midget Cars that is very affordable, yet extremely competitive. Best of all, there is a zero cost upgrade path built into the program. When they’re ready, they’ll already own everything they need to go racing in the unrestricted For Focus Midget Series.”

Driver development is a key element in the Junior Series. Jason McCord, the other PRA co-founder, is a former driver and knows the importance of learning at an early age. “We’re pleased to announce that Cory Kruseman will be the instructor at Ventura, and veteran Wally Pankratz will provide the lessons at Orange Show Speedway. With help from these two outstanding drivers, the Junior Series will provide an important step in the development of young men and women competitors.”

The PRA Junior Midget Series has plans to expand further in 2008. The PRA Big Car Series is preparing for its opener on April 7th at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Cecil, Georgia.

Agency / Source: Premier Racing Association, Inc.

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