MAUMEE, OH (12-27-11) by Bryan Autullo - FAST Public Relations

Plans are underway for the return of the Racer’s Chili Challenge in 2012 and race teams and fans should mark Saturday, February 25th on their calendars. The event will be held in Fremont, Ohio once again, this time at the new Fremont Speedway Hall of Fame.  The Hall of Fame is located in the Sandusky County Fair Grounds right behind the speedway’s grand stands.  Randy Mapus from the Hall of Fame and Rich Farmer (Fremont Speedway promoter) offered the use of the Hall of Fame in order to bring fans and the general public together to view the rich history of Fremont Speedway through photos, videos, fire suits, trophies and lots of other racing memorabilia. 
 
The Kistler Racing Products Fremont/Attica Sprint Title (F.A.S.T.) organization will once again be instrumental in the planning of the chili cook-off along with the help of the Hoserville Ohio gang and several other generous volunteers. This event was established to bring fans, teams, promoters & drivers together in the off-season for some good fun, great chili, and a little bit of bench racing before the green flags wave once again at Attica Raceway Park (March 30th) and Fremont Speedway (April 14th) in 2012.  The event includes teams from the sprint car divisions, as well as, late models and dirt trucks.  It’s also open to fans and media to pit their best chili recipe against their favorite racers.
 
Established in 2009, the inaugural Racer’s Chili Challenge event also featured a poker tournament presented by the Hoserville Ohio group to benefit their injured drivers benevolent fund.  The poker tournament will once again be part of the 2012 events, which also include a Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament present by Computer Man, Inc of Fremont, OH and a Jalapeno Eating Contest presented by KS Sales & Service of Gibsonburg, OH.  A 50/50 raffle and other contests throughout the day for the fans will give those attending the opportunity to win cash and prizes.  Other proceeds from the chili cook off will directly benefit the F.A.S.T. Series point fund for the 2012 racing season.  Donations can also be made to the Hall of Fame to help with their operational costs.
 
The doors open to the public at 4 p.m. and general admission is just $5.00 at the door. Children 12 & under will be admitted free with a paid adult. Admission includes a sample cup and spoon to taste each team’s chili creation. Be sure to visit all the competitor’s booth and vote for your favorite for the "The People's Choice" award.
 
"The Racer's Chili Challenge was a big success in the past,” says Bryan Autullo of the F.A.S.T. Series. "Unfortunately we were not able to hold this event in 2011, but with the Fremont Speedway Hall of Fame offering the use of their facility we could not resist in making this event happen again. With the help of Duane Hancock of Hoserville Ohio, Stephanie Linder and Rick Claar this year we hope to create another fun event for the entire local racing community."
 
Past celebrity judges for the Racer’s Chili Challenge include Brad Doty, Kenny Jacobs, Jim Linder, Darl Harrison, Rick Ferkel, Norm Van Ness, and Clay Kirchenbauer from the band “The Undeserving”.  The judges for 2012 will be named in the coming weeks and will pull from the Hall of Fame inductees. 
 
"We're sticking to pretty much the same formula for 2012," Autullo added. "We're responding to the many requests from fans who wanted to see us put this event on again.  It seems that it gives everyone something to do that involves racing on a cold winter day. We’ll have celebrity judges, games for the kids, a driver autograph session, and lots of racing history to look at around the room."
 
Celebrity judges will once again determine the best chili in each division (Sprint Cars, Late Models/ Dirt Trucks & Fans/Media) and the winning team will receive a chili pot trophy, cash, and prizes. “The People's Choice" chili will be voted on by the general public and the winner will receive the grand champion chili pot trophy and $100 cash.
 
Scott Porter, co-founder of the F.A.S.T. organization commented, "We're also bringing back the KS Sales & Service Hot Head Jalapeño Eating Contest and thanks to Kevin Shammo of KS Sales the prize money will be $100 to the winner, $50 to 2nd place, and $25 to 3rd place. This event was the highlight of the past chili events leaving several contestants in tears. Also thanks to the Computer Man, the Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournament for the kids (17 & under) will also return.”
 
Updates about the 2012 Racer’s Chili Challenge will be posted at www.fastondirt.com and heard on “The Buckeye Speed Zone” on Thursday nights at 6:00 pm on Eagle 99 (99.1 FM WFRO) and on the BAS Broadcast Network throughout Ohio leading up to the event.
 
Here’s How To Enter Your Team Into The 2012 Racer’s Chili Challenge:

Entry into the 2012 Racer’s Chili Challenge is FREE and teams will consist of two team members. Teams are responsible for bringing 1 to 2 gallons of chili in a crock-pot or roaster the day of the event. There are three divisions in which you can enter your chili team: Sprint Cars (410s/305s), Late Models/Dirt Trucks, and Fans/Media.
 
The Racer's Chili Challenge entry form can be downloaded at www.fastondirt.com and either mailed in to: Racer’s Chili Challenge (Attn: Stephanie Linder), 2916 Fangboner Road, Fremont, Ohio 43420 or email the necessary information about your chili team to fastondirt@yahoo.com.
 
Entry forms will also be available at Kistler Engines & Kistler Racing Products starting Saturday, January 14th at their annual open house event. The entry deadline for competitors is February 1st. Please sign up early because booth space is limited.