'Big R': Doug Etue Memorial on Thursday, All Star Circuit of Champions on Friday

Submitted by Ransomville Speedway

This Thursday night, “The Little R” at the Ransomville Speedway will pay tribute to Doug Etue, with the running of the Doug Etue Memorial to kick off the “Little R Midsummer Money Series.” 

Doug was a longtime supporter of the karting program at Ransomville Speedway. He was a racer, crew member, official and tech inspector during his time with the program. Doug passed away in November 2022, at age 56. 

The Mike Barry Motors Senior Heavy division will be headlining the show, with the winner of the 20-lap feature receiving $1,001; with $750 for second, $500 for third, $250 for fourth, $125 for fifth, $100 for sixth, $75 for seventh, and $50 from eighth-15th place. The Senior Heavy feature will be set by time trials, with the top 15 getting locked into the feature event. The rest of the field will go into the non-qualifier feature, paying $50 to win. 

The program will also feature the Fisher’s Auto Repair Sr Lites, Frontier Auto Wrecking Jr 3, SJE Shocks Jr 2, Slack Karts Jr 1, and the Just Signs & Designs Novice division. 

AKRA rules. Fuel samples from Crosby’s in Ransomville. All new karts must go through and pass safety tech before being able to race. 

Gates will open at 5 p.m., and racing will get underway shortly after 7 p.m. As always, there is free grandstand admission to see the future stars of the “Big R” race on the 1/16th-mile “Little R.” Concession stands will be open. 

“The Little R” would like to thank all the divisional sponsors for continuing their support of the future stars of racing: Mike Barry Motors (Senior Heavy), Fisher’s Auto Repair (Sr Lites), Frontier Auto Wrecking (Junior 3), SJE Shocks (Junior 2), Slack Karts (Junior 1), and Just Signs & Designs (novice).

All Star Circuit of Champions

The Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars will invade the Ransomville Speedway this coming Friday night. UB Neurosurgery will be presenting the racing program that will also feature the Hy-Tech Concrete DIRTcar Sportsman, and the KiPo Motors Street Stocks. 

Parker Price-Miller won the All Stars race last season.

Prior to 2022, the All-Star Circuit of Champions last made the pilgrimage to Ransomville back in the year 2000, when Kelly Kinser picked up the victory.

Tickets for the event are selling fast. To purchase online, click on the ticket info button at www.ransomvillespeedway.com.

Reigning All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars Champion “Sunshine” Tyler Courtney from Indianapolis has scored three wins and has a 166-point lead coming into Ransomville. Chris Windom is second in points, with Zeb Wise, Tim Shaffer and JJ Hickle completing the top five in points. So far in 2023, 213 different competitors have raced with the All Stars. The All Stars will be joined by several of the top local Sprint Car teams, including former Ransomville track champion Matt Farnham, multi-time Ransomville race winner Paulie Colagiovanni, and more. 

Also, in competition on Friday night will be the competitive Hy-Tech Concrete DIRTcar Sportsman, and the KiPo Motors Street Stocks. 2022 track champion Derek Wagner and three-time divisional champion Brett Senek have been the only drivers to visit victory lane twice so far in 2023. Reigning Mr. DIRT Cody McPherson, and sophomore sensation Nelson Mason, also visited victory lane.

The Sportsman division at Ransomville is one of the toughest in all the Northeast, with anyone being able to win on any given night. The KiPo Motors Street Stocks, in five races, has seen five different winners, as John Zimmerman, Chris Dziomba, Ken Camidge, Brandon Sherwood and Simon Bissell all grabbing the checkered flag. The racing has been fierce the past few weeks, and Friday will be no exception. 

Pit gates will open at 4 p.m., grandstands open at 5:30 p.m., and racing will get underway at 7:15 p.m. For those unable to attend in person, the entire program will be streamed on FloRacing.