FLAT ROCK SPEEDWAY TO ADD YOUTH TO 2018 SCHEDULE—BANDOLERO CARS!
FLAT ROCK SPEEDWAY TO ADD YOUTH TO 2018 SCHEDULE—BANDOLERO CARS!
Flat Rock, MI –March 8, 2017: In recognition of the widespread interest in auto racing among today’s youth, Flat Rock Speedway will coordinate efforts with Spartan Speedway in Mason, Michigan, and introduce an 8-race schedule for the popular Bandolero Cars for the 2018 season.
The Bandolero Car is a turnkey, spec-series race car which is purpose-built for young racing enthusiasts aged 8-14 years. The cars are constructed by INEX, Inc., a subsidiary of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (SMI). SMI is a publicly traded corporation and is best recognized for its race track properties including Charlotte Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway and Kentucky Speedway. INEX constructs several classes of race cars including Legends Cars and Thunder Roadsters, in addition to Bandolero Cars. INEX has manufactured Bandolero cars since 1997 and has sold over 2000 of the cars nationally and internationally. Spartan Speedway initiated its Bandolero racing program in 2014.
“Our sport has evolved over the years in many ways, and the youth racing initiative is now widely accepted in divisions like the Bandolero Cars, quarter-midgets, junior dragsters, go-karting and mini-wedge racing,” said Ron Drager, Flat Rock Speedway owner and promoter. “The key for us to move forward is putting safety first in providing a format for kids who aspire to become race drivers. Our research tells us that the safest form of youth motorsports is in events where kids are racing against kids in race cars built for kids. The Bandolero Car fits that philosophy well. At Flat Rock Speedway, our 50-year-plus tenure has produced 2nd and 3rd generation race car drivers and this is a step toward accommodating the 4th generation racer.”
The Bandolero Car is powered by a Briggs & Stratton 570cc sealed VanGuard engine, mounted behind the driver. The engine produces approximately 30 horsepower for the car, which features a fiberglass body. A centrifugal clutch is employed so no shifting is required. Bandolero Cars are built with a full-tube frame, complete with a roll cage and includes coil-over shocks. Drivers are required to be outfitted in complete driver personal safety gear including helmet, fire protective uniform, gloves and shoes and head-and-neck restraint in addition to the built-in race car features such as protective seat and safety belt system.
More details will be announced soon. A race-ready Bandolero Car will be on display at Flat Rock Speedway in the grandstand area for much of the 2017 
season.
For additional information, please contact the track at 734-782-2480.
Rob, we'll have everything available on Bandolero racing no later than the 2017 season openers to give everyone time to plan, budget, etc. for 2018. Jim Leasure at Spartan Speedway has been a great source of support and has 3 seasons of Bandolero racing in the books. We'll work closely with him in putting our program together. Thanks for your interest, see you at the track.