Let’s  begin  with  marketing.   In  short,  the  term  "Mini‐Sprint"  is  a  very  poor  representation  of  a  modern  day  upright,  midget‐based,  motorcycle  engine  powered  Sprint  Car.   Without  a  doubt,  these  are  full‐blown,  legitimate  race  cars.   In  the  exact  words  of  Pat  Mooney,  a  broadcasting  friend  of  mine  here  in  Canada,  there  is  nothing  "mini"  about  these  cars.   They  are  built  to  the  same  specifications  as  a  full‐size  Sprint  Car,  and  in  my  opinion  carry  engines  that  are  far  more  technically  advanced  than  anything  else  found  at  a  dirt  track.   In  fact,  they  may  be  the  most  technically  advanced  production  engines  on  the  planet.   Yet,  we  continue  to  call  these  cars  "Mini‐Sprints".   If  you  were  a  sports  fan,  would  you  be  eager  to  go  watch  a  "Mini‐Football"  game?   A  "Mini‐Baseball"  game?   Or  how  about  a  "Mini‐Hockey"  game?   Likely  not.  

would  certainly  not  be  easy  to  execute.   However,  imagine  for  a  moment  the  opportunity  to  be  able  to  travel  amongst  all  upright  Lightning  Sprint  organizations,  knowing  that  you  have  the  same  equipment  as  everyone  else.   The  benefits  are  simply  endless.    

February 19, 2009 (Winnipeg, MB) Red River Coop Speedway is proud to announce the creation of a radical new racing division for the 2009 season.

The all-new open wheel "Lightning Sprints" will compete at a minimum of nine (9) race events in 2009, beginning with the Enduro Challenge Series Season Opener on April 25, 2009.

Featuring distinctive aerodynamic "wings" to provide downforce, weighing just 730 pounds, and powered by extremely reliable 130 horsepower 750 c.c. motorcycle engines, Lightning Sprints provide fast and exciting wheel-to-wheel racing action at speeds rivaling the fastest full-bodied stock cars. Lightning Sprints compete on both paved and dirt ovals around the world with the heaviest concentration in the United States.

For more information about this exciting new racing division, please contact Darren Pallen at (204) 228-4251. You may also log on to www.nlsprints.com

About Red River Coop Speedway

Red River Coop Speedway is Canada’s fastest 4/10 mile dirt oval race track. The track has operated for over thirty years at its present location five miles south of St. Norbert on Highway 75. Red River Coop Speedway features full concessions, is licensed, and has seating accommodations for up to 4,000 people. Red River Coop Speedway is regarded as one of the top dirt track racing facilities in Canada. More information on Red River Coop Speedway can be found by visiting www.redrivercoopspeedway.ca. 
 

The Northern Lightning Sprint Association Inaugural Meeting

October  31,  2008       

(Winnipeg,  Manitoba)   The  Northern  Lightning  Sprint  Association  held  its  inaugural  meeting  on  Thursday,  October  30,  2008  at  Formula  Suzuki  in  the  Waverley  Automall.   The  event  began  at  7:00  P.M.  sharp  and  concluded  at  9:00  P.M.  Central  Standard  Time.   Prospective  members  and  racers  alike  made  great  progress  in  shaping  the  vision  for  the  future  of  the  NLSA.  

"Although  we  originally  expected  about  15  to  20  people  at  this  first  meeting,  the  actual  attendance  was  an  unbelievable  53  people",  said  Darren  Pallen,  who  chaired  the  event.   "This  solidifies  our  belief  that  there  exists  a  huge  need  for  truly  affordable  open wheel  racing  in  this  area.   You  just  can’t  find  a  race  car  that  burns  a  couple  of  gallons  of  pump  gas  per  night  and  requires  only  a  couple  hours  of  maintenance  to  keep  race‐ready.   The  Lightning  Sprints  are  the  start  of  a  new  and  exciting  direction  for  auto  racing  in  this  area.   They  are  lightning  fast,  fun,  and  affordable"  

Notable  meeting  attendees  included  Fred  Taylor  (new  proprietor  of  Red  River  Co‐op  Speedway),  and  Al  Hildebrand,  owner  of  the  new  yet  unnamed  race  track  in  Morden,  Manitoba.   Both  race  track  owners  clearly  voiced  their  support  of  the  Northern  Lightning  Sprint  Association  and  looked  forward  to  having this  new  organization  competing  at  their  race  tracks  in  2009.  

Although  the  rule  book  will  not  be  officially  released  until  mid-November,  NLSA  meeting  participants  discussed  several  ideas  for  the  consideration  of  the  yet‐to‐be‐formed  Rules  Committee.   These  ideas  included,  among  others,  the  use  of  Red  River  Co‐op  91  octane  pump  gas  only.   All  fueling  would  be  controlled  by  track  officials  who  would  be  responsible  for  the  filling  of  each  competitor’s  empty  tank  before  every  race.   Other  rule  highlights  included  a  spec  tire  on  either  the  Right  Rear  only  or  on  all  four  corners  (SP2  Hoosier),  completely  stock  four‐stroke  750  c.c.  or  1000  c.c.  motorcycle  engines  (Power  Commander  or  Bazzaz type  devices  permitted),  and  an  unconventional  yet  creative  method  for  dealing  with  competitors  who  choose  to  ignore  NLSA  rules.  

The  Northern  Lightning  Sprint  Association  thanks  Debra  Borton  of  Formula  Suzuki  for  providing  their  spacious  and  comfortable  facility  for  the  meeting.