Dwarf cars increasing in popularity with area drivers and fans alike

Dwarf cars increasing in popularity with area drivers and fans alike

May 17, 2001

BILLY KIBEL stands by his new Dwarf car he purchased recently and plans on racing at Fairgrounds Speedway in Cortez. The local dirt track opens for the 2000 season Friday night. The track is located about three miles east of Cortez on U.S. Highway 160 at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds.

BY JIM THOMAS
Journal Sports Editor

Despite the recent death of NASCAR great Dale Earnhardt, stock car racing is growing in popularity. NBC-TV has recently started televising various races at the larger tracks. Before NASCAR racing could only be found on cable television.

But the growth in the sport and American’s general love affair with the automobile has spilled on to the dirt track as well. Fans in increasing numbers are going to watch their local drivers race around the ovals.

One of the biggest growth is in Dwarf class car racing. Last year, only three to four would race at Fairgrounds Speedway in Cortez and at Aztec Speedway in northwestern New Mexico. However, look for many more cars coming to the Fairgrounds Speedway this summer. Aztec, which opened its track several weeks ago, has had as many of 19 cars on the track.

The 2001 automobile racing schedule for Fairgrounds Speedway Racing Association opens this Friday night, May 18, with all classes racing. Matco Tools is sponsoring opening night festivities.

IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stock, Mini, Stock, and Dwarfs will be running this year. Gates open at 6 p.m. with racing starting at 8. In case of rain, the races will be held the following Sunday with gates opening at noon and racing at 2 p.m. There is only general admission seating. Tickets are $7 adults, $6 seniors, children (6-12) $3 and children under 5 free. Prices increase a $1 for the special shoot-out events. Pit admission is $20 regular and $25 special events.

The Kibel family of Cortez has recently gotten into the racing the small cars. Billy Kibel got rid of his Hobby Stock car and purchased a Dwarf. Jay Kibel, who has competed in the Modifieds class, will drive a dwarf this year. And now father Dale Kibel Sr., with the help of his sons, built a car.

"I purchased this car for $2,000 from a guy in Aztec," Billy Kibel said about his new car (no. 88) during the Fairgrounds Car Show and Meet the Driver event held last Saturday, May 12, at the Super Wal-Mart Parking Lot. "I think he really kind of afraid of it. These things can go very fast and turn on a dime. On a straight-away, it can do 120 (miles per hour)."

It has a four-cylinder 900cc Honda motorcycle engine turned sideways, according to Kibel. "The engine is water-cooled, although some are water and oil cooled. It runs on regular gasoline (no nitro or alcohol). It has a Toyota rear-end with a regular drive line. The suspension is about like for a Modified. There is not much room in the cabin, barely enough room for me."

He finished sixth out of 19 drivers recently at Aztec.

"This is my first year, but I really like it," he said. "It is a new class and I thought it would be challenging. I wanted to try it. One thing, it is not very expensive to run. I think I spent only a couple bucks for gasoline I used at Aztec. Also, you can build almost everything on these cars. It is easy to work on."

May 25 will be a big day for area Dwarf car drivers. The first Dwarf Shoot-Out will take the spotlight but all classes will be running. Mini, Dwarf, Hobby and Stock cars will run on June 1. All classes will run on June 8.

The fourth annual Bill Simmons Memorial Street Stock Shoot-Out is scheduled for June 9. This is an open Street Stock race, not an IMCA sanctioned event. KRWN-FM will again be sponsoring.

All classes will run June 15 and June 22.

The eighth annual Jim Henry Memorial Modified Shoot-Out is slated for June 29. The event continues on June 30. Mini, Hobby Stock and IMCA stocks will be on the track. KRWN-FM radio is sponsoring the event.

All classes will run July 6. The Mid-Season Championships are set for July 13 with KISZ-FM sponsoring. The Hobby Stock Shoot-Out is on tap for July 20. All classes will run July 27 and Aug. 3.

The Mini Stock Shoot-Out, sponsored by American Custom Flooring, is slated for Aug. 10. All classes will run Aug. 17 and Aug. 24. The Season Championship, sponsored by KRTZ Radio, for all classes is set For Aug. 31.

The group is trying to continue to rebuild the local stock car racing program in order to "continue to provide quality entertainment for the citizens of the area who enjoy the sport of stock car racing," Dennis Beaty, president of the Fairgrounds Speedway Racing Association said.

"We are planning on doing some special events during the races this year to increase the quality of entertainment that we can provide for the fans," he added.

The Revengers of Montezuma mounted sport shooting team will perform May 18. A kids foot race for 8-9 year olds and quad races will be held on June 1. A powder puff race is slated for June 8. Kids foot race for 5-under will be held June 15. Kids foot race for 6-7 year olds and quad races will be held June 22. A kids foot race for 8-9 will be held with the Henry Memorial. A powder puff race is set and kids foot race for 10-11 will be held on July 6.

A kids foot race for the youngest set and quad races will be held during the Mid-Season Championships on July 13. A kids foot race for 6-7 and Revengers of Montezuma will be on tap for the Hobby Stock Shoot-Out on July 20. A kids foot race for 8-9 and BMX bike races set for July 27. A kids foot race for 10-11 and a mechanics race is set for Aug. 3. A kids foot race for the youngest group will held at the Mini Stock Shoot-Out. A kids foot race for 6-7 and a powder puff race is slated for Aug. 17. DARE night is the special event for Aug. 24. A kids foot race for 10-11 and quad races will be held in association with the Season Championship on Aug. 31.

"We would like to encourage all current and former drivers to return this season. With the help of everyone, we can continue to improve the sport of stock car racing in Montezuma County. We would also like to encourage anyone who is interested in building a car to join us. This is a good clean form of entertainment for all involved, and it gives young people a chance to become involved in an activity. The minimum age for drivers is 14," Beaty added.

Joining Beaty this year in track operations will be Duane Randol, vice president; Patti Randol, secretary-treasurer; and driver representatives Clyde Dadage (Mini Stock), Marvin Cramer (Hobby Stock), Ryan Nelly (IMCA Stocks), Vern Heisel (IMCA Modifieds), and Dan Neely (member at large).

It takes a lot of people to run the track. The Association puts on many races through the season, from end of April to early September at the track (the schedule will be announced soon), which is located at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds, about three miles east of Cortez off U.S. Highway 160.

The group is looking for volunteers to help with judging, ticket selling, track maintenance, and other jobs. Anyone is welcomed to join the Fairgrounds Racing Association. Membership dues are $10 per year.