Saturday, August 9, 2008  10:00 a.m.

For more information on this release, contact Brandon Reed: brandon@mainstreetnews.com (706) 870-5645

May 9, 2008

Inaugural Lakewood Speedway Reunion Set For August 9

Plans are now underway for the inaugural Lakewood Speedway Family Reunion, to be held at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame in Dawsonville, GA on Saturday, August 9.

The city of Dawsonville and the Hall of Fame invites former racers, family members, car owners and fans to attend the reunion, along with owners of restored racecars to attend.

Lakewood Speedway is viewed by many historians to be the most historic and important racetrack in Georgia history. Built in 1917 around a former water reservoir for the city of Atlanta, the one-mile dirt oval was the scene of events for stock cars, Indy cars, motorcycles and even speedboats on the infield lake. 

Known as “The Indianapolis of the South”, Lakewood was one of the most prestigious stops on several national stock car and open wheel circuits over the years.

Lakewood played host to NASCAR in the 1950s, with hall of fame racers Lee Petty, Tim Flock, Curtis Turner, Junior Johnson, Tiny Lund  and others finding victory lane.  Indy Cars often made their way to the Atlanta track, with drivers such as Ted Horn, Al Keller, Eddie Sachs and Bill Holland taking top honors.

In holding the Lakewood Reunion, the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame hopes to help keep the memory and history of Lakewood alive.  Attendees are asked to bring any personal photos they may have from the speedway to share, and to be scanned into the GRHOF archives.

As part of the event, Georgia Auto Racing Hall of Fame Association president Marvin Mills will unveil a plaque honoring Lakewood Speedway, and the drivers who lost their lives there.

Lakewood was the site of two tragedies that stand out in the world of motorsports.  On September 6, 1946, defending Indianapolis 500 champion George Robson and Texan George Barrington died in a four-car crash in an Indy car event at the speedway.  On June 12, 1952, Floridian Skimp Hersey was fatally burned in a fiery crash in a NSCRA stock car event at the track.

The plague will honor these men, and the others who perished at the speedway during its 62-year history.

Events on August 9 are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at the Dawsonville Municipal Complex.  Reservations are encouraged for those wishing to purchase a ticket for food at the event. Tickets will be $15 in advanced or $18 at the door. 

Following the reunion, the Hall of Fame will be showing Speed TV’s live coverage of the famed Knoxville Nationals on the facilities’ big screen.  Seating for the viewing will be limited.

Plans are also underway for a trip to the Lakewood facility to view what remains of the track.  Details on that trip will be released at a later date.

Vendor space will also be available on the grounds for the reunion.  Contact the Dawsonville City Hall for more information.

For more information or to make meal reservations, contact Bonnie at (706) 265-3256, or log on to www.thunderroadusa.com.

MEAL TICKET:           $15 in advance  

Mail check to:                GRHOF   Attn: Lakewood Reunion

                                        P.O. Box 6

                                        Dawsonville, GA  30534

Name(s):                                                                                                                                            

Address:                                                                                                          # Reservations           

City:                                                                             State:                           Zip:                             

Email Address:                                                                                                                                  

Phone Number:                                                                        Amount Enclosed $                          

  "         VENDOR   APPLICATION:    LAKEWOOD  SPEEDWAY  REUNION   

 NAME(S):______________________________________________________PHONE:____________________________________

 ADDRESS:_____________________________________________________EMAIL:_____________________________________

 CITY:________________________________________________________, STATE:____________ZIP:_____________________

VENDOR TYPE:________________________________________________ WEBSITE:__________________________________

The undersigned agrees to release, indemnify and hold harmless the  GRHOF  (Georgia Racing Hall of Fame), City of Dawsonville,  its employees, volunteers, and the owners of the adjacent properties, from any and all claims made against same, including, but not limited to, all costs, liabilities,  judgments, expenses, damages, or reasonable attorney’s fees, arising out of or in connection with   (1) any structure erected by Vendor,    (2) any apparatus,  equipment,  or any personal property used by Vendor,   (3) any act or omission to act of Vendor,  their agents,  invites,  participants,  representatives, employees, servants, and agents, and (4) any claims made on account of, or resulting from Vendor’s participation in the contest.

 SIGNATURE:____________________________________DATE:_______________VEHICLE LICENSE #_____________________

"  FEE: $25.00     Circle one:  Check     Cash    Money Order        GRHOF  ATTN: Lakewood Reunion

                                                            c/o City of Dawsonville

                             Make checks payable to & mail:             P.O. Box 6

                                                            Dawsonville, GA  30534

"  MEAL TICKETS: $15.00 each                                                 AMOUNT ENCLOSED $____________

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