Racing comes in all shapes and sizes. All summer long we’ve been inundated with IndyCar, Formula 1, dirt tracks, sprint cars, trucks, drags, NASCAR and more.
The bulk of it has been through television. Now, however, racing is back on and coming to Virginia and it gets rolling with what could be the most basic of the sport. It is “run what you brung” racing at Virginia International Raceway with the Optima Batteries Chump Car VIR 24 Hour Classic!
Yes – It’s a long name for a long race. 24 hours of a track full of cars of all different sizes and colors and makes and models. These cars are the result of tinkering and tweaking in garages and barns and little car shops all over the country. These are Chumps! They are at VIR to race this weekend (August 9-10-11).
Chump Car racing is designed for the “every man” to build in and go. Cheap is the way in. Very few mods are allowed to the stock model you bring beyond a roll cage, a secure seat system and maybe some brakes or tuned springs. Many will come. Many will race. One will win.
The Chump Car racing is pure to its form. The fastest car might not win and the slowest car is still being driven with spirit and fun. It is a fun thing to watch.
Virginia International Raceway has some big events on the way. The Chumps run this weekend. Later this month, NASCAR showcases the K&N Pro Series on the twists and rises of the historic raceway. American Le Mans is coming up. The Heacock Classic later on is a showcase of classic and rare sports cars. There is more motorcycle racing on tap with the CCS Festival of Speed.
VIR gets underway this month continuing their season. Richmond International Raceway closes the “Race to the Chase” in early September. Martinsville hosts late models and NASCAR Sprint Cup weekends in October. It is Virginia International Raceway that rolls out the Fall season for NASCAR with the K&N Pro Series Biscuitville 125 later this month (August 23-24).
This weekend the speed is on with The Chumps. It is a bit saddening that the Chumps will be racing without a familiar showcase of VIR. The famous Oak Tree, a cornerstone of the track and a corner marker known to all who have visited, literally fell victim to wet weather earlier this year. Yes – The Oak Tree is gone…
The quality of racing remains! Go racing, Virginia! Go racing!