Midgets make their third visit to Silver State Raceway

The swift open-wheel, open-cockpit midgets of the Bay Cities Racing Association make their third and final visit to Silver State Raceway Saturday for the Nevada State Midget Championships. Their final race will determine the winner of the championship, a competition which currently separates first and second place by one point.

Four-time BCRA champion Floyd Alvis of San Carlos, Calif. leads two-time champ Glenn Carson of Newark, Calif., 167-166. Round one was won by Sleepy Tripp of Costa Mesa, Calif., round two found Alvis in the winner's circle.

A full roster of top midget auto racing professionals of the BCRA will again take to the fast quarter-mile, high-banked oval of the Carson City racetrack.

Carson pilots the potent Bock Esslinger-powered TCR midget, and finished second to Tripp on May 27. Hot on Carson's heels is four-time champion Alvis, who won the second BCRA at Silver State June 24. Alvis, the 65-year-old "Elder Statesman" of BCRA, has taught the younger drivers a thing or two with his vast expertise.

In third place is Ken Molica of Soquel, Calif. with 132. Molica returned to the series after three complete heart transplants over the past 12 years and a recent kidney transplant. In fourth is Stockton, Calif.'s John Sarale with 123; Bill Lindsey of San Carlos is fifth, and Carson City's own Tom Weninger, who drives a Chevy V6-powered Prowler, is in sixth with 114.

The maverick and limited sportsman divisions are also on the schedule. The two series resume their championship points race. Gates open at 5, qualifying is at 6 with racing at 7:30 p.m. For information, call 885-2079 or visit www.silverstateraceway.com.

Breakout info

What: Bay Cities Racing Association Nevada State Midget Championship

When: 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26

Where: Silver State Raceway, on Racetrack Road, one block south of Snyder Avenue

Info: 885-2079 or www.buzco.com

Also, today (Friday)

What: Old-fashioned Pig Roast and Pre-Race Party

When: 2-10 p.m. Friday

Where: Valley Chevrolet, 2500 N. Carson St.

Racecars on display, driver interviews and door prizes available, live remote radio broadcast. All events open to the public, race fans and children encouraged to attend.

Cost of barbecue $8.50 for adults, $4 children

Pancake breakfast Saturday morning, 8 a.m. at Valley Chevrolet. Cost is $5 adults, $2.50 for children.