Speedrome INEX Bandolero Champions Advance to INEX Legend Division in 2012

The 71-year-old racing icon, the Bryant Heating and Cooling Indianapolis Speedrome®, will have a new INEX sanctioned division added to the competition on the historic one-fifth mile oval.

While Legend and Bandolero cars have been racing at the Speedrome for decades, the Thunder Roadsters will join the track schedule in 2012. “We are excited about having these classes racing at the Speedrome”, said INEX US Legend Cars Executive Competition Director John Haggan. “This has always been a great track for our cars”. Performance Racing Products is the official INEX dealer in the Indianapolis area. They can be reached for all your INEX needs at 888-917-4777.

2011 produced a pair of new INEX Bandolero champions at the Speedrome. Chris Hacker claimed the overall track title while Walter Thomas III topped the Outlaw classification standings. The pair of teenage age racers have traded in their rides for a seat in the INEX Legends. That premier primarily Friday night class is coming off of its most successful season in Speedrome history. A near record 15 different drivers carried a feature checkered flag with an astounding 11 getting their first-ever Legend victory.

Third-generation racer Chris Hacker claimed 13 INEX Bandolero feature wins on his way to his initial crown after finishing 2nd and 3rd in the previous campaigns. He also captured the Carmel Sod Fall Festival point’s title. His breakout regular season saw him at or near the top of the heap on the track and in the standings every week. His 2011 feature wins along with his previous triumphs now place him in a tie for second on the Speedrome all-time Bandolero victory list with Ohio’s Ty Rose and just 4 behind first place James Robertson.

Besides receiving acclamation at the Speedrome banquet, Walter Thomas III was recently honored at the 5^th annual NASCAR diversity awards luncheon in Daytona Beach, Florida. The gathering celebrated the outstanding achievements of individuals and organizations in the area of diversity. The Young Racer Award went to the 13-year-old ace. His racing career began at four years old when he started racing quarter midgets followed by three years in junior dragsters before joining the Speedrome family. His success and work ethic also extends into the classroom where he is an honor roll student. You can see all 3 generations in the pit area at each Speedrome event.

In April of 1992 the first Legends Car was unveiled at Charlotte Motor Speedway. These cars are 5/8 scale replicas of classic coupes and sedans of the 1930’s that were then modified into grassroots racing machines. But don’t let their size fool you, these are serious racecars powered by 1200cc, 4-cylinder Yamaha engines delivering 122 horsepower. Using the same formula, officials introduced the Bandolero in the late 1990’s. The car is a turnkey, spec-series racecar. It has left-foot braking and a centrifugal clutch so there's no shifting of gears for a young new driver to worry about. Its simplicity and economy of design are evident with 150 parts making up the entire package. It is powered by a Briggs & Stratton 570cc Vanguard engines with nearly 30HP.

The next addition to INEX's racing family is the Thunder Roadster. These cars bring back the full experience of historic open wheel racing from the 1950’s and 1960’s. Just like the Legend and Bandolero cars, the Thunder Roadster is made up of the same winning tradition that has propelled them to the forefront of spec racing. The open cockpit car utilizes a “sprint car type” roll cage to protect the driver. Wide side pods have been included in the design for additional safety. The car features a driver-friendly long wheelbase that is a great asset for handling. The open cockpit also gives fans a great view of the driver at work, as well as great visibility for the racer.

The Bryant Heating and Cooling Indianapolis Speedrome® is located at 802 South Kitley Avenue in Indianapolis, Indiana 46219 and proudly in the community and the historical district of Irvington. To view more, log on to our web site www.speedrome.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn®. The track hotline is (317) 353-8206 or you can e-mail us at info@speedrome.com.