PLACERVILLE, CA (12-6-09) - The racing community of Placerville Speedway showed its true colors Sunday afternoon in Historic Placerville as a number of drivers partnered with Handy Racing Promotions Inc. to participate in the 32nd Annual Hangtown Christmas Parade. This yearly event is El Dorado County's largest parade and on this particular year, local motorsports became a huge part of it.

With snow falling from the sky, both Alan and Diane Handy were joined on main street by much of their administrative staff and more that a dozen and a half drivers for the near two mile stroll from upper Broadway to lower Main Street. The entry received an exuberant welcome from the hundreds of parade goers that packed the city street below snowy skies. It was the perfect beginning to the holiday season and the upcoming 45th anniversary season for Placerville Speedway.

The decision for Placerville Speedway to enter the Hangtown Christmas Parade came just two weeks prior to the event, during Thanksgiving week. Despite the late decision, a number of volunteers and race teams pitched in to put together a spectacular float that promoted the 45-year old speedway with competitive race cars in a setting resembling the Santa's Workshop and the North Pole.

The eighteen wheel rig used to display the impressive "Handy Workshop" was donated for the day by Mountain Enterprises of Lotus. The theme of the float was the brainchild of Placerville's Pace Truck operator Morgan Peterson, his wife Sarah and Placerville Speedway's Communications Director Bill Sullivan. Flagman Ed Entz and his wife Barb pitched in with additional resources and the parade project was off and running before the Thanksgiving dishes were even done.

"I can't thank Morgan and Sarah enough for all of their hard work in this project," said Sullivan. "I come up with some hair brained idea and lack the resources to put it together in time; Morgan got the resources we needed in a matter of days and Sarah came up with the decorations. It turned out great, we're very thankful for their efforts."

The Placerville Speedway float featured two actual race cars and support vehicles on the rolling display, surrounded by snow, both artificial and the real thing; numerous wrapped gifts, trees, a large Santa and festive holiday music. The #91 Midget of Elk Grove driver Matt Land was at the bow of the rig while the brand new Handy Racing Promotions winged show car was the center piece.

"When Alan Handy showed up and it was snowing on that car I knew I was fired," joked Sullivan. "We all joked around about it and had a really great time even in the cold. I still haven't given him the invoice for the real snow we ordered to fall in time for the parade though. I hear that stuff is pretty expensive."

Some seventeen different drivers joined the parade entry with their cars decorated for Christmas. Multiple representatives from the Nor-Cal Dwarf Cars, the Sprint Car Division and both Stock Car divisions made the stroll down main street where they were greeted by hundreds of cheering fans and families.

"I can honestly say I am proud to tell people that I race at Placerville Speedway," said Tom Tilford, the 2009 Pure Stock track champion. "This was a blast. They started another new tradition and I'm already looking forward to it again."

Although his shining show car took a dose of winter weather, Alan Handy enjoyed the event and, like Tilford, is looking forward to doing it again in 2010. Future plans include earlier planning for the parade entry and a possible after-party and dinner for the participants at the fairgrounds.

"This wasn't about ticket sales, rule changes and payouts," said Sullivan. "This was about our racing community coming together to show their support in the community that supports them. At the same time, I think we gained some new fans and likely reunited with some old ones."

During the trek through Old Hangtown, wide eyes were visible on many youngsters and adults alike. One youngster commented, "Dad look at those cars, they are so cool. Can we go see them race this summer?"

"That's what it's all about right there," said Sullivan. "This was a big day for racing in El Dorado County and one we will long remember. I want to thank each and everyone who helped with this event."

The 2010 racing season at Placerville Speedway will being on Saturday, March 20. A complete schedule is to be released in the coming weeks at www.placervillespeedway.com.