PLACERVILLE, CA (2-12-12) - The wings will soon be donning new color schemes on the sprint cars, the dents and wrinkles are being removed from the sheet metal of the stock cars and the fire suits are off to the cleaners. It's almost time to go dirt track racing in the sierra foothills as the famed Placerville Speedway prepares for its 47th consecutive season at the EL Dorado County Fairgrounds with fast and furious dirt track racing presented by Handy Racing Promotions Incorporated.

A total of 23 events will complete the full season schedule at Placerville Speedway in 2012. The majority of these events will be point racing events the three weekly divisions will compete for weekly winnings and accumulative points towards the 2012 Red Hawk Casino - Hoosier Racing Tires - Coors Light Championship titles.

Nearly every Saturday night from late March until nearly October, look for drivers from El Dorado and surrounding counties to converge at the clay bullring. Winged 360 sprint cars will be at the top of the race card along with Pure Stocks and the ferocious Limited Late Models throughout the year with a variety of guest venues and offerings.

Within the weekly championship program, Placerville Speedway will host a number of special events this year on one of the state's oldest dirt tracks nestled in the heart of the Gold County, Wine County and so much more. Such events will include the annual Mark Forni Classic on July 14 in which the late fair board member and longtime contributor to the sport will be honored once again.

A brand new event this season will be the Inaugural Race for Hunger that will come to the speedway on Saturday, August 26th. This event that takes place in the heat of the 2012 championship run will be co-promoted by Placerville Speedway in conjunction with the Food Bank of El Dorado County and will benefit thousands of less fortunate individuals in El Dorado County with various fundraising efforts.

The traditional Tribute Al Hinds will once again close the 2012 racing season on September 22 as Thompson's Auto Centers will team with Placerville Speedway to pay tribute to the late early race promoter that was known for bringing a small community together with the sport of auto racing, forming a bond that stands strong today as the communities of El Dorado County continue to support the sport that combines speed thrills with affordable family entertainment year after year.

The 2012 racing season will officially open at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds on Saturday, March 31 with the winged warriors of the popular California Sprint Car Civil War Race Series. This series designed for winged 360 sprint cars will compete here for three total events in the year to come all of which will be high profile races. The Civil War returns to Placerville for the July 4th Spectacular and will close the racing season with the Tribute to Al Hinds on September 22 and the crowing of the regional Civil War champion.

After a one year hiatus, the fire breathing 410 cubic inch sprint cars of the King of the West Sprint Car Series will make their return to Placerville Speedway. Both visits will be double billings for the King of California tour. On it's first visit on April 28th they will share the track with the Midget Lites of the Bay Cities Racing Association. When the series returns for its final visit on June 30th they will team with the traditional Midgets of the BCRA.

In the past, at least one Wild Winged Wednesday has dazzled fans at Placerville Speedway and this year such will be the case on a whole new level as the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) National Sprint Car Tour will include Placerville Speedway in its west coast swing. This event will feature some of the biggest names in sprint car racing on the tight clay bullring in an event that will be televised nationally by NBC Sports.

Not only will this event bring high octane racing to the foothill speedway with drivers from various areas of the United States, it will also bring increased tourism to the El Dorado County Fairgrounds and the surrounding communities. El Dorado offers a wide variety of tourism attractions ranging from local wine tasting, camping, bed and breakfast's and much more. With two big days of racing in town area hotels, campgrounds and business establishments will enjoy the economical boost the racing community will bring to this great county.

The USAC Western Classic Sprint Car Series returns to Placerville Speedway on August 4th. This will mark a big night of open wheel racing as the USAC wingless stars will share the spotlight with the Midgets and Midget Lites of the Bay Cities Racing Association in an open wheel extravaganza that takes place in conjunction with the annual BCRA Hall of Fame Picnic at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds during the afternoon.

While the racing events at Placerville Speedway always provide a great deal of thrills and spills throughout the year, smashing and crashing will be the theme on Sunday, August 12th. On this day the Placerville Police Officers Association presents its annual Hangtown Destruction Derby for Charity in the afternoon.

Another notable event to mark on the family racing calendar will be Saturday night, August 18th which is Mountain Democrat Kids Night at Placerville Speedway. On this special night, youngsters get the opportunity to mirror their racing heroes as they take to the track in bicycle races at intermission. This event carries a great deal of tradition at Placerville Speedway and many of today's drivers once participated in the annual bike races as children long ago.

Mountain Democrat Kids night returns to the speedway on Saturday, August 13. This night will feature children's bicycle races and free admission for youngsters. The event will take place in conjunction with the annual Placerville Police Officers Association Destruction Derby that takes place the next day at the fairgrounds. In addition to free admission to the speedway that night, youngsters will also receive complimentary tickets to the annual derby courtesy of the local law enforcement agency.

Throughout the season a variety of guest divisions will join the weekly divisions at Placerville Speedway. Among the list of visiting divisions will be the Joe Hunt Magnetos Wingless Sprint Car Series. The Nor Cal Dwarf Cars will return to Placerville Speedway during 2011 for several events, joining the weekly division consisting of Winged 360 Sprint Cars, Limited Late Models and Pure Stocks.

For the complete 2012 racing schedule at Placerville Speedway, visit the track's official website at www.placervillespeedway.com. Race fans are also encouraged to join Placerville Speedway on facebook to interact with other fans, staff and competitors. For additional information contact the track business office at (916) 783-DIRT or email them at info@placervillespeedway.com.