PLACERVILLE, CA (8-13-12) - Grab the bikes and bring the tikes. It's time for "Mountain Democrat Kids' Night" at Placerville Speedway this Saturday, August 18th. This event is the biggest night for the littlest of race fans annually and is sure to be one of the most exciting nights for fans of all ages as the championship battles heat up entering these final weeks of competition at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds dirt track.

Saturday night will feature the return of Red Hawk Casino Championship point racing at Placerville Speedway. The winged sprint cars return to action this Saturday along with the Limited Late Models and the Pure Stocks in the first of just three nights remaining in the 2012 championship series with two of the three weekly titles tightening up to single digits in recent weeks.

This week, the racing is sure to be as exciting on the quarter-mile clay oval that has been in operation since the summer of 1965. However, Saturday night is about much more than high dollar motors, the perfect tire and the perfect set up. Saturday marks the annual night at Placerville Speedway where families come together to give the true fans of this sport the opportunity to shine with the help of their racing heroes. On Mountain Democrat Kid's Night, youngsters get their turn to compete on the race track in numerous bicycle races during intermission.

"This is what it's all about, families and kids coming together at the track for a special night," says Andy Forsberg, current point leader at Placerville Speedway. Forsberg can recall being a youngster in the stands at Placerville watching his heroes duel it out. Along with the memories of seeing his father race wheel to wheel with names like Gene Gillihan, Doug Gandy, Brian Crockett and more, Forsberg remembers what it was like on the one night he had the opportunity to be on the other side of the fence.

"If you're a kid and love the races, there is nothing more meaningful then having the chance to be on the track with your favorite drivers and all the fans cheering you on," added Forsberg, who is always involved with the kids bike races each year. "This is a great event, every family in the county should come out and check it out."

Saturday night, all kids 11 and under are admitted for free to Placerville Speedway. Additionally, the young fans receive complimentary popcorn and soda on this evening as well. While the title war is one that is sure to be getting much attention this week with the motorized competitors, all eyes will be on the two wheeled stars as they take to the clay for their night under the lights as well.

Youngsters are encouraged to participate in the bicycle races at intermission on Saturday night. Races will be broken up into various age groups with the distance of the competition being adjusted accordingly. The top three finishers of each age group will be awarded trophies and everyone who competes is awarded participation ribbons. Placerville Speedway will provide a secure parking area for the children's bicycles during the evening. Following the bicycle races, a brand new BMX Bicycle sponsored by the Mountain Democrat and Handy Racing Promotions will be raffled off to a lucky youngster in the grandstands.

Saturday night marks the first of just three point races remaining at Placerville Speedway for the 2012 Red Hawk Casino Championship Season. The series titles in two of the three divisions remain up for grabs. Saturday's event will feature full race programs for all three divisions.

While Forsberg will sure to be helping out with the youngsters at intermission on Saturday night it will be serious business for the defending track champion when he climbs behind the wheel. For much of the season Forsberg and his F&F Racing Team have led the point standings at Placerville by double digits. After last weekend, such is not the case as Cameron Park's Stephen Allard drove to his third Placerville Speedway victory and closed to within five digits of Forsberg in the point standings.

The threat to the championship title doesn't end with "Allard Mania" either; former champion Greg DeCaires is still in the hunt as well, sitting 27-points out of the lead in third place while Placerville's own Jimmy Trulli is fourth with an 80-point gap between he and first place. Justin Johnson of Shingle Springs rounds out the top five ahead of Placerville's CJ Humphreys and James Sweeney.

In the Pure Stock division, 10-time winner Matt Tilford of Orangevale is working hard to redeem his season long point lead. Tilford was absent for one week and fell to third place in the standings. Upon his return last Saturday he is now amidst a three way tie for the division point lead between Woodland' Scott Grunert and Placerville's Chris Curtiss in one of the closest battles in recent history for the title going into the coming weeks.

Dominic Stone of Folsom is fourth in the standings, 14-points behind the tied trio. Chris Van Roekel of Grass Valley is fifth in the ranks ahead of Placerville's Megan Curtiss. Who is just one notch out of the top five.

Saturday night the gates of Placerville Speedway will open at 5 p.m. with qualifying starting up at 6:30. Adult tickets will be $13, Juniors and Seniors will be $11 and those 11 and under will be FREE for the evening. Raffle tickets for the BMX Bicycle will be presented to every youngster coming in the front gate along with a coupon for free popcorn and soda. For additional information visit the track website at www.placervillespeedway.com.