PLACERVILLE, CA (9-18-12) - Race fans from El Dorado County and the surrounding communities are gearing up for one of the biggest nights of open wheel racing in the sierra foothills as Placerville Speedway pays homage to a legacy in local racing. This Saturday, it's time for the 9th Annual Tribute to Al Hinds at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds.

This event will feature the fire-breathing sprint cars of the Civil War Sprint Car Series in one of its highest paying regular events of the season with a $3000 to win event sponsored by Thompson's Auto and Truck Centers of Placerville. Nine years ago this event was born after the passing of the well known early track promoter and mentor, Al Hinds when the now defunct Family Chevrolet collaborated with Placerville Speedway and friends of Al Hinds to produce what has become one of the most recognized annual tribute races in the region.

When the economic downtown forced the closure of Family Chevrolet in 2010, there was concern this great race was in jeopardy. Thanks to the generous forthcoming of longtime area auto dealer Ron Thompson last year, the legacy of Al Hinds continues in grand fashion for its ninth consecutive year. Not only will Saturday's winner pick up the $3000 victory that includes a $1000 bonus sponsored by Thompson, the event caps off a big day in local racing as Thompson's Auto Center hosts a huge sprint car show and free bbq for fans and race teams from 11 a.m, until 2 p.m.

Al Hinds was the second promoter of Placerville Speedway. He took operation of the track from its founder, Bruno Romani, in 1968, three years after it first opened when the facility was built around an existing community football field. Since that time, Placerville Speedway has become one of the top auto racing venues in Northern California, much due to the efforts of Hinds, who brought the community together with what was known as a rough and tumble facet of the sport back in the day.

From the day he set foot on the red clay at Placerville Speedway to the very last race he attended, Hinds continued to display his true love for auto racing and the community in which he brought it to. Even in his final years he continued to help young drivers, entertain fans and most importantly he spent a great deal of time talking to and mentoring many of those who are involved with the operations of the facility today, from officials, announcers and even the track promoter himself. When Hinds spoke, anyone who cared remotely about the future of the sport would sit down and listen.

When Hinds managed Placerville Speedway, the cars in competition were nothing like they were today. In Hinds' later days of life, Cast iron transitioned into aluminum. Titanium began to replace just about anything that could break and aerodynamics became a factor on cars that now carry computerized scoring equipment that records speeds nearing 100 mph. However, none of that changed Hinds' classic theory in the business of racing promotions; if you build it they will come.

"I miss that old guy, it didn't matter that the cars have changed and are going twice as fast they were back then, he knew how to promote racing and he still knew how to prep a track, " recalls Alan Handy, promoter of Placerville Speedway and the Civil War Series. "He would come out here during the week and sit for hours and watch the grader. If he saw me doing something wrong, he told me his opinion. He was almost always right whether I liked it or not."

The operator of a local machine shop by trade, Hinds loved the community where he lived. In his final years of life he enjoyed sitting with some of his best friends every night in the grandstands at Placerville Speedway and loved watching young talent make a name for themselves in the sport. This Saturday, such talent is sure to fill the field more than Hinds would ever imagine.

"Nine years into this event and there isn't a Saturday night that I don't think about Al Hinds," said Bill Sullivan, longtime announcer of Placerville Speedway." He was a fixture at this speedway and a great friend to my late father who sat me down when I first got into this business and taught me what Al did for this sport and this community. From that point on I always respected him greatly and took both his advice and criticism to heart. This little track was his field of dreams, he built it in the community and to this day they continue to come every Saturday night."

Saturday's event is expected to become standing room only due to the caliber of competition and the expected winnings along with the following the Tribute to Al Hinds continues to have with the local business community. An early arrival to the speedway is suggested to insure ideal seating. In addition to the championship, the Tribute to Al Hinds will also host the return of the third annual "Hug Your Flagman" night that has become the side show to this final race of the year for the last three years.

Entering the final event of the season, Forsberg leads the series point standings by a 50 point margin over Colby Wiesz of Colfax. Greg DeCaries is third in the ranks followed by Mason Moore of Princeton and Herman Klein of Sacramento. Stephen Allard of Cameron Park is sixth over Bradley Terrell, Kyle Hirst, Chase Johnson and Koen Shaw.

In addition to the Civil War Sprint Cars, the Midget Lites of the Bay Cities Racing Association will be in competition Saturday night to insure an action packed night of open wheel racing that will wrap up the 2012 Red Hawk Casino-Hoosier Racing Tires season at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds.

Tickets will go on sale at the speedway starting at 5 p.m. ADCO Driveline qualifying will begin at 6:30. Saturday's program will consist of heat races, preliminary events all leading up to the final 30-lap feature event containing 22 firebreathing sprint cars. Adult tickets will be $16, seniors $14 juniors $12 and children $6. Those under six will be admitted for free.

All drivers and sprint car owners who will participate in this race are invited to bring their Sprint Car to this event prior to the Al Hinds Sprint Car Race. RPM PhotoArt will present each Sprint Car with a free custom poster featuring artwork of their Sprint Car. Also, Sprint Car art will be on display for fans and drivers to view as they enjoy the event.

All Sprint Cars that are planning on attending this event should contact Phil Hamilton of RPM PhotoArt so that he can prepare artwork of your Sprint car. Phone Number: 530-748-8656. Email: rpmphotoart@gmail.com. Check RPM PhotoArt facebook page for updates and info.... https://www.facebook.com/pages/RPM-Photo-Art/143252875745697?ref=ts.

For more information on Saturday's event visit www.placervillespeedway.com which will feature a series of stories detailing this great race and the legacy of Al Hinds in the coming days.