CHICO, CA (8-26-05) - The world’s best winged sprint car drivers will soon arrive at Silver Dollar Speedway for the 52nd running of the Gold Cup Race of Champions. The annual blockbuster event will again feature the World of Outlaw sprint car series. The international Outlaw organization has been part of the Gold Cup for 28 years. They will compete September 8, 9, and 10 on the ¼ mile clay oval located at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds.

In all, four consecutive days of racing will be held at the speedway. The California Sprint Car Civil War Series and the Bay Cities Racing Association Midget Lites will kick the program off on Wednesday night September 7. This marks the first year the Midget Lites will join the opening night action. The top drivers from both organizations will be competing for prizes and championship points. The program will include timed qualifying, heat races, and main events. The front gate and ticket box office will open at 5 PM every night. Qualifying is planned for 6:30 PM with racing to follow.

The on track activity will be augmented by a flurry of activity in or around Chico. In addition to several events sponsored by local business, the 19th annual Gold Cup Hall of Fame Golf Classic will be held at Bidwell Park Golf Course on Friday September 9, with a shotgun start at 8:30 AM. The four-person scramble format is open to anyone and information may be obtained by calling 641-842-6176. Singles are welcome and details will be available at the track by Thursday before the tournament.

Friday night will extend the tradition of the “Chili Feed” at Gold Cup. Hundreds of gallons of Chili will be prepared to feed the nearly 5,000 people expected to join the festivities that are highlighted with the Miss Gold Cup Bikini contest. This giant party is open to anyone and tickets can be purchased at the door.

Complete race programs will be held every night. Point leader Doug Hunting will lead the Midget Lites program on Wednesday night, and the current Civil War point leader is former Silver Dollar Speedway track champion Greg DeCaires. The night will be capped by main events in both divisions.

Over 80 teams are expected for the World of Outlaw portion of the show requiring the field to be split between Thursday and Friday nights. They will all come together in the Saturday night finale paying $25,000 to the winner. The Gold Cup championship feature race will run 40 laps.

Information may be obtained from the track business office at 916-969-7484 or at the track website: www.johnpadjenmotorsports.com.