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Devil’s Bowl Speedway’s new “Bandit” youth division, for drivers ages 10-15, will use the same rules as the Mini Stock division.
WEST HAVEN–Devil’s Bowl Speedway is ready to welcome the next generation of stock car drivers to the track, with the inaugural season of the “Bandit” youth racing division in 2016. The division will offer a structured introduction to real racing competition with safety courses, a driving school, and a series of races for aspiring drivers ages 10-15. Training and events will be held on both the half-mile asphalt track and the 3/10-mile dirt track at Devil’s Bowl.
The division, which will utilize the technical specifications from the four-cylinder Mini Stock division, has been a work-in-progress for several seasons. A test race at Devil’s Bowl in 2013 led to a successful bid to have Vermont state laws changed in 2014 to lower the legal racetrack pit area admittance age to 10 years old. Originally branded as the “Young Guns,” the division was initially scheduled to begin last year before Devil’s Bowl officials elected to postpone it until this season in order to ensure a more successful program.
Four pre-season training and instructional classes will be held to outline the division and educate all hopeful young competitors in safety, car control, and race procedures. Bandit drivers must satisfactorily complete a minimum of two training classes before being approved for competition and must attend three additional classes throughout the season. A total of 10 Bandit races will be held from May to September.
“The Bandit division has been a dream of ours for a while, and we feel that we’re finally ready to give it a go,” Devil’s Bowl promoter Mike Bruno said. “We’ve heard from many local families who are ready to take this step with their children, and we’re encouraged by their support. We want these kids to learn the knowledge and skills that they’ll need to have a fun, safe, and rewarding experience. The Bandit division will help to build the future of Devil’s Bowl from the ground up, and we hope that these new young racers will advance through our NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions as they get older.”
Families with questions regarding the Bandit division are encouraged to contact Devil’s Bowl Speedway via email at [email protected] or by calling Mike Bruno at (802) 236-9141.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway’s 50th season of racing will include action for both the asphalt and dirt tracks, totaling 27 scheduled events. Opening weekend is slated for May 21-22.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway is located on Route 22A in West Haven, Vt., four miles north of Exit 2 off of U.S. Route 4 and just 20 minutes from Rutland, Vt. For more information, visit www.DevilsBowlSpeedwayVT.com.
