State champion bump and run driver to be crowned at fairgrounds

By Tim Barnum
News Editor | news@ogemawherald.com

WEST BRANCH — The best bump and run racer in the state will be crowned at the Ogemaw County Fairgrounds Saturday, Oct. 6 when Unique Motor Sports holds the state championships at the grandstands beginning at 4 p.m.

Jim Trolard, president of Unique Motor Sports, said the fairgrounds’ clay track makes it a favorite venue for drivers, which is why the state championship bump and run is being held there for the fourth year in a row.

Camping spaces and its central location for the large number of drivers who come from Northern Michigan also make it an ideal location, Trolard added.

All of the features at the fairgrounds make for the biggest bump and run event in the country, according to Trolard.

“This is the biggest bump and run in the nation, with a purse of $13,000 for the winner,” he said.

Drivers come not only from Michigan to compete, but also Indiana, Iowa and other midwestern states, Trolard said.

“We had 163 cars last year,” he said.

That field is about four times larger than the Ogemaw County Fair’s bump and run, Trolard said.

“The fair show purse is right around $3,500,” he said. “This is $13,000.”

“If the folks like what they saw at the fair, they will not want to miss the show,” he added.

Trolard said one of last year’s state champions, Brian Brucker of Holland, is returning to defend his title. Trolard said there are two classes — the four- and six-cylinder class and the V-8 class. There are 10 cars per heat, he added.

However, not all the races held during the event will be for the championship. Local racers will also be able to compete against one another.

“For people that don’t want to compete against the drivers from all over the state, we’ve got classes for people who don’t want to compete for the championship,” he said.

Interested drivers can register until 3 p.m. the day of the races, he added.

The day will not only be about racing, though. Trolard said pedal-tractor pulls for children are scheduled for 1 p.m., and a clown will also provide entertainment for youngsters.

Trolard added a bonfire will also be held after the races are complete.

If weather becomes an issue on race day, the races will be pushed back one day, Trolard said.

“If we have inclement weather, where it snows or rains where we can’t get it in, we will hold it the next day,” he said.

General admission tickets for the bump and run state finals are $10, and pit passes are $15. For more information, visit unique-motor-sports.com.