2006 URSS Awards Banquet In The Books
Terry J. Pfeifer, Hays, Kansas

HAYS, KS. (Dec. 20, 2006) - The United Rebel Sprint Series celebrated their Inaugural Season with an Awards Banquet December 16th at the American Legion in Oberlin, Kansas. The URSS 305 Traveling Series saw a lot of great racing action and fans were treated to a close points battle all season long. With the interest the series has generated this year, the 2007 season looks to be even brighter as several new faces will be joining the series.

A packed house enjoyed a evening of recalling the season past and looking towards the upcoming racing season. The "Hot Laps" portion of the evening was full of the usual "Bench Racing, Tall Tales and Outright Lies" along with everyone catching up on the next seasons plans and how the progress on the "New Cars" are coming along.

Everyone in attendance was treated to a whale of a Steak Dinner prepared by the Staff of the American Legion, the "Unofficial URSS Court Jester and Fry Cook" Scott Carlton entertained us with his favorite "Racer" Joke. Special thanks went out to the entire Staff of the Oberlin Speedway, who let the URSS Series call their track Home for the 2006 Season. They went above and beyond the call of duty to welcome the Fledgling Racing Series when no one else would, they went the extra mile to help get the Series of the ground and we truly appreciate all you've done to make us what we are today.

Special thanks went out to URSS Webmaster Terry Pfeifer who was given responsibility of maintaining the Web Site for the Series late in the season. In this day of "Instant Information" a strong Web Presence is vital to the continual growth of any racing series. Without it our Series Sponsors, Drivers and their Sponsors do not get the recognition they deserve. Look for some new improvements to Website in the near future, as well a comprehensive "Media Guide" which will be hand delivered to the "Press Box" each and every race to give the Track Announcers all of your current information to give you, your Sponsors and Crew Members the recognition they deserve. This will be "Updated After Every Race" with Series Results, Points, Schedule Changes and other pertinent information for the series to continue to grow in the coming years.

Also receiving special recognition was Bob Ream, the "Official Tech Man of the URSS Series." Without his effort to enforce the rules, the cost and fairness of competition in the series could easily lost. When he was given his "official techman jacket" Bob asked if the keys to his new Corvette were in the pocket? The answer unfortunately was no, the only complaint came from Series Champion Jon Johnson who wished Bob would get his job done "just a little bit quicker, because it cuts into the beer drinking time!"

Next on the agenda was to hand out the "2006 URSS Rookie if the Year Award" to the driver who had shown the most growth during the past season. Promoter Rick Salem's choice was Smokey Fairbank out of Ransom, Kansas survived his first season even though he went through a lot of growing pains, including a wild ride the third race of the season. Smokey received a brand spanking new "Triple X" Front Axle for his accomplishments to which several of the competitors reminded him not to bend it!

The next Award handed out was the "Hard Core-Full Bore" award. Larry Radcliffe out of Hill City, Kansas was the recipient of this Season Award. It was pointed that at one race he forgot his helmet, next race his fire suit but he still persevered to field two cars this season in the series. Larry sent special thanks out to the "Good Lord, because he was the only one who could convince his wife to let him race one of these things." Larry will field three Race Cars next season as his sons will join him driving in the series in 2007. Larry picked up 72 free t-shirts from Salem Graphics for his efforts in 2006. Racers Smokey Fairbank and Travis Decker received "Honorable Mentions" for their memorable seasons in which they both lost race cars to accidents but still made every race despite their troubles on track.

Finishing in the 15th position was Bart Boyd out of Wright, Kansas. Bart along with his daughter Brooke, supported the URSS as much as they could in 2006. Their support of the Series was greatly appreciated and you couldn't have had two better racers at the track when they pulled through the Pit Gate.

Finishing in the 14th position was Kyle Fields out of Norton, Kansas. Kyle purchased a car from the Bantam's and competed at most of the 2006 events. Despite a few setbacks and mechanical woes, Kyle should show improvement in the upcoming season.

Finishing in the 13th position was Darren Berry out of McCook, Nebraska. Darren and his father did a heck of a job with what they had and finished the season with a pair of 8th place finishes. Promoter Rick Salem said he "kicked my rear at the season finale in Oberlin. I followed him around all race and drove a good race." He's sure to be a force to contend within the future.

Finishing in the 12th position was Axtell, Nebraska's Doug Roth. Doug was one of the first Drivers to commit to the startup series and made every race. Doug had what some would call a dismal season with ignition woes, but even though he cleared the states of Nebraska and Kansas of waterfowl shooting ducks all season. Doug joked "can't say it's been fun, but maybe next year we can get it to run one race, we'll see what happens!"

Finishing in the 11th position was Dodge City's Brooke Boyd. Brooke and her father were Jetmore Motorplex Regulars but supported The URSS on a regular basis as much as they could. Brooke showed she had the right stuff with her consistent finishes. Look for Brooke to show them how it's done next season.

Finishing in the 10th position was Parker, Colorado's Tim Perkins. No one pulled more miles than Tim to race with the URSS in 2006. Tim used his consistent finishes including a B Feature win at the Elmwood Park Speedway half mile in September and a fourth place finish at Oberlin the following night to lock up the 10th position. Due to other obligations Tim was unable to attend the Banquet, but will be back for another season in 2007.

Finishing in the 9th position was Tommy Williams Jr. Tommy pilots the family owned Sprinter and has followed in his father's Ron Williams racing footsteps. Tommy is forced due to work related issues to miss a race here and there, but overcame some mechanical gremlins to a 9th place finish overall. Promoter Rick Salem joked "that Tommy needs to get his priorities straight and make all the races next season!" Tommy thanked his Mom and Dad for giving him the opportunity to do this. He pointed out he was born in November of '69 and was at Wakeeney Speedway in April of "70. "I don't remember it, but it must have been important" Tommy said, "There ain't no end to this deal until I'm dead and gone, it all goes out to my Mom and Dad."

Finishing in the 8th position was Billy Smith out of Norton, Kansas. Billy hopped into the seat of one the Bantam's cars the 4th race of the season, started dead last and promptly drove it to a 4th place finish. Billy's no stranger to winning races, be on the lookout for more to come from this driver in 2007. When asked to repeat what he said after jumping out of his racer that first night, Billy replied "I can't do that, It was fun!"

Finishing in the 7th position was Goodland, Kansas's Mark Bantam. Mark along with his brother Randy and father Jerry was instrumental in getting this class started in Western Kansas. Mark got every bit out of his old Nance chassis, Mark along with his brother Randy will be in new "Triple X" cars next year and they have already determined that they will be a force to be reckoned with in 2007. Without the support of his family and the other racers in the series none of his success would be possible.

Finishing in the 6th position was Larry Radcliffe out of Hill City, Kansas. Larry is a veteran racer who helped instigate the URSS Series. Larry was there week in and week out with both of his cars and thanks to his consistent finishes took 6th place in points. Larry thanked Jon Johnson helped us without him actually knowing it, seems that with Larry's running two cars they got there later and pitted farther away each race. With all the new cars coming into the series next season, Larry asked his wife for a new, stronger pair of binoculars for Christmas so he can keep with the "Kansas Tornado" since he'll be pitted farther away from him next season with the team fielding three cars!

Finishing in the 5th position was Ransom, Kansas's own Smokey Fairbank. Smokey experienced both the highs and lows of the sport this year. From his near season ending flip 3rd race into the season to leading 18 and 1/2 laps at the season finale only to have Jon Johnson beat him to the checkers. You'd think last race of the season he'd be nice and let me win, "Jon said he wouldn't let me win the first year out, so before he retires I'm going beat that old man heads up." Without Jon And C. J. Johnson's help I wouldn't be where I am today. They gave me great advice, but Jon gave me a lot of grief along with it also. Racing is a family deal and it shows at the track, everyone jumps in when someone needs help. Smokey asked everyone to say a prayer for the King Family, "We lost a hell of a racer and a great friend this year" Smokey added that racing never gets out your blood.

Finishing in the 4th position was Randy Bantam. Randy along with his father Jerry were the instigators of the 305 class several years ago. Over the last two years they have fielded cars for Cody Salem in 2005 and Billy Smith for 2006. They busted their butts to make it to the track regardless of where it was an to make sure that the series continued to grow. Through their hard work and diligence, helped to open the eyes of promoters, racers and fans all over the region to the excitement of this affordable form of Sprint Car racing. Randy and Jerry are a fixture in the pits, always with a smile on their mugs and ready to hit the track. Randy posted a string of consistent finishes race after race and thanked everyone for making this series what it is today, without any of them it would still be just a dream.

Finishing in the 3rd position was Wakeeney, Kansas's own Travis Decker. Travis also experienced the highs and lows of the sport but he never gave up, he just came back swinging hitting the track just a week later after destroying a car at the Goodland event. Travis was there at the track week after week running the best he could with what he had. After his wreck late in the season, his wife said "Travis never does anything without giving it 100%, we have a car and he'll be back at the next race." It wasn't pretty but it was back on the track and Travis was giving it his all, he is a "Racer at Heart" and we are proud to have him as our 3rd place finisher.

Finishing in the 2nd position is a young man who hails from Russell, Kansas Justin Schwien. Justin is one of those guys who you can see the fire burning in his eyes when you meet him for the first time. Justin was a fixture at the track, usually glued to Jon Johnson's rear bumper, trying to figure a way around the veteran driver. When he started his Sprint Car career, he bought a car from C. J. Johnson, who gave him advice on setups and other things and he never lied to me, he told how it was. Midway through the 2006 season Justin swallowed his pride and called Jon to ask him for some advice, "I went to my challenger with my tail between my legs, I'm stuck and I can't win, what can I do." Jon offered his honest advice and evidently it helped as Justin captured his first URSS A Feature at Elmwood Park later this season. Justin has amassed 4 Career wins in just his first two years in a Sprint Car, look for him to continue his winning ways and to grow as his experience builds each season. Justin did provide those in attendance with a parting shot at the 2006 Points Champion, Justin pulled the blue and yellow "Move Over" flag from in front of the podium and told Jon 'This is the only flag you're going to be seeing next season!"

Our Series Championship couldn't have gone to a better person, a mentor for the young drivers and humble racer and a true family man at best. In the same building that he was awarded his first Championship trophy 37 years ago, Jon Johnson picked up the Inaugural URSS Season Championship. The "Kansas Tornado" Jon Johnson went on a tear like a "Twister through the Wheat Field" with 8 victories and an amazing 10 Top Three finishes in the Inaugural 2006 URSS Season. Rick Salem summed it eloquently "You'll never find a better Ambassador for Sprint Car Racing anywhere. There are not many people in this world that'll go out and give you a slide job, beat your butt, pick on you and still make you better a racer all at the same time." In 37 years of racing Johnson said "I never had more fun than I have this season racing with this group." When Jon told the gathering that he might not be able to make all the races that Rick is trying to schedule next season, there was a boisterous "Whaa!" from the back of the room, Jon replied "I knew it would break your hearts, but I'm going to try and make them all."

Jon wanted to thank Triple X Race Cars for their sponsorship this season, "The quality of their parts and Chassis are nothing short of first rate, they make a great product and I would like to thank them for all they have done to help the URSS Series." Rick added that Triple X told him "That for only 15 Racers, they had more response and return from the URSS Series than any other Racing Series in the Country." Damn we buy a lot of parts!!

That night came to close on a personal note as the "Real Brains of the Series" Brenda Ploussard gave Rick a plaque honoring him for taking the Series from a dream to a reality. Brenda is the brawn behind the series, "She put the entire Banquet together, she works endlessly. I'm the B. S. part of the deal" Rick said to gathering, "She does the work. She cares about this deal as much as I do, well but she still won't quit her job!" The night ended with the pair bringing up family patriarch Bob Salem up to recognize his part in the URSS Success. "He's a racer and always will be, it all hinges on family. This is a family sport and we are all family here tonight."

Thanks to everyone involved with URSS would like to thank the Racers, Car Owners, Promoters and especially the "Fans in the Stands" for your support and we'll see you next year at a race track near you!!

Click here for Photos http://www.unitedrebelsprintseries.com/Awards_Banquet_Photos.html