Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

The date of the second annual WSMC Toyota 200 has been set for the weekend of September 19-21, 2003. That’s the word from Willow Springs International Raceway Operations Manager Chris Huth, speaking Sunday at Willow Springs.

Huth could not confirm if the $150,000 cash purse would be increased for the 2003 version of the event; immediately following the first Toyota 200 last September, Huth and his father, track owner Bill Huth, told Roadracingworld.com that they were considering increasing the total cash purse from $150,000 to as much as $250,000 for 2003, although the winner’s share would most likely stay at $50,000.

During the riders’ meeting Sunday, WSMC Operations Manager Kenny Kopecky fielded a question from a racer concerning the rumored return of a 24-hour endurance race at Willow Springs in 2003. Kopecky told the gathering that that it was a rumor only and that WSMC was not making any plans for such a race in 2003. Kopecky cited the lack of interest by WERA and WERA’s regular endurance teams as a factor in the track’s lack of 24-hour plans.

WERA last sanctioned 24-hour endurance races at Willow Springs in 1999 and 2000, as part of the G.M.D. Computrack National Endurance Series.

Kopecky also made an announcement that Willow Springs International Raceway would take over operation of Friday practice days preceeding WSMC race weekends in 2003. Kopecky said he expected the WSIR-run program to be very similar to the program run by former Friday track day organizer Fastrack Riders, including new rider instruction, street rider groups and licensed racer practice sessions.

For more information on the 2003 WSMC Toyota 200 or Friday practice days, call (661) 256-6666, go to www.willowspringsraceway.com or e-mail [email protected].

For additional information about WSMC’s racing activities, call (661) 256-1234, go to www.race-willow.com or e-mail [email protected].