We have no idea how these guys can pull this off, and we are suspicious of their use of vaguely familiar titles like Minister of Information, but according to the “Church of Speed,” they are essentially re-inventing club road racing with free entries for top qualifiers, purses for Experts and free tires and fuel for Novices/Amateurs. Excuse our ignorance, but didn’t GLRRA try this once? At any rate, a press release issued by Kevin Nolde, Minister of Information, follows:

The Church of Speed is announcing a race in January by racers for racers. Due to another year of poor payouts, no promotions/advertising, and no spectators we have now decided to act. We have created the Grand Bayou Festival of Speed. The event is scheduled for the weekend of January 10-12 and we will hold our premier race on January 12, 2003. On Friday we will hold practice and new rider’s school, and on Saturday we will be holding qualifying rounds for the race on Sunday. The cost is:

• $80 for practice Friday

• $80 for qualifying on Saturday

• No charge for the 45 top qualifying riders to participate on Sunday

As it stands now, we will have amateur middleweight and heavyweights (allowing open class bikes). The experts will have Middle and Heavyweight classes with the second heavyweight race being the premier top paying race. The purses at this time will be:

• $2500 for the expert middle, and heavy weight races

• $3000 for the premiere race

Races will be 30 minutes with the top race being 40 minutes. The novice group will receive tires and other consumables. All qualifiers will get their gate fees returned. The purses will increase as more advertisers are found and will be posted on our website at www.churchofspeed.us. The weekend will also feature Bracket drag racing at night and a stunt competition. Please check out the website as pre-registration information will soon be posted.