---

Speedway to host Dirtwood Nationals Pinewood Derby and Scout Night Saturday June 30th

Jamaica, VA – If you have ever been involved in a pinewood derby you know how exciting it is not only for the kids but for the adults. On Saturday June 30th Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway will bring that excitement and fun to the speedway as it hosts the inaugural Truckin Thunder Dirtwood Nationals Pinewood Derby presented by the Virginia Army National Guard.

“We are extremely excited to host this event and to help raise money and awareness for ChildHelp. We have to thank Tom and Judy Brooks of Truckin Thunder for bringing us this idea, they have been a tremendous sponsor and are a tremendous custodian of the community,� commented General Manager Clarke Sawyer.

The event will run as part of Scout Night at the Races and the Speedway’s 4th of July celebration. Gates will open at 3pm for registration with the Dirtwood National Pinewood Derby starting at 4pm. After the Dirtwood Nationals all Scouts (Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts) if wearing their uniform will get free admission to enjoy a night of full sized dirt car racing and a huge 4th of July fireworks display that is sure to please the whole family. During the evenings festivities the Speedway will also help in raising money and awareness for the charity ChildHelp®.

“I can't wait for the first Dirtwood Nationals event on June 30th. Pairing a pinewood derby event with a full scale racing night at Virginia Motor Speedway seems a natural. Participants from the local Scouting Community and Virginia Motor Speedway's racing family will make for a fun-filled evening that also will raise money for one of my favorite charities, ChildHelp®. I feel fortunate to have one of the Child Help Villages here in Virginia. Helping them with their work of rehabilitating and caring for severely abused and neglected children is very important to me,� commented Truckin Thunder owner Tom Brooks.

There will be three divisions for the Dirtwood Nationals, Scouts, fans and Virginia Motor Speedway competitors. A champion will be crown in each division and then there will be a run-off to see who will be the overall Dirtwood Nationals Pinewood Derby Champion. Standard Scouting pinewood derby rules will govern the races. For anyone wanting to participate but not having a pinewood derby car, a limited quantity will be available for rent for a $10 donation to ChildHelp.

For more information on the Dirtwood Nationals and Scout Night call the track at (804) 758-1867.

About Childhelp®:
Founded in 1959 by Sara O'Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, Childhelp® is a leading national non-profit organization dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect. Childhelp's approach focuses on prevention, intervention and treatment. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD®, operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and receives calls from throughout the United States, Canada, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam. Childhelp's programs and services also include residential treatment services (villages); children's advocacy centers; therapeutic foster care; group homes; child abuse prevention, education and training; and the National Day of Hope®, part of National Child Abuse Prevention Month every April. Several of Childhelp's programs were firsts, and continue to be studied by professionals worldwide as "models that work." Sara O'Meara and Yvonne Fedderson continue to actively lead the organization and provide its vision, serving as Chairman/CEO and President, respectively.

Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway, an ASA Member Track, is a ½ mile dirt oval track is located on U.S. Route 17, eight miles north of Saluda, VA and 25 miles south of Tappahannock, VA in Jamaica, VA. The speedway is just a short drive from Richmond, Fredericksburg, Southern Maryland and the Hampton Roads area.

To learn more about Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway fans may call the Speedway office at (804) 758-1VMS or visit the track’s web site at www.vamotorspeedway.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: DAVE SEAY (804) 758-1867 OR (804) 357-7223

Back to News