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By TIM SOUTHERS, USAR
Here at USAR we are beginning a new tradition for the upcoming year.
Each week we will have a column posted to inform you of the latest
happenings in the USAR Hooters ProCup Series. As we inch closer to the
holidays, I thought an appropriate first column would be one of thanks.
Thanks to the competitors, sponsors, fans and members of USAR. We
enjoyed an unbelievable year in 2001 as we ventured into new territory
with the ProCup cars.
This year, unfortunately, will be remembered for more important things
than racing. September 11th will never leave the minds of this
generation. On a lighter note, racing has been very good for USAR and we
are so lucky to have the gifts we received this year from all of you. I
would like to thank the people and places we were fortunate enough to
visit and work with in 2001.
Thank you Bob Brooks, Hooters of America, Eastern Foods Inc., Lucas Oil
Products, Goodyear, Sunoco, Racing Electronics, Miller Beer, W. J.
Plemons Investments, Lance Snacks and all the great sponsors who made it
possible for USAR to enjoy a wonderful year.
Thank you Hallbrook Productions, Speedvision, Fox Sports Net, Empire
Sports, Comcast Sports Net, Action Sports Cable Network, Comcast
Philadelphia and Sunshine Network and WYHS in Louisville, KY. Your
coverage helped bring us to the masses.
Thanks to all of the USAR members and competitors who supported this
Series throughout the season, were willing to believe in us as we
continue to grow.
Thanks to all the track operators who gave us a chance in 2001 and for
the ones who are either rejoining us or becoming new stops on the 2002
schedule. We appreciate the support and trust you have shown in this
young and vibrant stock car series. We have enjoyed visiting your
facilities and look forward to seeing many of you again very soon.
The Series was born out of tragedy - and thanks to the countless hours
of dedication and work by too many people to mention in this column - it
has grown faster than even Bob Brooks could have imagined. The USAR
Hooters ProCup Series is proof of how dedication to a common goal,
commitment and trust can help build something bigger than any one of us
could have completed alone.
Are we finished yet? Not even close. Will we continue to strive to build
an honest, fair and competitive Series that keeps the interests of
competitors, sponsors, fans and tracks at the forefront? You bet. Yes,
there have been, and probably will be, a few bumps along the way but if
everyone stays on course, we will achieve the final goal – to become the
premiere short track series in the country. Not the biggest, flashiest
or even richest, but a Series that can be proud of were it came from and
how it has grown.
Thanks to our extended family of supporters even in today’s tough times
USAR can continue to strive and move towards higher and higher goals. As
Mr. Brooks puts it, “racing has been good to us and we want to be good
for racing.”
So far racing and USAR have been good for everyone involved. Have a
great holiday season and Happy New Year!!
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