LACEY’S SPRING, Ala. (Jan. 5) – Bill Mahan hopes to make race trucks as popular on dirt ovals as they are on asphalt. In fact, the
Lacey’s Spring, Ala., native hopes they can become equally popular on both surfaces – and affordable to race as well.
Mahan, a longtime
driver on both asphalt and dirt, is heading the newly-formed Southern Super Truck Series presented by Riverside Gun, Pawn, Auto &
Tire. Mahan plans to stage half of the $1,500-to-win events on asphalt and half on dirt, making it one of the most diverse racing
series in America. The series will pay $2,500 to its champion based on a 20-race schedule.
“I love racing on asphalt, but my heart
is in dirt racing. I feel like there are a lot of good drivers who come from the dirt ranks,” said Mahan. “I don’t see any reason
why these trucks can’t run on both surfaces. To me, it will give us a chance to find out who the best drivers are. There are some
who will have an advantage on dirt and some who will have an advantage on asphalt.”
As a youngster just learning to drive a racecar,
Mahan honed his driving skills on asphalt at Huntsville (Ala.) Speedway. After turning his focus to dirt Late Model racing, Mahan
became a winner with the Southern All-Star Super Late Model Series and the Rick’s Racing Series tours, while regularly visiting victory
lane at dirt tracks in northern Alabama and middle Tennessee. The former Bama 100 winner did it all on while racing on a shoestring
budget as well, which is why one of his top priorities is trying to keep costs down in a sport that’s always tugging on the wallet.
A diverse ability among the drivers, along with the ability to balance their check book is what Mahan hopes his Southern SuperTruck
Series can showcase. While the diversity part is up to the drivers, Mahan hopes the series tire rule will make it easier on the drivers
as they switch back and forth from the two varying surfaces.
Drivers will be required to run a D.O.T. street radial. Racing tires will
not be permitted. Instead, any brand 275/60/15 or 255/60/15 is legal. Full series rules will be available online soon.
With drivers
in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee showing interest, Mahan is currently in the process of putting together a schedule
for the 2010 season. For more information about the south’s most unique, exciting new racing series, or to talk to Mahan about sponsorship
opportunities, call (256) 468-7494. E-mail inquiries can be made at southernsupertrucks@yahoo.com.
Response positive for first-year series
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (Jan. 25) – After spending three days at the Southern Racer’s Auction and Trade Show, Southern SuperTruck Series founder Bill Mahan was pleased with the response he received from racers and the interest he received from tracks and potential sponsors.
“I thought we had great response. The drivers are really interested in the series … they’ve been ringing my phone off,” said Mahan, who had a booth at the event displaying the Southern SuperTruck Series-style truck. “We were able to talk to several tracks as well and we’re happy to say that we do have some dates that we will be announcing very soon.”
Mahan added that he’s been in contact with numerous parts manufacturers and racing suppliers who have shown interest in joining the series as contingency sponsors.
“We still have to work out some details, but we hope to be able to announce some additional sponsors very soon,” Mahan said.
Anyone interested in becoming a marketing partner with the series can call Mahan at (256) 468-7494 or send e-mail inquiries to southernsupertrucks@yahoo.com.
Plans unveiled for diverse truck series