Can The Posse Pull It Off?
After months of negotiations, Speedworx, Promoters of the Ruapuna Powerbuilt Speedway can confirm the American Sprintcar drivers who will contest the three big local meetings on 14th, 16th & 23rd February. Two of the most exciting drivers to emerge on the USA dirt circuits are both from Pennsylvania and race with the PA Posse which have a huge following of race fans. Steve Buckwalter (Royersford) and Jim Siegel (New Oxford) are part of the younger generation of the PA Posse and when the 'World of Outlaws' race in Pennsylvania these two drivers are right in the thick of it in helping the PA Posse to often beating the Outlaws - no mean feat!
Steve Buckwalter races full-time driving 410 Sprintcars at Williams Grove & Lincoln Speedway and is also a proven Micro Midget and Midget driver. He has qualified for the' A Main' at the Chilli Bowl and for the last three years has qualified 1st at the Williams Grove World Of Outlaws Show.
Jim Siegel is a 3rd generation driver of the Siegel family, his father Steve a very successful Sprintcar racer for 31 years. Jim's first season racing (2001) running 358cu Series, he managed to win his first feature race and broke PJ Chesson's eight lap record. In 2003 he was named 410 cu 'Rookie' of the year and in '04 won his first 410 Feature. Siegel is fast becoming known as 'Mr Smooth' because of his fast, natural, intelligent and seemingly effortless style of driving.
On Tap for '08
2007 promises to be an exciting season for Steve as he plans once again to compete in a wide range of open wheel classes. The main focus this year will of course be the winged 410 sprint car of Clair and Jan Ritter which will primarily be raced in Central PA as well as Steve's self-owned midget which will kick-off the season at the prestigious Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, OK.
As usual, when Steve's busy schedule allows, he will be found at a racetrack somewhere possibly running 270cc or 600cc micro sprints or both, TQ midgets and even look for the Ritter 17b to go wingless on a few occasions throughout the season.
Following the Chili Bowl, Steve Plans to travel to New Zealand for a few weeks of racing. Steve's journeys will hopefully gear him up for the start of the Central PA 410 season as the team plans on running races at Historic Williams Grove Speedway and Lincoln Speedway as well as many other tracks including, Port Royal, Grandview, Hagerstown, and Selinsgrove just to name a few.
