Crashfest 2010 highlights at Thunderhill Raceway
October 6, 2010
Duke O’Connor (TexasHighDef) caught the action at Thunderhill Raceway’s Crashfest this past Saturday. Flames, racers dressed in drag, school bus wreck, boat races…. you get the idea.
Lone Star Speedzone - TexasHighDef spotlight on Cary Stapp
September 30, 2010
Pro Truck driver Cary Stapp has racked up an impressive record at Thunderhill Raceway and, more recently, at Houston Motorsports Park. Duke O’Connor (TexasHighDef) and I (Lone Star Speedzone) caught up with Cary at THR’s “2010 Texas Stock Car Spectacular” this past weekend. Here’s what he had to say.
Thunderhill Raceway and Mary Ann Naumann ready to move ahead with racing plans for 2010 and beyond
November 16, 2009
After some uncertainty about the future of its property lease, Thunderhill Raceway (THR) in Kyle (TX) has reached a tentative agreement with the landowner.
“We’ve had several meetings with the landowner, and negotiations have gone well,” said Mary Ann Naumann, THR’s Owner and Promoter. “A proposal has been drafted, and everything is now being processed through our attorneys. We expect to sign the final agreement in the next few days.”
As a result of the agreement, the management of Thunderhill Raceway plans to move full-speed ahead with its plans for the 2010 racing season.
“I’m really excited that this new agreement gives us the opportunity to race next year and hopefully beyond then,” Naumann said. “We’ll continue to provide updates as we move forward with our plans for next year.”
To get ready for the 2010 season, Thunderhill Raceway is planning a drivers’ meeting on Saturday, December 12, 2009, at 2 p.m. In addition to giving the drivers an opportunity to register for next year, the rules for all classes – including Naumann’s Texas Super Racing Series (TSRS) - will be distributed at the meeting.
A pre-season registration discount will be offered to drivers who sign up for next season at the meeting. Drivers will also be given the opportunity to get the discount by registering early on line via Pay Pal (more information to follow).
Prior to the meeting, tentative 2010 schedules for both Thunderhill Raceway and TSRS will be released, hopefully within the next couple of weeks.
“We also want to remind everyone about the 2009 THR/TSRS Awards Banquet that’s scheduled for Saturday, January 16,” added Naumann. “Our drivers, staff, media and sponsors deserve to be recognized, and this banquet will be a great opportunity to honor our champions.”
The awards banquet will be held at the Manchaca Firehall & Community Center at 1310 FM 1626, Manchaca, TX 78748. The banquet will begin with a Social Hour at 5 p.m., followed by an all-you-can-eat catfish dinner at 6 p.m., an awards ceremony at 7 p.m., and live music from 10 p.m.-midnight.”
Thunderhill Raceway is a 3/8-mile, D-shaped asphalt oval track located at 24801 IH-35, on the access road just north of San Marcos (TX) near Yarrington Road (Exit #210). Information on Thunderhill Raceway may be found on the track website at www.thunderhillraceway.com.
by Debbie Williams, THR Media & Public Relations Director
“Hot” tickets for the upcoming Allstate Racefest recovered after a successful police “sting”
February 18, 2009
To hear Full Throttle Production’s Tavo Hellmund tell it, the saga of the stolen tickets to their March 14 Allstate Racefest auto racing event at Thunderhill Raceway in Kyle, Texas, was almost as action-packed as the upcoming on-track racing action promises to be.
A portion of the recovered Allstate Racefest tickets
“I’m telling you, Nick,” Hellmund said in a phone interview with Lone Star Speedzone on Tuesday, “ this whole deal unfolded just like those reality police shows you see on TV.”
Hellmund and his Full Throttle Productions business partner, Aryn White, had ordered tickets from a company in Georgia, but the tickets never arrived even though the FedEx on-line tracking system showed that the shipment had been delivered.
After calling the ticket company and FedEx numerous times in a futile effort to locate the tickets, reportedly worth about $178,000, they faced the reality that the tickets had most likely been stolen so they began checking various popular internet sites that featured classified advertisements.
According to Hellmund it didn’t take long before an ad for the “discounted” tickets showed up on Craiglist, a no-cost classified ad service popular with internet users. The Austin Police Department was notified and a “sting” operation was set up to catch the culprit red-handed.
And just like in those reality shows, again according to Hellmund, the police and Federal law enforcement officers responded to the ad, arranged to meet the unsuspecting suspect and, after two false alarms where the seller did not show up with the tickets, the third try was successful. The detectives met with the suspect near MoPac and Slaughter Lane on Feb. 10 and purchased four tickets, according to the arrest warrant.
Caught with his hand in the cookie jar, the suspect reportedly confessed and a warrant was obtained to search the suspect’s living quarters where the rest the FedEx packages – some un-packed and some not - and other mail that was not addressed to the suspect were found according to published reports.
Paul Michael Dejesus
Paul Michael Dejesus, 21, has been charged with theft, a second-degree felony, and is currently in the Travis County Jail on $200,000 bond.
“In spite of the unusual circumstances, we plan on honoring any and all tickets that may have been purchased in good faith,” Hellmund said. “But if you know you are a victim of this scam, please contact the Austin Police Department since they are interested in obtaining as much evidence as they can to help convict this individual.”
“The police are keeping the rest of the stolen tickets as evidence,” Hellmund explained, “so we have obtained new tickets that look nothing at all like the stolen ones. I want to emphasize that anyone who has purchased tickets through our Full Throttle Productions website need not worry because tickets purchased on-line will be available at the “will call” window at Thunderhill Raceway two or three hours before the gates officially open. And, as I said, we will be honoring tickets purchased in good faith by our race fans. “
Earlier Tuesday a news conference was held at the Austin Police Headquarters in Austin. Representatives from all four major network TV stations attended as did at least three radio stations and various print media outlets.
The Allstate Racefest event will be held on Saturday, March 14 at the 3/8-mile paved, D-shaped Thunderhill Raceway oval in Kyle. Major sponsors include Allstate Insurance, NAPA Auto Parts, Mercedes Benz, Budweiser and South Side Wrecker Service.
For more information about Racefest, visit http://www.texasthunder200.com/racefest.html
By Nick Holt
Photos courtesy of Full Throttle Productions and Austin Police Department
Stacy O’Brien named Thunderhill Raceway Race Director
February 12, 2009
With the start of the 2009 racing season just a few weeks away, Thunderhill Raceway (Kyle, TX) officials are proud to announce that Stacy O’Brien will fill the recently-vacated – but very important – position of Race Director.
Stacy O’Brien
O’Brien will begin this important role during the March 21 season opener for the local classes. She takes over for Rick Day – following his decision to return to his hometown of Tampa, FL, a few weeks ago. Mary Ann Naumann, THR Owner/Promoter, feels that O’Brien was the perfect choice for the Race Director position.
“I knew that Rick left behind some hard shoes to fill, and I’m confident that Stacy will do a great job in the Race Director position,” said Naumann. “She’s a tough gal, but she also understands and sees things from many different perspectives. I’m really looking forward to having her become such an important part of an already incredible staff.”
Formerly known at the track as Stacy Millard, she and Ronnie O’Brien were married just a few months ago. O’Brien also has a 15-year-old stepdaughter (Katie) and an 11-year old daughter (Brittany). O’Brien lives in Thorndale (TX), and she’s also a Legal Assistant who serves as the Office Manager for a local law firm.
O’Brien’s racing career began in the 1990s where she started as a scorekeeper at Longhorn Speedway (Austin, TX). She was also hired as a scorekeeper for the Texas Pro Sedans and became the Assistant Scorekeeper when the doors were opened at Thunderhill Raceway (THR).
Eventually, O’Brien became part of the staff for the Texas Super Racing Series (TSRS) Late Models – serving in several capacities as a scorekeeper, a pit area assistant and the Assistant Race Director for the series. She also served as the Pit Steward for THR in 2007
“I’ve done just about everything at the track, except drive a race car,” joked O’Brien. And she feels that being a part of the “Thunderhill Raceway family” is also important. “I know that racing is a family sport, and I’ve always felt like I was part of the family at THR.”
O’Brien is very excited about this new opportunity at THR. “I’m really looking forward to being the 2009 Race Director for Thunderhill Raceway,” said O’Brien. “I think my years of experience, especially with the many different positions I’ve held, will give me a special insight into all of the different aspects of racing.”
Thunderhill Raceway is a 3/8-mile, D-shaped asphalt oval track that’s located at 24801 IH-35, just north of San Marcos (TX) near Yarrington Road (Exit #210).
Thunderhill Raceway will kick off its 2009 racing season on March 14 with the Allstate Texas Racefest. Full Throttle Productions is hosting this popular annual event that will feature the NASCAR Grand National Division, USAC National Midgets and the TSRS Late Models.
The THR local classes – including the ASA A-Line Super Stocks, Thunder Stocks, Grand Stocks, Mini Stocks and NasKarts – will be part of the March 21 season opener that will also include the Allison Legacy Series, Pro Modifieds and SportMods. The racing action will begin at 6 p.m.
For more information on Thunderhill Raceway, visit the THR website at www.thunderhillraceway.com. Information on the Allstate Texas Racefest may be found at www.texasracefest.com.
Brooke Daniels to be Allstate Texas Racefest’s “Official Starter” and trophy presenter
February 9, 2009
Full Throttle Productions – producer of the “Allstate Texas Racefest” – announces MISS TEXAS USA® 2009 Brooke Daniels as the official starter and trophy presenter for the three-time award winning event held on Saturday March 14, at Thunder Hill Raceway in Kyle, Texas just outside of Austin.
Brooke Daniels
In 2009, the 5th annual Allstate Texas Racefest is the only place in the country where fans will see both a NASCAR race and a USAC race at the same facility on the same day.
In addition to giving the command to “start your engines” and present the trophies to all the race winners, Miss Daniels will participate in the autograph session starting at 5:00pm on race day.
“We are very happy to welcome Brooke to Racefest this year,” Tavo (CT) Hellmund, co-founder of Full Throttle Productions, said. “Brooke is an outstanding young woman and a wonderful choice to represent Texas in the MISS USA® pageant in April. We understand why she is a favorite to go on to the MISS UNIVERSE® later in the year.”
The brown-eyed blonde beauty, who was named last year as one of the 25 most beautiful people by H-Texas Magazine, is a senior at Sam Houston State University. With plans to earn a masters degree and to pursue a career in television and film, Brooke is majoring in mass communications with a minor in radio and television, and she enjoys a career as a professional model.
Finding joy in helping others, Brooke supports various community and charitable organizations including the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, the Ovarian Cancer Foundation’s Sprint for Life, the Periwinkle Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Shriners Hospitals, and others. After witnessing the effects of Alzheimer’s disease in her grandfather, Brooke has gained a particular interest in that disease and in supporting those who care for its victims.
The eldest of three children, Brooke is family-oriented and likes to spend time at home reading, cooking, scrap booking, and playing with puppies, Houston and Charlie. For a good work-out, she trains with weights and takes long runs with her IPOD. Her other interests and activities are hunting, karaoke, and going to the movies. Atypically for a young woman her age, she hates spending time texting and chatting on her cell phone!
As MISS TEXAS USA® 2009, Brooke will spend the months prior to the national pageant acting as a goodwill ambassador, making appearances on behalf of sponsors and charitable organizations, giving motivational speeches, and preparing for the MISS USA® competition.
For Information and tickets, visit www.texasracefest.com
About the MISS USA®
The MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® Pageants are a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal partnership. Utilizing its nationwide grass roots infrastructure, the Miss Universe Organization is committed to increasing awareness of breast and ovarian cancers. By forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education, such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Gilda’s Club, Miss USA is armed to educate women today.
About the Allstate Corporation
The Allstate Corporation is the largest publicly held personal lines insurer in the United States and the second-largest of all personal lines insurers in the U.S. Allstate was founded in 1931 as part of Sears, Roebuck and Company. Allstate sells 13 major lines of insurance, including auto insurance, home insurance, life insurance, and commercial insurance. Allstate also offers retirement and investment products, and banking services. Its advertising campaign is centered around its “Your Choice Auto” product, which offers accident forgiveness and lower deductibles.
About Full Throttle Productions
Full Throttle Productions, LP is an Austin, Texas, based sports and special event production company that provides event project management, day of event oversight, staffing and volunteer services, venue planning and logistics support.
Thunder Hill Raceway
Located just outside of Austin on IH-35 in Kyle, Texas. Exit #210 (Yarrington Road)
Photo courtesy of LoneStarGridiron.com
Mini Stocks making their debut at Thunderhill Raceway in 2009
December 16, 2008
KYLE, TX – In today’s economic situation, everyone is looking for more affordable ways to do things – and Thunderhill Raceway is no exception.
Starting with the 2009 racing season, Thunderhill Raceway will be introducing a new “Mini Stock” class to bring a new, affordable opportunity to potential racers.
The Mini Stocks will be a novice class that consists of domestic or imported compact, front-wheel drive cars. These cars will be completely factory stock, with safety modifications only. An unaltered VIN plate must be on the vehicle – along with the factory installed engine, transmission, wheels, etc. No aftermarket parts of any kind will be allowed.
A few safety modifications will be required – including a four-point roll cage, driver door bars and a window net. A racing seat and five-point racing harness are highly recommended.
“If you’ve always wanted to be a race car driver and you don’t want to spend a lot of money, here’s your chance to be a part of the action,” said Rick Day, Race Director at Thunderhill Raceway. “You can find a lot of great deals on this type of car and spend a minimal amount of time and money to get it ready to race.”
The detailed rules for this new class will be announced at the Drivers’ Rules and Registration meeting on Saturday, November 22, at 4 p.m., in the THR Garage Lounge. Drivers will be able to register and reserve a car number for this new class at this meeting. The complete schedule for 2009 will also be announced during the meeting.
Thunderhill Raceway is a 3/8-mile, asphalt D-shaped oval track that’s located at 24801 IH-35, just north of San Marcos (TX) near Yarrington Road (Exit #210).
For more information on Thunderhill Raceway, visit the THR website at www.thunderhillraceway.com.
Contact: Debbie Williams, 210-685-0400 (cell), debbie@thunderhillraceway.com
Thunderhill Raceway Public Relations Director
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