Reality Show Gives Racing Enthusiasts Their 15 Seconds of Fame

(ARA) - What is your favorite thing to do on the weekends? If the first answer to come to mind has something to do with cars, particularly of the racing variety, you’ll want to make plans to attend the filming of an upcoming PINKS All Out episode. The schedule for the 2008 season has just been released.

For each episode of season two on SPEED TV in 2008 (there will be 9 of them at different tracks across the country this season), 450 grass roots drag racers will be invited to qualify for a shot at the final PINKS All Out 16, where competitors race for the lion’s share of an $18,000 overall purse ($10,000 to win) and a new NAPA tool chest.

Hosted by creator and executive producer Rich Christensen and produced by Pullin Television out of Los Angeles, the television show rigors its on-air technical advisors (brothers Nate and Adam Pritchett) to select a field of 16 cars based upon a subjective elapsed-time grouping determined through two time-trial sessions. Prior to each Saturday shoot, racers will have the opportunity to pre-register their race cars and take part in a Friday “test n’ tune.”

Because the races will draw a lot more spectators than drivers, there will also be a variety of exhibitions and competitions happening on the sidelines. In the midway area, local vendors, manufacturers, supporters and groups will have the opportunity to elevate their involvement and showcase their wares or talents.

“The coolest thing about this show is it’s about grassroots racing. Average Joes get the opportunity to bring the cars that are their pride and joy out to the track to show them off and have fun, while at the same time going after a big cash prize, and getting their 15 seconds of fame on national television,” says PINKS technical advisor Nate Pritchett.

Here’s the schedule for the 2008 season of PINKS All Out. Please note that pre-registration and Test n’ Tune will be held the Friday prior to every shoot, and that dates and locations are subject to change. Rain dates will be scheduled for the following Sunday.

Dates and locations are:
March 8, San Antonio Raceway, San Antonio, Texas;
March 29, Red River Raceway, Shreveport, La.;
April 19, Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, Fla.;
May 10, Atlanta Dragway, Atlanta, Ga.;
June 7, Summit Motorsports Park, Norwalk, Ohio;
June 28, Gateway International Raceway, St. Louis, Mo.;
July 26, Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, Englishtown, N.J.;
Aug. 9, Bandimere Speedwayl Denver, Colo.;
Sept. 6, Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, Calif.

“PINKS All Out is a terrific concept, not only as a television program, but also as a track event for the regional drag racing community. We’re delighted that SPEED has selected Infineon Raceway to anchor the PINKS schedule in 2008,” says Steve Page, Infineon Raceway president and general manager.

“PINKS All Out is one of the most innovative entertainment packages on television today! Furthermore, the opportunity to attract such a large live audience for a ‘made-for-television’ event makes PINKS All Out one of the most dynamic and exciting events on our 2008 schedule,” adds Bill Bader, Jr., president and general manager of the Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.

PINKS All Out can be seen on SPEED every Thursday night at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. Pacific only on SPEED. For more information on contestant entry or to purchase spectator tickets, log onto www.SPEEDtv.com.


EDITOR’S NOTE:

SPEED is the nation's first and foremost cable television network dedicated to motor sports and the passion for everything automotive. From racing to restoration, motorcycles to movies, SPEED delivers quality programming from the track to the garage. Now available in more than 78 million homes in North America, SPEED is among the fastest-growing sports cable networks in the country and, the home to NASCAR on SPEED. For more information, visit www.SPEEDtv.com.