Big Bear, Ca, January 12, 2012, 5:00pm –
The Big Bear Valley is home to motor sports racers in a variety of disciplines, from desert racing to short track, dirt and asphalt racing, motorcycles, junior dragsters, and even go kart racing. This week motor sports racers were honored at the Napa Auto Parts Racer of the Year dinner and banquet. Over 50 people were in attendance to recognize racers of the year Ernie Serfas, and Rick Romans who both took the championships in their respective classes. Serfas races 1450 trucks, and Romans races class 1 unlimited, both with Mojave Off Road Racing Enthusiasts, down in the Johnson Valley area. The youngest racer in attendance was seven year old Austin Edwards, who is following his father Tony’s footsteps into the racing arena. Austin has been racing go karts since he was five years old, and next year Austin will be of age to start competing in Bandoleros, which is a vehicle with a high performance small engine, and helps transition youngsters from go kart to a full size car. Other local race champions include Cliff and Jim Conklin, Johnny Russo, and Sean Walters. The Mojave off-road racing will start up for 2012 on January 21st, with other forms of racing to follow.
