Gresham (Ga.) Motorsports Park

“Beau Slocumb was like a very close family member to us at Gresham Motorsports, the leadership he gave to our racing community and especially my grandchildren was invaluable. We are very pleased to honor and celebrate his life by hosting the first annual ‘Beau Slocumb Memorial 100’ during the up coming World Crown weekend on Saturday night, November 12, 2011” said Track Owner, Jim Gresham.

Slocumb began his racing career at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the Legends series before graduating up to the late model ranks. In total, Slocumb earned 131 feature wins in Legends and late model competition. Slocumb then moved on to ARCA competition, making four starts in 2009. He was able to compete in the 2009 World Crown 300, finishing 3rd, and in a majority of the 2010 late model races at GMP.

“Beau personified the very reasons we redeveloped Peach State Speedway into Gresham Motorsports Park, and we are proud that his name and spirit will be a part of the soul of this facility,” said Track Owner, Tony Gresham.

“Beau lived life like he raced,” said GMP General Manager, Dan Elliott. “I have never met a driver that put more heart and soul into his racing. Beau raced with pure adrenaline, pure passion and with a determination that would make a driver a true champion. He never came to the race track to run second, he always came to win. Beau was such a major influence to all of those he came in contact with and a driving force behind the positive atmosphere he created.”

In the spring of 2011, Slocumb lost his epic battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Jessica, parents Burke “Buster” and Jeanne, brothers Seth and Daniel and sister Maggie.

The Slocumb Memorial 100 will take place at Gresham Motorsports Park on November 12, 2011. The event will feature a 100-lap Pro Late Model race following the Renegade race, Mini Stock race, and the Outlaw Late Model race.

Tickets start at just $15 and kids 12 and under are FREE!

Please visit our website, www.GreshamMotorsportsPark.com, for information and details about the Rheem World Crown 300 and GMP. Also, join the GMP fan page on facebook or follow GMP on Twitter @ GreshamMP.

- Gresham Motorsports Park Press Release

NOTES

Car(s): #10 Ford Fusion PLM

#10 Ford Fusion SLM

Engine (s): Ford Racing Crate Engine (PLM)

18 Degree Super Late Model Engine (SLM)

Sponsor(s): Can Am Spyder-ATV/Comfort Inn-Pensacola Beach

Event/Series Notes

Event(s)/Date(s): PLM Allen Turner Snowflake 100-December 5, 2009

SLM 42nd Annual Snowball Derby 300-December 6, 2009

Venue: Five Flags Speedway–Pensacola , Florida

Track Size: ½ mile (.500)

Series: N/A

Standings: N/A

QUOTES

-Once again this year longtime Snowball Derby weekend sponsor Comfort Inn on Pensacola Beach has come on board plus you just signed on Can Am Sypder-ATV as a last minute deal, what does it mean for companies like these to be involved with a race team such as yours?

“First off I want to thank Comfort Inn for their continued support even in a tough economical year and with Can Am coming on board here in the last day or two I’ve really been lucky. It really shows how great both companies are and their involvement this year means more than ever. Whenever local companies get involved it not only goes a long way for my team, but when it’s a local company involved you can easily help them achieve the return on investment. Just like this year we always try to refer other teams and fans to them (Comfort Inn-Pensacola Beach) and then Tuesday night before the Derby I am speaking at the local Rotary club meeting in downtown Pensacola . In addition to that we’ll have a Can Am Spyder on display the entire Derby weekend. Things like these are what make sponsorship work not just putting a name on the car.”

-Explain what the Snowball Derby means to you and your family each year and take us through your 2009 season that has lead up to the Derby weekend?

“The snowball derby is the last race of the season for my family owned team. We try to make the most of it since it is our last one of the year and the Five Flags venue is the closest track to our home in Panama City . I’ve had a fair amount of success at Five Flags Speedway and hope to continue with a win at the Snowball Derby. The 2009 season was a short season for me since I have ran a select amount of races and had a short tenure in the ARCA RE/MAX series. Not racing as many venues in 2009 forces me to put great effort into the Snowball Derby to make up ground on what I missed during the regular season.”

-What is your fondest Derby weekend memory thus far since you’ve competed?

“Without question, winning the 2007 Allen Turner Snowflake 100 would be the fondest memory of the Snowball Derby weekend of my racing career so far. I have won lots of races but none come as close to coming from the last chance race to win the trophy of the 100 lap main event. Hopefully this year will be my year to notch the Snowball Derby off my list of races to win.

-You won the Snowflake 100 pro late model race in 2007 and over the last few years we typically see you with both the pro and super late models come Derby weekend, will that be the same case this year and what does it take to make both cars successful on an already stressful weekend of racing?

“This year we’ll again be fielding entries for both the Snowball and Snowflake races. I have both car configurations and it makes perfect sense to enter both events with full intentions on taking home the trophies for both races. Both cars have their own identities and drive completely different. The most effective way to prepare the cars is to focus on each one entirely on different days to ensure both cars are at their greatest potential of winning their respective races.”

Stay tuned to www.ryancrane10.com for all the latest news and information regarding Ryan Crane Racing in 2009.

- Ryan Crane Racing Press Release