Mike Babicz

44th BARS LET’S GO RACING MOTORSPORTS 7 CUSTOM CAR SHOW PRESENTED BY LARRY ROEBUCK READY FOR GREEN FLAG

(Antioch, IL, Thursday, April 14, 2024)–The green flag on the 2024 racing and car show season is quickly approaching.  The Babicz Auto Racing Services(BARS) 44th Let’s Go Racing Motorsports & Custom Car Show Presented by Larry Roebuck will be 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday, April 20th at Waukegan Harbor Marina.

    Motorsports and street vehicle entries are coming in daily as the event approaches.  

    “We’re very excited about this event returning to the town where it began, Waukegan,” said Mike Babicz, show promoter and 2023 Southeastern Wisconsin Short Track Hall of Fame inductee, voice of Wilmot Raceway and host of upcoming Let’s Go Racing Show podcast on 216TheNet.  “The interest and enthusiasm has been amazing.  We have the support of Larry Roebuck who has been with the show over the years as a participant with his race car from Waukegan Speedway days, his sponsorship of the Best Appearing Overall Award, and this year, he’s bringing his custom street car.”

    “The show is going to have some firsts as well,”  Said Babicz, expressing appreciation to Robert Allan Kutzler, operations director for Waukegan Harbor Marina.  “Since the announcement back in September of the date on a cold, rainy fall afternoon with Robert, the momentum has grown.  We both are looking forward to a great event.”

    Green Town of the Rocks will be opening, have food and beverage available, and allow use of its stage. Waukegan Harbor Marina hosting the event on its grounds for the first time ever.

    A great group of marketing partners are supporting the event.  Roebuck is sponsoring his traditional Best Appearing Overall Award.  The Best Appearing Young Racer Award in honor of the memory of Lois Hafford,  Allen “Taters” Hafford late grandmother, will go to one of the youth on hand.  Wilmot Raceway is supporting the event through event awards sponsorship.

    Traditional hats to participants supplied through the support of MLS Auto Clinic will be handed out. A Main Apparel, B&L Office Furniture of Kenosha, Body Craft of Antioch, IL; Force 1 Performance Parts, Grand Appliance & TV, Goodwin Performance, JAX Helmet Designs, Steve Sinclair with the Interstate Racing Association(IRA) and Whitmore’s Truck & Trailer a marketing event supporters.

    “All types of motorsports are welcome with dirt and asphalt car teams all having indicated plans to attend.  Oval track, drag racing and motorcycles are all invited,” said Babicz.  “We have received some emails and text message photos of really sharp looking street cars.  This will be the first major event which brings the best of both worlds, motorsports and street vehicles, together in one location on the beautiful Waukegan lakefront.”

    Racing Roundup with Jim Tretow will be broadcasting live beginning when the show officially opens at 11 a.m.  Numerous guests will be joining Tretow on the air.

    “Most Wanted,” a band based in southern Wisconsin, will be performing on the Green Town stage 1:15 until 3:30 p.m.  The show is slated to take its checkered flag at 4 p.m.

    An exhibition and information by Shadow Circuit Remote Control Car Drifting Club members is planned.

    A corn hole bags “fun” tournament as a fundraiser for the young racers with motorsports machines in attendance is planned thanks to the cooperation and support from Lucky Dog Bags & Swag.

    The License Plate Garage of Mundelein, O’Reilly Auto Parts and Riddick’s Ride are among vendors expected to be on hand.  Complimentary schedules and information on local, regional and national racing events will be available.

    A get together of fans, competitors, crew members or staff from “Ghost Tracks” like Lake Geneva Raceway, Rockford Speedway, Waukegan Speedway, Hales Corners Speedway, Sante Fe Speedway, Raceway Park, Iliana Motor Speedway, Oshkosh, Manitowoc, Columbus 151, Adams-Friendship Fairgrounds among others, are all invited to stop by for some “bench racing” and to bring memorabilia from days gone by.

     “We still may have some surprise announcements, so we recommend fans to keep an eye on social media and the Waukegan Harbor Marina website for more information,” said Babicz, noting the show is free for participants and the public.  “The buzz of interest is high.  We ask everyone attending to come as early as possible so we can get vehicles situated, people can help with the clean up, and be ready at 11 a.m. when the show happens.  It’s time to say Let’s Go Racing!”

    Prior to the show, Waukegan Harbor Marina will hold its annual Earth Day Spring Cleanup 8 until 11 a.m.

  “We are encouraging everyone, including drivers, crew members and fans, to come early to help with this all community part of the day,” said Babicz, who has headed up previous shows at Wilmot Service BP Convenience Store, Waukegan Glen Flora Plaza, Belvidere Mall, Lakehurst Mall, Kenosha Outlet Mall and Lynch GM Superstore in Burlington, WI.  “This is a first for area motorsports to have a great venue overlooking the shores of Lake Michigan.  I can not thank everyone enough who has come together to make this happen.” 

    For further information, or to pre-enter although not required, contact Babicz at michaelbabicz@aol.com