44TH BARS SHOW HEATS UP LOCAL MOTORSPORTS SEASON

(Waukegan, IL, Saturday, April 20, 2024)–Over 50 participants and several hundred fans braved a chilly Earth Day weekend to see race cars and custom street cars at the 44th BARS (Babicz Auto Racing Services) Let’s Go Racing Motorsports & Custom Car Show presented by Larry Roebuck at Waukegan Harbor Marina Saturday, April 20.

    Mel Babel of Pleasant Prairie, WI brought his 1965 C-10 Chevrolet Pickup Truck – Restored 1969 IRA Super-Modified which received the Larry Roebuck Best Appearing Overall Award.  “This is an honor with all of the many great looking race cars and street vehicles that participated,” said Babel, who formerly worked on pit crews of Kim Mock, Dennis and Sam Spitz, and others over the years.  “This car has a lot of history with it.  The late Bill Klein drove it and it raced at a lot of tracks.  I can driver it now which I did last year at Wilmot Raceway for IRA Founders Night.  I am looking forward to that again on Memorial Day weekend, May 25.”

    “This is really a pleasant surprise,” added Babel, who started up the car and revved the engine during the Racing Roundup live remote podcast hosted by Jim Tretow, veteran national radio, television and race track commentator and announcer.  “It took a lot of hours to restore it, but it is virtually race ready now.  This is the way we used to take race cars to the track back in the old days.  Open trailer with a pickup truck carrying our tools, fuel, jack, a tire rack with the spares tires and wheels, and the car on an open trailer so everyone saw it going down the road and would sometimes follow us to the race track or ask where we raced it.  Those were the good ole’ days and I enjoy remembering the history of local short track racing.”

 “Mel’s entire set up from the truck to the race car and even the trailer itself is immaculate, with all of the chrome polished and shining and the fuel cans, everything, so authentic,” said Roebuck, who him self has been involved in the BARS show since its inception either as a driver from his Waukegan Speedway days in the late 70s, to some time spent at Kenosha County Fairgrounds Speedway(now called Wilmot Raceway) and the now closed Hales Corners Speedway, to sponsoring the Best of Show Award with his former business Larry’s Mobil downtown Waukegan, a crew member for his son, Matt, when he raced a Lightning Sprint to Wingless Driver Jimmy Sivia, to a “cruiser” with his 1962 Chevrolet Impala he brought to the show and was the first arrival.  “I enjoy seeing the detail everyone has put into bringing these cars and trucks down to the show.  This brings back a lot of memories to the old shows.  This is great.”

    The show originated at Belvidere Mall in Waukegan based for Waukegan Speedway entries.  It moved to Lakehurst Mall then to the Factory Outlet Center in Kenosha, both now torn down, outdoors at Glen Flora Plaza, Lynch GM Superstore in Burlington and Wilmot Service/BP Convenience Store in downtown Wilmot.  

    “There will be a 45th BARS show next year right here at the Waukegan Harbor Marina thanks to the relationship and cooperation of Green Town on The Rocks, Robert Allan Kutzler, Harbor operations manager, the Waukegan Police Department, City of Waukegan, and of course, the drivers, crews, car cruising enthusiasts, and the public who supported this traditional season opening event for car shows and the racing scene,” said Babicz, 2023 Southeastern Wisconsin Short Track Hall of Fame inductee and track voice of Wilmot Raceway and other area motorsports events.  Babicz made the announcement jointly with Kutzler during Racing Roundup.

    Colin Sivia, a fourth-generation racer, currently running a winged outlaw sprint kart, received the Youth Best Appearing Award in Memory of Lois Hafford, presented by Allen “Taters” Hafford, Lois grandson..  

    “This means a lot to me because Allan Hafford has been a big part of our family, on and off the race track,” said Colin as he received the award from “Taters” and his son Giovanni.  “I have to thank mt mom and dad, Grandpa (Darrell Dodd) and all of my sponsors and everybody who helps.  We’ll race for the first time next week(Friday, April 26).”

    Top 10 award recipients are Mike Sivia of Zion (37 Chevy); James Sivia of Beach Park (65 Chevelle); Ron Celesnik of Pleasant Prairie (70 Camaro); Jimmy Sivia of Winthrop Harbor (IRA Wisconsin WingLESS Sprint); Jordan Funderburk  (IRA Lightning Sprint); Tyler Kuxhouse, Antioch (IRA Wisconsin WingLESS Sprint); Derek Crane, Racine (IRA Wisconsin WingLESS Sprint); Ryan Marshall, Kansasville (IRA Wisconsin WingLESS Sprint); Allen Hafford, Beach Park (IRA Wisconsin WingLESS Sprint); and Scott Carpenter, Pleasant Prairie (Bandit 4-Cylinder Stock Car). 

    “Despite the cool temperatures, we had a great turnout,” said Babicz, with Kutzler concurring.  “This went way beyond our wildest expectations for the first time at this location.  We may have some additional shows here during the summer, and race cars will be a part of Green Town’s Octoberfest in the fall.”

    The next show BARS is working on will be Wednesday, June 12 at the newly opened Culver’s on Hwy. 75 in Paddock Lake.  Show hours are planned 4 p.m. until dark.  For additional information, or to register, email Babicz at michaelbabicz@aol.com.  

    Award sponsors were Waukegan Harbor Marina, Wilmot Raceway, Larry Roebuck and Allen Hafford.

    Show hosts were Waukegan Harbor Marina, Green Town Tavern on the Rocks and the City of Waukegan.

    MLS Auto Clinic of Paddock Lake, Eddy and Debbie Boyd, who supplied traditional hats for all show participants. Additional Marketing Partners were Interstates Racing Association-Steve Sinclair; Great Lakes Dragaway; B&L Office Furniture of Kenosha; Force 1 Performance; Grand Appliance & TV; JAX Helmet Designs; A-Main Apparel & Die Cast; Whitmore Wrecker Service of Waukegan; Lake County Hose & Equipment; and Cabins On The Lake, Friendship, Wis.

    Shadow Club coordinated by John Hilliard set up a course on the closed street demonstrating RC drifting racing.  

    Most Wanted featuring Dr. Ken Schenk of Delevan and Patti Sommerfeldt of Janesville entertained the crowd with Country Music. 

    Food was available by Bella’s Kitchen.

    A bags “fun tournament” was held courtesy of Lucky Dog Bags & Swag along with Mike Malueg from his son, CJ Malueg Sprint Car Team.  Riddick’s Ride representatives along with the youngest show participant, Colin Sivia, each received a donation collected from the show attendees.

    License Plate Garage of Mundelein and Goodwin Performance of Zion each had displays with information.  

    Schedules and giveaways were provided by Wilmot Raceway and Great Lakes Dragaway.

    The Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association opened its season at Beaver Dam Raceway on Saturday evening, April 20.  The AutoMeter Wisconsin WingLESS Sprints Powered by Gandrud debut Saturday, April 27 at Plymouth Dirt Track. Wilmot Raceway opens its season on Saturday, May 4 with Wisconsin WingLESS Sprints, IMCA Modifieds, IRA Lightning Sprints and Bandit 4-Cylinder Stock Cars on the program.

    Great Lakes Dragaway is open every day except Mondays, unless a special event is planned.

    Media partners included 216TheNet Let’s Go Racing Motorsports Report live stream; Racing Roundup Live Stream which also broadcasted live from the Green Town Stage; Rusty Silber & Ron Grace; 98.3 The Life; and Rebel Radio WPJX AM 1500 AM/92.5 FM.

    Prior to the show the traditional Earth Day Clean Up of the Harbor/Marina was held with assistance of US Coast Guard Auxiliary and Waukegan Police Department.