The mention of the "Pink Panther" to some, may conjure memories of the entertaining and colorful Saturday morning cartoon character, while to others it strikes a remembrance of the likeable and bumbling detective, Inspector Clouseau, played by the great Peter Sellers.
But to a sprint car fan, the Pink Panther is only known as the #73 sprint car and driver, Kramer Williamson.
Williamson lost his life last August at the age of 63, in a sprint car qualifying event at Lincoln Speedway, and was a veteran driver with over 40 years of racing experience. The Palmyra resident had accumulated nearly 150 career sprint car wins in the United States, Canada and Australia, while also amassing track titles, as well.
In recent years, Williamson and the famous Pink Panther concentrated on traveling with the United Racing Company (URC), an was a three-time series champion, while amassing 67 victories with the touring group.
Tomorrow night, the URC joins the Selinsgrove Speedway in presenting the 1st Annual Kramer Cup Memorial event, with a 25-lap feature event, which will pay $2,573 to the winner. Selinsgrove was one of the few tracks in which he won a track championship (1978), and many special tributes will be shared tomorrow at the Snyder County half-mile oval.
The activities begin with a car show at noon at Selinsgrove Ford and includes many driver autograph sessions and photo opportunities, along with t-shirts, foods and games. For the first time ever, beginning at 4 p.m., the main street of Selinsgrove will be shut down to passenger car traffic as all race cars will be escorted cross town from the Ford dealership to the Speedway. The Speedway's Pace Truck and the Williamson Family with the famed #73 sprinter, will lead the parade.
The Pink Panther #73 and Keith Prutzman's #28 URC sprint car, featuring a tribute to Williamson, will be parked on the grandstand side of the track for race fans to visit, before the racing action.
Fans are encouraged to wear some form of pink attire, as a "pink-out" in remembrance of Kramer.
A complete program of qualifying events will set the field for the 25-lap sprint car feature, and the super late models and pro stocks are also on the card. Gates open at 5 p.m. and racing begins at 7:30.
Will Tony Stewart return to action again this weekend at Selinsgrove? The stars of NASCAR are up the road at Watkins Glen International.
Following rain issues on Friday evening, Big Diamond tries to return to action tonight with the three division show of DIRTcar 358 modifieds, sportsman and roadrunners. Also returning to action following Mother Nature's outburst last Friday, Williams Grove Speedway presents a doubleheader of 358 and 410 sprint cars. "The Grove" will host its popular "Saturday Night Series" tomorrow of the winged super sportsman, limited late models and street stocks.
In other area action this weekend ithe prestigious Forrest Rogers Memorial for the NASCAR 358 modifieds at Grandview Speedway, a 50-lap feature event will pay a minimum of $10,000 to the winner, which honors the memory of the man who built the speed plant in the early 1960's. The limited late models and sportsman also join the action tomorrow night....Port Royal has the 410 sprint cars, super late models and extreme stocks on their schedule tomorrow...Lincoln Speedway hosts a three division show of 358 sprint cars, 410 sprint cars and central Pa. Legends Series....Maryland's Hagerstown Speedway presents a full slate of stock car action including a special "topless event" for the super late models, late model sportsman, pure stocks, hobby stocks and four cylinderstocks...Mahoning Valley Speedway will have the ATQMA (3/4 midgets) joining their regular divisions of modifieds, late models, street stocks, dirt modifieds, pro four cylinders and hobby stocks at a discounted $10 general admission...
News down the straight line finds Beaver Springs Dragway hosting their 13th Annual "Flashback Friday" event tonight, as over 36 Nostalgia Super Stockers are expected to do battle at "The Beav".
Junior Stockers, 165 MPH WFO street cars, Vegas Fuel street racing and other racing action is planned for tonight, while tomorrow finds the annual "Pack the Track" event, highlighted by the 422 Motorsports Nostalgia Super Stock Circuit.
The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series is off this weekend, following the three consecutive, Western Swing. Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car) and Jason Line (Pro Stock) were winners at last Sunday's 27th Annual O'Reilly Auto Parts Northwest Nationals in Seattle. Only two races remain before the six-race, Countdown to the Championship begins, as the 30th Annual NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway (October 2-5) is less than 60 days away. Tickets are available by contacting the track office at (610) 856-9200 or MapleGroveRaceway.com.