Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, August 4, 1994                   TAG: 9408180079
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: S-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

A RACE DAY FULL OF MISHAPS AT NEW RIVER SPEEDWAY

Problems included a windblown camera, audio difficulties and scheduling overruns.

Television had come to the track.

Around 40 people were involved in the live broadcast of the WDBJ TV-7 200. Thousands of feet of extra cable had been stretched around and above the track. And seven cameras were placed strategically around the track - from the speed shot on the front stretch to specially built scaffolding in turns 1 and 3.

The station had a satellite truck, a production truck, an engineering truck, two microwave trucks and a mobile microwave unit - a golf cart.

Staying on schedule was something out of the station's hands, however, once coverage started - the racing ran on its own schedule. The first 100-lap Late Model race had four cautions for 22 laps. Then the 35-lap Limited Sportsman race had four cautions and one red flag, slowing things down a bit.

The second Late Model race was slowed by 10 cautions for 42 laps. The last yellow caused a lot of groans because it sent the race past midnight. The race coverage began at 9 p.m. and was scheduled for 21/2 hours. Most people estimated the TV racing would last three hours at most. So when it ended up going more than three hours - until 12:10 a.m. Sunday - many VCRs missed the end of the race as Michael Ritch passed first-race winner Johnny Rumley for the win.

TV ATTENTION: Not everybody at Franklin County Speedway in Callaway was looking at the races on the track.

At least two television sets were tuned in to the coverage from NRVS. One was in the infield pits, the other in the administration building.

THIS WEEK AT THE TRACKS: It's a two-race weekend at NRVS.

Saturday is the Virginia's 13 WSET 300. The feature is a 200-lap Late Model race. Gates open at 2 p.m; the green flag drops at 8. Tickets are $10 for adults and $1 for children 12 and under.

Sunday, the Enduro Cars make their second appearance at NRVS. The "no caution" race runs for 100 laps or two hours, whichever comes first. Gates open at 9 a.m; the first race is at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults - or $5 with a ticket stub from Saturday - and $1 for children 12 and under.

At FCS, it is the J-93.5 FM 300 with a Late Model feature.

The 25th anniversary celebration continues with extra events and recognition of longtime drivers and employees.

Among those to be recognized is Wilton Agee, the flagman and the original owner of the track.

Gates open at noon; racing starts at 8. Tickets are $5 for adults; children 10 and under are free.