.png)
SPRING CITY, TN – Racing veteran Morris Bice of Soddy Daisy, TN will begin his new role as Race Director this Saturday night at Mountain View Raceway. Bice brings a plethora of experience in racing to his new role. Bice was named by track owners Kelvin and Susan Hampton to the position this week and will replace Interim Race Director Shannon Norwood.
“We knew Shannon Norwood had prior commitments and could only help us out for a couple weeks until we could find a permanent Race Director,” Susan Hampton said. “Through Shannon, and several other people, the name Morris Bice kept coming up as a good fit for our Race Director. We quickly knew he was our man.”
Bice has had over a 40-year career as competitor in both dirt and asphalt late model racing and has competed on both short tracks and super speedways. Bice has also had a full career in law enforcement. That gives him the two main ingredients need to fill the role as a Race Director, racing experience and people experience.
“The Hamptons have done a tremendous job bringing this old race track back to life and giving it a whole new look that has made it the finest dirt track in the South,” Bice said. “I’m honored and proud that they have chosen me to be their Race Director and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to help them make this place grow even more.”
Bice has been observing the last couple of weeks at Mountain View Raceway, getting to know the staff and the weekly competitors at the ¼-mile high-banked clay oval. Bice likes what he sees from both entities.
“The staff and officials here at Mountain View Raceway are very good with a lot of experienced people,” Bice said. “They treat people like they’ve invited them into their own home and make everyone feel welcome. That’s the key to getting them wanting to come back. I think we can all work together to give the fans and competitors alike a timely show. That’s our goal.”
The first race for Bice in the Race Director’s chair will be this Saturday night for the $1,000-to-win $75-to-start Front-Wheel-Drive Division Special Non-Points Race. There will also be Regular Weekly Points races for the Late Model, Sportsman, Beginner Sportsman, Open-Wheel Modified, B-Hobby and Thunder Divisions.
This Saturday, the Pit Gate opens at 3 p.m. and the Grandstand and Tier Parking Gates open at 4 p.m. There are new times beginning this Saturday for competitors with Pre-Race Registration and Technical Inspection from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Drivers Registering after 6 p.m. will start at the rear of a Heat Race or get one lap of Qualifying. The Drivers Meeting is set for 6:15 p.m.
Pit Passes are $25 for Adults, $15 for Children 6-11, and Children 5 and under are admitted Free. The General Admission and Tier Parking ticket prices are $10 for race fans 12 and older, Children 6-11 are $5. and Children 5 and under are admitted Free. All Children must be accompanied by an Adult.
Mountain View Raceway where you can get “Your Thrill By The Hill” is located at 20626 Rhea County Highway (U.S. Highway 27), Spring City, TN 37381. For more information, call 423-507-2619 or visit the track website at www.mountainviewraceway.com. You can also like the Mountain View Raceway Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/mountainviewraceway.