SMETHPORT — Dirt track racing returns to the McKean County Fairgrounds this spring, summer and fall as the new promoters, members of the Gallup and Bigley families bring years of varied experience in the sport to their jobs at the newly-named McKean County Family Raceway.
‘When we found out nobody was going to lease the raceway for the 2018 season, we decided that with our extensive racing interactions and passions for racing, to step forward,” Shirley Bigley said.
Full Circle Productions, LLC was formed earlier this year with seven members: Cecil and Phyllis Gallup, Larry and Shirley Bigley, Mark and Krystin Schweikart and William Bigley.
The Gallups were directors of the McKean County Fair when the one-third mile oval opened as the McKean County Fair Raceway in 1983 after being shut down for many years. Larry Bigley was racing there at that time.
Bigley and his wife, Shirley, were married in 1986, staying involved and building their family while racing and volunteering at the MCFR.
“Our son, William, and son-in-law, Mark Schweikart, are third-generation drivers, and our daughter, Krystin, has been pit steward for the last five years,” said Shirley. “
MCFR has released the following schedule of 15 events, including an Enduro:
April 29: Practice, 3-6 p.m.
May 5: Ron Baker Memorial – Crates, Pro Mods, Pure Stocks, Mini-Stocks, Kids’ Class
May 19: Crates, Pro Mods, Mini Stocks, Pure Stocks and Kids’ Class
May 26: Jason Dunham Memorial – Crates, Pro Mods, Pure Stocks, Mini-stocks and Kids/ Class. $5 grandstand for all current and former personnel with ID
June 2: Crates, Pro-Mods, Pure stocks, Mini-Stocks, Kids’ Class and bicycle Races
June 16: 6 p. m. start – ULMS, UEMS, Crates, Pro Mods, Mini-Stocks and Kids’ Class
June 30: Jim and Mike Duffy Memorial – ULMS, Pure Stocks, Mini-Stocks, Kids’ Class, Pro Stocks and Super 6 Late Models
July 3: (Tuesday – No Points) – Star-Spangled Special – Super Late Models, Pro Mod/Economods, Pure Stocks, Street Stocks, Bicycle Races
July 14: Don Hardy Memorial – Crates, Pro Mods, Pure Stocks, Mini-Stocks and Kids’ Races
July 21: Lee Anderson Memorial – Pure Stocks, Super Late Models, super 6 Late Models, Crates, Mini-Stocks and Kids’ Class
July 28: Ralph and Peggy Grimes Memorial – Crates, Pro Mods, Pure Stocks, Mini-Stocks and Kids Class
August 4 – Bill Bigley Memorial – Pro Mods, Crates, Pure Stocks, Mini-Stocks and Kids’ Class
August 16 (McKean County Fair) – RUSH Crate Late Models and Mini-Stocks
August 25: End of season for Crates Pro Mods, Pure Stocks, Mini-Stocks and Kids’ Class
September 28 (Friday, 7: 30 p. m. start) – Fall Invitational – Classes to be Announced
September 29 Fall Invitational – Classes to be Announced
September 30: Enduro
Starting times are 7 p. m. unless otherwise posted
