INDIANAPOLIS -- A major announcement was made regarding upcoming events for the nation's most entertaining motorsport, Figure 8 racing. The sport that pits a roster full of very talented drivers on track to challenge the dangerous intersection twice on every lap sees its culminating event every September with the $20,000-to-win World Figure 8 Championship held in Indianapolis. In 2008, the grand contest developed the perfect support system for the herald week, the World Figure 8 Tour. This series of crossover contests gives teams an opportunity to prepare and compete with their hand-built machines under these ultimate racing conditions.

Saturday evening November 21 came the proclamation that the Sportsdrome Speedway would be joining the tour campaign. Southern Indiana's primary source for great asphalt short track racing since 1947 is located in Jeffersonville adjacent to Interstate 65. The schedule for World Figure 8 Tour III will kick-off the championship points gathering with a 50-lap main event September 25, 2010 at the Sportsdrome. The Gibson family owns and operates the legendary track that has hosted some of the nation's best Figure 8 racing over the six decades.

'We are very happy to have a World Figure 8 Tour event on our schedule', stated Sportsdrome promoter Mike Gibson. 'It is exciting to be joining the Speedrome as a stop on the campaign. They are a track with a deep family oriented history similar to ours'. The speedway that entertains the enthusiastic fans from Southern Indiana and Northern Kentucky has an incredible roster of home track crossover gladiators. Names like Chris Harmon, Mark Harmon, Tony Anderson, Artie Ware and Raymond Johnson are just the tip of the iceberg. It is also the place that 1988 World Champion Leonard Basham displayed his skills for decades.

The excitement over a tour stop has been taken to a higher level as the Sportsdrome is currently receiving a brand new racing surface. The makeover should produce some exhilarating speeds and close competition on the quarter mile. 'I can't wait to race on the new surface', said reigning World Champion and most recent Sportsdrome Late Model Figure 8 feature winner Ben Tunny. The September date is a crossover fans doubleheader delight. That day will see the home track stars do battle in the 44th Annual Mid-Western 75-lap Extreme Winged Figure 8 Championship.

The World Figure 8 Tour III then moves to the Speedrome for round two on October 9, 2010. That night will see the star drivers compete in the 9th Annual North vs. South 100. In the past this contest has seen cars from Michigan and Kentucky test the Hoosier best. Three-time event winner Jack Dossey Jr is joined in North/South race history by fellow victors Bill Tunny Jr, Bruce Tunny, Danny Turner, Eddie VanMeter, and Ben Tunny.

'We are thrilled to have the Sportsdrome Speedway on the tour schedule', proclaimed series race director Kenny St. John. 'Jake, Mike, and Cindy Pike run a first-class facility with a great support staff. Their track and the Indianapolis Speedrome are always focused on providing the best racing entertainment'. The Speedrome has been running motorsports events since 1941 and is the World's Home of the Figure 8. Since 1977, the Indianapolis Speedrome has hosted the three-hour long endurance race that is the reason this series was created.

World Figure 8 Tour III then returns for events 3 thru 6 at the Speedrome in 2011. The dates for those century-length main events are April 29, June 10, July 1, and July 22. Each event will consist of qualifications, heat races, and a thrilling feature. The overall series champion will receive a minimum of$1000, a 5-foot trophy, and a locked-in starting spot for the 35th Annual World Figure 8 Championship on September 10, 2011, Stay tuned for upcoming news on the World Figure 8 Tour additional dates, tracks and television.