IMI Motorsports Complex
Erie, Colorado, USA

1st Annual E. E. "Bud" Ormiston Memorial Invitational
July 11, 1998 - IMI Motorsports Complex
From: Jennifer Susich, fainche@earthlink.net

July 10 & 11 were phenomenal. Friday was Speedway only, with 21 riders trying to qualify for one of 16 spots and two reserves for Saturday. The evening started with a little rain and Bouncin' Bobby Richards pointing out a shimmering rainbow over the track, drawing our attention to Bud and focusing us on our purpose for the weekend: to remember and honor a great man. Scotty, Bud's son, was in the first and the last races of the evening, winning both.

Saturday, July 11th, Bud's 65th birthday, is a day I will never forget. We had a record 132 entries between flat track, Speedway, Micro Sprints and Karts, and we had over 900 spectators. Before the first Speedway heat, our 16 riders and two reserves walked onto the track for an introduction to the crowd. There was a happy solemnity in their eyes and stance. They all received medallions commemorating the evening and the crowd cheered.

Scotty "Speedway Gypsy" Ormiston, Rob "Fire" Ball, Pat "The Rat" Litt and Fuzzy Bucky Blair were the top four point leaders and advanced to the main. It was a tight race, with Litt coming in first, followed by Ball, Ormiston and Blair, respectively. Litt was given the checkered to make a lap around the track and break the tape. The four riders were placed on hay bales and given special trophies to celebrate the evening and Bud Ormiston. Thanks to all of our riders and fans who made this evening extra special.

During awards, Scotty was given a plaque displaying a picture of his father and engraving that commemorated the event, along with one of the Ormiston Memorial Race posters that was signed by riders, Speedway fans and friends of Bud. I will never forget the eyes of Scott and the rest of our Speedway racers and their families as they spoke with us during and after the races. Bud was a wonderful man who touched many lives and will never be forgotten. Thanks, Bud.

Finishes
Place Points Rider
1st 15 #28 Pat "The Rat" Litt
2nd 12 #17 Rob "Fire" Ball
3rd 12 # 9 Scotty "Speedway Gypsy" Ormiston
4th 13 #39 Fuzzy Bucky Blair
5th 11 # 3 Dave "Colorado Cowboy" Pieper
5th 11 #11 King Kenny Pieper 7 Points
6th 9 #45 "Thumbs Up" Chuck Johansen
7th 7 #80 Bouncin' Bobby Richards
8th 6 #74 Tom "Kamikazee Kid" Kern
8th 6 #57 Gene "The Dancin' Machine" Petz
8th 6 Corky Blair
9th 3 # X Allen "X Man" Williams
9th 3 #39 Chad "Slippers" Mann
10th 2 #21 Conn Harris
10th 2 #27 Mike Rohr
11th 1 # 4 Calvin "The Calvinator" Harrington
11th 1 #14 Jay "Do or Die" Gruetzmacher
12th 0 #67 Ron "Amazing" Grace, Jr. 6 Points