Fifty two TQ Midgets and seventeen Champ Karts were ‘in the building’ Friday afternoon, the building being the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton, N.J., for pre-race practice laps prior to Day One of the fourth running of the Battle Of Trenton Indoor Auto Racing events produced by Len Sammons Motorsports Productions.

The Indoor racing begins in earnest at 7:30 PM tonight, December 9, and will consist of Triple Twenties for the TQs and a 20-lap feature for Champ Karts.

The main event takes place Saturday, December 10, with the 40-lap TQ Midget ‘Battle Of Trenton’. Slingshots will be the Saturday Support class, practicing for the first time Saturday afternoon, then qualifying for and running in a 20-lap feature.

Among the more intriguing entrants are the Penndel, Pa., based Hieber brothers, Kyle and Gary, Jr. The brothers put their racing careers on hold in 2016 after the passing of their grandfather, Eugene ‘Red’ Hieber, who mentored the careers of his two sons Gary, Sr., and Danny before aiding the racing efforts of his two grandsons.

Kyle Hieber was high up on the non-binding but indicative TQ Midget speed chart; Gary, Jr. will hit the track for the first time Saturday afternoon when the Slingshots are scheduled.

Seven time Indoor TQ Midget feature winner Ted Christopher of Plainville, Ct., shook down the TQ owned by Trey Hoddick that was driven to victory in the 2014 Battle Of Trenton by Andy Jankowiak. Jankowiak, pf Buffalo, N.Y., in turn, is entered in a car formerly driven by Bobby Holmes, also of the Buffalo area.
Three time winner inside Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall, Anthony Sesely of Matawan, N.J., drove a car owned by Lou Cicconi, Jr. for the first time and experienced fuel pump problems in his first practice.

The track surface was fast from the first few practice laps, with two distinct grooves taking shape almost immediately.

Spectator gates open tonight at 7:30 PM and will swing wide to welcome spectators at 7:00 PM for the finale Saturday.