From Asphalt to Announcer:

By Vaughn James and Tracy Shaw-Harris

PABLO — During the first annual Montana Asphalt Challenge held at the Mission Valley Speedway, this past Saturday. The Char-Koosta News was able to catch up with Russell Burland, who has this season changed rolls from being a racecar driver to announcer.

Russ grew up around racing for most of his life, racing has been in his blood since the early years. As a young boy he became exposed to racing through his great-uncles, when he would come and watch them race week after week. Since then it has grown into a passion. He says the most important aspects he has learned about racing, is having a good time and having fun.

Russ built his first racecar in 1995, that same season he started racing. In the beginning, it was Russ and his cousin B.J. Gardipe who made up the pit crew, so-to-speak. "Who ever wasn't driving that night was the one behind the wrench doing the necessary mechanic work to keep the car on the track," says Burland. It was quite a challenge in the early years.

Three years after he first started racing, Russ went on to win his first championship in 1998 when he won the Bomber Series of that season. Russ became a champion again in 2005 in the Hobby Stock division.

The main aspect that brought Russ from the racetrack to the announcer booth was the fact that he sold his racecar. He saw that MVS was looking for an announcer and he volunteered for the position and felt honored of his selection. This was his way he could still follow his racing passion. He says that it has been a very smooth transition, due in part because he knows the guys that take the track every week, and he knows racing. Russ does plan to come back as a driver in the 2008 season. He is currently working on his car in order to reach this goal. He says one of the main things that he would like to share with the local race fans is, if anyone is interested in getting started racing it is not unreal to come out and race. He invites everyone to come out and have some real fun.

The next race will take place at the Mission Valley Speedway on Sat., June 23, with time trials starting at 6 p.m. and racing to start at 7 p.m. Kids 12 years old and under get in free. If you would like to learn more about Mission Valley Speedway please log on to their web site at: www.missionvalleyspeedway.com.

Mission Valley Speedway is owned and operated by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.