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The Kenai Peninsula Racing Lions are trying to reinvigorate themselves, and the tepid economy may actually be helping the organization.

Jackie McGahan is the new KPRL president, and also is the new leader of the Circle Track Division. Barney Phillips is the KPRL vice president and the new president of the Motocross Division.

Both have reason to believe the sluggish economy is helping draw more racers to Twin City Raceway.

The opening day for the stock car racers was May 23, with races also held Saturday night. McGahan said there were just three B-Stock cars at opening day, but said such a low number is typical early in the season.

He's heard of eight new cars being built, including three brand-new cars.

"Maybe it's just the economy," McGahan said. "When the economy goes bad, I've heard racing goes up. People are just looking for things to do closer to home."

At the first motocross city race of the season, which was held Saturday, Phillips said the field was 40 to 45 bikes, an increase over last year. That field included riders from Homer, Anchorage, Wasilla and Fairbanks.

"With the high fuel costs, we didn't get riders from Anchorage and Wasilla last year," Phillips said. "Nobody wanted to drive a motor home down here with gas that high.

"This year, there is more interest and excitement."

The circle track and motocross divisions are trying to work together to increase interest not only in their sports, but in motor sports in general.

Posters have been put up around town with both the motocross and circle track schedule. Phillips also said KPRL will be taking advantage of radio advertising that it didn't take advantage of last year. KPRL also has a new Web site this year, located at www.kprl.net.

The stock cars will have several new wrinkles, in addition to the popular "Thunder Under the Lights," which will be Aug. 29. On July 4, there will be a 50-lap, B-Stock feature.

"We've never done one that long before," McGahan said.

On July 25, there will be a demolition derby on the infield of the track. McGahan said it has been 10 or 15 years since Twin City saw a demolition derby.

McGahan said a track for remote-control cars is being constructed at the north end of the KPRL grounds, and there also is talk of having tough trucks race on the infields on some weekends.

"It's really a nice piece of land we have out there," McGahan said. "We'd like to open it up to all kinds of motor sports."

Phillips added KPRL would be open to adding an area for bicycles and a skateboard ramp.

The Motocross Division will put on six city races, as well as two weekends of state races. The state races will be June 13 and 14, and Aug. 8 and 9, and are expected to draw over 250 riders. Both city and state races cost $5 for fans, and are free for kids 12 and under.

Cory Davis, a professional snocross racer, and Ricky Bailey, who has won multiple state titles in motocross, got together to make some changes to the motocross course at Twin City.

"We're kind of looking to rebuild," Phillips said. "We had a group that moved up and got jobs and went to college. That made things fall off a bit, so we're trying to renew interest.

"I think there are a lot of families that would be involved if they knew about it."

Phillips said local business have come together to create a nice facility, complete with pump-assisted watering capabilities.

"This is so much better than when we were over at the Soldotna airport," Phillips said. "It was medieval the way we did things back then."

The new leadership at KPRL also is thinking about expanding racing into the winter. McGahan said some of the most fun racing he's done is on a snowmachine around the ice-covered oval at Twin City Raceway.

Phillips said getting some snocross racing to Twin City Raceway has been considered.

"We don't want to sit with the status quo," Phillips said. "The only revenue we draw is in the summer. It'd be a good thing to get some money in the winter so the club could keep the accounts up.

"I know a lot of the motocross riders also ride snowmachines, so it would be a good fit."