WEST SALEM, Ws. -- The racing event that Midwest fans mark on the calendar is coming up in just six weeks, the 43rd Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend at West Salem, Wisconsin's La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway. The four-day event will take place October 4th through 7th, 2012 and will feature over 500 cars competing in 18 different divisions.

There will be two new divisions at this year's event. The Late Model Oktoberfest Challenge race will consist of eight laps on the 5/8th mile oval, and then eight laps on the quarter mile track. It will be an event that will put the test to every driver that is competing in it. The Mini Stocks/American Short Trackers will be making their first ever appearance at the historic event, and will be competing on the 5/8th mile track.

“Oktoberfest is always about tradition along with bringing in something new or different each year,” Chuck Deery, Oktoberfest Race Weekend Promoter said. “The Late Model Oktoberfest Challenge will be something totally different that should be fun and exciting to watch. The Mini Stocks and American Short Trackers will allow us to welcome more local racers to be a part of this event that didn't fit into any classes in previous years. Combining these two new events with our traditional Oktoberfest Divisions will make this year's Fest another great Oktoberfest.”

Action will get underway on Thursday, October 4th with racing at 6:00pm. The Super Late Models "The Futures" Race, La Crosse Late Models, La Crosse Sportsmen, Thunderstox, Hornets and Double-O will highlight a busy first day of racing.

Day two continues on Friday, October 5th, with racing action starting at 5pm featuring one of the more popular events on the weekend's schedule, the Dick Trickle 99 for the Super Late Models. This unique 99-lap race is broken into three fast 33-lap segments. Each race will keep fans on the edge of their seats, and with the unique race format, the overall winner may not even be the driver pulling into victory lane. The Area Sportsmen and ASA Midwest Truck Tour will also be in action.

It has become known as Super Saturday and it will be again this year on October 6th. The Big 8 Late Models will determine their 2012 Champion along with the Mid-American Stock Car Series. The ASA Midwest Tour will have their preliminary races along with the hard charging Outlawz on the quarter mile. Mini Stocks/American Short Trackers will be in action, one of the new additions this year. Racing action will get underway at 5pm.

The final day will be a great afternoon of racing on October 7th at noon. The ASA Midwest Tour will have the annual Oktoberfest 100 to determine their 2012 Champion. The third annual JMCK 63 Invitational for the Big 8 Series will return, and always is a great show. The Bandits, Vintage Cars, Enduro and the new Late Model Challenge race are also scheduled for Sunday afternoon.

Along with the great racing action, there will also be traditional events for fans including Friday's Pet Costume Parade, a Cornhole Tournament on Friday and Saturday, Saturday's Memorabilia Show, Sunday's Charity Pancake Breakfast, Champions' Re-Union, and Pumpkin Coloring Contest, and of course, the famous after-race parties with live music from The Freezers.

The Oktoberfest Race Weekend Fan Guide, detailing just about everything "Fest," is now available to download at www.oktoberfestraceweekend.com. The website also features information about camping, hotels, rules & entry and more.

Make your plans now to be a part of the 43rd Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway. It is a tradition like no other in short track racing.