While winter-time keeps Ohio in its grasp, Dragway 42's racers and family members as well as crews and fans are looking forward to the track's annual Awards Banquet and rules meeting which is just a few weeks away.

For 2012 the event returns to first Saturday in February, this year falling on Saturday, February 4th.

This year's event will feature over 3 dozen racers being recognized and receiving nearly $9,500 in cash and prizes which they earned through their performance and participation in Dragway 42's 2011 Championship Points Program.

All attendees at the Awards Banquet will be eligible to receive some of the thousands of dollars worth of door prizes which will be awarded. In addition, participants will also have the chance to win a 2012 Dragway 42 Special Events "Gold Card".

This year's event will feature the traditional schedule of a social hour with snacks, coffee, beer, and soft drinks beginning at 6 PM. A buffet style dinner being served at 7 PM.

The awards presentation as well as a meeting outlining Dragway 42's programs for the 2012 season will follow.

As has been Dragway 42's practice in past years, racers who attend this event will also have the opportunity to take advantage of the discounts offered exclusively at the banquet for the track's 2012 point series entry as well as permanent pit parking spots for the 2011 season.

In these still difficult economic times, Dragway 42 continues to offer outstanding value to its customers, and 2012 is no exception.

For the SIXTH STRAIGHT YEAR, Dragway 42 is holding the line on prices by having no change in the price of adult banquet tickets. In addition, for a 4th straight year, Dragway 42 is offering a discounted banquet ticket price for youths age 12 and younger.

One of the ways that helps Dragway 42 help its customers by controlling banquet prices is by offering tickets on an advanced purchase basis only. This allows Dragway 42 to provide the catering company with an accurate headcount a few days before the event, so an appropriate amount of food can be prepared for the event. Less waste for the catering company allows them to provide the track (and banquet attendees) with the best price possible.

Tickets are offered by mail order using a check or money order while those with a credit card may make their purchase online.

Adult tickets are $30 each while the discounted youth tickets for those 12 and younger are $20 each.

Mail orders must be postmarked by Friday, January 20th. The online order deadline is Monday, January 23rd.

As it has for the past several years, Dragway 42's Annual Awards Banquet will again be held at the Barberton Moose Lodge Annex Building located at 272 31st Street N.W. in Barberton.