Signups for the 2008 Gumball Rally have officially begun. The annual event is scheduled for the weekend of April 19 and 20 at Perris Raceway. 1996 World Champion and current National Champion Billy “The Bullet” Hamill is promoting the event for the fifth time since resurrecting the event several years ago. There will have at least five different divisions of competition: an exhibition team event, Powder Puff, Pee Wee (perhaps split into two divisions), Second Division Juniors, and First Division Juniors. The event will consist of an open practice on Saturday, April 19 with riders of all ages welcome to participate. The Gumball Rally meeting itself will be held on Sunday, April 20. There will be overnight camping at the facility. Hamill is proud to announce that former World Champion Ivan Mauger has stated his intention to attend the event as well and will serve as Grand Marshall of the event. Defending Gumball Rally Champion Jason Ramirez has already signed up to defend his championship. Ramirez also captured the Youth National Championship last year as well and he would like nothing better than to start 2008 by taking home another of the coveted Gumball machine trophies that are presented to the winner. In keeping with the theme of younger riders and the tradition of the event’s junior roots, the intention of the team event will be to feature riders who are 21 or younger or are have raced junior speedway in the past. Riders who fit those two qualifications will have priority to participate in the team event. Riders who wish to sign up can do so by e-mailing Ryan Evans at sideways31@aol.com through Thursday, April 17. Each rider who signs up for the race by this date is guaranteed a gift bag, so it is imperative to be signed up by this date. Entry fees for Sunday’s race are $40 per rider and $10 per mechanic. The spectator fee will also be $10 and there will be an open pit so family and friends can spend time with the rider that they came to cheer on. There will be more announcements regarding this special event coming soon.