RSS FeedGRANTS - The Sixth Annual Bill Hatten Memorial Race was held on the evening of July 4. The event drew hundreds of people in memory of a founder of the Uranium Capital Speedway.
  
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Families enjoyed watching their favorites drivers, from the old seasoned racers to the young looking to upset, which is exactly what Bill Hatten would have wanted.
“The thing Bill and I tried to work with was the kids. We had bike races, go-karts and class for first time drivers,” said Marie Hatton. “It was a lot of work and a lot of fun.”
When the youngsters would climb into the drivers' seat and get hooked on racing, there would be little time to get into trouble.
Marie Hatten experienced the reward of busy children as many racing moms have.
“Having sons that race, it takes them all week long on the car before it was ready to race,” she said. “I can say I haven't had to get them out of jail and none of them are on dope.”
The Hattens ran the Grants Motor Machine Shop for many years, where Bill was an esteemed mechanic, known for top quality work. Marie said he was a man who never took short cuts and many times gave away work.
Hatten spent many years on the track before retiring his racing uniform and picking up volunteer duties.
His passion for his family and vehicles grew with a dozen offspring racers carrying on the tradition, including a great-grandson Cody in the go-kart.
Because of the Hatten family and their hard work, the Speedway has been transformed into a track worthy of hosting the Hobby Stock Nationals this year. Complete with lighting, adequate seating and concessions the track has become one of the most frequented sites in the state.
Hatten passed on Oct. 3, 2003, but his legacy remains in the track he loved and through a community that returned the love, with a passion for racing.
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