ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- Indoor auto racing at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. features four different types of race cars.

The 10th edition of the event under the direction of Len Sammons and staff is planned for Friday and Saturday nights Feb. 3-4, 2012. TQ (three quarter) Midgets, dirt 600cc Micro-Sprints, Slingshots and Champ Karts will be in competition.

Traditionally, it has been the sleek, lightning fast Three-Quarter Midget machines and their drivers that attract the lion’s share of pre-race interest. However, much attention in the past week has revolved around the upright dirt 600cc Micro-Sprints.

Jimmy Carpenter, the Atlantic City Indoor Race’s defending champion of the 600cc Micros, admits the cars are unpredictable to drive. “There’s a different feel to racing on concrete indoors than anything else,” Carpenter admits. “We got lucky last year but will come prepared to win this time.”

“I was surprised last year when I won,” said Jimmy Carpenter, 42 of Manchester, N.J. “And it was an even bigger surprise for me when my good friend Rob Vivona (Staten Island, N.Y.) finished second.”

Carpenter prevailed over a decimated field that was more than halved by several huge crashes and many more minor ones.

Carpenter, who spent the 2011 outdoor season racing winged 305 and wingless 360 Sprints, would like nothing more than to repeat in this year’s 600 Micro feature but knows a that stout field of rivals. Early entries also include Brett Michalski, Penndel, Pa., Ed Wilberg Sr., Newark, Del., Jason Ormsby, Warsaw, Ind., and Greg Smith, Westfield, Mass.

Racers wishing to enter any of the divisions competing in Atlantic City should note an early rate discount ends on December 9th. All entry and rule information is available at aarn.com.

Special hotel room rates are available at the show web-site at the Trump Plaza Casino which neighbors Boardwalk Hall.

Tickets for the Atlantic City event are on sale now at Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com and at the Boardwalk Hall box office. Ticket prices remain the same as the past event. Premium seats sell out quickly.

Tickets and further information can also be obtained by calling the show office (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at 609-888-3618.