RAMP, LAUNCH REPORT

As winter approaches and temperatures fall, some of the launch ramps at state parks are closing.

Current water temperatures range from lows of 50 degrees at Bear Lake and 45 at Deer Creek, to highs of 62 degrees at Sand Hollow and Quail Creek.

Current water levels in the reservoirs range from 27 percent full at Piute to 60 percent full at Scofield, all of which will affect fishing conditions.

Those ramps closed include Deer Creek, Wide Hollow, Huntington, Palisade and Willard Bay.

For the latest report on fishing conditions, with respect to water levels and temperatures, visit www.wildlife.utah.gov/fishing/reports.php.

KIDS SNOWMOBILE CLASSES

Utah State Parks and Recreation will offer "Know Before You Go!" snowmobile education courses in Salt Lake County during November.

Students must pre-register for this class and will be notified of the course time upon registering.

Children age 8 to 16 are required by state law to take a safety class prior to operating snowmobiles on public lands or trails.

To pre-register or for more information about Utah off-highway vehicle programs, call 1-800-648-7433.

NEW RACE AT MOTORSPORTS

Miller Motorsports Park will offer a new professional racing series that will provide competitors an affordable way to go racing with a V8-powered, rear-wheel-drive car.

The series will feature the Ford Mustang FR500s, which is a limited-production, race-prepared version of the Ford Mustang GT that was co-developed by Miller Motorsports Park and Ford Racing Technology. The car is used in the Ford Racing High Performance Driving School.

The car is built without the seats, carpet, noise insulation and other interior features that are normally included in a street car. The car is fitted with a full rollcage and shipped to Miller Motorsports Park, where final assembly — including safety equipment and competition power and suspension upgrades — is completed. A total of 77 cars have been built to date, and more will be built as demand dictates.

The car is priced at $75,000 and is race-ready with a 325 horsepower Ford Mustang engine.

It represents an entry-level rung on a ladder of racing Mustangs that includes the $129,900, 420 horsepower FR500C and the $250,000, 525-hp FR500GT.

Each race weekend will include two 30-minute practice sessions, a 25-minute qualifying session and a 45-minute "sprint" race. Drivers will compete for purses and prizes totaling $300,000. Points will be awarded through 25th place, with 30 points to win and an individual point for pole position. The series will be open to drivers with a national-level racing license.