Saugus Track Promoter Marshall Wilkings Dies

Marshall Wilkings, former Saugus Speedway track promoter and general manager, died Thursday night at Encino Hospital after a long illness. He was 63.

Wilkings began to manage concessions at the Speedway in 1968, and in 1973 was named the track’s promoter. In that capacity, Wilkings was credited with numerous improvements.

Infield and pit areas were paved and a new lighting system was installed. Grandstands were updated. The results were bigger crowds and more competitors.

“All these improvements and innovations have been rewarding,” Wilkings said in 1981. “But what makes me most proud is the quality of our cars and the drivers. First-class competitors all the way. That’s what racing is all about.”

That year, Wilkings was named the Western Division’s auto racing promoter of the year by Racing Promotion Monthly, a national organization of auto racing businessmen.

To honor him last year, the speedway renamed the Saugus 330 the Marshall Wilkings Fall Spectacular.

Wilkings is survived by his wife, Helen; son, Ray; daughter, Marilyn Smith; brother, Clyde, and four grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at the Forest Lawn Church of Recessional in Glendale.

Basin Blues Sponsors 10-Mile Run

The Basin Blues Running Club is sponsoring the Monty Montgomery 10-mile run at 7:30 a.m. Sunday at Woodley Park in Encino.

Individuals will compete in age-group divisions over a 10-mile course, which consists of two five-mile loops. There will be individual divisions for those who run the full 10 miles and partner divisions with two participants each running five miles.

In the partner divisions, there will be several pairings: father-son, father-daughter, mother-son, mother-daughter, open men, open women and open mixed.

There are several holders of age and age groups records entered in this Athletic Congress-sanctioned Father’s Day run, including: Helen Dick, 63, Gina Faust, 48, Margaret Miller, 59, and Barbara Meadows, 55. Awards will be given to the first three finishers in each division.

Entry fees are $12 (with T-shirt) for individuals, $20 per team with T-shirt.

Information: (818) 992-0366.

Raiders Football Clinic at Taft

The Woodland Hills Raiders Youth Football Organization is sponsoring a football clinic at Taft High from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Dokie Williams and Derek Jensen of the Los Angeles Raiders will run the clinic, which is open to athletes of all ages.

Information: (818) 992-8109.

County Holds Advanced Diving Seminars

The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation and the Underwater Divers Association is sponsoring an advanced diver program today through September 7.

This intense and comprehensive course is offered to all levels of certified scuba divers who would like to advance their skills, become acquainted with different diving conditions and be instructed by prominent divers.

Ten seminars will be offered, consisting of more than 100 hours of formal training with evening lectures on Fridays and all-day diving sessions on the following Sunday.

Information will be provided on topics such as wreck diving, search and salvage operations, diving in adverse conditions, emergency procedures, and weight-belt ditching.

Applicants must be at least 18, possess a basic scuba certification, and show proof of a physical examination from a qualified physician within the last six months.

Information: (213) 327-5311.

Punt, Pass, Kick Contest at Pierce

Nine-man teams from La Puente Workman, Hacienda Heights Los Altos and Santa Monica will compete in the finals of the a Punt, Pass and Kick Contest at halftime of the Los Angeles Express-Arizona Outlaws football game Saturday at Pierce College.

The three schools remain from the original 70 Southern Section and City schools that signed up at the beginning of the year.

Mann Theaters, Magic Mountain and KROQ are sponsoring the contest, from which players will receive movie tickets, season passes to Magic Mountain, screening tickets from KROQ, concert tickets and records and tapes. The coach of the winning squad will receive round-trip airfare and hotel accomodations in Hawaii.

Girl Scouts to Help Open Express Game

Brownie Girl Scout and Junior Girl Scout troops from Chatsworth and Winnetka will help the L.A. Express kick off their Valley debut this Saturday at Pierce.

The Girl Scouts will present the colors and participate in the opening ceremonies and national anthem prior to the game agains the Arizona Outlaws at 5 p.m.