Kids Counting On Backing the Wiener

The big question in Ms. Sievers’ third-grade class at Irvine’s University Park Elementary School this week: Will Kramer the dachshund push his stubby legs to record-breaking speeds at today’s Wiener Nationals at the Los Alamitos racetrack?

If Kramer takes the $500 grand prize, the kids get a pizza party.

“We’re getting pretty nervous,” said Heather Sievers, whose lovable, wriggly 2-year-old Kramer carries the hopes--and appetites--of her 20 students to the track. “I have all these children, ‘Please, we want a pizza party.’ ”

Races begin at 6 p.m., and proceeds benefit the Seal Beach Animal Care Center.

Sievers is betting Kramer’s intense craving for balls--tennis balls, soccer balls, you name it--will help him break away from the pack of 64 other “wiener” dogs.

Her strategy is simple: Put Kramer at the starting line and a ball at the finish line. On a recent test run, he made the 50-yard dash in 20 seconds.

Her students’ love of Kramer won him a coveted spot in the race. Last year, Sievers’ entry went unnoticed. This year, she put the power of her pupils behind the entry--20 letters that described Kramer as “faster than a cheetah” and “the best soccer player.”

Race officials could not resist.

“I thought it was the cutest application,” said Orlando Gutierrez, publicity director for the race course. “Every single kid in her class took the time to write a letter and tried to convince me in their own little way to let Kramer into the race.”

Gutierrez not only accepted Kramer’s entry but sent free passes to Sievers’ entire class. Thirteen kids are coming with their parents to root for Kramer. If they aren’t the loudest cheering section, they’ll certainly be the cutest.

“We’re making signs,” Sievers said. “We’re going to get noticed.”

Information: (714) 236-4300.