Weaver’s new young adult novel, “Saturday Night Dirt, ” is the first in his Motor series about dirt track racing. But the books are only part of this enterprise. What’s unique is that Weaver and his New York publisher, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, are underwriting costs of a real racing car to draw interest to the series.
“This is the first time — guaranteed — that a literary publisher such as FSG has sponsored a race car,” Weaver says. “If stock cars can promote detergent or soft drinks or building supplies, why not books?”
The car, dubbed Team Weaver No. 16, is a ModFour (modified four cylinder), driven by Skyler Smith, of Bemidji. The 17-year-old finished his rookie season last year at 33rd among 130 drivers in his class.
“It’s hard to explain how you feel when you’re driving. You’re scared at times, but definitely excited,” said Smith, a junior at Laporte High School near Bemidji. “I’m really excited about this year, because I’ve learned how to be consistent, how to drive. Last year I didn’t really know how to react to this car on the track.”
Smith, who used to struggle with schoolwork, is typical of the young people Weaver hopes to snag with the Motor novels.
“Will’s a great guy, a life-saver for me. I wouldn’t be in school except for him,” Smith said. “I was not crazy about school. I thought I’d drop out and get my GED. Then Will came along and I had to keep my grades up to drive. Now, I’ll graduate early next year. And Will’s book is great. No disrespect, but I didn’t expect it to be that good.”
In “Saturday Night Dirt,” Weaver introduces a culturally diverse cast of young people whose lives revolve around their quarter-mile dirt track at Minnesota’s Headwaters Speedway. (The next book, “Saturday Night Dirt, Super Stock Rookie,” will be published in spring 2009 and feature some of the same characters.)
“These are high-interest books with literary values,” Weaver said. “They’re not big, thick, intimidating books, but they have important themes, such as growth and change. Literature doesn’t always have to be high-minded. Sometimes it gets down to just the fun, exciting level of what people like doing.”
There’s continuously updated information at willweaver books.com; Weaver’s photo-filled blog, motornovels.com; and Weaver’s MySpace page, myspace.com/motornovels.
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