ECS Auto Stores Signs On As Hard Clay Open Short Track Super Series Backer

ECS Auto Stores Inc./East Coast Speed Signs On As Presenting ‘Hard Clay Open’ Sponsor For Tuesday, April 7 Orange County Fair Speedway Event; ECS Backs Eight-Race Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek Bob Hilbert Sportswear North Region; $250 Bonus For Perfect Attendance Drivers Outside Top-12

MIDDLETOWN, NY – A familiar name for racers in southeastern New York – ECS Auto Stores Inc./East Coast Speed – has signed on to support the second annual ‘Hard Clay Open’ at Orange County Fair Speedway.

On Tuesday, April 7 (rain dates: April 8 and 9), the chase for the $15,000 Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek Bob Hilbert Sportswear North Region championship gets underway with the ‘Hard Clay Open’ 50-lap special offering a massive $30,000 total purse structure: a minimum of $5,000 to win, $1,000 for 10th and $500 to take the green flag for the big-block/small-block Modifieds at the legendary five-eighths-mile oval.

The event is unique in that big-block Modifieds and dry sump small-blocks will be outfitted with traditional windows, while standard small-blocks will utilize high sail panels, setting up a decision for competitors and true distinction between engine combinations for fans.

East Coast Speed/ECS Auto, located at 660 Route 17M Middletown, N.Y. 10940, joins United Pump & Tank as a ‘Hard Clay Open’ presenting sponsor. ECS has been an automotive aftermarket retailer since 1967, operating with the original owner, same location and one of the original co-workers. ECS carries more than 800 product lines, with thousands of in-stock part numbers ready to ship. To learn more about ECS, visit www.ecsautostores.com.

East Coast Speed is the official parts supplier for both Orange County Fair and Accord (N.Y.) speedways. American Racer tires will be available for Modified competitors at the ‘Hard Clay Open’ through ECS in advance of the event and on race day. ECS can be contacted by phone at 877.327.3535 or locally at 845.343.0688. The e-mail address is ecsautostores@hvc.rr.com.

In addition to the ‘Hard Clay Open’ event, ECS has pledged its support of the entire Bob Hilbert Sportswear North Region comprised of eight events in total at six facilities: Orange County, Accord, Big Diamond (Pa.), Thunder Mountain (N.Y.), I-88 (N.Y.) and Woodhull (N.Y.). ECS representatives plan to attend many of the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek events in ’15.

Drivers boasting perfect attendance on the Bob Hilbert Sportswear North Region but missing out on the top-12 in the standings will each receive a $250 bonus at year-end thanks to the ECS partnership.

The ‘Hard Clay Open’ will feature two divisions of open-wheel racing. The Short Track Super Series Fueled by Hi-Tek Modifieds will be joined by Crate 602 Sportsman, racing under Orange County track rules, in a $1,000-to-win, $100-to-start event.

Complete rules and ‘Hard Clay Open’ general information can be found at the following link: http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/hard-clay-open-rules-general-information/

The Modified purse structure, from first to last, has also been posted: http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/hard-clay-open-modified-pay-structure/

Registration is open for both the Modifieds and Crate 602 Sportsman. Entry forms have been posted on the event website.

For the ‘Hard Clay Open’ pit gates will open at 1 p.m. Grandstand gates open at 4 p.m. with a drivers’ meeting scheduled for 5:45 p.m. at the pit tower. Hot laps will follow and racing is set to begin promptly at 7 p.m.

Grandstand admission is $22 (Adults), $20 (Seniors) and $2 (Kids 6 and under). Pit admission is $35, with no license required. Advance tickets will go on sale through the speedway office on March 1 by calling 845.342.2573.

Andy Bachetti of Sheffield, Mass., bested a 59-car Modified field to win last year’s inaugural ‘Hard Clay Open’ special over a charging Tim Hindley, who drove from 19th starting position to a runner-up finish in Joe Sarvis’ small-block. Short-track racer Danny Tyler, traveling star Danny Johnson and veteran Jeff Heotzler rounded out the top-five.

Bachetti, off the strength of an Orange County triumph, went on to earn the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek championship worth $10,014-plus.

Brian Krummel of Middletown, N.Y., is the defending ‘Hard Clay Open’ Crate 602 Sportsman victor, having pocketed the $1,000 payday a year ago.

The Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek and BD Motorsports Media LLC can be found on the web at www.shorttracksuperseries.com or www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com. Brett Deyo can be reached by phone at 845.728.2781 or via e-mail: bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com. The series is also on Twitter @ShortTrackSS and Facebook under “Short Track Super Series.”

Marketing opportunities, including lap sponsorships ($20 per lap), are currently available by contacting the BD Motorsports Media LLC office.

Located at 239 Wisner Avenue Middletown, N.Y., 10940 on the Orange County Fairgrounds, Orange County Fair Speedway is the oldest continuously operating dirt track in the United States. The first auto race was held at the speedway in 1919. The five-eighths-mile oval offers fully-covered and half-covered grandstands in addition to open bleacher seating on the frontstretch and turn one areas, with drive-in viewing on the backstretch. To learn more, contact the Orange County Fair Speedway office at 845.342.2573 or visit www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net.

The Hard Clay Open is presented by United Pump & Tank, ECS Auto Stores Inc./East Coast Speed, American Racer/Lias Tire, Grand Rental Station of Middletown, Rock Fantasy, Zubi’s Racing and many other fine marketing partners.

The Short Track Super Series is presented by Hi-Tek Race Fuels, American Racer/Lias Tire, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc., ECS Auto Stores Inc./East Coast Speed, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Dirt Track Digest, Hig Fab Chassis, Bicknell Racing Products, Teo-Pro Car, FOX Shocks, Fast Axle, Henry’s Stainless Steel Exhaust, Kirkey Race Products, Simplicity Designs, ATL Fuel Cells and many other fine marketing partners.

Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek 2015 Schedule

Bob Hilbert Sportswear North Region
Tuesday, April 7 (Rain Dates: April 8 and 9) – Orange County Fair Speedway/Middletown, NY: Hard Clay Open
Tuesday, May 5 (Rain Date: May 6) – Big Diamond Speedway/Minersville, PA (Combo): Anthracite Assault
Tuesday, May 19 (Rain Date: May 20) – Accord Speedway/Accord, NY: Battle of the Bullring 3
Sunday, June 28 (Rain Date: June 29) – Thunder Mountain Speedway/Center Lisle, NY: Lightning on the Mountain
Wednesday, July 22 (Rain Date: July 23) – I-88 Speedway/Afton, NY: Crazy 8s Special
Tuesday, August 11 (Rain Date: Aug. 12) – Woodhull Raceway/Woodhull, NY: Hustlin’ the High Banks 51
Sunday, September 13 (Rain Date: Sept. 20) – Thunder Mountain Speedway/Center Lisle, NY: Wade Decker Memorial
Friday-Saturday October 9-10 (Rain Date: Oct. 11) – I-88 Speedway/Afton, NY: Short Track SuperNationals 8 – Championship Points

Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek North Region Point Fund (*based on 8 events): 1. $15,000; 2. $7,000; 3. $3,500; 4. $2,500; 5. $2,000; 6. $1,650; 7. $1,550; 8. $1,450; 9. $1,350; 10. $1,250; 11. $750; 12. $650.

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Brett Deyo
BD Motorsports Media LLC