Legendary Orange County Fair Speedway Opens Halmar International North Region Of Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP Saturday, April 2 With ‘Hard Clay Open’ Event; Rules & Event Info Established
Story By:Brett Deyo/STSS Media Photos By:Dave Dalesandro/Racersguide.com.
MIDDLETOWN, NY – For the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By VP, 2016 is taking shape as the most exciting season in series history.
And it all starts on Saturday, April 2 at Orange County Fair Speedway.
The venerable Middletown, N.Y., five-eighths-mile hosts the STSS Halmar International North Region opener for the third consecutive year with the lucrative ‘Hard Clay Open’ special boasting a minimum total purse structure of $30,000: $5,000 to win, $1,000 for 10th and $500 to take the green flag.
United Pump & Tank, the leader in service station maintenance and technologies based in Newburgh, N.Y., serves as the ‘Hard Clay Open’ presenting sponsor.
The ‘Hard Clay Open’ is unique in its welcoming rules format. Small-block engines (maximum 363 cubic inches) weigh 2,400 lbs. and are permitted to utilize sail panels. Big-block engines (more than 363 cubic inches) weigh 2,500 lbs. and must run traditional window bodywork. This format was popular a year ago as an equalizer for competitors and a visible distinguishing factor among engine combinations for race fans.
A liberal tire rule is also competitor-friendly. American Racer is the official tire of the STSS. Accepted compounds for the ‘Hard Clay Open’ are as follows: 44 or harder left-rear; 48 or harder right-rear; 44 or harder right-front; and any left-front.
To accommodate local competitors wishing to take part in the ‘Hard Clay Open’ race teams will be permitted to qualify on Hoosier tires (D400 or harder, all corners). The Hoosier options will be legal for heat races and consolations; feature-event starters, however, must be outfitted with at least three American Racers (left-front optional).
A link to detailed event rules and procedures has been posted on the STSS website: http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/hard-clay-open-rules-prices-general-information/
Crate 602 Sportsman, racing for $1,000 to win and $100 to start, will run under weekly Orange County Fair Speedway rules.
For the ‘Hard Clay Open’ pit gates will open at 11 a.m. Drive-in and grandstand gates are unlocked at noon. Hot laps begin at 3 p.m. and racing begins at 4 p.m.
Adult grandstand/drive-in admission is $22. Seniors pay $20 and Kids 12 and under are $2. Pit admission is $35, with no license required.
Limited reserved seating, the top-eight rows of the newly refurbished covered grandstand, is available for $25. Contact the speedway office at 845.342.2573 to reserve a seat.
Registration is now open for both the STSS Modified and Crate 602 Sportsman divisions at the following links:
STSS Modified – http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/HCOModifiedEntryForm.pdf
Crate 602 Sportsman – http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/HCOCrateSportsmanEntryForm.pdf
Previous ‘Hard Clay Open’ winners include Stewart Friesen of Sprakers, N.Y., last April driving the Jeff Daley No. 44 and Andy Bachetti of Sheffield, Mass., in a big-block during the 2014 inaugural version.
The Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP 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.”
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 2016 Short Track Super Series is presented by American Racer/Lias Tire, VP Racing Fuel, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Halmar International, Allstar Performance, ATL Racing Fuel Cells, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Bicknell Racing Products, Dirt Track Digest, Fast Axle, Hig Fab, Henry’s Exhaust, HyperCo, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, Racing Optics, Teo-Pro Car, Vahlco Wheels & Velocita
2016 Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP Halmar International North Region Schedule
Saturday, April 2 (Rain Date: April 9) – Orange County Fair Speedway/Middletown, NY – Hard Clay Open
Tuesday, May 10 (Rain Date: May 17) – Big Diamond Speedway/Minersville, PA – Anthracite Assault (Combo)
Sunday, May 29 (Rain Date: May 30) – Thunder Mountain Speedway/Center Lisle, NY – Lightning on the Mountain
Tuesday, June 7 (Rain Date: June 8) – Outlaw Speedway/Dundee, N.Y. – Finger Lakes 50
Tuesday, July 5 (Rain Date: July 6) – Accord Speedway/Accord, NY – Battle of the Bullring 4
Wednesday, July 13 (Rain Date: TBA) – Rolling Wheels Raceway Park/Elbridge, NY – STSS vs. RoC Challenge (all drivers in attendance receive 60 points)
Wednesday, July 27 (Rain Date: July 28) – I-88 Speedway/Afton, NY – Crazy 8s Special
Tuesday, August 16 (Rain Date: August 17) – Woodhull Raceway/Woodhull, NY – Hustlin’ the High Banks 52
Sunday, September 18 (Rain Date: September 25) – Thunder Mountain Speedway/Center Lisle, NY – Wade Decker Memorial
Friday-Saturday October 7-8 (Rain Date: October 9) – I-88 Speedway/Afton, NY – Short Track SuperNationals 9 – Championship Points
Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP Halmar International North Region Point Fund (*based on 10 events): 1. $12,000; 2. $7,000; 3. $4,000; 4. $3,000; 5. $2,500; 6. $1,850; 7. $1,750; 8. $1,650; 9. $1,550; 10. $1,450; 11. $1,000; 12. $1,000
*Drivers outside the top-12 with perfect attendance receive $250
