New Egypt and Accord Speedways Add Wingless Crate Sprints to 2015 Schedules Introduce New Alternative to Saving Big Bucks in Sprint Car Racing
By Dominick Peck and Brooklyn Kennedy 
It’s no joke when it comes to the high cost of a sprint car in today’s economy. The Northeast Wingless 602 Crate Sprint series is debuting this year at Accord Speedway in Accord, N.Y. and New Egypt Speedway in New Egypt, N.J. It offers a competitive class at a reasonable price compared to other forms of sprint car racing. It also adds a wingless sprint division to the northeast, a market that hasn’t been tapped thus far. A new turn-key 602 sprint will leave you with a bill of around $13,000 as compared to a turn-key 305 sprint starting in the lower $20,000 range.
A cheaper alternative to the new division of sprint car racing is using a Generation One Bert or RPM transmission used in Modified racing in the 1990s and early 2000s. The older style transmissions are the same size as a new transmission on the market. The only difference is price. The older style transmissions are selling for $500 and to buy one new its $3,000. Allowing the use of older style transmission already in existence as compared to the newer Bert transmission is just another cost preserving measure of the NEWS Sprint division.
The most important element of the NEWS Sprint division is the ability for the car to be self-starting that is achieved by the transmission/starter combination. As outlined in the rule book that is shared between both Accord and New Egypt Speedway, a NEWS Sprint car can use “any conventional transmission with or without reverse and is able to start on its own from the neutral position.”
The NEWS Sprint division had its first feature event at the New Egypt Speedway on Saturday, April 18th. While only two cars signed in, they were driven by New Egypt Modified stars Billy Pauch, Jr. and Neal Williams. The 10-lap feature event featured side by side racing and multiple passes for lead. There was a lot of positive reaction from fans in attendance to the excitement of wingless racing.
Management of both Accord and New Egypt Speedways are committed to growing the division car counts as the season progresses. The NEWS Sprints are expected to make their debut at Accord Speedway on Friday, April 24th and will return to the schedule at New Egypt Speedway on Saturday, May 2nd.
Interest in the divisions has been immense. Now with the division having finally hit the track some questions have been answered. For anyone wishing to get involved in the NEWS division or who have unanswered questions, they can call Gary at Accord Speedway at 845-626-1142, New Egypt Speedway 609-758-1900, or Jack Helget at Dynamic Testing at 856-357-3962.
For more information on the NEWS Sprints visit www.newegyptspeedway.net or www.accordspeedway.com.
