Hard Clay Open Starts Short Track Super Series North For ’17
Story By: BRETT DEYO / SHORT TRACK SUPER SERIES – MIDDLETOWN, NY – The chase for a $12,500 championship gets underway on the hallowed grounds of Orange County Fair Speedway Saturday, April 8.
The Halmar International North Region opener for the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By VP takes place on the Orange County Fairgrounds for the fourth consecutive year on April 8, headlined by a 50-lap main for the big-block/small-block Modifieds offering a total payout of more than $30,400.
Annually, the ‘Hard Clay Open’ has become a fan-favorite and 2017 will be no different as Modifieds with sail panels circulate the ‘Legendary House of Power’ five-eighths-mile clay oval.
In three editions of the ‘Hard Clay Open’ there have been three different winners. Andy Bachetti of Sheffield, Mass., stole the show in the 2014 inaugural running, with Stewart Friesen of Sprakers, N.Y., topping the ’15 race. Last year, it was Waldwick, N.J., driver Tommy Meier – a regular at both OCFS and on the STSS circuit – taking home the winner’s share with Jeff Behrent’s No. 3.
The ‘Hard Clay Open’ kicks off the STSS North Region title fight, with $12,500 going to the series champion at year-end.
Modifieds will compete in qualifying and a 50-lap feature the STSS rules package. Crate 602 Sportsman will race under weekly OCFS rules utilizing an open draw.
For complete rules, prices and information, visit the following link: http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/hard-clay-open-general-rules-prices-information/
At the ‘Hard Clay Open’ gates will open at 11 a.m. for the pit area. The drive-in and grandstand gates unlock at noon. A drivers’ meeting will be held at 2:30 p.m., with hot laps at 3 p.m. and racing at 4 p.m.
A rain date of Sunday, April 9 is in place should there be inclement weather.
OCFS will host a Friday practice on April 7. Gates will unlock at 2 p.m., with track time available for teams from 4-8 p.m.
The STSS has already been in action this season, hosting the Melvin L. Joseph Memorial at Delaware’s Georgetown Speedway on March 11. Jimmy Horton of Neshanic Station, N.J., a regular at OCFS driving for Chris Larsen’s Halmar International team, took the $5,100 victory.
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 2017 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, Fox Racing Shocks, Hig Fab, Henry’s Exhaust, HyperCo, Keizer Wheels, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, K&N, QA1, Race Pro Weekly, Racing Optics, Teo-Pro Car, Velocita & Wilwood.
2017 Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP Schedule
Halmar International North Region
Saturday, April 8 – Orange County Fair Speedway/Middletown, N.Y. ‘Hard Clay Open’ (Rain Date: April 9)
Sunday, May 28 – Thunder Mountain Speedway/Center Lisle, N.Y. – ‘Lightning on the Mountain’ (Rain Date: May 29)
Tuesday, June 6 – Big Diamond Speedway/Minersville, Pa. – ‘Anthracite Assault’ – COMBO (Rain Date: TBA)
Wednesday, June 21 – Afton Motorsports Park/Afton, N.Y. – ‘Afton Action 50’ (Rain Date: June 22)
Monday, July 3 – Accord Speedway/Accord, N.Y. – ‘Battle of the Bullring 5’ (Rain Date: July 4) – AMERICAN RACER CUP CHALLENGE EVENT
Tuesday, August 15 – Albany-Saratoga Speedway/Malta, N.Y. – Stampede ‘toga (Rain Date: August 16)
Tuesday, August 22 – Woodhull Raceway/Woodhull, N.Y. – ‘Hustlin’ the High Banks 53’ (Rain Date: August 23) – AMERICAN RACER CUP CHALLENGE EVENT
Saturday, October 7 – Afton Motorsports Park/Afton, N.Y. – American Racer Cup Short Track SuperNationals 10 – Afton Motorsports Park/Afton, N.Y. (Rain Date: October 8)
Thursday, October 19 – Orange County Fair Speedway/Middletown, N.Y. – ‘Hard Clay Finale’ at Eastern States Weekend (Rain Date: October 20) – CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
