The Hard Clay Open: Not All $5K Races Are Equal
Story By: BRETT DEYO / SHORT TRACK SUPER SERIES – MIDDLETOWN, NY – Take a look at the 2017 dirt Modified Northeast schedule, and you’ll see plenty of $5,000-to-win races.
Don’t let the winner’s share fool you. They’re not all created equal.
On Saturday, April 8 at Orange County Fair Speedway, the ‘Hard Clay Open’ offers $5,000 to the victor for a 50-lap big-block/small-block Modified main event. The difference is, the payback through the field totaling a massive $30,400 for the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By VP Halmar International North Region opener.
At OCFS, the complete ‘Hard Clay Open’ STSS Modified payout is as follows: 1) $5,000; 2) $4,000; 3) $2,500; 4) $1,800; 5) $1,500; 6) $1,400; 7) $1,300; 8) $1,200; 9) $1,100; 10) $1,000; 11) $750; 12) $650; 13) $600; 14) $550; 15) $525; 16) $515; 17) $510; 18-28) $500.
In addition to the posted pay, a number of companies have offered product or certificate bonuses including American Racer, ATL Fuel Cells, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Fast Axle, Keizer Wheels, QA1, VP Racing Fuels and Wilwood Brakes.
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. Crate 602 Sportsman race for $1,000 to win and $100 to take the green flag.
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
