Wet Grounds Forces Afton To Postpone Friday’s Practice; Opener Pushed Back To May 4th
Story By: JR KENNERUP / AFTON MOTORSPORTS PARK – AFTON, NY – The unseasonably cold and wet weather pattern that has settled into the Northeast over the past few weeks has forced Afton Motorsports Park to make some significant schedule adjustments.
The Test and Tune Session that was slated to take place this Friday night April 20th has been postponed until Friday night April 27th. The 2018 Season Opener that was slated to take place on April 27th has been pushed back until Friday May 4th.” Plain and simple it is just way too wet, still ” stated frustrated Afton Motorsports Park promoter Ron Ford. ” We need many days in a row of sunshine, warm temps, and no moisture right now. Plus there are areas of the race track and grounds we still can’t drive on due to the extreme wetness. I know everyone wants to go racing and yes it is frustrating, but we have to do what’s right for everyone involved. We can’t be racing on a sponge or have people park on a sponge and that is what portions of the facility are like currently.
“Ford continued on by saying, ” With a fresh new track surface coupled with all of the water in the ground. We need to get some practice time on the track first, even before we think about having our first race. It would be just be unfair to everyone involved if we just put everyone out there next Friday for our Season Opener. Because no one knows what the track is going to do and by having a practice beforehand will give us an idea to what the track is going to be like. ”
Friday April 27th will see pit gates open at 4pm, with pit admission being $20. Practice will start around 6:30 pm and will continue until everyone has had enough hot laps. The practice is open to any type of racecar that will be racing at Afton Motorsports Park in 2018. Grandstand admission is free with the donation of a canned good that will be given to the local food bank.
The 2018 SEASON OPENER is now on Friday May 4th with pit gates opening at 4 pm, grandstand gates opening at 4:30 pm, mandatory pit meeting will be at 5:55 pm, hot laps will be at 6:10 pm, and the first heat is at 7 pm sharp. Pit admission is $30, grandstand admission is $12, Senior Citizens age 62 and up are $10, Youth aged 9 to 14 are $5, and Children 8 and under are free with a paid adult admission.
In action will be the ZMK Construction Modifieds, Chambers & O’ Hara Open Sportsman, Butler Auto Sales Crate Sportsman, Rinker Insurance Agency Street Stocks, IMCA Modifieds, and Four Cylinder Trucks.
