Thompson Readies for Season Opener
Thompson, CT — The winter snows have melted away and work has begun at the Thompson International Speedway for the opening of the 2008 racing season. With Thompson’s ICEBREAKER event less than a month away, work at the historic New England racing oval is at a fever pitch to prepare the facility for opening day.
Everyone’s attention is centered on Saturday, March 22nd. That’s the day the gates will open for the first time in the new season so that race teams will have an opportunity to begin testing their race cars. Any legal and safe race car is welcome to participate in this first of two open practice dates at Thompson. The second date is Saturday, March 29th. The track will be open for practice from Noon until 6 PM on both days.
Race cars will be divided by racing division and each division will be given equal track time in a “round robin” format. Operating open practice sessions in this manner has worked very well in the past and affords race teams the most on-track time as possible.
Track officials are expecting a wide variety of race cars to participate. Thompson’s NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour cars, NEMA Midgets, Pro Four Modifieds, ARTS Trucks, RoC and True Value Modifieds, ISMA Super Modifieds, Antique Racers and may other types of race cars will be competing at Thompson this year and all are welcome to participate in either one or both of the open practice sessions.
The grandstands will not be open on either open practice day. However, anyone who is at least sixteen years of age may watch the day’s activities from the pit area. Race teams find this open practice time to be invaluable as they attempt to get their cars ‘dialed in” for the tough competition they will face on ICEBREAKER weekend that is scheduled for April 5th and 6th.
Thompson’s ICEBREAKER is not the traditional season opener for racing in New England. Many race teams look towards the ICEBREAKER in hopes of getting their season off to a good start. A good ICEBREAKER performance can set the stage for a successful season.
The ICEBREAKER at Thompson International Speedway is not only a race event; it is a huge social gathering for race fans that look forward to the beginning of a brand new year of racing. Thompson’s Raceway Restaurant and Lounge plays a major role in the weekend’s activities. Plenty of great food, drink and fun are part of the ICEBREAKER weekend at the “Club House.”
Eight different divisions of race cars will make up ICEBREAKER ’08. Thompson’s NASCAR Whelen All American Super Six divisions, the Whelen Modified Tour and the NEMA Midgets will all participate. Practice, qualifying for all divisions and feature events for Sunoco Modifieds and Late Models will make up the on-track activity for Saturday. Sunday will be feature event day with all eight divisions in competition beginning at 12 Noon.
Tickets for Thompson’s ICEBREAKER are available by calling the track office at 860-923-2280. The entire ICEBREAKER weekend’s racing schedule and so much more is instantly available on the track’s web page. www.thompsonspeedway.com.
Sources: Russ Dowd/Thompson Int’l Speedway PR