‘Hard Clay Open’ Set For Third Running At Orange County Fair Speedway Saturday, April 2; Huge $30,000 Purse Structure, Bonus Awards Set For Short Track Super Series Halmar International North Region Opener
MIDDLETOWN, NY – The ‘Hard Clay Open’ isn’t just an early season tradition on the hallowed grounds of the Orange County Fair Speedway. It is also among the richest springtime events for big-block/small-block Modified competitors.
On Saturday, April 2 (rain date: April 9) the ‘Hard Clay Open’ presented by United Pump & Tank is headlined by the big-block/small-block Modifieds of the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By VP in the third edition of the BD Motorsports Media LLC co-promotion.
Modified competitors at the ‘Hard Clay Open’ battle for a total purse structure of more than $30,000, including $5,000 to win, $1,000 for 10th and $500 to take the green flag. The event serves as Race No. 1 of the STSS Halmar International North Region boasting a point fund of more than $38,000.
Crate 602 Sportsman complete the two-division open-wheel doubleheader in a 25-lap feature paying $1,000 to win and $100 to start under weekly Orange County rules.
Bonus and special awards have been adding up for STSS Modified competitors at the ‘Hard Clay Open’ event.
The most recent addition is East Coast Speed/ECS Auto Store of Middletown, N.Y., with a unique sponsorship. The highest-finishing driver in the STSS Modified and Crate 602 Sportsman division running Bilstein Shocks will receive $200 cash bonuses. Additionally, ECS will reward the 11th-place finishers in both events $100 cash. Learn more about East Coast Speed/ECS Auto Store online at www.ecsautostores.com.
The leader at halfway – lap 25 – of the 50-lap Modified main will receive $400 cash courtesy of Rock Fantasy Hard Rock, Metal, and Classic Rock Concert & Smoke Shop. Rock Fantasy, owned by race fan Stephen Keeler, is located on West Main Street in Middletown and is on the web at www.rockfantasy.com.
The driver advancing the most positions from their scheduled starting position to the finish of the Mod main will be designated as the race’s Grand Rental Station Tool & Party Rental Center Hard Charger and will receive $500 cash. The Grand Rental Station is located on East Main Street, one block opposite turns one and two of the speedway, and is online at www.grandrentalmiddletown.com.
All STSS Modified heat-race winners will take home $100 cash thanks to Smokers Choice. Known as New York and Pennsylvania’s “favorite tobacco stores” Smokers Choice information can be found on the official website: www.smokerschoiceusa.com.
A long list of product/contingency certificates will be distributed from companies including Allstar Performance, American Racer/Lias Tire, ATL Racing Fuel Cells, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Fast Axle, QA1, Racing Optics, Vahlco Wheels & VP Racing Fuels.
Lap sponsorships at $20 per lap are available and have been selling briskly. All lap money will be distributed to the top-seven drivers in the running order during the main and can be reserved by e-mailing bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com.
The ‘Hard Clay Open’ is unique in its welcoming rules format. Small-block engines (maximum 363 cubic inches) weigh 2,400 lbs. (OCFS/Lebanon Valley/DIRTcar legal 2,350 lbs.) and are permitted to utilize sail panels. Big-block engines (more than 363 cubic inches) weigh 2,500 lbs. and must run traditional window bodywork. This format was popular a year ago as an equalizer for competitors and a visible distinguishing factor among engine combinations for race fans.
A liberal tire rule is also competitor-friendly. American Racer is the official tire of the STSS. Accepted compounds for the ‘Hard Clay Open’ are as follows: 44 or harder left-rear; 48 or harder right-rear; 44 or harder right-front; and any left-front.
To accommodate local competitors wishing to take part in the ‘Hard Clay Open’ race teams will be permitted to qualify on Hoosier tires (D400 or harder, all corners). The Hoosier options will be legal for heat races and consolations; feature-event starters, however, must be outfitted with at least three American Racers (left-front optional).
A link to detailed event rules and procedures has been posted on the STSS website: http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/hard-clay-open-rules-prices-general-information/
Crate 602 Sportsman, racing for $1,000 to win and $100 to start, will run under weekly Orange County Fair Speedway rules.
For the ‘Hard Clay Open’ pit gates will open at 11 a.m. Drive-in and grandstand gates are unlocked at noon. Hot laps begin at 3 p.m. and racing begins at 4 p.m.
Adult grandstand/drive-in admission is $22. Seniors pay $20 and Kids 12 and under are $2. Pit admission is $35, with no license required.
Limited reserved seating, the top-eight rows of the newly refurbished covered grandstand, is available for $25. Contact the speedway office at 
845.342.2573 to reserve a seat.
Friday night features an open practice session from 4-8 p.m. Trailers may be left in the pit area overnight. Pit admission for practice is $25 and spectators may watch from the grandstand for FREE.
Registration is now open for both the STSS Modified and Crate 602 Sportsman divisions at the following links:
STSS Modified – http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/HCOModifiedEntryForm.pdf
Crate 602 Sportsman – http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/HCOCrateSportsmanEntryForm.pdf
Previous ‘Hard Clay Open’ winners include Stewart Friesen of Sprakers, N.Y., last April driving the Jeff Daley No. 44 and Andy Bachetti of Sheffield, Mass., in a big-block during the 2014 inaugural version.
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 2016 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, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, K&N, QA1, Race Pro Weekly, Racing Optics, Teo-Pro Car, Vahlco Wheels & Velocita
Sources: BD Motorsports Media