Hard Clay Open Kicks Off Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP North Region Saturday At Orange County Fair Speedway; Technical Reminders Issued For Competitors
MIDDLETOWN, NY – This Saturday, April 2, Orange County Fair Speedway hosts the third edition of the ‘Hard Clay Open’ presented by United Pump & Tank.
The event serves as the opening round of the Halmar International North Region for the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP Big-block/small-block Modifieds race 50 laps for $5,000 to win, $1,000 to start and $500 to take the green plus bonuses.
Crate 602 Sportsman race 25 laps for $1,000 to win and $100 to take the green under weekly Orange County rules.
Below, some technical reminders for race teams planning to attend this weekend.
STSS Modified Technical Reminders for ‘Hard Clay Open’ on Saturday, April 2
Weights: There are three weight classifications for Saturday’s event. Big-block weight is 2,500 lbs. A big-block is considered anything over 363 cubic inches. Small-block weight is 2,400 lbs. and encompasses engines up to 363 cubic inches. Orange County/Lebanon Valley legal spec head 358 engines, with no deviations from weekly rules, may weigh 2,350 lbs. Any alteration from weekly rules pushes this combination into the 2,400 lb. bracket.
Sail Panels/Windows: Cars in the 2,350 lb. and 2,400 lb. classification may utilize two, even sail panels no taller than 65 inches at the highest point. Cars in the 2,500 lb. big-block category must use traditional windows.
Tires: American Racer is the official tire of the Short Track Super Series. Approved compounds are as follows: right-rear: 48 or harder; left-rear: 44 or harder; right-front: 44 or harder; left-front: 33 or harder. To accommodate local teams, drivers MAY attempt to qualify on OCFS/DIRTcar Hoosiers (D400 or harder). Hoosiers may be run in heats and consolations but all cars starting the feature must be outfitted with at least three American Racer tires (left-front optional).
Note: East Coast Speed/ECS Auto Store is the official tire dealer for Orange County Fair Speedway and can be contacted by phone at 
845.343.0688.
Lineups/Starting Field: Heat races will be determined via a draw for position. The top qualifiers from the heat races will transfer to the redraw with the remainder filled in before the consolation transfers. A last-chance dash will be run if needed. 28 cars will qualify through the heats, consolations and last chance dash (if needed). Two provisional starters from 2015 STSS point standings will bring the starting field to a minimum of 30 cars.
Transponders/One-Way Radios: Transponders are required for this event, as are one-way radios (frequency 454.000).
A complete information breakdown can be found on the STSS website at the following link: http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/hard-clay-open-rules-prices-general-information/
Crate 602 Sportsman Technical Reminders for ‘Hard Clay Open’ Saturday, April 2
Weekly Rules: Orange County Fair Speedway weekly rules including tires (Hoosier D400), weight (2,350 lbs.) and gear rule (486 ratio). Complete Orange County Crate 602 Sportsman rules are online at: http://www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net/FILES/2015%20Sportsman%20Rules.pdf
Lineups/Starting Field: Heat races will be determined via a draw for position. The top qualifiers from the heat races will transfer to the redraw with the remainder filled in before the consolation transfers. 24 cars will qualify through the heats and consolations.
Transponders/One-Way Radios: Transponders are required for this event, as are one-way radios (frequency 454.000).
Time Schedule & Pricing
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 (April 1) 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.
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