|
By Steve Pados, Accord Media
Never resting on his own laurels, enterprising Accord Speedway Promoter Gary Palmer has kicked up his promotional wizardry yet another notch as through a series of meetings and phone calls, Palmer has creatively produced yet another increase to the Modified purse for the 2008 racing season at his "Gem in the Catskills". In early January Palmer announced he would increase the the total weekly purse by more than $2,000.00 throughout his divisions and the healthy increase would produce a winning prize to the Modified feature winner to $1,750.00, an increase of $250.00 from the 2007 racing season.
After consulting with some of the long-time speedway sponsors, who are in full support of the Ulster County speedplant, Palmer went one-step further and will increase the weekly prize to the Modified winner to a cool $2,000.00.
For the enthusiastic Palmer, who is entering his eighth year as the owner and promoter of the 46 year-old facility, the new purse increase will be the icing on the cake for the many Modified drivers who are seeking an additional night of racing to add to their schedule. In an conversation with Palmer, he remarked, "Our phones have been ringing off the hook from a five state area from drivers all expressing their interest to race at Accord. With the help of our great sponsors, we will now have the capacity to offer this lucrative prize to our weekly Modified competitors. The stated dollar figure has been one of our long-range goals since we began our tenure at Accord, and while we haven't secured the bonus money for every race just yet, we are well on our way of accomplishing our mission".
The off-season has been a challenging undertaking for Palmer for as soon as the final event took place in Mid-October, he began the ardous task of a major overhaul of the race-grounds. Palmer is widening the racing channels on both straights, increasing the banking on all four corners, adding 150 loads of top-notch virgin clay, replacing the outdated frontstretch fencing, and installing new high-standard lighting for the fans. The bathrooms will be refurbished, and additional pit-parking space has been created for the highly anticipated increase of race cars.
Improvements have been made at the Concession area as well and some tantalizing new entrees have been added to the already great yet affordably priced menu. Admission Ticket pricing remains the same from last year.
Many new exciting additions have been added to the speedway schedule this year. Earlier it was announced the resurgent ARDC Midgets will be at Accord on July 11th with former ARDC driver and open wheel legend Jimmy Maguire serving as the Grand Marshal for the event. Negotiations continue to have some of the regular Modified drivers climbing into a Midget to compete with the talented ARDC traveling brigade. Along with the ARDC Midgets on July 11th, the Atlantic Coast Old-Timers (ACOT) will bring out their group to the speedway for some exhibition racing and a grand look at the racing from yesteryear. Andrew Harpell's ROC Series has partnered up with Accord Speedway for the prestigious "King of the Catskills" event and will pay $5,000.00
and contingencies to the winner of the 75 lap Modified race. Another banner field of top Modified talent will be expected for the event.
Fireworks will fill the air on June 27th and August 29th, and the Accord Fireworks shows are second to none. On July 4th, the annual Chicken BBQ will headline the evening's activities. Additional promotional programs will be added as the racing season begins including the popular banner contest headed up by the speedway's announcers.
The Accord Pure Stock division will continue to pay $200.00 to the feature event winner, far and beyond what most tracks pay for a similar division, and with that an increased number of cars are being built to do battle for upcoming 2008 season. The Capital Sprint Racing Association (CSRA) will also be making a schedule stop at Accord and the selected date is May 9th and sponsored by Heart Chevrolet. This series has been growing leaps and bounds and Spec Sportsman regular "Captain Quick" Jeremy Quick is expected to compete along with Slingshot convert Zach "Z-Man O'Connell, who will be a rookie in the sprint car series in 2008. With the addition of the ARDC and CSRA groups to the racing schedule, it will prove to be interesting to witness the open wheelers negotiate "the race to the walls facility".
All staffing at the Accord Speedway will return for the 2008 season. Loralyn Brinster, who finished as the second runner-up at the recent Miss Motorsports competition in Atlantic City will return for her second year as Miss Accord. The highly-charged announcing trio of Steve Pados, Andy Crane, and Joel Murns will return to the booth for the 2008 season, and their announcing duties will increase as Gary Palmer is in the midst of installing a NASCAR style broadcasting booth near the Accord Winners Circle to conduct interviews and promote give-a-ways, and possibly incorporate an hour show prior to the races via the internet.
The Palmer Family would like to thank all of the sponsors, competitors, fans and staff for their solid support and encouragement during the off-season as the Speedway is a continuous work in progress and all systems are go for a 2008 racing season that promises to be bigger and better and more exciting than ever. All fans and businesses are encouraged to visit the newly constructed website often for continued updates and information regarding the great racing activity at the "Gem in the Catskills"
The photos from the Accord Banquet remain onsite. To obtain pics from the event go to: http://www.kbsracingphotos.com
For further updates and information regarding the great racing at the Accord Speedway, logon to their newly constructed website at: http://www.accordspeedway.com or call the speedway hotline at: 845 626 3478
A TRAIL OF DIRT LEADS RIGHT TO OUR DOOR
|
|
