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Work Continues For The New Look Accord Speedway; Practice Scheduled For April 4th.
By Steve Pados, Accord Media
Despite the harsh New York winter, the plans to have most of the heavy duty construction completed on time, continue at the Accord Speedway as Promoter Gary Palmer and his Family and Staff prepare to usher in another new season with the best racing witnessed on the East Coast. While the time-clock is ticking, a bustle of activity has the construction crews working over-time to have the Ulster County facility ready for the opening practice session slated for April 4th. Promoter Gary Palmer remains optimistic in the fact if he can dodge the unpredictable weather that has been haunting the surrounding area, he may be able to open the gates as scheduled. Much work still needs to be accomplished in the next week, but it is hoped the weather will cooperate for the energetic Palmer, who will be opening the Accord gates for the eighth year under his regime.
Racing fans and drivers will have the opportunity to view the "new look" Accord Speedway when the gates are opened for the 2008 racing season. The old boiler plate wall that had stood the test of time for many years, has been removed in favor of a new concrete wall that will run from turn four into the turn one track exit area. The change will widen the racing lanes for the drivers and give the dedicated racing fans an unobstructed view of the frontstretch and bring the race fans closer to the exciting racing action that happens on the track throughout an evening of racing.
In addition to the installation of the new frontstretch wall, an abundance of new virgin clay has been brought in to mix with the great surface the quarter mile speedplant is already noted for. The additional clay will allow for higher banking in the turns and should allow the drivers to go full-throttle once the lights go green. The track will also new feature new homestretch lighting for the 2008 season. Improved rest-rooms, and a general landscaping of the entire grounds will add lustre to the "Gem in the Catskills".
An enlarged pit area will also greet the racers in 2008 as the popular Ulster County speedplant was running out of room in trying to place all of the cars in the pit area. At the recent Middletown Motorsports Show, the Accord Booth remained busy all weekend as most of the Parking Permits were distributed during the show. The change should alleviate the congestion the packed pit area sometimes encountered, but drivers who have not purchased their permits as yet, are encouraged to do so as quickly as possible.
The concession area will also go through some changes for 2008 as many new exciting entrees will be added to the already extensive menu.
All racing divisions will return to the popular raceway in 2008. Special events include the ARDC Midgets coming in for a July 11th pairing with the ACOT Oldtimers. The CSRA 305 Sprint Cars make an appearance on June 13th. The Vintage Modifieds will be included for dates on May 2nd, May 16th, and August 8th. The spectacular "King of the Catskills" event will have the backing of the ROC Tour with the September 26th date that will once again pay $5,000.000 to the winner. For the fans of the popular "rock'em-sock'em" stuff, the Demo Derby and Enduro weekend will take place on October 11th.
High interest remains centered around the Modified Division as many competitors are formulating their schedules and looking for a home to do their Friday night racing. The phones at the speedway have been busy handling the large volume of calls coming in regarding all divisions of racing at the speedway, but the Modifieds have proven to be the center of the conversations. It is certain many new names will dot all rosters in 2008 as many new faces will be seeking to make Accord Speedway their home track for what is anticipated to be another banner year for the 46 year old racing facility.
The announcing Team of Steve Pados, Andy Crane and Joel Murns will return to the mikes in 2008. Working together for the first time ever, the blend of youth and maturity came together with tremendous results. There will be some added surprises in store for the fans with some track promotions and an increase in the number of track banner nights. Pados will double up his action in 2008 by announcing the Midweek Madness races on Wednesday nights.
Loralyn Brinster will return to the Speedway in 2008 as Miss Accord Speedway.
Plans call for the gates of the speedway to pen on April 4th at 12 noon. Safety inspection of all vehicles racing at the speedway will be paramount in keeping the highest of safety standards, and will take place from noon until 4. Practice will follow as the drivers will be dialing in their racers throughout the session to be ready come opening night on April 18th. Spectators will be allowed in for free for the practice sessions. Should there be a cancellation to the scheduled practice sessions, the rain date would be the following day, the 5th and the 12th.
Promoter Gary Palmer and his family have put a lot of hard work and effort into making Accord Speedway one of racing's highlighted success stories since the speedway has been under their direction. The improvements at the speedway continue and the racing just gets better and better as the Midweek Madness shows have seemingly become the farm system to nurture the future stars in racing we will be hearing about for years to come. Let the great work continue as the excitement is already building for a 2008 racing season that will blow the lid off of everything that has been done in the past.
The Palmer Family would like to thank all of the sponsors, competitors, fans and staff for making the 2007 racing season at Accord the best season to date since they took over the reigns at the facility seven years ago. The Palmer family looks forward to the 2008 racing season and encourage everyone to visit the newly constructed website often for continued updates and information on the great racing and at the "Gem in the Catskills"
Regular Show admission remains the same at $12.00 for Adults (12yrs+) Kids $3.00 (11yrs and under)
Pit Gates open at 4:30 and Spectator Gates open at 5 PM. Hot-Laps are at 6:30 and Racing begins at 7 PM.
For further updates and information regarding the great racing at the Accord Speedway, logon to the their newly constructed website at: http://www.accordspeedway.com or call the speedway hotline at: 845 626 3478. The website will be offering Videos on Demand. |
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