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BINGHAMTON, NY…The latest round of renovations at Five Mile Point Speedway have gotten underway as the 2008 race season quickly approaches. The 58th annual season opener is slated for Saturday, April 26th at 5 p.m. A number of improvements will continue at the historic quarter mile throughout the season and as weather permits.
This past Saturday work crews were able to dismantle the old bleacher structures to make room for aluminum bleachers that will be put in to place. The cold and wet northeast weather has slowed the progress but the first step was completed which will now allow for the new bleacher construction to begin.
Work on the new inner loop is expected to be underway in the days to come as well. The inner loop will be used for the new Kiddie Cat league for kids and the The League of Their Own division on Saturday nights. A special inner loop night will also take place on Thursday, July 24th. That night will feature the Lightning Cats, ALOTO, Kiddie Cats and Slingshots. The oval will utilize the speedways existing first and second turns with the third and fourth turns being built through the infield area. The layout will see the Figure 8 course reconfigured as well for the upcoming season.
New clay will once again be put down on the quarter mile for the upcoming season. Track owner Andrew Harpell stated, “Last year we brought in a lot of clay but most of it was utilized to establish the new banking in turns three and four.” “When we widened the third and fourth turns and put up the wall it provided even more room for the drivers to go three and four wide, unfortunately we didn’t put enough down and the track got more abrasive than we would have liked by the end of the season.” “That will change this year.” Harpell has brought in new clay in each of his previous four years and will do so again this spring. Lastly he commented, “We raced so deep in to the fall months last year that it didn’t provide time to bring in new clay like we would have preferred but as things dry out we will begin hauling immediately this spring.”
The excitement is building toward a great season opener slated for Saturday, April 26th. The T3 358 Modified Series will open its season at the quarter mile with a 40 lapper on tap. The Sportsman, Pure Stocks, Lightning Cats and Figure 8’s will also be in action on this night. The majority of weekly Modified teams at the Point run small blocks on a weekly basis so the T3 event should pit the best western NY talent versus the local stars. Race time on April 26th is set for 5 p.m.
The 2008 Five Mile Point Speedway racing season is just around the corner. Two test and tune sessions will take place on Saturday, April 12th and 19th at 1 p.m. The 58th annual season opener is slated for Saturday, April 26th with a special 40 lap T3 358 Modified event. Race time is scheduled for 5 p.m. on season opening night.
For additional information please contact the Five Mile Point Speedway offices at 607-775-5555 or email fivemilepoint1@aol.com. The official website can be found at www.fivemilepointspeedway.net. Sunoco Race Fuels and American Racer Tires are participating point fund sponsors in 2008. |
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