Photo by Rich Kepner DE State Dirt Track Champion with Vintage Little Lincolns
Strap In, It’s Time To Go Racing!
March 28, 2006
By Bonnie Nibblett
Delmar, DE…..April is just around the corner, which means the Delaware Motorsports Complex will soon be back in full force for those Need For Speed addicts with weekly action. From Go-Karts running on Fridays nights, to the Dragway already in action on Sundays’ to the speedways half-mile clay oval which opens for Test-N-tune on Saturday, April 8, followed with the season opener Saturday, April 15, 2006. So strap in, it’s time to go racing!
Even though the 2005 season is over, the owners, drivers, and crews have little time to prepare for the next season. For fans, they can’t wait for the action to begin, but for teams a little more goes into their agenda. Most fans will get a little head start with the adrenaline by attending cars show, and all the hype when NASCAR Daytona Speedway starts in February. Fans can’t wait to see their favorite driver and new paint schemes or color this year. Who will be new, or return to the track? Who will be a force in their class this year? Either way drivers, crews, fans, sponsors all become excited for the side by side or metal to metal racing each week.
The Delaware International Speedway (DIS) introduced a GM sealed crate motor for a new class called AC Delco TSS (Technician Service Specialist) Modified in 2004 season. The class was introduced hence, for when a team is ready to step up a grade or class, such as TSS Modified to the Big Block Modified division, with minimal changes having to be made it is saving money. In the two years, so far, the TSS Modified class has produced a grand car count each week.
This year promoter, Charlie Cathell, will be introducing the same GM crate style of motor for the Street Modified class. The crate cars will be racing with the Street Modified regular driver cars from before the 2006 style car or regulations took place for this year. Both types of cars have rules to meet that will balance the two styles of race cars out as they will be racing on the track at the same time. This should be another success as the TSS Modified has proven to be so far.
This Street Modified style of car is much like the Late Model with minimal changes in order to upgrade to Late Model division. This will offer drivers an opportunity to compete in this class and not have too many changes to switch into a late model if one desires. Basically, motor, tires, shocks would be the only changes to make a switch to from street modifieds to late models. Next month, I hope to get the DIRT on the new teams and drivers that switched to this new class this year. For a complete set of rules contact the race office at 302-875-1911, or visit the tracks web site www.delawareracing.com to view the rules.
The speedway will also have a “Double Entry Night” where a driver can race in more than one class in a night’s time. As it stands, drivers are not allowed to run in more than one class in any of the tracks regular points’ night. A driver may drive in one than more class at any non-point events such as Camp Barnes. This will be allowing an entrance to any two divisions for $100 and if they win both features they would receive an additional $500. The Big Block Modifieds and the Late Models could walk away with $4000 purse if the driver participated by paying top gambling dollar in each of the two features that night.
A complete schedule is out with all the dates of what type of racing, or visiting divisions for that night of combat. The URC Sprints (United Racing Club) will visit DIS 6 times this year. The sprints always put on a spectacular night of fast progressive swift night of entertainment. URC Sprints will make the first appearance of the year, Saturday, April 22. The Little Lincoln’s put on a hot show each time they visit; first race is May 6.
The speedway has also done an overhaul in purse payouts for this season. The Big Block Modified winner’s pay will go from $1250 to $1500 for 25 laps. Teams will be allowed to “gamble” on winning. By taking a chance and by paying an additional $50 entry, the feature winner will be awarded $1750 and for an additional $100 gambler’s fee the winner would receive $2000.
The Late Model run 20 lap features and will now be paid $1000 to win. This class can as well pay a $50 gambler’s fee for the feature and receive a pay of $1250 and a $100 gambler’s fee will go to $1500 pay out. None of the drivers have other fees to pay other than admission when racing at DIS. It is not required to buy a license as some other tracks charge a fee, or pay an entry fee to race. This should give drivers a bit more drive as well.
The speedway will have a special treat when 6 time DIS Modified Champion Bobby Wilkins will be competing in the Jake Marie’s number 85 this year. Along with Bobby will be son, Beau Wilkins, who will power a second Marine car. Beau has made quite an impression on race fans too. Modified driver Gary Simpson will power a Late Model this year too. Watch your favorite driver in the Modified, Late Model, Modified Lite, Street Modified, Ac Delco TSS Modified classes.
The Dragway has just started the point’s battle among teams. All the classes will go toe to toe to compete each week. From March to June the Dragway runs on Sunday afternoons before switching to Friday nights in June. What a great way to spend an afternoon? Come check out some of these fantastic classic styled cars with gorgeous schemes for each vehicle. April 9, will mark double points that weekend. Gates open Sunday, 10AM, time trials begin 11AM.
The U. S. 13 Kart Club Track just competed a second round of practice with the last one this Saturday, April 1, 2006. WKA Delaware Dirt Divisional Series begins Saturday, April 8, followed by first club event on Friday night, April 14, 2006. This Saturdays’ practice, gates will open 9AM, registration 9 – 10:15 AM. No exceptions unless you call ahead. April 8, the track will open 7AM, Friday nights gates open 5PM, gate admission $5. Check the tracks web at www.dekarting.net for more details.
The season is officially beginning to get underway. How will the season go? Who will lead or win on a night of racing? How many cars will come out? For all your answers take in a family night of racing in Delmar. Strap in it’s time to get racing. Visit www.redbud69racing.com for all your Delaware and Surrounding Tracks Race News. See you at the track!