RGeeProductions
01-10-2016, 07:37 PM
Second RoC date highlights Mahoning Valley Speedway schedule; Track will bookend popular pavement touring series with the addition of RoC at Octoberfast 2016
Mahoning Valley Speedway utilized the Eastern Motorsport Press Association convention held this past weekend in King of Prussia to officially release the 2016 race schedule at the popular ¼-mile paved oval in Lehighton and while this year’s calendar of events is chuck full of excellent action that will see all weekly classes getting their fill, the big news is a second date being added for the Race of Champions (RoC) asphalt Modified Series.
On November 5 of last year RoC and Mahoning officials released the info that the Tour would be returning to the track for the first time since Rick Kirkendall won a thrilling 75-lapper over Brian DeFebo on June 7, 2008.
Mahoning Valley will have the distinction of hosting the opening race of the 2016 RoC Tour on Saturday, April 9. That race is slated for a 75-lap distance.
With the buzz that continued to generate from that announcement both parties began to look into a possible second date and it wasn’t until late last week when it was decided to sign the RoC to an additional show. And, what better way to showcase the Modified stars of the RoC with the stalwarts of Mahoning then with the track’s marquee event, Octoberfast. This now presents the golden opportunity for Mahoning Valley to open and close the season with RoC races and crown a series champion.
“This is pretty awesome. With the cooperation of the Santee’s it’s just been outstanding to be able to bring the RoC Tour back to Mahoning Valley Speedway,” said Joe Skotnicki RoC Series head.
“We talked about this early on and then again recently that I was looking for that season ending event that has all the elements that brings everyone together. Octoberfast is a celebration of the sport and there isn’t a better place to do that for our final race then Mahoning Valley Speedway.
“I’m pretty certain that fans will be in for a real treat. The dynamics that are building up the (RoC) Series is going to be pretty incredible.”
The Modifieds will also see high profile shows with the Triple 25s on May 7. The Bob “Heavy” Scherer Memorial which will be run as a twin-50 event and in a real twist the season point finale on October 1 will also contested as twin 50 lappers.
The American Rental Street Stock Gamblers Series will be back with a special six race series that pays additional cash to the top card holders in those poker format races.
Late Models get an extra distance point race with the Annual George Ramos “Pineapple 50” on July 2. Same goes for the Dirt Mods who will run an extended laps feature on June 18. The Pro 4s and Hobby Stocks also have special dates inked.
Small Car Enduros have four race dates that span across the schedule plus touring groups such as the ATQMRA, All-Star Slingshots and Micro Stocks have been apportioned numerous dates.
Track officials have taken the initiative to give some classes a night off from the weekly grind in order to make a well-rounded program for all.
Pre-season Test and Tune days will take place on March 2 and April 2-3.
The complete 2016 schedule, which is subject to change, is accessible on the track’s website at www.mahoningvalley-speedway.com Mahoning Valley Speedway in located on PA Route 443 just a few miles west of Lehighton.
Dino Oberto
Mahoning Valley Speedway utilized the Eastern Motorsport Press Association convention held this past weekend in King of Prussia to officially release the 2016 race schedule at the popular ¼-mile paved oval in Lehighton and while this year’s calendar of events is chuck full of excellent action that will see all weekly classes getting their fill, the big news is a second date being added for the Race of Champions (RoC) asphalt Modified Series.
On November 5 of last year RoC and Mahoning officials released the info that the Tour would be returning to the track for the first time since Rick Kirkendall won a thrilling 75-lapper over Brian DeFebo on June 7, 2008.
Mahoning Valley will have the distinction of hosting the opening race of the 2016 RoC Tour on Saturday, April 9. That race is slated for a 75-lap distance.
With the buzz that continued to generate from that announcement both parties began to look into a possible second date and it wasn’t until late last week when it was decided to sign the RoC to an additional show. And, what better way to showcase the Modified stars of the RoC with the stalwarts of Mahoning then with the track’s marquee event, Octoberfast. This now presents the golden opportunity for Mahoning Valley to open and close the season with RoC races and crown a series champion.
“This is pretty awesome. With the cooperation of the Santee’s it’s just been outstanding to be able to bring the RoC Tour back to Mahoning Valley Speedway,” said Joe Skotnicki RoC Series head.
“We talked about this early on and then again recently that I was looking for that season ending event that has all the elements that brings everyone together. Octoberfast is a celebration of the sport and there isn’t a better place to do that for our final race then Mahoning Valley Speedway.
“I’m pretty certain that fans will be in for a real treat. The dynamics that are building up the (RoC) Series is going to be pretty incredible.”
The Modifieds will also see high profile shows with the Triple 25s on May 7. The Bob “Heavy” Scherer Memorial which will be run as a twin-50 event and in a real twist the season point finale on October 1 will also contested as twin 50 lappers.
The American Rental Street Stock Gamblers Series will be back with a special six race series that pays additional cash to the top card holders in those poker format races.
Late Models get an extra distance point race with the Annual George Ramos “Pineapple 50” on July 2. Same goes for the Dirt Mods who will run an extended laps feature on June 18. The Pro 4s and Hobby Stocks also have special dates inked.
Small Car Enduros have four race dates that span across the schedule plus touring groups such as the ATQMRA, All-Star Slingshots and Micro Stocks have been apportioned numerous dates.
Track officials have taken the initiative to give some classes a night off from the weekly grind in order to make a well-rounded program for all.
Pre-season Test and Tune days will take place on March 2 and April 2-3.
The complete 2016 schedule, which is subject to change, is accessible on the track’s website at www.mahoningvalley-speedway.com Mahoning Valley Speedway in located on PA Route 443 just a few miles west of Lehighton.
Dino Oberto