RGeeProductions
09-07-2016, 09:33 PM
When Mahoning Valley Speedway was re-opened in 1987 by Ward and Dottie Crozier, it came only after Dorney Park Speedway had closed the season prior. Knowing that many racers were looking for a new outlet, Mahoning Valley fit the bill perfectly and thus is was a smooth transition from the former 1/5-mile track in Allentown to the ¼-mile speedway in Lehighton.
Since that time the memory of Dorney Park has always lived on as many of the names are still in competition today with second and third generations of racers now calling Mahoning Valley Speedway home including the Wambold’s, Arthofer’s, Geist’s, Rex’s and more. And, there are those who began their careers at “The Park” and are still racing today including Eric Beers, Earl Paules, Roger Heffelfinger Jr., Don Wagner, Greg Long and Todd Ahner.
In keeping with that great tradition, this coming Saturday, September 10, Mahoning Valley Speedway will be hosting a special night for the champions of both tracks with the Dorney Park/Mahoning Valley Speedway Champions Reunion Night.
All past champions of each track will be admitted free into the grandstands as special guests. At intermission there will be an autograph session taking place plus several restored stock cars will be displayed including a recently refurbished Troyer No. 6 Modified that was driven by Tony Hirschman. Hirschman is another who also began his career at Dorney Park.
Adding to the nostalgia of the evening will be the Vintage Division of the ATQMRA. It’s a perfect match too since many of those restored open wheel cars saw plenty of action at Dorney as well as Mahoning Valley.
The race card for the evening will consist of Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, Dirt Mods, Pro 4s and Hobby Stocks. The Pro 4’s will be racing in a 35-lap/$400-to-win feature.
Also in action will be the current day TQ’s of the American Three Quarter Midget Racing Association.
Race time is 6:00 pm with main gates opening at 4:00. Adult general admission is $12. There is a $2 discount for students, seniors 65+ and active Military. Warm-ups will get underway shortly after 4:00.
For those who wish to partake in early paid practice pits will open at 11:30 am with track time beginning at 12:30.
In other track news entry forms are now available on the website for the upcoming October 8 event. A Small Car Enduro that will pay $2000 to win provided 80 or more cars are signed in on race day. A Jr. Enduro which will follow the same payout format and a Big Car Enduro has now been added. However, there must be at least 15 Big Car Enduros preregistered by October 1 in order for that to take place. All preregistered entries will save $10 off the $50 race day fee.
Rules and costs are also posted for both the Big Car and Small Car Demo Derby’s. You can also contact Tim Strohl for additional Demo Derby info at 610-462-0577.
Information on the season ending Octoberfast 2016 will be released shortly. The annual marquee event will be highlighted by a 150-lap feature for the RoC Modifieds plus Late Models, Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks and the All Star Slingshots.
For additional information please log onto www.mahoningvalley-speedway.com or on Facebook at Mahoning Valley Speedway.
Dino Oberto
Since that time the memory of Dorney Park has always lived on as many of the names are still in competition today with second and third generations of racers now calling Mahoning Valley Speedway home including the Wambold’s, Arthofer’s, Geist’s, Rex’s and more. And, there are those who began their careers at “The Park” and are still racing today including Eric Beers, Earl Paules, Roger Heffelfinger Jr., Don Wagner, Greg Long and Todd Ahner.
In keeping with that great tradition, this coming Saturday, September 10, Mahoning Valley Speedway will be hosting a special night for the champions of both tracks with the Dorney Park/Mahoning Valley Speedway Champions Reunion Night.
All past champions of each track will be admitted free into the grandstands as special guests. At intermission there will be an autograph session taking place plus several restored stock cars will be displayed including a recently refurbished Troyer No. 6 Modified that was driven by Tony Hirschman. Hirschman is another who also began his career at Dorney Park.
Adding to the nostalgia of the evening will be the Vintage Division of the ATQMRA. It’s a perfect match too since many of those restored open wheel cars saw plenty of action at Dorney as well as Mahoning Valley.
The race card for the evening will consist of Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, Dirt Mods, Pro 4s and Hobby Stocks. The Pro 4’s will be racing in a 35-lap/$400-to-win feature.
Also in action will be the current day TQ’s of the American Three Quarter Midget Racing Association.
Race time is 6:00 pm with main gates opening at 4:00. Adult general admission is $12. There is a $2 discount for students, seniors 65+ and active Military. Warm-ups will get underway shortly after 4:00.
For those who wish to partake in early paid practice pits will open at 11:30 am with track time beginning at 12:30.
In other track news entry forms are now available on the website for the upcoming October 8 event. A Small Car Enduro that will pay $2000 to win provided 80 or more cars are signed in on race day. A Jr. Enduro which will follow the same payout format and a Big Car Enduro has now been added. However, there must be at least 15 Big Car Enduros preregistered by October 1 in order for that to take place. All preregistered entries will save $10 off the $50 race day fee.
Rules and costs are also posted for both the Big Car and Small Car Demo Derby’s. You can also contact Tim Strohl for additional Demo Derby info at 610-462-0577.
Information on the season ending Octoberfast 2016 will be released shortly. The annual marquee event will be highlighted by a 150-lap feature for the RoC Modifieds plus Late Models, Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks and the All Star Slingshots.
For additional information please log onto www.mahoningvalley-speedway.com or on Facebook at Mahoning Valley Speedway.
Dino Oberto