Welcome to the winter wonderland of Atco. No complaints about the weather, its winter time!!!
Looks like we will shoot for the last weekend in February to open. We will need some warm temperatures and some rain will actually help get the snow cleaned up. The points forms will be posted up. The early mock up is similar to buying anything online. We need your info and then go shopping. Just follow the instructions and you should be able to get what you need.
We had a couple of minor typos on the rules section they are being corrected. A final draft of the 2010 schedule is being updated. Flyers will be posted up on the money race series.
New Jersey State Championships
NHRA has set up another unique racer program. The State Championships. Atco will host the first years event. The preliminary set up will be Atco, Island drag way, and Raceway Park will each take one of the regular points races during the season for this event. The winners in S Pro, Pro, Street, Motorcycle & Junior Dragster will then go to Atco raceway on Sunday September 5th. The 3 winners from each track will race each other. The first round bye will be determined by best reaction time of the final time run. The 6 winners will receive a special plaque from NHRA, and will hold the title of New Jersey State Champion. The qualifying race at Atco will be held on August 21st, For S. Pro, Pro, Street & Junior Dragsters. The Motorcycle portion will be held on Sunday August 29th.
Getting it all started in 2010
Within the next couple of weeks will start to post on the web site various information on the up and coming season.
Effective January 31st, 2010 we intend to terminate any more negativity about the weather, the economy and other such depressing subjects to ensure 2010 is our best season ever. In some of the articles to follow in regard to sponsorship and advertizing there will be one more item that needs to be addressed. You will know it when you read it.
The schedule has been posted however due to on going contract negotiations with contract accounts it is not carved in stone at this point. Our target for this will be Feb 1, 2010. But it is close and you should be able to plan most of your race season.
In regards to rules and racing programs: These will be posted in the racer area on the web. It will be broken down by class, rules, entry fees, points system, purse, and year end points payout when applicable. There will also be a general rules section for all racers.
Last year we conducted a pretty basic program. News of the economic projections created a hesitation of elaborate shows and events. In retrospect looking at the economy and obvious weather patterns this was a good decision. However we have made some changes to this year’s schedule that will promote some larger venues, and more excitement for racers and spectators in the season to come.
We have made some small adjustments in the number of weekly programs. They have been replaced by moving certain categories into a more favorable schedule for such classes as Top Sportsman & Top Dragster, Outlaw 10.5, Drag Radial 275 and 8.50 index races have been moved to mostly Saturdays and Sunday events. On certain races the addition of Pro Mods, and soon to be announced Mountain Motor Pro Stock events, will hopefully attract a larger fan base. In a number of these events discount pricing is also available. Of course our 50th Anniversary Thrill show will be held on Wed August 4th.
Atco has always been a very strong venue for Import racing. After a first year in 2009 we have extended some of these events to capitalize on this growing market. In conjunction with this program is the Hot Import Thursday night to be held once a month. We will also continue to hold monthly the Thursday Motorcycle only race night. These events will be expanded to include a vendor midway consisting of motorcycle shops and import racing shops to enhance these events.
Nostalgia events along with automotive manufacturer events have been added to the program. The Nostalgia Funny car show in June should be a real crowd pleaser. The Philadelphia Modifiers Spring and Fall events along with Buick Ford, Corvette Club Wars, Mopar, Pontiac and Chevy day covers the full gamut of racing events during the race season.
We are very optimistic about 2010. Needless to say we are dependent on everyone’s support for these new programs.
Commitments:
It is important to convey to all of the fans and racers that many of our programs and points funds are driven by sponsor & advertiser support. We will not get into specifics but there will be no point’s funds or purses that are supplemented by outside financing that will be published or supported until a contract and payment schedule is guaranteed. We try and secure these types of finance to entice racers to support and compete in our programs with confidence that they will be paid as advertized. In 2009 there was a shortfall of monies that was negotiated by sponsors to specific races and race winnings that were not and still have not paid. Atco Raceway has been able to fulfill or negotiate with individual race teams an equitable settlement out of its own pocket.
Needless to say this can not be the case in 2010. However, once it is posted in writing it will be guaranteed.Additional News Item:
Susan Verzilli passed away on January 16th, 2010. She is the wife of 8.50 Index Racer Bill Verzilli. She leaves behind 2 children Kimberly & Bill Jr. Family requests donations in Susan’s memory be sent to:
131 Jefferson Ave Mt Ephraim NJ 08059
Heads Up Racing Programs Format
In order for a compatible format so racers can compete without worrying about different technical aspects of the class, we have reached an agreement with Cecil County Dragway to run the same rules for the following classes. Outlaw 10.5, 275 Drag Radial, 8.50, 10.00, and 12.00 index. If a rule change is needed we have agreed to make the change applicable at both tracks.
The above is concerned with the technical aspects of the class. As far as purse, entry costs, year end, points fund and points systems may vary from track to track.
