Weedsport, NY — February 28, 2009 – By Tom Skibinski, DIRTcar Racing Northeast PR Director
Full-fender racing is back at Can-Am Motorsports Park in 2009, with track officials laying the groundwork to be bigger and better than ever before at the LaFargeville, New York facility.
Utilizing the same nationally recognized chassis like Rocket, MasterSbilt, Rayburn, Bernheisel and GRT that are among the most popular on the market today, introduction of the DIRTcar Pro Late Model class, equipped with the GM Circle Track Package 602 engine, will make it more affordable for teams to compete on a regular basis at Can-Am during the upcoming season.
DIRTcar Racing expanded into the growing world of crate engine Late Model competition last year with this division designed as an economical way for drivers to enter Late Model racing. Pro Late Models feature an affordable, durable crate engine option and other rules implemented to keep costs in check.
“Crate power has proven to be a winner in the effort to promote cost-cutting means of racing and we’re hoping this division will follow suit,” remarked Can-Am General Manager Chip Burdick. “Some of our full-fender regulars have already shown a lot of interest so we feel confident the cars will come if they know there’s a place for them to race.”
Pro Late Models will join Can-Am’s regular show headlined by the DIRTcar Big-Block/358-Modifieds, DIRTcar Sportsman Modifieds and DIRTcar Street Stocks. An open practice for all track divisions is scheduled on April 11 with the ’09 lid-lifter a weekend affair running April 17-18. The Pro LMs debut for competition on April 24, with Friday the regular night for weekly racing at Can-Am this season.
Benefits to fielding a DIRTcar Pro Late Model team include a standardized set of rules that is followed by all competitors nationwide with the chance to share in thousands of dollars that is posted annually to national, regional, state and local champions across all divisions. A number of major series point races under the DIRTcar banner offer additional opportunities to compete for even more money and prestige. All members are also part of DIRTcar Racing’s expanded participant accident program, enabling drivers to receive up to $50,000 in additional medical insurance benefits that are available only with a valid DIRTcar Racing membership.
Launched just last year under the UMP DIRTcar banner, the GM 602 Pro LM division boasted a posted points fund of $33,440 that included $23,540 for the national points standings and $9,900 for the six State payoffs.
UMP DIRTcar Pro Late Model rules are available by logging into www.dirtcar.com, clicking ‘Rules’ at the top, then selecting ‘Pro Late Models’ from the division choices listed below. Rules can also be viewed by scrolling down Can-Am’s homepage www.canammotorsports.com, clicking ‘Can Am Web Board’ on the right, selecting Latest Updates & News (Can-Am & Thunder Alley), then choosing 2009 Crate Late Model Rules – Can Am from the list. A direct online link to that page is http://canamracing.proboards89.com/index.cgi?board=news&action=display&thread=225.
Additional information can be obtained by contacting Can-Am GM Chip Burdick at 315/778-3407. Can-Am Motorsports Park is located off of NYS Route 411 and can be reached from the east or west by traveling the NYS Thruway to I-81 (Exit 36). Take I-81 North or South to Rt. 411 (Exit 49), then head west four miles.
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The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Advance Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire and VP Racing Fuels. Promotional partners include Rite Aid Corporation, Dig Safely New York and the University of Northwestern Ohio and the contingency sponsors are Bars Leaks, Bert Transmission, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Crane Cams, Ferris Industries, Holley HP Carburetors, Integra Shocks, Intercomp, KSE Racing Products, Motorsports Safety Systems, Penske Shocks, Racing Electronics, Rislone Oil Stabilizer and Wrisco Industries.
