358 DIRT Modified Applefest Shootout
Returns in 2008 with New Title Sponsor
Brighton Speedway is proud to announce that Benson Auto
Parts has come on board as the Title Sponsor for the 2008
addition of the Benson Auto Parts 358 Dirt Modified
Applefest Shootout presented by ImageFactor.ca. Now in its
forth season the event is looking stronger than ever with
it’s new title sponsor.
“Because of the support, every year we have been able grow
the event and 2008 will be no different” said event
Coordinator and sponsor Greg Calnan of ImageFactor.ca. 2008
will again see an increased purse for the drivers and the
fans will get to see a great field of 358’s for the 50 lap
main event. “Our only mistake in 2007 was the track prep”
said Brighton Speedway Promoter Mark Rinaldi. “A dry, hot
and windy day made it difficult to get good conditions and
we ended up with an extremely dry track, we won’t let that
happen again” vowed Rinaldi.
2007 saw teams from all over Ontario, New York and Quebec
attend the 358 Shootout, and the plan is to build off of
that with a complete summer to plan and promote the Benson
Auto Parts 358 DIRT Modified Shootout. Drivers like Pete
Bicknell, Mark Hitchcock, and 2007 winner Mario Clair are
already circling September 27th on their 2008
racing calendar.
For 2008 the Benson Auto Parts Applefest Shootout will see
the winner race for a $2,000.00 top prize with the increase
in purse for 2008 coming from positions 13 – 24 that will
see the 24th place finisher take home $400.00
just to start the race. “The evenly dispersed payout that
isn’t top heavy and pays well right down to 24th
is probably the biggest reason for the strong support by
competitors in the first two running’s of the event” said
Rinaldi.
Returning again for 2008 to join the main event is the Lucas
Oil Clash for Cash. This popular event sponsored by
Lucas Oil is just another example of their commitment to
local short track racing. Lucas Oil will pit the best of
the East against the best of the West in a 15 lap “Clash
for Cash”. Qualifiers for this event will comprise of
the top three drivers from the Lucas Oil Canadian Series and
the top three drivers from the Lucas Oil Summer Shootout 358
series as well as the winner of each qualifier on the eve of
the 27th. 2007 Rookie Driver Chris Steele upset
the field with a win over some of the finest drivers in the
Northeast and will no doubt be looking to repeat in 2008.
This race will have a completely separate purse paying the
winner $1,500.00 with a total of $5,000.00 for 15 laps above
and beyond the scheduled 50 lap main event. All this means
is that for 10 drivers on this night they will be guaranteed
to take home no less than $650.00 and if one driver can put
together a win in both the 15 lap “Clash for Cash”
and the 50 lap main event that driver will leave the
Brighton Speedway with $3,500.00 in his/her pocket.
The Lucas Oil Canadian Series is a 5 race series made up of
2 Eastern Ontario and 3 Quebec tracks. Now in its 4th
season the Lucas Oil Canadian Series hosts events at
Autodrome Granby, Autodrome Drummond, Autodrome Edelweiss,
Brockville Ontario Speedway and Cornwall Motor Speedway
throughout June and July.
The Lucas Oil Summer Shootout is a separate 5 race series
that takes place in Western Ontario and Western New York
State. In its third season will see the series hold events
at Ransomville Speedway, Genesee Speedway, Merrittville
Speedway, Humberstone Speedway and Ohsweken Speedway.
“Seeing the top drivers from these two great series compete
at Brighton Speedway in the “Lucas Oil Clash for Cash”
will be one of my 2008 highlights” claims Brighton Speedway
Promoter Mark Rinaldi. “There has been a lot of cooperation
between promoters to make all these series and events happen
but Lucas Oil is a major contributing factor with their
support of dirt racing!”
For more info on the Benson Auto
Parts 358 DIRT Modified Shootout presented by ImageFactor.ca
or the “Lucas Oil Clash for Cash” visit
www.imagefactor.ca/applefestshootout or
www.brightonspeedway.com
