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March 31, 2008
Winter still stubbornly hangin'
around the Capitol District...
Although drivers in the Champlain Valley Racing Association have probably never been tossed around in a twister, and would never think of wearing red slippers, they still have something in common with Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz” movie.
They know that there's no place like home.
“We've shattered our numbers for preseason registrations this year,” said CVRA race director Bruce Richards. “That should tell you something, right there.”
While other tracks try gimmicks like heavily front-loaded modified purses and point-chasing series to fill their fields, the CVRA sticks to basics, offering affordable racing with consistent rules in a family atmosphere. Other tracks make a point of catering to the elite stars in the modified division, but the CVRA tries to take care of everyone, from the 358 modifieds to the limiteds and mini-stocks.
“We support the fabric of American short-track racing,” said Richards. “Our limiteds race for prize money, whereas at tracks like Fonda and Lebanon Valley, they get nothing. These drivers are the future of racing, and if they can't afford to stay in the sport, there's no future.”
Many drivers have ventured out to different tracks in recent years, but most of them have returned to Albany-Saratoga and Devil's Bowl because of the affordability. “Modified drivers may be racing for less at Albany-Saratoga and Devil's Bowl than they could get at other tracks, but they also find out that the tire bills at the other area tracks are astronomical,” said Richards. “At Albany-Saratoga and Devil's Bowl, it's been proven that the tires can be used again and again.”
“Drivers shouldn't get caught up in the hype. I know promoters who are like carnival barkers. They'll promise drivers anything to get them to their tracks, but once the drivers get inside, they find that most of the sales pitch was just talk. Drivers have to make sure they look at the bottom line.”
An unexpected snowfall has forced Albany-Saratoga Speedway to juggle its April schedule. The practice session for April 4 has been canceled. The first practice, which will include chassis set-up and driving clinics, will be held on Friday, April 11. Gates will open at 4 p.m., with cars going on the track at 6.
“We want to get on the track that weekend,” said Richards. “If there's a problem on Friday, we'll
go to Saturday, and if we have to, we'll go to Sunday. Drivers and owners should be looking at our
web site (www.cvra.com) for updates.”
“If, for some reason, we don't get on the track at all the weekend of April 11th, we'll run practice the weekend of April 18th, and push our first race of the season back a week, until April 25. It's still early. I know everyone is anxious to get going, but we want to make sure everything is ready before we open the gates for the 2008 season.”
February 26, 2008
Racing clinics to be held at
both CVRA facilities.
Malta, NY -- For the first time ever, the Champlain Valley Racing Association will be hosting a series of clinics, which will focus on chassis setup and driving techniques, at both Albany-Saratoga Speedway and Devil's
Bowl Speedway.
The clinics, which will be held for drivers in all divisions, will be held on April 4 and April 11 at Albany-Saratoga, and April 12 and May 10 at Devil's Bowl, and will run in conjunction with the test and tune sessions that are scheduled at both tracks.
Exact times for the clinics will be determined in the near future.
“This is something I've wanted to do for a long time,” said Albany-Saratoga Speedway promoter Bruce Richards. “In the past, we've always held driving schools, but we think clinics, where drivers will be working with their peers, are a better way to go. I've been putting out calls to several members of the CVRA, and I'm still assembling a team to run the clinics.”
Drivers who have already expressed interest in helping run the clinics are Ken Tremont Jr., Jack Johnson and Ronnie Johnson in the 358 modified division, and Dave Madej and Kim Duell in the
pro stock division.
“They're going to offer their services to help teams with chassis setup and driving techniques,” said Richards. “My goal is to assemble enough instructors, so to speak, so that teams needing help will be getting the maximum amount of attention.”
According to Richards, the cost for the clinics will be minimal, and will probably amount to no more than a regular pit fee. But the clinics will only be open to valid 2008 CVRA members.
“I'm still looking for more people to help out with this, so if anyone is interested, especially in the support classes,
they should get in touch with me at the track,” said Richards.
The number at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway office is (518) 587-0220.
“One of the reasons we want to do this is because the 2008 drivers rosters are setting an all-time record, and we've got a lot of brand-new
drivers coming in,” said Richards. “This will help them get started.”
In the event the clinics have to be postponed because of weather, Sunday rain dates will be used. “No matter what, we will be having these clinics,” said Richards.
Albany-Saratoga Speedway is scheduled to kick off its 2008 racing season on Friday, April 18, while Devil's Bowl will run its first race of the year on Sunday, May 18.
January 31, 2008
Successful 2008 Owner/Driver
Meeting Held in Glens Falls NY
Glens Falls, NY -- Any doubts about the future of Albany-Saratoga Speedway were put to rest Saturday, Jan 26, at the Champlain Valley Racing Association's annual drivers/owners meeting.
A record number of race teams packed the West Glens Falls VFW hall as Albany-Saratoga Speedway race director Bruce Richards outlined plans for the 2008 season.
Throughout the fall, rumors about the sale of the speedway were prominent on the Internet, but when Richards also talked about plans for the speedway in 2009 and beyond, it became apparent that the historic track in Malta,
NY will be in operation for some time to come.
Drivers and owners from all CVRA divisions had an opportunity to express their concerns at the meeting, and Richards said that CVRA management will be studying some of the recommendations to fine-tune the rules and regulations for the 2008 campaign. “Any announcements that we make will be put up on the CVRA
web site at www.cvra.com, so I think it would be wise for drivers and owners to check in once in a while to keep up with the latest developments,” said Richards.
While all of the divisions were well-represented at the meeting, the largest turnout was for the budget sportsman, which made its debut
on the CVRA last season. This year, the budget sportsman will be running on a weekly basis at Albany-Saratoga, sparking even more interest in the entry-level class. “We've had a number of drivers who have never raced in their life sign up this year, so it looks like we're doing something right,” said Richards.
Richards also announced that Albany-Saratoga Speedway plans on running a driving school in the spring, but a date hasn't been set. Drivers who are interested in attending the driving school should contact Richards at the speedway (518-587-0220) to express their interest, because there will be limited availability for spots in the class.
The CVRA will once again be holding a car show at the Wilton Mall in Saratoga Springs during the last weekend in March. But because of space constraints this year, the show will be limited to participants from Albany-Saratoga and Devil's Bowl Speedways.
CVRA management would like to congratulate a number of past and present CVRA members for being honored at the recent New York State Stock Car Association banquet. Mike Budka Sr., whose familiar B&H Auto modified carried drivers like C.D. Coville, Jack Johnson, Ray Dalmata, Jay Bleser and Joey Budka to victory lane, received a Lifetime Achievement Award, and announcer Dan Martin was the recipient of the Arty McCarty Memorial Award for dedication to NYSSCA.
Former flagger Kenny Marshall received the Harry Peek Memorial Award for dedication to racing, Ken Tremont Sr. was honored as Car Owner of the Year, 2007 track champion Ken Tremont Jr. earned the Overall Outstanding Performance Award and Phil DeFiglio, who dominated the mini-stock division, took home a President's Award.
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