Mahoning Valley Speedway has announced that a “Rookie Hobby Stock” class will be added to the weekly race line-up starting with Opening Day on Saturday April 4.
The purpose of the division is as the name implies – rookie.
With a good number of young and aspiring talent coming out of the ¼-Midget and Go Kart ranks from around the immediate area and looking to further their careers by advancing into stock cars, it is pertinent that they acquire the right and proper skills and thus the Rookie Hobby Stock makes for the perfect steppingstone.
And to best help the beginners get acclimated to navigating around the paved ¼-mile oval and grasp the understanding of track procedures, the speedway has tapped the services of one of its best veterans to do an orientation, Earl Paules, who is Mahoning’s all-time wins leader and a multi-time track champion.
Paules already knows many of the participants that are coming into the fold from his time as Race Director at Blue Mountain Quarter Midget Club in Walnutport.
“I think this is a great idea. We have to start somewhere and this is the future of our sport,” said Paules.
“I feel that if you feed them to the wolves they’re going to get discouraged and may possibly quit. In this format they’ll be racing against others who haven’t raced in a full size stock car on a race track.”
The orientation will be held on the last of three Test and Tune days which is Saturday, March 28. All rookies are encouraged to take in the Test and Tune sessions slated for March 14, 21 & 28 from noon to 4:00 pm.
The Rookie Hobby Stock class will be comprised of a 12 race schedule, running each week from April 4 through June 20. At the conclusion of that period a champion will be crowned with runner-up and third place in points also being recognized.
There will be a $500 purse sponsored by E. Snyder & Sons Inc., Scrap Metal of Allentown. The champ will be presented $250 with $150 for second and $100 to third in final points. All other challengers, along with the top three, will be presented with graduation medals during a special ceremony on the last race.
The procedure rules will be as follows.
Feature race will be 12-laps in distance and run as the first event of the night. The winner of the race will then be awarded a starting spot in the regular Hobby Stock feature without running a heat or consi. All other drivers may attempt, if they so choose, to qualify in regular Hobby Stock feature.
Drivers must be 12-years of age or older, however, if younger then proof of past racing experience must be presented and will be decided at track’s discretion. Parental or guardian signed wavier for age 14 and younger is required.
“I feel that this is a great opportunity to give these young men and women the proper launch to racing at Mahoning Valley Speedway,” offered track promoter Keith Hoffman.
“The Hobby Stock class is one of our best divisions because of its affordability plus it serves a key entry level division too and for many of these kids they will be able use the Rookie class as a great learning tool to sharpen their skills.”
There will be a registration form on the track’s website, http://www.mahoningvalley-speedway.com/ for all rookies to fill out.
The start of the regular season gets underway on Saturday, April 4 at 5:00 pm when round one of the Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fame Series takes place.
The night will highlighted by the Doug Hoffman Memorial 60 lap feature for the Modifieds paying $2000-to-win. There is also a $1000 gamblers fee sponsored by Gambler Transportation of Whitehall. 10th place pays $500. Also on the docket will be Late Models, Street Stocks, Pro 4s and Hobby Stocks.
Please log onto the official Mahoning Valley Speedway website at www.mahoningvalley-speedway.com or on Facebook at Mahoning Valley Speedway for updated info and news. Mahoning Valley Speedway is located on PA route 443 just a few miles west of Lehighton.
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