DirtRippers

Joined : 06 Mar 2008 Posts : 23

Bold New Year at Hilltop
March 7, 2008

Millersburg Ohio - A new season of dirt track racing is fast approaching and the expert staff at Hilltop Speedway is busy preparing and finalizing the plans that will kick off our third and most exciting year ever. First a quick review of 2007, Hilltop got off to a few false starts due to extremely cold weather but George Lee rolled right out of the box on opening night with a feature win and begins an incredible and memorable roll to a championship. Consistently in the fast dash, “The General” powered his bright red # 21 Cowen Truck Lines dirt Late Model to seven feature wins, a new track record of 13.533 seconds and had race fans from across the state talking about his over the edge driving style. However, far from stealing the show fans were treated to the highest level of competition every week as Eric Myers, David Scott, Doug Drown, Ryan Markham, Norm Aronhalt, Dave Hornikel, Rick Aukland, and Dave Hess Jr. also claimed feature wins on the season. The 2007 season also saw the Modified division move from the sidelines and into the spotlight as Norm Aronhalt enjoyed a story book year behind the wheel of his Phantom 309 by claiming the championship and set a benchmark for all future competitors to aim for at ten feature wins. This amazing feat was far from an easy one as he faced the toughest competition around each and every week with Dave Hess Jr., Kevin Morehouse, Blaine Aber, Mark Gardiner, Charlie Duncan, Larry Kugel, Barry Jacobs, and Kyle Brown also finding winners circle. Fred Snyder, Josh Hershberger, and Chaz Odell all drove to championships at Hilltop in 2007 in the Pure Stock, Mini Stock, and Mini Truck classes that were featured every week. Hilltop completed twenty three full nights of racing and hosted five sanctioned events with The All Star Circuit of Champions, The Independent Racing Series, and MACS Super Late Models while both the Jack Norris Memorial and the Halloween Havoc events are both successful and popular independent shows held by Hilltop. Not everything went perfect, but 2007 will be remembered as an awesome sophomore year of operation for the recently resurrected dirt track speedway located near Millersburg Ohio.

The new year holds many changes for Hilltop Speedway and we are sure to begin with some trial and error but please be assured after a little fine tuning Hilltop Speedway will give our racing community a fast paced and action packed night of racing all within a safe, affordable, and friendly environment. In an attempt to provide a variety of different types of racing Hilltop Speedway will open the gates on Saturday evenings to Limited Late Models, Mini Stocks, and the growing Mini Truck divisions as headliners. On occasion Flat Track Motorcycles and Quad Racers will fill our Saturday evenings. Our staff also extends a welcome to Fremont Trucks, Street Stocks, Sprint Cars, Midgets, or any type of open competition to join us and we are looking at the possibility of holding an Enduro / Demo Derby, Big Block Modifieds, and other very special events, while careful not to conflict with other regional racing or events. Friday nights will remain our primary dates and feature Super Late Models, Modifieds, and Pure Stocks. Of particular concern, we have noticed race fans and neighbors have grown weary of late nights at the race track and this is especially true for a Friday night operation such as Hilltop. We are taking the necessary steps to change that situation by providing a fast and efficient show featuring three premier divisions and the highest level of talent each night. The benefits are numerous and we are confident race fans will see a spectacular show and come back next week wanting more.

Weather permitting Hilltop Speedway will open the gates first on Friday April 11 with Super Late Models, Modifieds, and Pure Stocks. The following night we kick off Saturdays with Limited Late Models, Mini Stocks, and Mini Trucks and complete our first ever Thunder on the Hill racing program with an offer of two nights racing excitement at a discounted ticket price. The Independent Racing Series will once again begin the year at Hilltop Speedway on Friday April 18 offering Late Models a chance to beat the taxman with a chance to win $6,000 during the “IRS Deadline 50”. Hilltop Speedway has been a strong supporter of the IRS since its inception and the series returns on July 4th and we are going to make some noise! We are very excited to announce The Lucas Oil Dirt Racing Series will make their first ever stop on the Hilltop on Friday May 30. This event will bring in some of the nations best competitors and pay $7,000 to win, a record purse for Hilltop. Sell out crowds are expected during both All Star Circuit of Champions dates, the speed week stop is on Tuesday, June 24 followed by the “Fall Brawl” held on August 31. It is a breath taking experience watching 410 Sprints race three and sometimes four wide while turning 11 second laps around our high banks. In 2008 race fans are guaranteed to see their favorite drivers perform at Hilltop Speedway as we include two dates for the MACS dirt Late Model Racing Series with $5,000 to win shows. Scheduled on Friday August 22 and again on Saturday Sept 27 this series brings the highest level of professionalism and talented drivers such as Jason Covert, Rob Blair, Dave Hess Jr., Rod Conley, Doug Drown, and many more. Hilltop Speedway is the only race track in the area to offer this much variety of top entertainment and talented racers.

Special events are not the only reason to visit Hilltop Speedway in 2008. The weekly competition is the best you may find anywhere and they will be rewarded with several high paying events throughout the year and we include every division. Of special note the 3rd Annual Jack Norris Memorial will feature Late Models, Modifieds, and Pure Stocks racing for a nearly doubled weekly purse as a way of saying thank you for their participation and support of sanctioned races. Making a return to Hilltop Speedway after a 35 year absence, Flat Track motorcycle racing returns on Saturday May 10 with Quad Racers in support. These will be trophy divisions and bargain entertainment, only five bucks buys you a grandstand seat and $10 allows you close to the action and pit side. A very popular event, Halloween Havoc will return on Saturday night, October 25 and we promise this year’s edition will close the season on a grand scale. There is sure to be other major announcements coming soon.

On the fan side of the track Troyers Trail Bologna and Pulled Pork sandwiches will be added to an improved menu while a new American Payroll Advance Victory Lane will be constructed by our friends at Dutch Country Stone. This will be located between the pits and grandstands to give fans and team members a better opportunity for celebration after that special win. We hope to provide on the spot photo printing that will allow teams and fans to take that special moment home to share and also use this area for promotions and autograph sessions, bringing fans and their favorite drivers closer than ever. Hilltop Speedway is proud to announce almost all of our experienced and friendly staff will return in 2008 as will most of our sponsors that include Rod Eddleblute Inc., Holmes Tire Inc., The Bargain Shed, Mid Ohio Graphics, and Macs Drive Thru along with many more that you will easily notice on our very large billboards or on our website at www.hilltopspeedway.net. As sponsors and funds become available there are many projects on the drawing board designed to provide fans better comfort and facilities as we host ever growing and expanding events. We’ve come a long way as we begin our third year and there is still much to be done. We are working hard to provide the best we can and it can only be done with your support. From Jeff Norris and the entire staff at Hilltop Speedway, we wish racers and fans everywhere the best and most exciting season ever. We sincerely hope you include Hilltop Speedway in your dirt track journeys. Thank you.

Joined : 06 Mar 2008 Posts : 23

Hilltop Speedway / April Schedule of Events