Accord, New York - Accord Speedway Sets the Stage for the King of the Catskills
by Steve Pados, Accord Media

ACCORD, N.Y. -- The final five division program of the season for the Accord Speedway will take place on September 28th as the "King of the Catskills" weekend will take center stage at the Ulster County speedplant. Traditionally run as the final event of the Accord racing season, the race has undergone a few styles and changes throughout it's inception, but the event has always brought along some great competition with it throughout the ranks as well. A rain-date of September 29th has been aside in case of inclement weather.

Despite the fact six rainouts have plagued the regular season racing schedule, Promoter Gary Palmer has enjoyed a banner year at his "Gem in the Catskills" speedplant. With a new rules package in place for 2007, Big Block powered race cars were incorporated into the Accord/Rhinebeck Ford Modified rulebook. Big Block cars weighing in at 2500 pounds, would now to be able to battle heads up with the 2004 DIRT legal racers that graced the 1/4 mile facility in the past.

The added competition brought in a rash of new talent all hoping to secure a win at the racy "run it to the walls" facility. Veteran Warwick, New York wheel-twister Richie Eurich drew first blood on the small block aficianados when he became the first Big Block car to secure a win at the 45 year old raceway. One week later, Jerry Higbie hustled his way to victory utilizing Big Block power in his Mid City Transit/HigFab sponsored mount. Although these triumphs caused some concern among the smallblock railbird purists, the 358 powerplants still ruled the roost at Accord. Rich Ricci Jr, who secured an early season small block win, returned to the speedway with his second car and it too was sporting Big Block power bolted between the rails. Ricci Jr secured a win with the car and last Friday night Jerry Higbie drove to his second Big Block win of the season, showing the racing public the Big Block racers are here to stay.

The "King of the Catskills" race will feature 75 laps of racing for the Rhinebeck Ford Modifieds, and paying out a cool $5,000.00 to the winner of the event. A healthy increased purse will have the 10th place car earning $700.00 for his efforts and a $225.00 payout for the 24th position paying position in the 24 car starting field. A Dash for Cash, presented by Bars for Less, will pay the winner $1,000.00 for the short sprint. A banner field of Modified talent is expected in for the event and inquiries as far away as the State of Delaware have been handled by the Accord Staff. Many top drivers from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and the home state of New York have all expressed an interest to race in the prestigious event.
The Modifieds will draw for heats and then re-draw for the feature. The Modified rules are slightly altered for the event. All cars entered must have an accepted Modified chassis. No Rev-Boxes are allowed. Sail Panels are allowed and cannot measure more than 65 inches from the ground to the top part of the panel. Side window openings cannot extend forward of the driver's seat. A 4 inch roof spoiler is allowed. No two-way radios are allowed but a one-way radio is required. The radio frequency is 461025 to alert the drivers in advance. There is an open tire rule for the Modifieds, but the right rear must be a 92 inch tire. No Late Model tires are allowed.

The engine rules for the Modifieds are as follows. A car with an Accord ironhead 358 motor on Gas or Alcohol must weigh in at 2400 pounds. The DIRT legal 358 motor with Aluminum heads and raced on Gasoline only must weigh in at 2450 pounds. All Big Block and large displacement small block motors, can run Gas or Alcohol and must weigh in at 2500 pounds. Fuel Injection is not allowed.

Entry forms for the "King of the Catskills" event are available online at: www.accordspeedway.com

Four other divisions of racing at the speedway will enjoy increased purses for the running of their respective events. The Camper's Barn Sportsman will race 25-laps for $750.00 to win. The Amsoil Pro Stocks and the Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman will be racing 20-laps for $400.00 in their respective divisions. The Bryant's Towing Pure Stock will race 20-laps to the tune of $250.00 for their feature event. All payouts are based on a 20 car starting field.
All speedway divisions other than the Modifieds will race under the same Accord rules that have been in place for the 2007 racing season. The 2007 rules are available on the Accord website.

Admission for the curtain closer on the 2007 racing season are as follows. Spectator admission is $18.00. For Seniors over 65 years of age, the admission is $16.00. Juniors from ages 8 to 12, the admission price is $10.00.
Kids 7 and under, the admission is $1.00. For those wishing to take advantage of the new indoor seating area, the admission price is $20.00. Campers are most welcome. (There are no hook-ups on site)

Pit Gates will open on the 28th at 3:30. Hot Laps will be at 6 PM. Spectator gates will open at 5 PM. Accord Speeedway is located at 297 Whitfield Road in Accord New York 12404