King of Dirt Series visits for first time; SCoNE, USAC, GSMS make multiple visits
BRADFORD – Bear Ridge Speedway officials have scheduled an action packed 49th season of stock car racing that will see multiple visits from the USAC Dirt Midget Association, Sprint Cars of New England, and Granite State Mini Sprint Club, as well as the first appearance by the King of Dirt Sportsman Modified Series.
The 99ROCK Weekly Racing Series will kick off on Saturday, May 7 with a full day of activities – first the annual car show held at the Jiffy Mart of Bradford before heading up to Kidder Road for the first green flag of the season presented by FMS Auto Parts NAPA. The opening events holds much importance as it will be the first of three double-point counting events in 2016.
Many major events are planned during the 2016 season, first as Bear Ridge Speedway helps celebrate the Birth of America on Saturday, July 2 with the Fourth of July Celebration. The event will see the USAC Dirt Midget Association and Sprint Cars of New England host events in combination with a major firework display. Also, the Sabil & Sons DIRTcar Sportsman Modified will host their extra-point, extra-purse three-segment “Madness” event.
Two weeks later will see the Mickey & Shirley Bruleigh Memorial Event for the Mid-Season Track Championships that will pay double points to all divisions.
The New England Dirt Track Championships will take place on Saturday, September 17. The event will crown the track champions in all of Bear Ridge’s five divisions in the double point paying event.
The season finale will take place on Saturday, September 24 with the first appearance of the 1-800-GOT-JUNK? King of Dirt Sportsman Modified Series, which will be known as the Green Mountain State Clash 100. The Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupes and USAC Dirt Midget Association will also compete in the Crate Motor National event.
The USAC Dirt Midget Association will run a bi-weekly schedule once again in 2016 through August 27 before doubling up for the final two events of the season.
The mighty winged warriors from the Sprint Cars of New England will make seven visits during the 2016 season, first during Memorial Day Weekend on Saturday, May 28. The Sprint Cars will visit the track again on June 11, July 2, July 23, August 20, September 9, and September 17.
The smaller winged warriors of the Granite State Mini Sprint Club will also make seven visits to Bear Ridge Speedway in 2016, first on Saturday, May 14. Other events will be held on June 25, July 9, August 6, August 13, and the Spencer Rocke Classic on September 10.
The Sportsman Coupe Madness event will take place on Saturday, August 6 in the John Poor Memorial, while the Limited Late Model Madness event will take place on Saturday, July 23. The Four Cylinder Madness event will kick off the special event season on Saturday, June 11.
Five Enduros will take place during the 2016 season at Bear Ridge with the first coming on Saturday, May 28. Other Enduros will take place on June 25, July 30, September 3, and September 24.
Bear Ridge Speedway will host five benefits during the 2016 season, first with the Vermont Foodbank on May 21. Other benefits include the New Digs for Dogs on June 18, David’s House on July 9, Bradford Bull Dogs on August 13, and Racing Against Cancer on September 3.
The kids of Bear Ridge Speedway will also participate in at least three events during the 2016 season, first on June 11 with Kid’s Rides. Kid’s Rides will also take place again on August 13. The Kid’s Bicycle races will take place on July 30.
Bear Ridge’s 49th season will unofficially begin on Saturday, April 30 with the Upper Valley Car Show held at the Fireside Inn in West Lebanon, N.H.
2016 Bear Ridge Speedway Schedule
Race-Date-Event
X – Sat., April 30 – Upper Valley Car Show
1 – Sat., May 7 – FMS Auto Parts NAPA Opening Night – USAC DMA
2 – Sat., May 14 – Alarmco, Inc. Night – GSMS
3 – Sat., May 21 – Dad’s 4 By Tool & Supply VT Foodbank Benefit Night – USAC DMA
4 – Sat., May 28 – R&M Automotive Night – SCoNE
5 – Sat., June 4 – Woodsville Guaranty Savings Bank Night – USAC DMA
6 – Sat., June 11 – Mekkelsen RV Night – ScoNE, Four Cylinder Madness
7 – Sat., June 18 – Jiffy Mart of Bradford New Digs for Dogs Benefit Night – USAC DMA
8 – Sat., June 25 – Wells River Savings Bank Night – GSMS, Enduro
9 – Sat., July 2 – Fireworks Night – USAC DMA & SCoNE, Modified Madness
10 – Sat., July 9 – Dennis Preston Builders David’s House Benefit Night – GSMS
11 – Sat., July 16 – Shirley & Mickey Bruleigh Mid-Season Championships – USAC DMA
12 – Sat., July 23 – Regular Event – ScoNE & GSMS, Late Model Madness
13 – Sat., July 30 – Interstate Battery of Newmont Night – USAC DMA
14 – Sat., Aug. 6 – Walker Motor Sales John Poor Memorial Night – Coupe Madness & GSMS
15 – Sat., Aug. 13 – Swenson Insurance Co. Bull Dogs Benefit Night – USAC DMA
16 – Sat., Aug. 20 – Sabil & Sons Old Timers Night – ScoNE & NEAR
17 – Sat., Aug. 27 – Dead River Co. Night – USAC DMA
18 – Sat., Sept. 3 – Valley Floors Racing Against Cancer Benefit Night – ScoNE & Enduro
19 – Sat., Sept. 10 – Shaker Valley Auto Spencer Rocke Memorial Night – GSMS
20 – Sat., Sept. 17 – Lucky’s Trailer Sales NE Dirt Track Championships – USAC DMA & SCoNE
21 – Sat., Sept. 24 – King of Dirt Series 100 – USAC DMA & Enduro
(Alan Ward photo)