Erie, MI (July 5, 2016) – The MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP mini-series swings back into action in a big way this weekend.
With race #1 of the five-MAHLE/Clevite BLC in the books, SOD point leader Brian Smith holds the early BLC point lead with his win at Merritt Speedway on June 18th. Thomas Schinderle is currently in 2nd place, and Dan McCarron is 3rd.
BLC race #2 is at I-96 Speedway (Lake Odessa, MI) this Friday, July 8th. I-96 has been a regular stop for the SOD series, last racing their on July 31st of last year. Friday’s event will be the first of two for SOD at I-96 in 2016, with the unlimited sprints returning on Friday, August 13th.
Race #3, the next day, July 9th, is at Thunderbird Raceway in Muskegon, Michigan. Long-time racer and promoter Tom Sprague reopened the 50-year-old Thunderbird Raceway after the track was closed three years ago. Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP last raced at Thunderbird on May 10, 2008; Ben Rutan was the winner.
Each race will pay competitors $300 to start the feature, $100 to win heat races, and $100 for the Engine Pro Lucky Dog winner drawn from all competitors. The weekend will also pay $2,386 in contingency cash and certificates, and $1,000 in bonuses.
The challenge offers drivers the opportunity to compete in a mini-championship within the full Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP schedule for an additional, separate point fund. The 4th race will be on July 30th at Crystal Motor Speedway (Crystal, MI). The final race of the mini-series will take place on August 13th at Butler Speedway (Quincy, MI).
The 2016 MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge was originally set to pay the top five positions, but has been expanded to seven positions. The payout will be paid at the 2016 SOD banquet as follows: 1) $1,000, 2) $600, 3) $400, 4) $300, 5) $200, 6) $150, 7) $100.
Every weekend it is on dirt short tracks across America on Friday and Saturday nights where modern day gladiators fight in arenas to see who can be the best. Grass roots’ racing is the heart of motor sports, Clevite® engine bearings and MAHLE® engine parts are there to make sure these weekend warriors can go the distance and win the trophies. Debates carry on over who is the best on the track, but there is no debate that Clevite and MAHLE are the one constant of winning teams throughout grass roots racing.
For more information about MAHLE/Clevite, go to https://catalog.mahle-aftermarket.com/eu/home/index.xhtml?l=EN. For more information about Engine Pro, go to www.enginepro.com. For more information about ARP, go to www.arp-bolts.com. The full 2016 Sprints on Dirt schedule, rules, current news, and other information are available at www.sprintsondirt.com.
Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP is brought to you by many important sponsor partners including: Engine Pro (Title Sponsor), ARP (Title Sponsor), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official SOD Tire), MAHLE/Clevite (Beyond Limits Challenge Sponsor), Engine Pro (Lucky Dog Sponsor), Lane Automotive (Primary Heat Race Sponsor), Engler Machine & Tool (Primary Heat Race Sponsor), COMP Cams (Primary Heat Race Sponsor), RockAuto.com (SOD Series Rookie of the Year Sponsor & SOD Sprint Car Rookie of the Year Sponsor), XYZ Machining (Sportsman of the Year Sponsor & Crew Chief of the Year Sponsor), KSE Racing Products (Hard Charger Sponsor). In addition, SOD contingency sponsors include: Allstar Performance, ATL Racing Fuel Cells, BR Motorsports, Diversified Machine Inc. (DMI), Kistler Racing Products, King Racing Products, K2W Precision/Keizer Aluminum Wheels, License 2 Play, Maxim Racing, Racing Optics, Schoenfeld Headers, Simpson Racing Products, Rod End Supply, and Ti22 Performance.