From Brian Liskai
FREMONT, Ohio (September 7, 2016) – When the late Jim Ford saved Fremont Speedway in 2000, he did it because of his passion for dirt track racing and because he wanted to give the “little guy” a place to race and have fun.
To honor that commitment Fremont Speedway will pay out the highest total purse in the nine year history of the Jim Ford Classic which is set for Friday and Saturday, Sept. 16 and 17.
“Jim was always looking out for the racers who didn’t have big budgets. He always tried to make sure they could make at least enough to get back to the track each week. When we began talking about what we were going to do for this year’s Jim Ford Classic, it just kept coming back that we wanted to show our gratitude to the race teams that support us week in and week out,” said Fremont Speedway Promoter Rich Farmer.
On All Pro Cylinder Heads Night, Friday, Sept. 16, it will be the championship night for the Kistler Racing Products FAST Championship Series presented by KS Sales and Service for the 410 sprints and the JLH General Contractor 305 FAST Series presented by Engine Pro. It is also the track championship night for the McCullough Industries 602 Late Models.
The Fort Ball Pizza Palace 410 sprints will compete for $5,000 to win the 30-lap feature with $500 to start. The Fremont Federal Credit Union 305 Sprints will compete for a total A-main purse of over $10,000 – one of the richest in the division’s history. The 305 feature winner will take home $2,000 with the purse including $305 to start the A-main. There will also be an increased purse for the 602 late models.
Following the races each night, the traditional campground fun will continue. After the last checkers have fallen Friday, local band Small Town Throwdown, featuring sprint driver Bryan Sebetto, will play.
Saturday’s Jim Ford Classic events begin at 9:30 a.m. with the 5th Annual Kick-It tournament featuring 10 local teams. There will also be a silent auction with many awesome racing and non-racing items up for bid. There will be a live auction at 12:30 p.m. followed by the 2017 Fremont Speedway Queens and Little Miss contest in the Fremont Speedway Hall of Fame at 1 p.m.
The racing action on JLH General Contractor Night begins with gates opening at 4 p.m.
“Jon Horn and JLH have been phenomenal to work with over the years. Once again Jon is stepping up and putting added money up for those race teams who have a JLH oval decal on their cars (the stickers will be available at the pit shed). Jon is also putting up $100 to the fan who catches the Frisbee with the winning driver’s autograph,” Farmer said.
JLH General Contractor is also paying $100 to the best wheel stand from throughout the night as determined by the “Fourth Turn Freaks” fan group; $100 to the hard charger, $100 to the tough luck driver and an extra $1,000 if the JLH sponsored cars of Jordan Ryan or DJ Foos wins the feature.
Saturday’s 30-lap 410 sprint feature will pay $5,000 to win and $500 to start.
The 305 sprint teams will all compete in a feature as the field is split.
“Jim Ford started that tradition and we are more than proud to continue it. The 305 teams have been wonderful to us this year and this is our way of rewarding them for their dedication and support,” Farmer said.
The Burmeister Trophy Dirt Trucks will also see a purse increase Saturday.
Following the races the band Quickshine will perform in the campground.
“Besides the great racing, one of the more fun traditions that has come out of the Jim Ford Classic is the fun in the campgrounds and with the two bands we have it will be a blast once again,” Farmer added.
For more information go to www.fremontohspeedway.com