Mar 9, 2009 09:38 AM EDT

Black Rock Rock Launcher Weekend Under a Month Away

DUNDEE, NY - Less than four months after Black Rock Speedway saw its last checkered flag, the 2009 season is now squarely ahead, with the major Rock Launcher Weekend slated for April 3-4.

Two nights of action at the reconfigured Yates County Powerplant will see eight different series in competition, plus an open practice for competitors of other classes to shake down their rides for the season.

Friday Night, April 3, will feature a $1,000-to-win crate sportsman event. This will be an open tire (max. 13x92) 30-lapper, which will take place after a few rounds of practice. A $300-to-win 30-lap enduro is also set up for the Ladies FWD competitors looking to challenge Black Rocks RWD 4-cylinder cars. An open practice will also be available to all classes, starting at 6:00 p.m.

Things will get started early on Saturday, April 4, for the Rock Launcher. With gates opening at 8:00 a.m., hot laps starting at 10:00 a.m., time trials at 11:30 a.m. and racing starting at 1:00 p.m., this event is sure to fill everyone’s early season racing appetites.

The seven-class card will mirror the divisions that will compete as part of the World 100 Weekend at the end of October, a day of racing that has been very popular.

Among the classes will be the Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman, Street Stocks and 360 Late Models, all of which will see each competitor run a 1-lap time trial session to determine their starting order in the heats. Drivers and officials saw the effectiveness of time trails in classes with larger car counts. It has been more enjoyable and has even sped up the program as a whole.

The New York Modified Midgets and Xcel Chassis 600cc Modifieds will also kick off their busy seasons on this busy Saturday. A $500-to-win RWD 4-Cylinder Feature is also on the card.

The final event of the night will have major importance for an event seven months down the road.

Want to Start on the Pole for the $10,000-to-win Enduro Big One?

The pole sitter for this historic event will be determined April 4, as the winner of the 40-lap $1,000-to-win enduro will be the first to lock in to the November 7 event.

Car numbers and registrations will take place this upcoming weekend, March 14 and 15 in two locations. Sign-up stations will be available both at the Gater Motorsports Expo in Syracuse as well as at the Arnot Mall Car Show in Horseheads.

Guaranteed starting spots for the November 7 $10,000-to-win Big One will be given to the winner of each enduro at Black Rock as well as at tracks wishing to be part of the program.

Merrittville Speedway and Five Mile Point Speedway have signed up to run qualifying races for the Big One. Other tracks willing to sign up can contact Dean Hoag at 607-382-1613 to be part of this exciting program.

More in Store On November 7

Added to the National Parts Peddler Big One day is the $3,000-to-win Dutch Hoag Sportsman Championship. This event will feature home track rules for competitors looking to close out a busy 2009 season. Who will show up to take the final checkered flag of the year?

Ready for 2009

With 75-feet now available for racing in the corners, the Black Rock Speedway has been transformed to a 1/3-mile that should open up the racing and find teams searching for the new fast groove in Dundee.