ESS: Empire Sprints to join DIRT Week

Empire Super Sprints Become a Big Part of Super DIRT Week. @by Dean Reynolds

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The date of Saturday, October 7, 2000 will go down as the richest 24 hours in the 17 year history of the Empire Super Sprints. The ever exciting Empire Super Sprints/United Racing Club Challenge Series will reach a new height with over $50,000 up for grabs.

It's the 29th version of Super DIRT Week held at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, N.Y. and the winged 360 sprint cars of ESS and URC will play a major role for thousands of fans that will attend the $500,000 extravaganza.

Saturday afternoon will mark the first ever ESS/URC Super Shootout held on the Syracuse mile. The 20 mile, $35,000 event that pays the winner over $5000 which will mark the richest one day event in the history of both organizations. After the historical first ever event, the winged machines will the load up and head to the Rolling Wheels Raceway Park for the fifth annual ESS/URC Challenge event at the "Fast Track". The 25 lap A-Main will pay the winner over $3000 from the $17,500 purse.

Last year a special 10 lap invitational won by ESS' Mike Woodring wet the appetite for the return of sprint cars to the mile after a five year hiatus. This year all ESS and URC members are eligible to compete for the 24 starting spots in the event that pays $800 to take the green. Both ESS and URC showcase exciting 360 c.i. sprint car action in the Northeast and Canada throughout the Summer providing a fitting addition to Super DIRT Week XXIX.

Fans can expect sprint stars such as five-time ESS Champion Mike Woodring, former URC kingpin Greg Coverdale, Lance Yonge, current URC point leader Brian Seidel, Bill Brian Jr., Canadian Rick Wilson and a host of other drivers ready to make Syracuse history.

Inspection and practice will be held Friday afternoon at 5. An early inspection Saturday will be followed by practice and time trials at 11 AM on Saturday. Fastest time is worth $500, courtesy of Walt's Hobby Shop a long time ESS supporter, with the second fastest time getting $300. A B-Main will be held at 1:30 followed by the 20 mile contest at 2:30 where the first ever Super DIRT Week ESS/URC champion will be crowned.

Later that evening, defending champion Kramer Williamson and a host of 50 other winged machines will tackle the 1/2 mile in Elbridge, N.Y. The ESS/URC Challenge Series at Rolling Wheels will again be played before a packed house. There's a chance that one driver could take home over $10,000 in prize money on October 7th.

Mom, buckle in the kids...the sprint cars are coming to Syracuse!!! The Empire Super Sprints and United Racing Club are ready to throw mud in your eye!!

ESS/URC Shootout at the Mile Guaranteed Starters:

Dan Kaszubinski (ESS/Fulton) Ray Preston (ESS/Brockville) Mike Stelter (ESS/Autodrome Granby) George Suprick (URC/Big Diamond) Brian Seidel (URC/Delaware) Sept. 30 - URC, New Egypt.