Ocala Is Dirt Again

[Rick Williamson]

Seems to me the pavement should have come up first. I know,, I know it's the cost. Just seems like that's the right way to do it. Sorry the Sportsmen will not be going there any more.

[BJ Cavin]

Seems to me the pavement should have come up first. I know,, I know it's the cost. Just seems like that's the right way to do it. Sorry the Sportsmen will not be going there any more.

Let me put it this way...

As has been stated before, Mike Peters went well over and above in researching what needed to be done in order to make Ocala Speedway a top notch dirt track. Certainly money is a factor, but the pavement was not left in place just to save some cash. According to Mike's research, many people believe that leaving the pavement is actually an ADVANTAGE! Most dirt tracks have varying subsoil under the track. Some areas might drain better than others, or there might be soft spots and hard spots. With a uniform surface under the dirt, the track will be smoother and will show less variation during a night of racing. And in addition, the pavement serves as a seal between the racing surface and the ground. It keeps moisture in the clay while it keeps contaminents from getting into the soil.

Several very experienced drivers and others in the dirt racing world have already been to Ocala Speedway since the process of laying the clay began. Not one has found anything to complain about, and in fact all have stated that we are using top quality materials and are doing the job correctly. These people are experts who have been doing this sort of thing for decades. They KNOW their stuff!

And one more thing...

The excitement in the dirt racing community over Ocala Speedway converting to dirt is beyond anything any of us had imagined. That excitement continues to grow with each load of clay that arrives, and all of us appreciate the attention. It helps motivate us to be more determined to do the job right with only the best materials, and to make Ocala Speedway the very best racing facility in the state.

[Rick Williamson]

Geez I was just think out loud on here. Glad they now know it all about dirt. Good luck with it.

[zrace20]

great job

Cant wait to come to your track and run. Ran when it was pavement and it was a very challenging track. Will be a blast on dirt. Now think about going to crate motors and youll really have a jewel.

[drtracer9559]

why no sportsman class

[Rick Williamson]

I was talking about the Southern Sportsmen Series sorry. They are a pavement only series.

[1wildfastgirl24]

why no sportsman class

They are having the street stock division,which is about the same thing as the sportsman class in asphalt term of division.

[ocalasp76]

Dirt Street Stock

I ask Mike last night at the banquet about the street stock class.
He said he's working on it. More to follow , I hope.

-----JIM------

[Bobby Diehl]

WOW!!! All I can say is I hope to get a weekend off so I can see the First Class Speedway Ocala will be in dirt. It was first class as asphalt. See you soon!!!! Bobby and Sylvia Diehl. Merry Christmas to all.

[BJ Cavin]

Updated Pictures From Ocala Speedway!

With rain predicted for Saturday, work continued under the lights on Friday at Ocala Speedway to get the new surface graded and packed before the rain hits. A steady stream of racers are dropping by to check out the progress for themselves as the work continues. Here is Michael Peters showing off the track as the last piles are spread onto the entrance to turn 1...



As the grading got underway, here is a look down the frontstretch under the lights...



And here is a look from turn 2 back up the backstretch as the grader works on the track...



So far around 340 loads of clay have been spread onto Ocala Speedway. More clay will be arriving on Monday as work continues. And by the way, when the track was paved an extra 10 feet of width was added to the pre existing dirt track. We have added an extra 6 feet to the bottom, meaning that the track is now a full 16 feet wider than it ever was as a dirt track! The banking remains at 7 degrees and the overall configuration is the same.

[sprinter15jr]

Track looks great! I ran there in 2005 with the USA sprints, what a blast. Are you planning any winged sprint car races this season? If so, what rules will you be running? Hope to get a chance to turn some laps on the new dirt.

It is great to see more dirt tracks in Florida. Even better when the tracks put out good pay-outs and are racer friendly. Good luck and I think it will be a great deal for you and the race fans.

[BJ Cavin]

Stay tuned. More announcements on future events will come later on. And yes, sprints will be running on the dirt at Ocala. As soon as more details are finalized you'll be hearing about it.

[holmrun]

Stay tuned. More announcements on future events will come later on. And yes, sprints will be running on the dirt at Ocala. As soon as more details are finalized you'll be hearing about it.

Any plans to make the retaining wall taller or improve the catch fence? Maybe it is an illusion but the wall sure looks short now that the clay is added which will put more emphasis on the catch fencing if it isn't made any taller. Other than that it is really starting to shape up and can't wait to see the races!

[BJ Cavin]

The wall will be raised by means of a guardrail on top, or something to that effect. Right now options for that are being researched. As for the catch fence, Ocala Speedway already has what probably is the best and safest catch fence and catch cable system in Florida outside of Daytona Speedway. There should be no need to upgrade it, but a plan to make it a bit higher has been discussed. What is there is more than adequate and far exceeds what most other tracks have in place, but there is always room to improve.