Major Changes Announced With 2016 Riverhead Rules – New Class Introduced
The new owners of Riverhead Raceway have hit the ground running towards the 2016 race season and on Monday announced the divisional rules for the NASCAR Whelen All American Series. Eddie & Connie Partridge and Tom Gatz through track GM John Ellwood introduced a new race class during the announcement, the Riverhead Modified Crate division. It was also disclosed the Charger division would no longer race as a stand alone class with teams from the Chargers having two options for racing at Riverhead Raceway in 2016.
Looking towards the racing future, the new management team felt it necessary to incorporate the Charger cars into either the Late Models, Super Pro Trucks or Figure Eights moving forward. The 2016 rules for both those popular forms of racing reflect the inclusion of the Chargers into both divisions. One common thread for both the Late Models and Super Pro Trucks will find both divisions mandated to run a Crate Engine for 2017, with the 2016 rules providing a Crate Engine option. The Figure Eights and Blunderbusts will be permitted to run engines that conform to the 2016 rule book for the immediate future. The NASCAR Modified and INEX Legend Race Car engine and general rules will again conform to the 2016 specifications set forth by both sanctioning bodies.
Wanting to provide a more cost effective open wheel option, the Riverhead Modified Crate division has been formulated and introduced for 2016 and will compliment the weekly NASCAR Modified racing. The Riverhead Modified Crate division will mandate the use of a sealed GM 602 Crate Engine. All engines must remain as delivered by General Motors. It is mandatory that all Crate Engines be purchased & sealed by Riverhead Raceway. Penalties for tampering with a GM 602 Crate Engine or engine seals will include the confiscation of the engine, a $1,000 fine, and the loss of all track points accumulated.
A stock Holley 650 CFM carburetor part number 0-82651 will be the only carburetor permitted. The RMC machines will be allowed the option of running either 8″ or 10″ wheel and will race on a 8″ tire approved by Riverhead Raceway. The RMC teams will be permitted a tire inventory of 8 tires maximum for their first race and will have one tire added to the team inventory per event they compete in. Several other cost saving rules and procedures are in place for the Riverhead Modified Crate division and can be viewed at www.riverheadraceway.com.
Rules for the Riverhead Modified Crate as well the Late Models, Figure Eights, Blunderbusts and Super Pro Trucks are now posted on our web page, www.riverheadraceway.com. Teams with further questions concerning the 2016 rules package should e-mail the track at info@riverheadraceway.com.
A complete 2016 race schedule and other exciting announcements concerning the new era of racing at Riverhead Raceway will be released in the days and weeks to come!