Courtesy Brighton Speedway Park

For the first time in over two decades 358 Dirt Modifieds will be competing at the Brighton Speedway. On Saturday September 24th, 2005 at 7:00 PM the 1/3 mile clay oval will host the ImageFactor.ca Applefest 358 Dirt Modified Shootout. Designed to give local 358 drivers a late season 'big' event to attend, its beginnings were very unique.

During the middle of the 2004 racing season several drivers in the northeast expressed the interest in having a series of 'big' events in the fall as an alternative to making the long haul south of the border. The topic was brought up by 358 driver Jeff Ciglich on an internet web forum at DirtTrackDigest.com. After many replies from interested competitors and fans the news traveled to Brighton Speedway promoter Mark Rinaldi. Mark was intrigued by the idea and considered making a late season addition to the 2004 schedule. However, not having enough time to properly promote an event of this magnitude it was decided that a meeting would take place during the off-season to further discuss the possibility for a race in 2005.

On a cold winter day in February race teams, drivers and fans met in Kingston, Ontario to exchange ideas and work out the details for a possible event in late September at Brighton. Long time driver Mark Hitchcock graciously hosted the gathering at his shop. The meeting was a positive one and when the 2005 Brighton Speedway schedule was released a 358 Dirt Modified race had been slotted in for Saturday September 24th. The event is 50 laps in distance with a solid $10,000 CDN purse up for grabs. Although this is a stand-alone event the race will be run under 2005 DIRT 358 rules.

A regular card of racing is also scheduled for the evening, which includes the Canadian Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Novice and Comp 4 divisions. With the world of northeastern Dirt Modified racing up in the air it is apparent that teams and drivers are searching for alternatives. The ImageFactor.ca Applefest 358 Dirt Modified Shootout will be just that, a chance for local teams to compete for a solid purse without having to travel three or four hours to a nationally sanctioned event just to be upstaged by high dollar tour regulars. Instead of packing up their cars and equipment by the second weekend of September the 358 Dirt Modified drivers in the area can now circle a new date on their calendar at a track most have never competed on.

All 358 teams interested in competing are able to pre-register for the event. Those who enter prior to September 1st, 2005 will receive 4 pit passes (1 driver and 3 crew members) for $75.00 CDN. After September 1st, 2005 all pit passes will be $25.00 CDN per person. As an added incentive, every team that pre-registers for the event will have their name entered into a draw. The team drawn will win 4 free pit passes for the September 24th race.

ImageFactor.ca will proudly present the event. ImageFactor.ca is a Motorsports Marketing and Promotional company designed to help race teams and tracks gain a professional image through many different avenues including web and graphic design. As part of their race partnership a web site solely for the event has been created at www.imagefactor.ca/applefestshootout. Fans who visit the site can enter to win a pair of tickets for this inaugural event.

The Brighton Speedway is a 1/3 mile tacky clay oval located in Brighton, Ontario Canada. Nestled closely to the shores of Lake Ontario the track plays host to dirt racing every Saturday night from May to September. The Canadian Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Novice and Comp 4 classes make up a regular night of action. Throughout the season they also host special events, which include the Southern Ontario Sprints, Mid State Vintage Modifieds and Ontario Dirt Late Models.

For more information on the Brighton Speedway visit their web site at www.brightonspeedway.com.