New Egypt opener pushed back a week due to rain

The start of the 2003 season will have to wait for one more week as persistent rainfall washed out Saturday’s scheduled opener at New Egypt Speedway.

The Central Jersey clay track will try it again April 12 with Perlmutter Family ShopRite stores and AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants presenting New Egypt’s Spring Lidlifter, featuring a full five-division opening-day card of big-block Modifieds, Sportsman, Super Stocks, SS Sprints and the Mid-State Communications Rookie Sportsman.

ShopRite’s planned fan promotions, highlighted by shopping cart races with some great prizes, will go off as originally scheduled. And the drivers are far from forgotten: race winners will receive special trophies from ShopRite and custom jackets from AMSOIL distributor Norm Crawford. In addition, the Checkered Flag Fan Club will hold its annual membership drive at the track, with additional goodies going to the opening-day winners.

Gates will open at noon to accommodate tech inspections and sale of pit licenses. The planned Rookie orientation class, taught by defending Modified champion Billy Pauch, will take place at 2 p.m.

The first race is scheduled for 5 p.m. Adult admission is $15, children ages 7-12 get in for $5, and kids age 6 and under enter free.