Race fans will have to wait an extra week for the start of the 2023 racing season in Connecticut.
The promoters of the 2023 Icebreaker weekend announced Wednesday that the event – scheduled for Saturday April 1 and Sunday April 2 has been postponed due to a weekend forecast calling for inclement weather.
The Icebreaker will now take place on Friday April 8 and Saturday April 8.
“We were set to move everything to this Sunday, but unfortunately local ordinance simply wouldn’t allow it to happen,” said ACT managing partner Cris Michaud. “We cannot fire engines until 12-noon on Sundays and Tom and I felt that there simply isn’t enough time for adequate practice time with this being the first race of the year plus two days of racing action jammed into one afternoon. We’ll see you all next weekend.”
Features will begin Friday at 6 pm. Friday’s schedule will include features for the Open Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, Late Model, Sunoco Modifieds and Pro Trucks.
Saturday’s schedule will kick off at 1 pm featuring the $10,000 to win Outlaw Open Modified feature and also features for the PASS Super Late Models, Sunoco Modifieds, Limited Sportsman, SK Light Modifieds and Mini Stocks.
The revamped Icebreaker schedule for next week will include optional practice for all Icebreaker divisions on Thursday, April 6th with pit gates opening at 3:00pm with rotating practice starting at 4:00pm and going until 8:00pm. With the Icebreaker being the first race of the 2023 season, officials felt the optional practice day would be paramount for teams to have the opportunity to shake down their rides before it came to competition on Friday and Saturday. Thursday-only Pit Admission is set at $25 per person with a three-day Pit Pass available at $100 for adults and $55 for kids 12 and under. The two-day pass remains at $75 for adults and $40 for kids 12 and under with single-day pit passes, either Saturday or Sunday, is still set at $50 for adults and $30 for kids 12 and under.
The only major schedule change comes with moving the PASS Super Late Model 75 to Saturday, April 8 to coincide with the Open Modified Icebreaker 125. Pit Gates will open at 12-noon on Friday, April 7th with the show now headlined by the Sunoco Modifieds on their first of twin Icebreaker features. Friday Night Lights at Thompson Speedway will begin with a 6:00pm post time for qualifying that will also include the Thompson Late Models, Evolve Mortgage Pro Truck Challenge, Mighty Mini Stock Series and the $1,200 to win Open Street Stock 50. Friday-Only General Admission is now set at just $25 for adults and $10 for kids aged 6 to 12 with all those 5 and under admitted into the grandstands free!
For more information, contact the ACT offices at (802) 244-6963, [email protected], or visit www.acttour.com. You can also get updates on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @ACTTour.
For technical information concerning all PASS divisions, and for media or marketing questions, please contact [email protected] or visit www.proallstarsseries.com. Don’t forget to “Like” the Pro All Stars Series on Facebook or follow on Twitter @PASSSLM14 to keep up with breaking news as it happens.
For general Thompson Speedway inquiries, call (860) 923-2280, email [email protected], or visit www.thompsonspeedway.com. You can follow Thompson Speedway on Facebook and Instagram at @ThompsonSpeedway or on Twitter at @ThompsonSpdwy.
(Information from a press release included in this report)
This can not fire an engine before noon on Sunday law is ridiculous. About the only thing in CT that has last so long. Besides our taxes.
Good move. Rainy and cold on Saturday, very cold and very windy on Sunday.
It’s called the ICEBREAKER for a reason.
Last year’s Icebreaker was held on a very cold and rainy day. It was frustrating but still pretty awesome. I wound up with some great shots of a rainbow over the track as the opening ceremonies were going on. Wish I could go this year but with my new work schedule I have to be selective. If it gets moved to a Wednesday I’ll be there.
I was counting down until raceday and it just got a little longer! Certainly understandable and overall the best move for everyone. The weather at the moment is looking much drier next weekend as well.
These early April shows are always a crap shoot when it comes to the weather. Silver lining, a one-week delay may help improve the Modified car count now that Richmond won’t be on the same weekend. How much is GA for Saturday’s mods and Pass race? I didn’t catch it in the press release. I would like to see an entry list for the mods if anyone knows of one. I may talk myself into going on Saturday. Let’s hope for some good weather as I don’t think they would run on Easter Sunday.
CSG, $40 on Saturday, and PASS is an extra for that day. Weather at the moment says partly cloudy and temps in the 50’s at the moment. Hopefully if ichanges it’s in a positive direction!
OK these guys have shown they can make that one day deal go like clock work so maybe a little disappointment not seeing them pulling it off. That said though isn’t it a grind. Is too much racing in one day too much? Makes it more like work doesn’t it if you go to both shows?
Avoiding the Richmond conflict observation is a good point. Could end up in more cars next week you never know. I’d also add UCONN’s final four appearance. Know this isn’t a hot bed of college basketball but Thompson is in Connecticut and it can’t hurt not having to deal with that conflict as well.
Their last “One Day Icebreaker” was on Saturday due to lousy weather forecast for Sunday. They did a great job with that event, but they had the advantage of starting at 8:30 in the morning. And that was definitely one of the longest days at the track I ever had, but well worth it!
Great point CSG—- SILVER LINING ___ More cars and CREW are available for the postponed ICEBREAKER——- It’s the people that make this moving Circus work— one week instead of driving all night to make the show is HUGE—- This will certainly bring in MORE MODS— Plus they want to get TRACK TIME on the HIGH BANKS for the TOUR RACES that are going to be run later on this year…Test session and get paid for it… Works well … I would say that you will see a 10% increase in Tour Type Mods added to the SHOW… OK ALL YOU MOD FANS>>> GO TO THE COMMUNITY RACING PAGE AND PICK YOUR TOP 6 DRIVERS AND ONE POLE PICK AND JOIN US ON THE SUPER FUN PICK’EMS FOR BIG TOUR SHOWS.. IT’S EASY AND FUN… RULES ARE AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE WITH ENTRY LIST..
HAVE FUN = BE HAPPY
Thanks, Fast Eddie. That weather forecast sounds pretty good.
Yes, the pick 6 is a fun way to stay engaged in the local racing scene. Its free and you can win bragging rights over other RaceDayCT commentors. i encourage any race fan to check it out.
I suppose it is only fair to mention what the ACT/Pass guys lose in all this. All the venders, part time help, the Racing America crew all geared up to have this thing go off in some fashion this weekend. Then the wait and wind it up again still not knowing what mother nature will do in a sketchy weather time of year. Promotion is a cruel mistress is it not?
Condolences to Tom Mayberry and family on the passing of Tom’s father Roland on Friday. May next weekend be beautiful and successful in Roland’s honor.