The 2016 racing season is not that far away even though it seems like Ol' Man Winter has just started to set in. There will be no shortage of great racing action in our area once again this year so be sure to get out and support your local tracks and racers every chance you get. Asphalt fans will be happy to hear that Barberton Speedway will finally be back in action for a full season in 2016. If they can draw in anywhere near the support they got for their end of the season Cavalcade weekend throughout their weekly shows this place will be well worth the trip, even if you're a dirt fan. There may also be one other area track making a huge return in our area this season if all goes as planned. The legendary Dragway 42 has been going through a very impressive make-over the past couple of years, and they tell me that the thunder of drag cars should return this summer. It's nearly impossible for me to believe what they're building where my home dragstrip once was. For you dirt fans my only comparison would be building a new NASCAR track at the Lakeville property. This will be a top notch facility in every way and you'll damn sure find me there when the gates finally swing open on this shiny new work of art.

This is the time of year that tracks are busy working to finalize their schedules and tweak their programs to better serve the racers and fans. Hilltop is always at the top of that list when it comes to ways to improve their shows while keeping it affordable for everyone. This is still the only track in the area that offers the crazy affordable yearly driver registration that includes one free pass for every night they participate in. This year the price for that registration has finally been bumped up from $100 to $125 to help cover increased operating costs, but still nobody else dares to come close to this offer. To snag this deal drivers/owners need to get their completed registration and payment (check or money order) mailed in by March 1st. The form is available on the Hilltop website and should be mailed to Hilltop Speedway, 10313 Back Orrville Road, Orrville, OH 44667. Other changes for this season at Hilltop include new hours that will be in place the entire racing season. They are posted below. This should avoid any confusion that came from the spring time hours and summer time hours they've used in the past. The new hours along with other tweaks should also help to get old folks like me back home a bit earlier after a kickass night of racing. Other fine tuning including some rule changes are still being worked out and will be announced soon. I look forward to once again spending as much time as possible at Hilltop Speedway, and I hope you will too. After all, it's always the place to find the very best door to door action on dirt!

NEW Hours Of Operation For Hilltop In 2016

Pit gates open at 3:30 pm

Pill Draw Closes at 5:15 pm

Hot Laps start at 5:30 pm

Racing starts at 7:00 pm

Main Gate opens at 4:00 pm

Main Concessions and Pit Concessions open at 4:30 pm