Story By: A2DPR / AUSTIN BERRY RACING – MIFFLIN, PA – Fans might think that race teams are sitting at home on their couch over the winter, waiting for Spring to approach so they can dust off their race car and get ready to sling dirt again.
That is certainly not the case. Most teams would tell you they work harder during the offseason. It’s probably at least fair to say they work just as hard but have a lot less fun since they don’t get to race. From October through February in Pennsylvania, you will find teams in the race shop tearing their car down, ordering parts, and going over every detail.
There is a lot of planning and effort involved to bring all of that together into a race-ready team by the time March rolls around.
LIVE MUSIC, FOOD AND GAMES
There are just a couple of days remaining to pick up your discounted tickets for the Austin Berry Racing 2024 Season Kickoff Party. Tickets are just $25 through December 31, 2023, before the price goes up!
As a way to spend time with fans and get to know them while having a good time and raising money for the race team, Austin Berry looks forward to the team’s annual event.
“This event gives us a chance to hang out with our fans, partners, friends, and family in a way we don’t get to otherwise. It’s great to make a real connection with everyone and thank them for their support. At the track we are always busy and don’t have time for much more than a quick hello.”, Berry said.
The party will be held on January 27, 2024, at the Port Royal Speedway commercial building. Doors will open at 4pm with a BBQ Chicken dinner served at 5pm. At 7pm Chris Woodward and Shindiggin’ will take the stage to provide live music for fans to kick up their heels and tap their toes to. Throughout the evening there will be cash giveaway drawings, which fans are automatically entered in just for buying a ticket to the event. There will also be 50/50 drawings, basket raffles, and other games.
From January 1st-26th, tickets will be priced at $30 and, if available, will be $35 at the door the day of the event.
The day kicks off with a cornhole tournament from 11am-3pm. The competition is limited to 40 teams and guarantees cash prizes of $300, $160, $80, and $40 for the top four teams. Teams must preregister for $40/team to compete. This is a separate event from the evening dinner and live music ticket.
Along with preparing for their annual night celebrating with fans, the team is a lot busier than you may think during the offseason.
GETTING THE SHIP IN ORDER
Berry’s offseason got started even earlier than hoped when his motor failed in late August. The team pulled the motor and delivered it for repairs to be made.
After wrapping up the season by competing in three limited late model events with a borrowed motor, Berry and his team began the process of tearing the car down to the bare frame. Every component is evaluated and replacements are ordered as needed.
Berry also invests time in keeping up with the latest product innovations and improvements that could better the team’s program.
Most recently, the team made the trip to the home of Rocket Chassis in West Virginia to have their frame gone over to make sure there were no lingering effects from a mid-summer incident at Hagerstown Speedway. The bad news is the crew at Rocket found the front end needed a little more attention than Berry had hoped, but the good news is it has been addressed.
PARTNERSHIPS ARE KEY
In early December, as they do every year, Berry and his team traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana for the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) trade show. The largest racing trade show in North America provides Berry with the opportunity to say thank you to current partners, discuss potential improvements for the upcoming season, learn about new products, and initiate new relationships, all under one roof in the span of a couple of days.
Berry’s partners will return to support the team in 2024, with one exception. Berry’s Siding & Seamless Gutter, Juniata Veterinary Clinic, SRI Performance, VP Racing Fuels, JDS Racing, Locust Hill Custom Butcher Shop, Nathan Berry Beef Farm, GO Lithium, Valvoline Pro-V Racing, and numerous other product sponsors will return.
The Tire Mart Tire Pros of Harrisburg, who has been with ABR for the last few years, will step away from its racing endeavors in 2024 to focus on growth opportunities but hopes to return to the team in 2025.
Austin Berry Racing wishes Greg and everyone at The Tire Mart the best with their 2024 plans.
“I can’t thank Greg enough for what he’s done for this team. I mean it sincerely. His belief in us helped move our program forward. We fully understand his situation for the upcoming season and hope to work with him again.” Austin Berry said.
Berry is seeking new partnerships for the upcoming season. Opportunities to join the team exist at a variety of levels that will allow a business to get good value for their investment. The team is extremely active on social media and leverages Addicted2Dirt PR and Media Management to reach a broad audience for their marketing partners.
FUELED FOR VICTORY
ABR has established a new relationship for 2024 with Victory Fuel, a popular and tasty alternative to sugary drinks.
Victory Fuel is not an energy drink. It is a flavored electrolyte water. It’s a healthy alternative made by combining triple-filtered water, electrolytes, daily vitamins, natural sweeteners, and natural flavors. There’s no artificial junk, no caffeine, and no carbonation.
Visit DrinkVictory.com to try the original Throttle Punch or the new Lucky Lemon! Fans can support Austin Berry Racing and save 10% on a purchase of Victory Fuel by using discount code “BERRY86” at checkout.
THE HOMESTRETCH
As the calendar flips to 2024, Berry and his team will bring all of their offseason activities together to produce a race-ready car by the end of February.
All of the parts and new sheet metal will arrive at the shop and assembly will commence. The motor will return, be installed, and fired.
Finally, the wrap carrying all their partner logos will be applied.
Before you know it, the No.86 will be turning left and getting dirty again.