HAMPTON — Sporting a solid corps of returning veterans and a promising rookie class, Arena Racing USA’s Hampton Roads Series will kick off its 15-race 2008-2009 season this Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Hampton Coliseum.

Saturday’s lineup includes A, B and C Mains — 50 laps each. The top finishers from those events will make up the 14-car starting field for the 50-lap Top Dog feature, the final race of the evening.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and racing gets underway at 7:30. Drivers will be available to meet and greet fans before and after the program.

Tickets are $14 for adults, $11 for military, senior citizens and students (13-18) and $7 for children (3-12). Kids under 3 are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets are available at the Coliseum Box Office, TicketMaster locations and online at ticketmaster.com.

Several family-friendly ticket options are available. A Family 4-Pack of four adult tickets is $44, while a package of two adult and two children’s tickets is $34. Those packages may be upgraded to include a hotdog and a soft drink for each ticket holder. Family 4-Packs are available only at the Coliseum Box Office.

Season passes are now on sale. Adult passes are $150 and children’s passes are $90. A four-pack of adult passes is $465, while a four-race pack of adult tickets is $44. Season passes may be ordered through the Arena Racing USA Hampton Roads office. Call (757) 216-4426 or e-mail blake@ArenaRacingUSA.com to place your order.

A quick glance at the 2008-09 drivers roster reveals that 16 of the top 20 drivers from last season will be returning for the new season, including defending champion Scott Prillaman.

Eight drivers make up this year’s rookie crop. One of those newcomers, Matt Leach, is the brother of last season’s Rookie of the Year, Aaron Leach, and will be trying to keep the Rookie of the Year Award in the family.

A couple Arena Racing USA aces added to their resumes during the just-completed season at Hampton’s Langley Speedway, the local NASCAR-sanctioned facility. Robbie Davis bagged a track championship in the Super Truck division, while Adam Florian claimed the Virginia State UCAR title in last weekend’s championship contest for that class.

Nick Smith is slated to pilot the No. 77 machine for the upcoming Arena Racing USA – Hampton Roads season. He was a familiar face in Langley’s Victory Lane last summer, winning five Late Model Stock Car and four INEX Legends features, including the Hampton Heat 200 LMSC event.