PREPARATIONS FOR OPEN PRACTICE UNDERWAY AT THOMPSON
THOMPSON, CT. A few warm days in southern New England was just what was needed at the Thompson International Speedway. Much of the snow and ice that had been covering the historic speedway began to melt and made it possible for track officials to being the process of preparing for the first open practice slated for March 21st.
The winter of ’08 and ’09 has not been kind to the northeast. Near-record amounts of snow, ice and cold weather brought all outdoor off-season projects to a halt. But some recent warm weather has made much of the speedway property accessible. All of this is good news for track officials who hope to begin preparations for the track’s first of two open practice sessions that are scheduled for the 21st and 28th of March. Any safe race car is welcome to participate in these open practice sessions. All of this precedes the opening of the racing season in New England with the annual running Thompson’s ICEBREAKER on the weekend of April 4th and 5th.
The ICEBREAKER ’09 will feature seven divisions of racing competition highlighted by the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. The “Tour” will be joined by Thompson’s own “Super 6” NASCAR Whelen All American Series racing divisions. The “Super 6” consists of the Sunoco Modifieds, Super Late Models, Thompson Modifieds, Late Models, Limited Sportsman and Mini Stocks. Thompson’s Pro Stock division will carry a new name beginning on ICEBREAKER weekend. The name change to Super Late Models was made during the off-season in an effort to more closely reflect the changes that the former Pro Stock division has gone through in recent years.
Thompson’s 2009 racing schedule reflects some changes from previous years with regard to the track’s annual major events in the middle of June and at the end of August. “These changes reflect our commitment to the racers who support us week in and week out. We want to offer these competitors an opportunity for larger events, more prestige and more money.” These were the words of track owner Don Hoenig when he spoke at Thompson International Speedway’s annual awards banquets in January. His comments were received with loud applause from those in attendance.
The True Value Modifieds will top the race program on June 18th when they will be featured in a 75-lap main event. They will be joined by Thompson’s “Super 6” NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions. This race event is family priced and represents a considerable reduction in ticket prices over last year’s event.
The track also announced a Special Event for Thursday, August 27th. This will replace the traditional major event that had been held the weekend after Labor Day. The details of this exciting event will be announced on the first of July.
Thompson’s line up for the 2009 racing season is an exciting mix of special events and the popular Thursday Night Thompson Thunder (TNTT) series. It will be a season that will offer something for everyone and will be priced the same or less than the 2008 line up.
A copy of the 2009 Thompson race schedule is available on the Thompson International Speedway web page. www.thompsonspeedway.com Schedule cards and brochures will also get wide-spread distribution throughout southern New England. They are also available by request from the track’s office.
Poirier posts another clean sweep in Ossipee for Rock Maple Racing snocross series
Brunelle, Davis split Semi-Pro finals
OSSIPEE, NH (Feb. 23, 2009) – Former champion Danny Poirier posted another clean sweep of the Pro finals on Sunday afternoon, as Rock Maple Racing (RMR) completed Round 6 on the nine-race 2009 Central series snocross campaign at the old Mount Whittier ski area.
Pro and Semi-Pro teams were kept busy in Ossipee, completing the makeup finals from Stamford, NY, Saturday before qualifying for Sunday’s points races. To kick off a weekend of domination, Poirier swept both the Stock and Open finals, while Jake Melville swept the Semi-Pro finals. Joe Lemieux (Pro Vet) and Michelle Lemieux (Pro Women) also posted wins in the completion of those races postponed from Stamford.
Poirier (Hulten Speed Sports/Polaris), of St. Theodore, Quebec, led Pro rookie Chris Chico (Amsoil/Arctic Cat) and hard-charging John O’Malley (Ski-doo) across the line in both classes (Stock and Open) as three brands of sled filled the podium. With last weekend’s impressive four-race sweep, Poirier has now won 10 of the 12 Pro finals completed this season.
Joel Santy out-gunned defending champion Joe Lemieux to win the Pro Vet final, with Vermont rider Rene Desrochers a solid third. Melanie Acker prevailed in a hotly contested Pro Women’s final, holding off the talented Stephanie Lemieux and Janell Smith for top honors. Santy also claimed the Plus 35 Masters final over Desrochers and Lyle Turtlott.
In Semi-Pro action Sunday, Brad Davis and Lucas Brunelle posted final round wins. Davis, of Cambridge, VT, posted a career-first victory in Semi-Pro Stock, out-dueling Michael George and Aaron Pfeifer while wearing a cast on his hand. Davis has persevered through tough times in the past, making this win seem truly special.
Brunelle was triumphant in an event-filled Semi-Pro Open final. Pfeifer led a majority of the race but was involved in an incident with Jake Melville and later disqualified. Hot off his victory in the recent “Dash for Cash” at Stamford, Lincoln Lemieux put in a strong performance to finish second, while Shaun St. Onge was third. There have been a number of fresh faces near the front in Semi-Pro this year, a clear indication of the tremendous depth of talent within its ranks.
In Sport division action at Ossipee, Joey Stock and Jake DaSilva reigned supreme. Stock, of Bearsville, NY, held off Mike Billow and Dylan Bisson to claim Saturday’s Super Stock final. Stock also rode his Team Southside Polaris to victory in Sunday’s Sport Stock 600 final, while DaSilva (Ski-doo) out-gunned Andrew Bailey to win the Super Stock final on Sunday. Stock also won the Semi-Pro Stock 440 final over Bailey and Clinton Ballou. Bailey found redemption with a convincing victory in Sport 500, with Aaron Adams and Christian Ellsworth filling out the podium.
Jake Scott (Hulten Speed Sports/Polaris) is enjoying a similar kind of dominant season in RMR’s Junior division as Poirier is among the Pro riders. Scott, of Port Jefferson, NY, earned three more wins in Ossipee (14-15 Stock 600, 14-15 Stock 600 Fan, 16-17 Stock 600) to further expand his control of the point standings.
Other final round winners in Central series action over the weekend in Ossipee include Joe Klimas Jr. (Sport stock 600 Fan); Christian Ellsworth (Plus 25); Amanda Kirchmeyer (Women Stock 600 Sat., Stock 600 Sun.); Steffanie Lemieux (Women Stock 600 Sun.); Sarah Acker (Girls 10-13 Stock 600 Fan); Morganne Sterl (Women Stock Novice); Derek Vitiello (16-17 Stock 600 Fan); Leo Patenaude (10-13 Stock 380 Fan, 10-13 Stock 600 Fan); Hunter Patenaude (8-10 300 Freestyle Sat. and Sun.); Kyle Sackett (Trail 600 Saturday); and Tim Lapierre (Trail 600 Sunday).
RMR’s East series teams were also in action over the weekend in Ossipee. Final round winners there include Joey Mosher (Sport Stock 600); Paige Calderwood (Women Stock 600); Nick St. Amand (Jr. 16-17 Stock 600); Kory Bouthillier (Jr. 14-15 Stock 500); and Montana Jess (Jr. 10-13 Stock 380 Fan, Jr. 10-13 Stock 600 Fan). Congratulations to all of our final round winners in both the Central and East divisions.
Rock Maple Racing would like to thank Steve Sousa, Bill Groves, Kathryn Amaral and Karen McNiff at the Greater Ossipee Area Chamber of Commerce for their tireless work while hosting last weekend’s event. RMR’s third annual visit to Mount Whittier was a big success thanks to your efforts and strong support from the community. Despite a significant snowstorm on Sunday, all events were completed as scheduled. And the addition of the popular “Rave-X” aerial display team to the event added even more excitement for fans. Overall it was another great weekend of racing in Rock Maple’s home state of New Hampshire.
For full results in all classes from Ossipee or to learn more, please go to www.rockmaple.com.
PASS Racers all geared up for Racin’ Preview 2009
Naples ME. (February 16) Each February there are a few signs of spring that make northern New England racers and race fans realize that the season is just around the corner. The days get longer, the short track marathons in Florida get under way, its speed weeks at “the big track” and Mark Thomas stages his popular Racin’ Preview 2009. As always, the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) will be out in force at this year’s edition, set for Friday and Saturday February 20 and 21 at the Expo in Portland Maine.
There’s an all star lineup PASS drivers and cars scheduled to appear, led by 2008 super late model Champion Johnny Clark and his Clark’s Car Crushing #54. 2008 PASS Rookie of the Year D.J. Shaw will have Julio and Rita Miglioli’s JLM Precision SLM on display, and Chris Staples will have his slick super late model in the PASS booth as well.
The PASS Mods will be well represented by Sulo Burbank and Jerry Harrison, and PASS Sportsman Rookie of the Year Kyle Hart will have Sallie Bolduc’s sharp #60 on display. Autograph sessions will be on the schedule for both big days of the show; log on to www.proallstarsseries.com or www.racewithpass.com for times and participants. You can pick up all the 2009 PASS series schedules, grab a PASS/ Choice Hotels discount card, ask questions of series officials, and bench race with some of the series top drivers.
Racin’ Preview 2009 kicks off on Friday February 20 from 4:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Saturday’s hours are 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. The Portland Expo is located at 239 Park Avenue (U.S. Route 1) in Portland Maine. For more information on the show, please call (603) 447-4251.
The PASS South Super Late Models and Late Model Trucks get their 2009 season underway on Saturday March 14th with the South Carolina Clash at Dillon (SC) Motor Speedway. All three PASS North series will be in action at Speedway 95 in Hermon Maine on Sunday April 19th.
Silk concludes solid week of work at New Smyrna – Norwalk News …
By The Hour Staff
Two races are tentative for the Waterford Speedbowl. We say tentative because no one is sure if there will be racing at The Bowl. The partnership announced late last year that included current Speedbowl head Terry Eames and former …
http://www.thehour.com/story/465095
Return to Ossipee, NH next stop for Rock Maple Racing snocross series
DERRY, NH (Feb. 13, 2009) — After a battle with spring-like weather conditions in central New York, snowmobile race teams around the northeast are ready for a return to snow and cold.
With a little cooperation from Mother Nature, those teams will have that opportunity as Rock Maple Racing (RMR) gets set for Round 6 on the 2008-09 snocross campaign Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 21-22, at the old Mount Whittier ski area in Ossipee, New Hampshire.
Spectator gates open at 8 a.m., with racing getting under way promptly at promptly at 9 a.m. Admission is $15 per day for adults, with weekend passes available for $20. Pit passes valid through the entire weekend will be available for an extra $10.
Rock Maple’s return visit to Mount Whittier is part of the third annual Ossipee Mountain Blizzard Festival, presented by the Greater Ossipee Area Chamber of Commerce. Among the fine local companies on board as sponsors are Monster Energy Drink, Samantha’s Inn of Tamworth, Ocean Bank, Eastern Propane & Oil, and the Northway Bank in West Ossipee. To learn more about one of the Granite State’s most scenic and active regions, visit the Chamber online at www.ossipeevalley.org.
Leading the charge into Ossipee is Pro rider Danny Poirier, of St. Theodore, Quebec. Poirier, the 2004 Pro 600 and Pro Open champion, is enjoying the most successful season of his snocross career. Poirier (Hulten Speed Sports/Polaris) has six wins in eight starts.
Trying to derail the seemingly-unstoppable Poirier train is the brother act of Matt and Jason Boron (D&Z Racing/Ski-doo), of Leverett, Massachusetts. Matt, along with Ontario rider John O’Malley, is the only other Pro to win a final this season. The 2006 champion missed most of last season due to injury, but is getting back to his old form as of late. Jason has won more titles in RMR than any other active rider, and is hoping to post a win or podium finish at Ossipee.
In the Semi-Pro division, a window of opportunity has opened in recent weeks. With top-ranked riders Corin Todd and Brennan Berardo out healing from injuries, some new faces have come to the surface. Aaron Pfeifer, Jake Melville and Shaun St. Onge are just a few of the names you’ll see gunning for wins at Ossipee as they look to take command of this talent-laden division.
Fans at Ossipee will enjoy some extra rounds of competition, as Pro and Semi-Pro teams will complete the final rounds postponed on Feb. 8 in Stamford, New York. Every brand of sled is represented in the Rock Maple pits, giving fans of Arctic Cat, Polaris, Ski-doo and Yamaha riders to support. Ossipee is sure to provide two days of non-stop snocross excitement.
Last year at Mount Whittier, Poirier and Darrin Mees split the Pro division finals, while Joe Lemieux (Pro Vet) and Maine’s KC Anderson (Pro Women) also posted final round wins. Robert Graeber made a triumphant return from his Winter X Games trip to claim the special “Dash for Cash” event for Semi-Pro riders. From Pro, Semi-Pro, Sport, Junior, Women’s and Junior divisions, the second annual outing in Ossipee provided some great racing.
Rock Maple Racing is currently in its 17th straight year of snocross competition. For more information, go to www.rockmaple.com.
Racin’ Preview show in Portland a mix of new and old
Portland, Maine – Local stock car racers get anxious for their upcoming short track seasons as the NASCAR season gets underway each February in Daytona.
Short track fans get their first opportunity to see what’s in store for the 2009 season on the local bullrings at the 15th annual Racin’ Preview 2009 show at the Portland Expo on the weekend following the Daytona 500, Friday and Saturday, February 20-21.
Several stock car racing facilities will be officially represented, and there will be a number of unofficial representatives from various tracks and tours competing throughout Northern New England.
Joining the various local speedways from the tri-state region will be regional touring series like the Pro All Stars Series (PASS), the American-Canadian Tour (ACT), the True Value Modified Racing Series (TVMRS), Sprint Cars of New England (SCONE) and NELCAR Legends, along with representatives from two or three other traveling series.
Racin’ Preview 2009 annually salutes the past in local and regional motorsports and this year the Maine Vintage Race Car Association promises what should be their best-ever display. More vintage racecars and historic displays than ever are on the agenda, says MVRCA show coordinator Dodo Brockman.
Autograph opportunities abound at Racin’ Preview 2009, and hundreds of door prizes will be handed out, chiefly by show floor host and emcee Bill DaButler.
Doors open at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 20, with the show open until 10:00 p.m. Saturday Racin’ Preview 2009 hours run from 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Portland Expo is located at 239 Park Avenue (U.S. Route 1) in Portland, Maine. For more information please call 603-447-4251.
| 2009 Pro-4 Modifieds of New England Race Schedule
1. May 9 Monadnock Speedway Winchester, NH *Rain Dates As of 2/12/09 |
|
NEW ENGLAND MOTORSPORTS SOUTH
By Lou Modestino(for 2/13-2/15/09)
It all started on a sunny Sunday afternoon, when Tom Mayberry held the first ever Pro All Stars Series event at a southern New Hampshire oval. 33 cars took the green flag that saw Dale Shaw of Conway, NH win the first ever event. A 150 lap contest that saw some of the best Pro Stock drivers throughout the Northeast region of the United States compete against each other. In the almost 8 years since, there have been over 25 more names added to the winners list, with over 250 more that have attempted to bring home one of the toughest touring division trophies available.
Seekonk Speedway founder D. Anthony Venditti started a low cost Late Model division in 1978 called the All Pro’s. Since then, Seekonk Speedway has been the birthplace and the home of the Pro Stocks. They evolved into the Pro Stock division that continues to headline the racing action at the Bay State 1/3 mile oval. In the over 30 years of Pro Stock racing, there have been over 50 names that have visited Victory Lane at Seekonk Speedway.
On Saturday Night, August 15, 2009, the two will meet for the first time in a 150 lap contest. “This is something that we’ve wanted to try for a long time” Dave Alburn, Seekonk Speedways Race Director stated. “The timing is right for both parties to get together.” This will be the longest Pro Stock race in history at Seekonk. “We normally run 75 or 100 laps for our open competition events, so it will be interesting to see how many of our competitors will be up to the challenge.” With another week off for the Pro’s the following Saturday due to the True Value Mods coming to town, they will have time to change their cars back to Seekonk specs.
The starting field will consist of 26 cars taking the green for the century and a half grind. “We will have two 75 lap main events before PASS comes to town, and the winner of those will be guaranteed starters in the 150,” Alburn stated. “This will give our competitors a chance to run with them.”
The winner of this historic event will also be a guaranteed starter in the 18TH Annual DAV Fall Classic. “We wanted to welcome PASS with a chance to compete in out biggest weekend of the year,” Alburn continued. “We have seen some great competition from Johnny Clark, Travis Benjamin, Larry Gelinas, Dale Shaw, Mike Rowe and many other PASS competitors that have tried to win here.” The only outsiders to win the DAV Fall Classic have been Jeff Stevens in 1997 and Russ Hersey in 2006.
The August 15th event will be the first time a touring Pro Stock/Super Late Model class has visited the Cement Palace since Jeff Stevens won in 1997. “We have enjoyed the tours in the past, but wanted to focus on our own program, building one of the most competitive classes in New England,” Dave stated. “We have talked to Tom and his staff several times in the past, but it wasn’t the right time for us, or them. We feel the timing couldn’t have been better for either of us. Like peanut butter and chocolate, Seekonk and PASS will go together well.”
Some lucky racers, chosen at random, will win thousands of dollars worth of prizes at SpeedwayEXPO’s Let’s Make a Racin’ Deal event. Scheduled for Sunday, March 1, at 12 noon, the debut of Let’s Make a Racin’ Deal promises to be the most exciting game show auto racing has ever seen.
Similar to the legendary television game show, contestants will guess prices and choose between curtains and boxes with the hope of winning valuable prizes. Winners may take home prizes like a Longacre computer scale system or the latest Bell Infusion helmet–or they may end up with gag gifts. There are sure to be plenty of laughs. All SpeedwayEXPO attendees may participate, and are encouraged to bring outrageous, host-attention-getting clothing and props.
Coupons ($5 off) for discount admission to SpeedwayEXPO will soon be available at more than 160 participating Sunoco dealers throughout New England. Tickets can also be purchased in advance to save $5 off the price at the gate ($16 for adults, children 10 and under free). These money-saving tickets are available at 978-465-9099 x 103 (ask for Barbara) or online at SpeedwayEXPO.com.
True Value Modified Racing Series founder and president Jack Bateman has announced that True Value Company, and various New England stores, will return as the signature sponsor for the open-wheel racing series for the 2009 season. True Value Company is one of the world’s largest member-owned hardware cooperatives with more than 5,000 independent retailers. This will be the sixth year of operation for the popular series. True Value has been with Bateman from the beginning.
“We are delighted to have True Value staying on board with our series. With their presence, we are recognized, more and more by the race fan, as the regions top racing series for open wheel race cars.” Bateman continued, “Our tour represents the True Value name, with professionalism, and integrity. After the first five years, our series has become synonymous with the True Value name. Our drivers have become known as the True Value drivers, our race cars as the True Value cars.” Bateman concluded, “We are pleased to have the backing of True Value stores right here in New England. We appreciate their support.”
The 2009 racing season for the True Value Modified Racing Series will open at Monadnock Speedway, Winchester, NH; Saturday night, April 25.
Ford Racing and the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) Late Model stock car series have begun development of a new Ford crate engine for use on the ACT Late Model Tour, Série ACT-Castrol, and in weekly Late Model divisions around the northeastern United States and Canada in 2009. The Ford engine will be the first non-General Motors powerplant option in the division since the crate engine program was introduced a decade ago. All ACT-legal Late Models currently utilize a “spec” GM ZZ4 engine.
Production of the first Ford Racing prototype crate engine has been completed at Ford headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. The engine was shipped to the east coast for dynamometer, reliability, and comparability testing at Butler & MacMaster Racing Engines in Hallowell, Maine, the official crate engine supplier of ACT. The first on-track test is anticipated to take place in Virginia or the Carolinas in March. “We are pleased to have Ford’s direct involvement in the development of a Ford ‘crate engine,” said ACT President Tom Curley. “The introduction of another manufacturer is long overdue, and we’re confident that the long-time debate of Ford-versus-Chevrolet will give our fans and race teams something to cheer for.”
Long-time Ford supporter and former ACT competitor Dave Dion is excited about the development. “It’s encouraging that Ford wants to step up in the local short track programs,” said Dion, “but I’m not saying that because I’m a Ford guy. I would be excited about it if it was Chevrolet, Chrysler, Toyota, or anyone else. There’s a real value in this project.”
Dion explained that grassroots involvement from major companies like Ford will benefit the bigger picture. “I’m from the old school where options were everything in racing, and good-natured rivalries and debates were a healthy part of the sport,” Dion said. “If Ford can bring some of that atmosphere back to local racing by competing against the Chevrolets, then short track racing as a whole wins. On top of that, Ford gets a lot of exposure during these tough economic times. It’s very necessary.” Curley and Dion have been working together on the project for nearly two years, and Dion has offered his ongoing help with research and development to make the program a success.
The seven tracks on the 2009 schedule have run over 300 Northeastern Midget Association features. That is one-third of all races the 58-year old club has had since beginning way back in 1953.
Waterford Speedbowl (80), Seekonk Speedway (73) and Thompson Speedway (80) are the leaders. Stafford Motor Speedway (32), Monadnock (26), Lee USA (25) and Twin State Speedway (3) follow.
NEMA opens its 17-race 2009 schedule on Saturday night, May 23 at Lee. The agenda includes such traditional stops as Stafford’s Carquest Extreme Tuesday (July 7), Seekonk’s Boston Louie (Aug. 8), Twin State’s Open Wheel Sunday (Oct. 4), Seekonk’s DAV (Oct. 11-12) and Thompson’s World Series (Oct. 17-18).
Seekonk, which hosted the first NEMA race on May 30, 1953 (Fred Meeker was the winner), Waterford, which ran the next day (Bill Eldridge prevailed) and Stafford (John DeLeo was the winner) are “charter members.” Thirty NEMA races have been run on the present Stafford layout.
Midget immortal Dutch Schaefer was Thompson’s first NEMA winner in 1960. The Lee relationship dates back to 1966 (Walt Gale was the winner), Monadnock to 1972 (Dave Humphrey was the first winner) and Twin State to 1973 (Humphrey again). Twenty of Lee’s NEMA races have come on the present third-mile layout.
Bobby Santos, III of Franklin is the only driver with wins at all seven tracks including ’08 checkereds at Twin State, Lee, Monadnock and Stafford (where he has three). Nokie Fornoro has missed only at Twin State, Russ Stoehr of Carver only at Twin State and Stafford. Greg Stoehr of Bridgewater has won at Monadnock, Seekonk, Thompson and Waterford; Jeff Horn at Lee, Seekonk, Stafford and Waterford.
Defending driver champion Randy Cabral of Plymouth is the all-time win leader at both Waterford (8) and Thompson (7). Cabral and Russ Stoehr, each with five, are tied for second behind Nokie Fornoro (8) among active drivers at Seekonk. A field including seven or eight former winners is not uncommon at Waterford and Seekonk.
Among active drivers, Jeff Horn (3) is the win leader at Lee, Greg Stoehr (2) at Monadnock and Bobby Santos III (3) at Stafford.
The Waterford Speedbowl released its 2009 schedule and will see action with more than 50 events planned. Leading the way is 29 Saturday division points events, while the popular Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday Series will return with 18 shows of their own. Several special events are planned throughout the season, featuring touring series’ including the ACT Tour, ISMA Supermodifieds, NEMA Midgets, True Value Modified Series and more. Rounding out the schedule will be no less than four family fun thrill shows.
The historic shoreline oval will open its gates for a remarkable 59th consecutive year when it hosts the 13th annual $20,000 Budweiser Modified Nationals March 28-29, the region’s premier SK Modified event. Saturday division racing concludes with The Finale, slated for October 10-11. The ‘Bowl will be in action each and every Saturday night in between. The SK Modified, Late Model, Street Stock and Mini Stock divisions continue to be the core of the Saturday night schedule. The prestigious Speedbowl ‘Triple Crown’ returns, consisting of 3 three extra distance events – the Budweiser Modified Nationals, Finale, and annual mid-season championship event – the latter boasting 300 laps of feature racing in an Independence Day spectacular on July 4. Each division will receive 2 scheduled weeks off totaling 27 championship point events. Legends Cars will often frequent Saturday nights as well along with other guest divisions throughout the season.
One of the country’s premier mid-week series, Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday returns for its 9th season kicking off on Wednesday May 2 and runs through September 2. The eight cylinder ‘Super X’ cars, four cylinder ‘X’ cars, ‘X’ Modifieds, and Legends Cars will be on the card for each of 18 scheduled events with other special appearances and wacky events in the works.
One “swap” is scheduled – the full Wednesday program will invade Saturday night for the first time on July 18 for an extra-distance summer showdown, while the Saturday regulars will move to a special mid-week appearance on July 22.
Headlining the special events will be the return of ‘Wings & Wheels’ on August 15. The event will be highlighted by the roar of the ISMA Supermodifieds and True Value Modified Series, coupled with the NEMA Midgets and the ‘Bowl’s own SK Modifieds. New this year will be ‘Thunder on the Sound’ taking place over Labor Day weekend on September 5. The Speedbowl is putting finishing touches on this exciting event and will release details soon.
In addition to ‘Wings & Wheels’, the True Value Modifieds will also be in action on May 9 for a 100-lap event, the ISMA Supers May 23 for their 50-lap Memorial Day classic, and the NEMA Midgets take part in the Modified Nationals March 28-29 and headline the annual Nostalgia Weekend July 25-26 with 25-lappers. The Midgets have been part of Speedbowl lore since its opening in 1951.
Destruction is the name of the game at the family fun thrill shows slated for Memorial Day Madness May 24, Night of Destruction July 5, the September 6 Back To School Bash and the October 24 Smacktoberfest. Trailer races, demolition derbies and other mayhem are always part of the action.
Up through last Saturday night New England Modified drivers have been shut out of the winners circle at the New Smyrna Speedway in northern Florida. Jimmy Blewitt managed to take both a Tour Mod and Sk Mod victory there while Matt Hirshman won a Tour Mod feature. Bob Grigas, III of Marshfield has two seconds, one in the Tour Mods and another one in the Sk’s. Grigas also placed sixth in the Tour Mod race last Saturday night.Ted Christopher finished second behind Hirshman in the Brady entry out of Brockton.
Here’s what’s happening in southern New England this weekend. On Tuesday night, Alexander’s Pizza & Sports Bar in E. Windsor, CT has the NEAR Antique Racers holding their annual meeting. The DCU Center in Worcester will host the US Hot Rod Assn. Monster Jam Friday night through Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Also, the Mass. Mutual Center in Springfield offers Xtreme Intl. Ice Racing for motorcycles and quads at 7:30 p.m. each night. On Saturday there’s another Cruise Night at Riley’s Roast Beef in Framingham at 5 p.m. The Wachusetts Valley Riders have another motorcycle race on the ice from 4-8 p.m. That circuit moves over to the Hamilton Rod and Gun Club in Sturbridge on Sunday at 1 p.m.
American-Canadian Tour Begins Development of Ford Crate Engine
WATERBURY, VT – Ford Racing and the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) Late Model stock car series have begun development of a new Ford crate engine for use on the ACT Late Model Tour, Série ACT-Castrol, and in weekly Late Model divisions around the northeastern United States and Canada in 2009. The Ford engine will be the first non-General Motors powerplant option in the division since the crate engine program was introduced a decade ago. All ACT-legal Late Models currently utilize a “spec” GM ZZ4 engine.
Production of the first Ford Racing prototype crate engine has been completed at Ford headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. The engine was shipped to the east coast for dynamometer, reliability, and comparability testing at Butler & MacMaster Racing Engines in Hallowell, Maine, the official crate engine supplier of ACT. The first on-track test is anticipated to take place in Virginia or the Carolinas in March.
“We are pleased to have Ford’s direct involvement in the development of a Ford ‘crate engine,” said ACT President Tom Curley. “The introduction of another manufacturer is long overdue, and we’re confident that the long-time debate of Ford-versus-Chevrolet will give our fans and race teams something to cheer for.”
Long-time Ford supporter and former ACT competitor Dave Dion is excited about the development.
“It’s encouraging that Ford wants to step up in the local short track programs,” said Dion, “but I’m not saying that because I’m a Ford guy. I would be excited about it if it was Chevrolet, Chrysler, Toyota, or anyone else. There’s a real value in this project.”
Dion explained that grassroots involvement from major companies like Ford will benefit the bigger picture.
“I’m from the old school where options were everything in racing, and good-natured rivalries and debates were a healthy part of the sport,” Dion said. “If Ford can bring some of that atmosphere back to local racing by competing against the Chevrolets, then short track racing as a whole wins. On top of that, Ford gets a lot of exposure during these tough economic times. It’s very necessary.”
Curley and Dion have been working together on the project for nearly two years, and Dion has offered his ongoing help with research and development to make the program a success.
For more information on the American-Canadian Tour, call (802) 244-6963 or visit www.acttour.com.
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