Wednesday, August 31, 2005

THOROLD MAYOR JOINS DUEL ON THE DIRT BANDWAGON: J & S DWARF CAR WEEKEND ENTRIES NEARING 60

By Jim Irvine

Thorold, Ontario … Merrittville Speedway’s triple-header Season finale – the Rose Webber Memorial Weekend presented by J & S Heating and Air Conditioning – is shaping up to be one of the biggest events to hit the Thorold Track.

“Since it’s start,” relates Bruce Mason – president of the host New York Dwarf Car Association, “it has drawn some of the best drivers from across North America and that tradition continues … our latest entry is coming all the way from Missouri.”

The 2005 edition has an all new format with racing on Friday September 9th before the main event Saturday September 10th.

“Some teams are travelling such distances … Georgia … Tennessee … Ohio and many in between,” relates Nancy Bicknell, “ one thing we’ve heard is that they would like more racing … so we came up with the new format.”

The 2005 Rose Webber Memorial once again splits the Dwarf Cars into two divisions – Classics and Mod Lites and it all starts for them in probably the first Friday Night show in the track’s 54 seasons. The Classics will run a 20 lap Main event while the Mod Lites are scheduled for 25 laps.

The Friday Night opener also features the 2005 Hoosier Stock Point Finale – a 30 Lap event for the division. Select Drivers throughout the season that have participated in the Hoosier Tire Canada Finish Line Challenge will also participate in a Winner Take All Dash for Cash for all the money that is left in the ‘account’.

With August 20th’s rainout – another division has been added to the night’s race card. The BRP Can Am Super Stocks are set to return for two features – the rain delayed event and another that was added in talks with the Tour Directors – Gary Montgomery and Bruce Thompson since the rained out event.

Race fans that were in attendance for the A. Lococo Wholesale presentation of the BRP Can Am Super Stock Special Event can use their August 20th ticket stubs for a $5.00 discount when they return Saturday September 9th.

“We’re fortunate that we had the Friday on our schedule,” relates Erica Bicknell, “ it was the only option we had … but what a show it has become.”

Saturday Night action picks up again for the Classics with $500 US on the line in the 25 lap event. For the Mod Lites - $1500 US awaits the 30 lap winner.

The Hoosier Stocks will also be featured Saturday Night in the finale of the Duel in the Dirt with the Brighton Automotive Pro Stock Drivers from the Brighton (Ontario) Speedway. The 50 lap event will pay $1000 to the winner but that is only the start.

DL Services Inc. and Lawns We Do have posted a point fund between the Merrittville event and Sunday September 4th’s Brighton Event that will pay another $1000 to the two race champion while Daytona Automotive Equipment has posted another $1000 to be shared between drivers on the winning team – Merrittville or Brighton.

“What more can we say about Saturday Night,” relates Bicknell, “ the best Dwarf and Mod Lite Drivers … mixed in with the best Street Stock drivers from across Ontario … it all adds up to some great racing for the fans.”

Recently, Thorold Mayor Robin Brock has also joined the Duel on the Dirt Bandwagon – issuing a challenge to Brighton Mayor Chris Herrington.

“When I heard about the event,” relates Mayor Brock, “ I new I had to get behind Team Merrittville’s Hoosier Stock Drivers.”

The Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Division will also share in the spotlight with their 2005 Point Finale 20 lap event boasting a $250 first place prize.

The evening will also feature the drawing of the 2005 Merrittville Super Fan which will award the winner Two Tickets to the Nascar Nextel Cup Event in October at the Lowes Motor Speedway in Charlotte North Carolina. The contest is an annual thank you to Merrittville Fans from Raceline Radio and 105.1 The River and the Lowes Motor Speedway.

Race fans receive ballots every event as they enter the gates and they will be available up to September 10th’s date. Race fans can deposit their completed ballots in the Novelty Booth in the Grandstand Area – opposite the Monique’s Photography Booth.

J&S Heating and Air Conditioning, locally owned and operated, was founded in 1956 and are proud to have served the Niagara Region for 48 years.

J&S is a company dedicated to the proper service, maintenance and installation of heating, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment with systems for both residential and commercial customers. With a full staff of highly skilled mechanics and technicians who are specialists in the field, J&S’s reputation has been built on providing quality and value to customers.

For further heating and cooling information, call 905-682-9287 or visit http://www.jandsheatingandair.com/.

The Classic took on new meaning in 2002 when it was named in memory of Rose Webber – wife of two time Merrittville Dwarf Champion Lee Webber. Rose was a huge supporter of the New York Dwarf Car Association and her husband’s racing career and passed away in the summer of 2002. Although truly missed by many, her uncanny spirit lives on with the event each year.

Race teams wishing further Classic or Mod Lite information can call the Speedway Office at 905-892-8266 or email speedway@cogeco.net.

Probably never in Merrittville’s 54 years has their been such a three day event been scheduled.

The season finale like no other closes Sunday Afternoon with the 2nd annual Konzelmann Estate Winery 100 lap Wine Country Run Enduro. That event also has some new features with a 25 lap event for the Ladies. The afternoon and the season will close with a Big Car Demolition Derby.

The Enduro and Demolition Derby Events are events that are open to anyone and there is still time to prepare an entry. For rules information call 905-892-8266 or visit http://www.merrittvillespeedway.com/.

“Even though experienced drivers have won the Boltworks and Gabriel Maintenance 30 lap Saturday Night Live events this year,” challenges Bicknell, “ it’s more survival than anything that counts … especially in the 100 lap event … you never know what to expect in an enduro.”

Race Fans can spend the weekend at the track as free camping is allowed. For the Merrittville rate at select local Hotels – call the Speedway for further details.

All Season long, Dipper’s Turn 1 Bar and the Trackside Suites have featured Konzelmann Estate Winery and Labatt products. Race fans and teams are invited to stop and visit behind the Turn 1 Grandstands over the J&S Season Finale.

Pit Gates will open Friday at 4pm and Grandstands at 5pm with racing set to begin at 7:45pm. Saturday’s events will see all Gates Open at 5pm and racing at 7pm. Sunday Afternoon, the Pit Gate opens at 10:00am for mandatory car inspections while the Grandstands will open at 12 Noon. Race time is 1:00pm.

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