Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Merrittville Speedway: Ontario Dirt LM visit this weekend

Thorold, Ontario (July 30) For most of the Ontario Dirt Late Models (ODLM) – their first ever visit to Merrittville Speedway’s d-shaped oval will surely be a Civic Holiday Challenge.  For one – it may be no different than a Saturday Night.
 
Jeff Dayman holds a share of top spot in the 2008 so far numerically-listed ODLM Point Standings. Dayman of course is a veteran Hoosier Stock competitor.
 
Show up points were awarded in June’s WoO Late Model 50 at Ohsweken – leading up to Saturday’s Hingston Metal Fabrication Night August 2nd and the opening round of the Civic Holiday Challenge.
 
Canada’s only touring series for dirt late models will take the national stage as along with Merrittville’s event – the mini series wraps up at the Humberstone Speedway August 3rd with the Molson Canadian All Canadian Championships.
 
In an effort to increase the series’ visibility on a national level, the Ontario Dirt Late Models have invited 37 of Canada’s top dirt late model drivers to compete in the organization’s 2008 events.
 
That invitation list stretches to Thunder Bay but also includes drivers from Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
 
An additional incentive has been offered to drivers how participate in the holiday weekend shows. ODLM Race Coordinator Debbie Brush recently announced a $1500 bonus to be shared amongst the Top 5 in points between the two races.
 
Back at the WoO Event at Oshweken, ODLM driver Chris Ross (Wallaceburg, ON) placed 12th while Adam Ferri was 16th, Ed Carley (Freedom NY) was 18th and Chad Valone, (Warren, PA) was 24th.
 
Ferri of course will have years of Sportsman and 358 Modified experience to draw on when he was a regular Saturday Night competitor at the Thorold track.
 
Rick Baker will also be in the field and will be looking to use his past Merrittville experience to his advantage as well.
 
Carley also has some history as does expected entrant Doug Ricotta of Warsaw NY. Both drivers have run with the BRP Can Am Late Models in the past.
 
Merrittville Speedway race fans will also recognize some other names throughout ODLM history as the 2007 Champion was Rob Ledingham with Rick Beales also in the point standings as was Ferri and Baker.
 
In 2006, former Merrittville Pro Stock Champion Darren Kish won two ODLM events at Humberstone Speedway.
 
Also on the first Saturday Night since the start of July are the Original Pizza Logs Sportsman, Hoosier Stocks, Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders and the 4 Cylinder Trucks.
 
Race will have a final opportunity to get Pasta Dinner Tickets and a last chance to enter the Big Block Grand Marshall Contest.
 
Hingston Metal Fabricators specialize in flame cutting, custom punching, shearing, expansion joints (metal and fabric) sand blasting, press braking and both aluminum and stainless steel welding.
 
For your next project give Hingston a call at 905-682-8338 or visit their location at 490 Eastchester Avenue East in St. Catharines.
 
Gates will open Saturday August 2nd at 5:30 with Showtime set for 7:00.
 
Your local Dirt Track is where it’s at and it’s at Merrittville Speedway Monday August 4th when the Civic Holiday Doubleheader concludes with our biggest event.
 
The star studded Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Big Blocks are set to challenge our home town heroes in the 100 lap Trevor Wilkens Memorial presented by Toolneeds.
 
With plenty of free camping – enjoy the whole weekend at the track, the Club Castropignano Pasta Dinner and much more – it all puts Merrittville Speedway on the map as a must see event.
 
It’s been a Holiday Tradition since 1972 – make it yours in 2008!
 
To learn more call 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.
 
From Erica Bicknell

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