By Jim Irvine at 905-892-8266
Thorold, Ontario … For Scott Wood, an impressive 358 Modified win July 2nd finally became official July 6th after considerable research by DIRT’s Martin Willis, Chief Tech Inspector Bob Dini, Merrittville Tech Inspector Pat Ciolfi and Merrittville co-owner Pete Bicknell.
After the event Wood was disqualified after his carburetor failed technical inspection and the team appealed the ruling knowing that it was box stock.
“I spent all Sunday comparing Scott’s 4777-7 carburetor to a new one off the shelf,” informs Pete Bicknell, adding, “both carburetors would pass when cold but when hot as in post race running temperature … the gauge was loose in the left front venturi but it would not go through in the right front venturi.”
Bicknell tested a number of other 4777-7 carburetors of other race teams and then Monday in Elbridge, New York at Rolling Wheels Raceway performed the same test on a carburetor that DIRT’s Bob Dini had received from manufacturer – Holley Carburetors.
“All of the carburetors we looked at had different batch numbers meaning they were made at different times and they all came from different sources – engine builders, distributors and from the company directly,” relates Bicknell.
DIRT Motorsports Officials and Bicknell are currently working with Holley on how to resurrect the problem and those steps will be forthcoming.
Bicknell called a 358 Modified Driver’s Meeting and showed the dozen drivers and car owners in attendance the same tests with a propane torch to heat the carburetors up after testing with the gauges on a cold carburetor.
“At Merrittville, on average we probably have more teams using the new aluminum spec heads which requires the new Holley Carburetor,’ relates Bicknell, “and that’s probably why the problem appeared here.”
There was also discussion at the meeting on how officials would inspect the carburetors and that method will also be announced in the very near future.
The win for Wood was his second of the season for the second generation driver.
“I was trying to run that line all night,” relates Wood, “but I couldn’t make the car stick … until after that late caution and now it sticks officially.”
Wood passed early leader Rob Krull very high on the outside exiting turn 4 much to the delight of the crowd.
Bicknell also used the Driver’s Meeting to introduce a new 358 Modified Purse Structure that will take effect Saturday July 23rd for all regular 35 lap events for the L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modifieds.
“We’re going to take a little off the win and spread it throughout the middle,” announced Bicknell, “ hopefully if a driver has a bad night it will help out a little bit … the start money will also increase to $150.00.”
“We have had some good fields all year,” adds Bicknell, “but maybe the changes will help fill out the field.”
The new purse structure although only increased by $110.00 to bring it to $7,910.00 – has an increase from sixth on through the balance of the field after the change in first and second.
DIRT SPORTSMEN EYEING MERRITTVILLE COMBINED EVENT AS PART OF AVONDALE FOOD STORES 40 TH CELEBRATIONS:
Thorold, Ontario … Merrittville Speedway’s Original Pizza Logs Sportsmen Division will be in the spotlight Saturday July 23rd in a 50 lap Combined East vs. West Sunoco Race Fuels Super DIRT Series Event presented by Avondale Food Stores.
“We’re really excited about this event,” relates (GM) Erica Bicknell, adding, “the potential is there for a huge Sportsmen field and some great racing … it should be a highlight of our season and of Avondale’s 40th Anniversary celebrations.”
The Mid-Summer Six Division Special will also feature the L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modifieds, Dwarf Cars/Mod Lites, Hoosier Stocks and the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders.
Avondale Food Stores – with 120 locations throughout the Peninsula are pleased to serve the community.
Avondale Food Stores offer a variety of services such as faxing, photocopying, Western Union Money Orders and Money Transfers, ABM Service, a variety of grocery items at low prices, coffee, slush and many other convenience foods.
To find an Avondale Food Store location visit www.avondalefoodstores.com.
In the three West Series Events run to date, Martin Polhill, Jeff McGinnis and Billy Bleich were winners at Ohsweken, Ransomville and Humberstone Speedways respectively and all are familiar with Merrittville tricky d-shaped oval. In East Series action, Greg Doust, and Lance Willix were winners at separate events at Thunder Alley Speedpark while Jeremy Pitcher won at Cayuga County.
One driver – in the Point Standings in both individual series is Russ Hefti and that driver recently visited Merrittville to prepare for the upcoming 50 lap $1,000 US to win event.
Prior to Merrittville’s event – the Combined Series kicks off at Can Am Motorsports Park July 13th.
For several seasons, the overall Combined Series has been split into a Western and an Eastern Region Series with the two combined to determine the overall 2005 Mr. DIRT Season Champion. While Merrittville has held several West Regional Events, this is the first Combined Series Event the Thorold Ontario track will host.
Sportsmen competitors from all DIRT Northeast Member Tracks will make the Saturday event one of the largest fields of the season as individual home track point races will be interrupted.
Merrittville Speedway’s 2004 Point Champion Adam Ferri finished in the runner-up spot in the Combined Sportsmen Series last year to fellow West Series driver and 2004 Champion Scott George. Both drivers have moved up to the L. St. Amand 358 Modified Division. In last year’s Merrittville West Series event, Ferri won in commanding fashion but will not be able to join the field in the Combined event in 2005.
DIRT Sportsmen teams and race fans can look forward to a making the trip to Niagara and a mini-vacation. Merrittville Speedway is located in one of the most famous tourist destinations.
For further information on Merrittville Speedway’s 2005 Schedule – call the Speedway Office at 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.
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