Thorold, Ontario (March 26) – Merrittville Speedway’s recent Pen Centre Race Car Show wrapped up Sunday March 25th and throughout the entire week there was tremendous interest in the upcoming season at the Thorold facility.
(Mall show photos are posted here)
“Saturday’s Autograph session was a huge success,” relates Merrittville Speedway’s Nancy Bicknell, “many of the shoppers thought it was a novel idea – not only seeing the cars up close but getting to meet the drivers as well.”
On the local short track scene in addition to the higher levels of the sport, drivers are very approachable and are willing to interact with the fans. The Saturday Session featured many of Merrittville Speedway’s local heroes and upcoming new stars – Adam Murphy, Shawn Sliter, Rob Disher, Kellie Mason, Adam Ferri, Dave Small, Darren Zumpe, Peter Reid, Travis Braun, Kevin Knapp, Roger Shenstone and Charlie Lynch in addition to kart racers Greg Kohut and Jordan Barnes.
Joining the meet and greet was Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite veteran Mark Brighton – even though his car was not on display. Brighton was alongside Adam Murphy and the Niagara Falls driver’s Solaris Tint Niagara Tools Five Star Racing Products #27 that has already seen action in 2007. Murphy and Brighton were among a number of Lucas Open Wheel Lite Division Teams that made the long haul to the East Bay Raceway in late February,
Another driver that had a guest in their Pen Centre ‘Pit Stall’ was L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified driver Adam Ferri, “the kids just loved meeting ‘Rocky’ … I’ve never signed so many cards and it’s not even race season yet.”
The Lafarge Mascot joins Ferri at appearances which will include the two Family Autograph Nights scheduled during racing season this summer.
With Rocky creating all the buzz around Ferri’s Lafarge Thruway Muffler #1F, the Sliter Family were not to be outdone around Shawn Sliter’s Modern Corporation #71s Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite.
Sliter’s wife Lenie celebrated her birthday while Sliter was signing autographs and answering questions.
Parked next to Kellie Mason’s J&S Heating Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite #14 H&E Chassis were two of the Pedal Cars that select drivers from the popular division will be giving away throughout the 2007 Season.
“It’s something that we wanted to do to give back to the fans,” relates NYDCA President Bruce Mason, “ we’re grateful of all their support and interest all season … especially the kids … it’s a unique way welcome Lucas Oil to the Open Wheel Lites as well.”
Merrittville Speedway Junior Race Fans can visit any NYDCA member driver in the pit area following the races for to receive a ballot to win one of the 14 specialty vehicles that will be given away every other week during the season.
While there will be two ‘Merrittville’ Pedal Cars, drivers Kellie Mason, the Can-On Race Team of Rick Brubacher and Scott and Wally Billing, Adam Murphy, Roger Shenstone, Andy Tallman, Shawn Sliter and K&C Racing’s Lorne Collings as well as Todd and Wayne Kendrick have all been working on their own versions.
In focus in Merrittville Speedway’s Information Center that was located in the Sears Court area was the Tony Stewart- autographed Bike that will kick off the Meridian Credit Union Kids Club Bike Draws.
“All week long, Tony Stewart fans wanted the bike for their own collection,” relates Erica Bicknell, “it will be quite a prize for whoever wins it May 21st … it will be the first of 15 that we give away this year.”
Also based in the Merrittville Display throughout the week were volunteers representing the 2nd Annual Rankin Cancer Run.
“We’re so proud of the racing community,” relates Holly Mauro, “more than $350 was donated … and it will all stay in Niagara … it’s a great start to the $230,000 that was raised last year … we can’t thank everyone enough.”
The Rankin Cancer Run returns to benefit Niagara Saturday May 26th. For further information visit www.rankincancerrun.com. Volunteers will also have a display at the track in May.
Merrittville Speedway Alumni Driver Kurt Heidebrecht was seen in the crowd admiring just how far the sport has come technologically.
While the former driver took an extended look at Mike Bowman’s Seaway Hose & Hydraulics #71 Original Pizza Logs Sportsmen Car, many might remember the St. Catharines native racing as ‘Kurt Douglas’ – revealed that he is almost finished his Davey Moore Gremlin Vintage Modified.
“It’s the original chassis and body,” adds Heidebrecht, “all I need is a big block engine … I’m hoping to display it this summer.”
Heidebrecht is hoping to join Lucas Oil when Merrittville Speedway’s Reunion Committee presents Nostalgia Night 2007 that will feature the 56 lap Jerry Winger Memorial – which will also be Merrittville’s 358 Modified Lucas Oil Shoot Out presented by DirtTrackDigest.com – Saturday July 14th.
Merrittville Speedway would like to thank all the race teams and race fans that visited the Pen Centre through out the week.
“Our week at the Pen Centre is a very important part of our pre-season as we prepare for the new year,” reveals Erica Bicknell, “the opportunity to put a schedule into a shopper’s hand … to have a chance to talk with them and have them see the race cars up close and meet the drivers personally is very important to us and our race teams as well … each race team can showcase their sponsors as we continue to search for new ways to attract new fans.”
Race fans that could not make the Race Car Show can get a copy of the 2007 Stock Car and Kart Schedules by visiting www.merrittvillespeedway.com or the Speedway Office when it opens for the season the week of April 2nd.
The count down to green is starting to pick up the pace as after Saturday April 21st’s Practice – the focus turns to the 2007 Season Opener Saturday April 28th. Baron Roofing and Siding will present the Spring Sizzler 100 that will feature more than 100 laps of feature action spread through all 5 Dirt Weekly Racing Series Divisions – the L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modifieds, Original Pizza Logs Sportsmen, Hoosier Stocks, Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lites and the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders. Gates will open for the first time at 5:30 with the first green flag at 7:15.
Merrittville Speedway Race Teams will compete for over $14,000 in weekly purses all for the best price ticket price in town at just $10.00.
Your local dirt track is where it's at – for the best family entertainment in Niagara – visit Merrittville Speedway this summer!
From Jim Irvine / Merrittville Speedway Public Relations
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