Thorold, Ontario (September 7) The 59th Season Finale at Merrittville Speedway is upon us and with it comes quite an array of events that make up the J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Weekend that kicks off Friday September 10th and concludes Sunday September 12th.
While the tripleheader is anchored by the two day International Modified Lite Championship Weekend for Classic and Modified Lite-style Dwarf Cars, also in the spotlight are the 4 Cylinder Cars … and Trucks on the Opening Night.
The Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Cars and the Pro 4 Trucks will thrill Full-fendered fans in addition to a 25 lap Street Stock Event Friday Night – setting up the 6th Annual Duel on the Dirt Big 6 Series on Saturday Night.
Saturday Night’s 50 lap $1000 to win Event will see the Hoosier Stocks of Team Merrittville take on the Brighton Automotive Pro Stocks that call the Brighton Speedway home in the first of two combined events to decide the 6th Annual Duel on the Dirt Big 6 Series.
If Team Merrittville is going to be successful in their drive for the back to back hat tricks – 6 Series wins – it will take place on the road as for the second time in series’ history – individual and team honors will be decided Saturday September 25th at the Brighton Speedway as part of the Cool 100FM Applefest Shootout Weekend presented by Cool 100 and Lucas Oil. Joining the card that night presented by Benson Auto Parts are the 358 Modifieds and the Modified Lites … so it will be quite an event to take in the end of the month.
Rounding out Friday Night’s events is a return visit from the Southern Ontario Sprints with their 15th season Points Race winding up. Glenn Styres currently leads the standings with the top 5 including Tyler Rand, Keith Dempster, Adam West and rookie Jim Munsie.
Saturday Night’s program is the Sportsman Super DIRTcar Series with a 50 lap Event expected to draw top Sportsman Teams from across the Northeast. Merrittville’s own Ryan Susice sits atop the standings with a 24 point lead.
The 59th Season comes to a close in a Sunday Afternoon Tradition with Merrittville Motorized Mayhem.
The Grantham Lions Ironman Enduro Series accelerated by Niagara College takes on a new format however in 2010 with qualifying heats setting up the field for the 100 lap Enduro. The annual Ladies Race will return with the afternoon closing with Small and Big Car Demolition Derbies.
“It’s quite an exciting end to our 59th season,” reveals GM Erica Bicknell, “race fans won’t want to miss a night …. There’s no other event that draws such a diverse field of Classics and Modified Lites … the Street Stocks also put on quite a show as do the Sprint Cars and Sportsman and then Sunday … you’ve never seen anything like it … the Enduro is like a traffic jam on the QEW … only with no rules.”
The 11th Annual Modified Lite International Championship for Classics and Mod Lites attracts some of the best Classic and Mod Lite Drivers from across the United States - the States of Texas, South Carolina, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New York, Georgia, Ohio and others have been represented over the years.
The invaders of course will challenge Merrittville Speedway’s regular New York Dwarf Car Association (NYDCA) J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lite Members that compete weekly at the Thorold track.
11 years ago, Jim Varble, the then president of the NYDCA, set the groundwork for a special night to showcase the Classic Division each fall.
When Lee Webber won two Merrittville Speedway Points Championships, he also served as treasurer of the club and his wife Rose Marie was an integral part of both as well. Rose Marie was diagnosed with cancer a little more than 5 years ago and after a courageous battle, succumbed to the disease.
Fellow driver Wally Billing was a good friend of both Lee and Rose and wanted to honor Rose by making the International Race a memorial to her and for 10 years her memory was celebrated.
The mix of Mod Lites and Classics will compete in 25 lap Events Friday and Saturday Nights.
“We’re proud to host this event that will pit the best Street Stockers from across Ontario against the top teams from New York State,” boasts Bicknell, “it will definitely compliment the Classic and Mod Lite teams that visit us as well … and with the Sportsmen Super DIRT Series and the Southern Ontario Sprints … the pit area will be at capacity at each event.”
Beginning Friday, there is free camping and parking all weekend long.
Showtime Friday and Saturday Nights is at 7:00 after the gates open at 5:30. For Sunday’s Enduro – the Grandstand opens at 12:00 Noon.
From Merrittville Speedway
