Thorold, Ontario (January 17, 2012) - With the East Bay Winternationals and the 41st Annual UNOH DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit Equipment just around the corner … that can only mean one thing – the local racing scene is starting to get up to speed!At the recent Driver Meetings at the Grantham Lions Club for all the Thorold facility’s Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Divisions, Merrittville Speedway Officials released a Tentative Schedule that has the 2012 Spring Sizzler opening the 61st Anniversary Season is less than three months.
Saturday April 28th’s Spring Sizzler will feature the Bobcat of Hamilton DIRTcar 358 Modifieds in a $2000 to win 50 lap main event, the Original Pizza Logs Sportsman for $700 to win 40 laps and the Hoosier Stocks in a $300 to win 30 lap Duel on the Dirt Big 6 Series Home Track Event.
“The Spring Sizzler annually provides an exciting start to the season,” boasted (Merrittville GM) Erica Bicknell-Jones, “with good paying events rewarding our drivers …our race fans are in for some great racing right away after not seeing a live event since the fall.”
Look for visiting race teams to use the Spring Sizzler Events as shake downs for special events coming up quickly in the new schedule.
The Big 6 Series Event for the Hoosier Stocks kicks off the long running challenge against the Pro Stocks from the Brighton Speedway. Open to any Street Stock meeting a Driver’s Home Track rules – the only exception to that is that Hoosier Tires must be run.
The Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Championship Chase begins Saturday May 5th with regular point races for all 5 divisions as the J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lites and Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders join in after practice sessions the previous week.
“While the final details of the schedule are being finalized,” adds Bicknell-Jones, “once again we are so proud of our weekly line-up … our fans enjoy a great variety of racing every Saturday night … each division will be featured throughout the year long celebration in addition to a variety of special events.”
Blast Entertainment was a huge part of the 2011 Awards Banquet so it’s only fitting that the Stratford based DJ and Lighting Service Company play a role in the Season Opener in the first event of May.
Blasting off as well for each of the Saturday Nights in May is a Student Promotion that allows all Students 18 years of age and younger a Grandstand Admission Ticket for just $5.
The month long deal is set for May 5th in addition to Lococo Wholesale Night Saturday May 12th which features the opening round of the 2012 David Chevrolet King of the Crates Series, The Seaway Mall Rankin Cancer Run Night that features the only visit of the season for the BRP Can Am Late Models in addition to the Stars North Modified Lite Tour and Saturday May 26th’s CAA Niagara that has the opener for the Turn 4 Collision Triple Crown Series and an exhibition from the Tuesday Night Kart Club on the schedule.
Until the schedule is finalized – Race Fans and Race Teams can pencil in further special event dates for the David Chevrolet King of the Crates Series for the Sportsman to be a part of Baron Roofing and Siding’s Night Saturday June 9th and the $1,000 to win Series Finale as part of Saturday August 4th’s Miller’s Auto Recyclers Bring a Friend Night.
Hoosier Stock Big 6 Series Home Track Events will continue Monday May 21st when Zavitz Financial Strategies and Employee Benefits presents the 100 lap 358 Modified Super DIRTcar Series Main Event, returning for the Big Block Modified 100 lap Super DIRTcar Series Bob St. Amand Sr. Memorial Monday August 6th presented by L. St. Amand Enterprises – leading up to the $500 to win Event Friday September 7th helping to kick off the J&S Heating and Air Conditioning International Modified Lite Weekend.
Incidentally, 2012 sees the 40th running of the Civic Holiday Monday 100 lap Event that now honors the former Modified Points Champ, Pit Steward and Wall of Famer Bob St. Amand Senior as the extravaganza was first contested in 1972.
From there – the 2012 Duel on the Dirt Big 6 Series concludes with Combined Events at Merrittville Saturday September 8th with a 50 lap $1,000 to win Event followed by the same event at Brighton Speedway with the date to be announced shortly,
Merrittville Speedway’s Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders can look forward to the return of the Triple Crown once again with dates set for CAA Niagara Night Saturday May 26th, Saturday July 21st’s Semenuk’s Esso and Archer Truck Services Night and concluding on Saturday August 18th as part of Avondale Food Stores Best Appearing Dog Contest Night.
With some 4 months to go until the first Grantham Lions Ironman Enduro Qualifier accelerated by Niagara – part of Monday May 21st’s Zavitz Financial Night – the mild weather throughout the fall should have cars all ready to go right now. Two other Qualifiers are set for Saturday June 30th’s Boltworks’ Canada Day 2012 Celebration Saturday June 30th and Saturday August 4th’s Miller Auto Recycling Night.
Sprint Car Fans should also make note of June 30th’s Event as the 2nd Annual Gary Cunningham Memorial will see the only Sprint Car Event of the season when the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints pay their only visit. In addition to the Sprint Cars, 358 Modifieds and Hoosier Stocks on the final Saturday of June – Race Fans can feast on $1.00 Piller’s Hot Dogs all night in addition to a Firemaster Productions FIRE WORKS DISPLAY!
A traditional favorites as well sees the Merrittville Speedway Reunion Committee planning the Lucas Oil Nostalgia Night that features the L. St. Amand Enterprises Wall of Fame Inductions and the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 50 Jerry Winger Memorial set for Saturday July 14th. “Plans are well underway for what looks to be quite an event,” anticipates Reunion Committee Chairman Rick Kavanagh, “our former drivers and alumni look forward each year to catch up and reminisce with their friends … if there are any individuals that would like to volunteer … we always appreciate it.”
The J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lites will play host to several series events including the Stars North Tour as part of Saturday May 19th’s Seaway Mall Night and new for 2012 – the TUSA Mod Lite Series on Saturday June 16th as part of SMS Machine Tools Night. The Series Events lead up to the annual two day International Modified Lites Championships that finds the J&S Heating and Air Conditioning sponsored division challenged by top Mod Lite Drivers from across Canada and the United States – Friday September 7th and Saturday September 8th. The Saturday Night portion of the weekend will see the Sportsman Super DIRTcar Series rounding out the final night event of the season. The weekend’s events also feature 4 Cylinder Cars, 4 Cylinder Trucks, Hoosier Stock Big 6 Events and Sunday September 9th’s Grantham Lions Smash-o-Rama 2012 accelerated by Niagara College that features the 100 lap Enduro and the return of the Freestyle Monster Truck Exhibition.
In the weeks leading up to the start of the season … race fans can keep visiting
www.merrittvillespeedway.com for all the pre-season news - Drivers making moves from one division to another … former drivers returning to the sport and all the news on the complete 2012 Schedule. Race fans and Race teams alike can follow Merrittville on Face Book (Facebook.com/Merrittville Speedway) and Twitter (Twitter.com/Merrittville).
