The vintage styling of the #09 machine turns heads and draws the attention of fans with the wave of every green flag. When the new campaign kicks-off, with the Country 105 presentation of the 2013 season opener Saturday, May 18th, Brooklin, Ontario’s Dan Price will show his colours in the Thunder Car division at Peterborough Speedway.
While he originally used sheet metal from a 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass on his ride, Price – a long-time classic automobile aficionado – chose to combine his passions to start the 2009 season, with a body from a 1955 Pontiac on the Thunder Car. By the end of 2011, those panels were starting to show some battle scars and were replaced with 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air components to start the 2012 session. Price says it’s almost a full-time job keeping the car on the track.
“In school, they teach you to look where you want to go while driving. I think a lot of the other drivers wanted to go into the side of my car,” said Price with a laugh. “Over the first couple of years with the Pontiac body panels on the car, we were collected in some of the hardest crashes in my career. In many cases, I got caught-up in someone else’s issue, but 1955 fenders and doors aren’t that easy to find, so I needed to change the body at the start of last year.”
Over the years, the 36 year-old Hydro One lineman has raced Mini Stocks, Challenger/Limited Late Models, Late Models and Super Lates at just about every paved speedway in the province. Recently, he’s tried his hand at dirt track Endurance events at venues in Ontario and New York State. Price – who enjoys tinkering with hot rods, dirt biking and skiing in his spare time – says he likes the cars, the people and the family involvement that comes with short track racing.
“My wife Erin and daughter Cambrie come with me almost every time and every where I race,” said Price. “My brother Donovan runs with the Ontario Legends Series and I’ve met so many great people over the years. It’s a big thrill to see someone else race in my car; especially if they’re faster than I am. No matter where I go, just coming through the pit gates gives me butterflies and I hope that feeling never goes away.”
Like every driver, Dan Price has a racing ‘bucket list’ and would like to see an event at Eldora; just as a fan. As a competitor, he hopes to some day turn a few laps at New Smyrna (Florida), Kalamazoo (Michigan) and a wide range of other circuits. In a perfect world, he’d like to see the pavement tracks band together – much like dirt tracks have – to create a more uniform set of rules that would allow drivers to travel a little more. He would also like to see cars go through more detailed pre and post race technical inspections.
For his 2013 season at Peterborough Speedway, his Thunder Car will carry sponsor support from Langille’s Scrap, Desjardins Financial – Ajax, Hy-Hope Farm Market and Golf Course and A & T Mechanical, with promotional assistance by Clarke Motorsports Communications. In the garage and at the track, maintenance will be handled by the driver, with his wife, daughter and brother Donovan, as well as friend James Wills.
Fans can follow Dan Price on Facebook or Twitter @danpriceracing. Prospective sponsors interested in joining the #09 team should e-mail Topgearwfo@live.com.
The new campaign at Peterborough Speedway kicks-off as Country 105 presents the 2013 season opener – with free spectator grandstand admission – Saturday May 18th. Pit gates open at 2:00. Spectator gates at 4:00, with racing at 6:00. For complete schedule details and the latest news, see www.peterboroughspeedway.com.
From: Jim Clarke/ Clarke Motorsports Communications
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