TORONTO, ON – In 2009, Charles Priestly was declared the Hurricane Midgets series champion. Shortly thereafter, Priestly hung up his helmet and assumed the mantle of club president for the Southern Ontario-based touring series.
Throwing himself into the process of growing and promoting the long-running division, Priestly has seen his dedication rewarded with overflowing grids, and close, wheel-to-wheel racing action throughout the field.
As part of their efforts to promote their exciting series, Priestly, Race Director Jackie Francis and a strong supporting crew will be part of the tour’s first ever appearance at the Canadian Motorsports Expo Powered by Inside Track Motorsport News. The show takes place February 7, 8 & 9 at Toronto’s International Centre.
“The Canadian Motorsports Expo is one of those places where we feel we need to be,” explains Priestly. “We want to promote our series, but we also feel responsible for promoting the tracks that host us, and the sponsors that keep us running.”
In 2013, 38 Hurricane Midgets drivers scored points towards the season championship. The title was ultimately claimed by Cookstown, Ontario’s Robin McLean. For virtually all of the 18 scheduled race events, the field had to be narrowed to 24 starters through qualifying heat races, with an unfortunate few going home before the features.
Despite the overwhelming support of the series’ current participants, Priestly admits he’s looking forward to enticing fresh talent to join the Hurricane Midget fraternity.
“We always have room for more people; we need new faces in order for the series to continue to grow,” stated Priestly. “And I truly believe the cream rises to the top of the talent pool. The larger the pool we have to draw from, the better the racing, and the better the show we can put on.”
At the CME, the Hurricane Midgets display will feature McLean’s championship winning #97 mount, as well as Rob McCall’s Midget, which secured Best Appearing Car honours in 2013. Both racers will be on hand, as will Priestly and Francis, to answer questions about the series.
Concludes Priestly, “By the time the CME rolls around, we will have our 2014 schedule finalized, and I’m really hoping that we can confirm a new title sponsor for the series at the show. 2014 is looking like another exceptional year for the Hurricane Midgets, and the year starts for us at the Canadian Motorsports Expo.”
ABOUT THE HURRICANE MIDGETS: Starting out as an American-based Quarter-Midget club, the Hurricane Midgets moved into Southern Ontario over two decades ago, and have grown into a premiere touring division. The 450 pound, winged mini-sprint cars are powered by a 440 c.c. snowmobile engine pushing out approximately 85 horsepower. On some of the larger tracks, these nimble open-wheelers can attain speeds approaching 100 miles per hour. Further information, including scheduling, race results and technical details can be found on their website at www.hurricanemidgets.ca. Fans can also follow daily updates on Facebook/ Hurricane Midgets Racing Club.
ABOUT THE CME: The 8th Annual Canadian Motorsports Expo Powered by Inside Track Motorsport News takes place February 7, 8 & 9, 2014 at Toronto’s International Centre, adjacent to Pearson International Airport. The show features motorsport content geared to racers, fans and automotive enthusiasts. NASCAR Sprint Cup racer Ryan Newman will be at the CME on Saturday, February 8. For information about the show, including news, exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities, call (416) 962-7223, or email info@CanadianMotorsportsExpo.com. The CME’s website is located at www.CanadianMotorsportsExpo.com.
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