In the September 17th edition of Spencer Lewis’ Short Track Notebook, we speak with ‘Old School’ Dan McHattie about the upcoming Autumn Colours Classic, ‘Hometown’ Mike Brown previews September 21st’s Garry Reynolds Memorial at Barrie Speedway and Mike ‘Lights Out’ Bentley talks about his 2013 Sunset Speedway championship. Also including news on ‘The Silverback’ Bryan Mercer and ‘The New Age Punisher’ Jason Parker.
2-time Autumn Colours Classic champion ‘Old School’ Dan McHattie will return in search of a 3rd ‘Classic’ triumph on October 11th, 12th and 13th. The Cavan, ON veteran confirmed his entry this week, joining a growing list of Pro Late Model stars from across the province, including 2013 Great Canadian Race winner Matt Pritiko, 2012 Delaware Speedway champion Mark Watson and Flamboro Speedway sophomore Dale Shaw. We recently spoke with Dan in a video interview for Peterborough Speedway’s Youtube channel, where the 8-time Kawartha champion explains the strategy associated with winning the 113-lap feature, why he chose to compete at the ‘Classic’ instead of travelling to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the ACT Invitational and what drivers he feels will be the ones to beat this year. Click here for the 1 on 1 interview.
2011 Summer Sizzler winner ‘The Silverback’ Bryan Mercer will return to New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday (September 21st) for the 5th annual ACT Invitational. The field is comprised of a ‘who’s who’ of Northeastern Late Model competitors, including 2012 ACT Invitational winner Ray Parent, 2013 International 500 winner Joey Pole, 2012 ACT Tour champion Wayne Helliwell Jr. and Quebec standout Alex Labbe. Mercer and team will complete the 850+ km trek with sponsorship support from Sine’s Flooring, Quantrill Chevrolet, Cressman Tree Maintenance and Durmach Tooling.
We recently spoke with Barrie Speedway Ltd. Late Model veteran ‘Hometown’ Mike Brown on the upcoming Garry Reynolds Memorial. Brown will be piloting a car for chassis guru Peter Schotanus in the 100-lap event. The Hawkestone, ON driver explains what a victory in the event would mean for a Barrie Speedway regular and what drivers will be tough to beat come September 21st. The video can be found here.
Former Sauble Speedway Ltd. Late Model champion Jason Parker has confirmed he will be in the field for Sunset Speedway’s ‘Velocity 75’ event on September 28th & 29th. ‘The New Age Punisher’ earned 4 feature wins at Sauble in 2013, and will enter the Velocity weekend in search of his first career trip to Sunset victory lane. Parker joins a myriad of Sunset’s top stars on the early entry list, including 2013 track champion – and defending Velocity winner – Mike ‘Lights Out’ Bentley, 30-time champion Stompin’ Tom Walters, Streamline Race Products house car driver ‘The Instant Classic’ Andy Kamrath and third-generation star Billy ‘Z3’ Zardo. Parker will make the long haul from Port Elgin, ON with help from his 2013 sponsors Prestige Contracting, MacDonnell Fuels, Candue Homes, Saugeen Shores Transmission, Keeprite, Rob Gibbons Construction and Parker Heating & Cooling.
Second generation star Mike ‘Lights Out’ Bentley (above, by Alain Thiboutot) locked up the 2013 Sunset Speedway Ltd. Late Model championship this past Saturday (September 14th). The 2-time Garry Reynolds Memorial winner was joined in victory lane by his entire family and crew to celebrate his first career title. The moving championship speech can be found here.
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