FRASERVILLE, ON – Twice each season, the drivers and teams of Kawartha Speedway’s Thunder Car division open the doors to all comers for a 50-lap invitational feature.
Friday, July 27, is the first such event on the 2012 calendar. Also on the show will be the NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Models, Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rental Mini Stocks and the second of four appearances by the Ontario Legends Series.
Even though he has yet to achieve the same level of success as some of his Thunder Car counterparts, one of the most popular drivers in the division is the #09 Langille Scrap/www.richardprice.ca/Hy-Hope Farms Farm Market & Golf Course/ www.360automotive.ca/ Cardinal Signs/www.aandtmechanical.ca machine of Dan Price. Unique in a field of reconditioned Chevy Monte Carlos, Pontiac Firebirds and the occasional Ford Thunderbird, the Brooklin, Ontario racer’s car is equipped with sheet metal rescued from a vintage 1957 Chevy Bel Air.
“I’ve always been an aficionado of old cars and after checking the rulebook, decided to do something different,” said Price, who currently sits fourth in points at Kawartha. “I might not be the fastest car out there, but I always get noticed. I race to have fun and this year, I get the added bonus of running against my brother Donovan. It’s become more than just fighting the rest of the pack. Now we’re battling each other for the family honours.”
Dan Price built his car six years ago from the ground up. In its early incarnations, the racer carried Oldsmobile Cutlass body panels and was run as a 1955 Pontiac for three years prior to the current campaign. The 35-year-old started his racing career in 1997 and has built and raced enduro, mini stock and pro late model stock cars, but says his favourite division is thunder cars.
As always, pit gates open Friday, July 27, at 3:00 p.m. with rotating practice sessions starting at 5:00 p.m. The night’s first green flag is at 7:00 p.m.
Kawartha klips: To make-up for the cancellation of the June 1 season opener, Kawartha Speedway’s regular divisions will each run a double point event before the end of the year. The Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rental Mini Stock teams will earn double race points Friday, July 27, with the Thunder Car extra point show Friday, August 17. NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model drivers will get the chance to pad their point totals at the Friday, August 24 show. At the start of the year, Kawartha Speedway and Capital City Speedway announced a special Thunder Car challenge series. In addition to regular race purse, drivers will race for a bonus payout of $250 for 1st, $150 for 2nd and $100 for every competitor. The 50-lap events in the challenge are Friday, August 24, at Kawartha and Saturday, September 8, at Capital City. Pre registration by August 15 is required and drivers need to run both events to eligible for the bonus.
From Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications
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