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Thorold, Ontario (July 5) Merrittville Speedway’s Reunion Committee has been hard at work preparing for the 56th Anniversary Celebration and it is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in the long history of the Thorold track.
Once again hosted by Merrittville Speedway’s Reunion Committee headed by Chairman Rick Kavanagh, the night salutes 56 years of dirt racing excitement at one of Canada ’s oldest race tracks. The Reunion Committee is also made up of former drivers Ted Renshaw, Terry Huffman and Jeno Begolo in addition to Mark and Bruce Swartz Jr. and the Speedway ’s Erica Bicknell and Jim Irvine . Renshaw and Begolo are Wall of Fame Members while Kavanagh is the son of former Speedway owner Ken Kavanagh who is also a Wall of Fame Member.
Mark and Bruce Swartz Jr. are sons of the late Bruce Swartz – a Wall of Fame Member and Charter Member of the Reunion Committee who passed away two years ago.
In 2007 the 56 lap Jerry Winger Memorial 358 Modified Main Event once again joins the new Lucas Oil 358 Modified Shootout Series that features an event at Merrittville Speedway’s sister tracks – Ohsweken, Ransomville, Genesee and Humberstone Speedways – each with their own histories.
“It’s something all of our facilities need,” relates Merrittville GM Erica Bicknell, adding, “it will be fresh and exciting for our race fans and race teams alike … we’re ecstatic as well that motorsport leaders Lucas Oil and Dirt TrackDigest.com are also joining us … the Shootout will showcase our local drivers in a very unique way … the Winger Memorial has always been quite an event … but the 56th Edition … it should be something else.””
Race Fans of all ages can take a look back over Merrittville’s past with Vintage Race Cars on display in the grandstand area prior to race time. The Vintage Coupes and Coaches and other cars will also take to the track as part of the night’s racing activity.
A huge part of the night is all the reminiscing that takes place in celebration of the track’s now 56 consecutive seasons. The Drivers of the past enjoy meeting with the fans of today – many that can remember the early days of the sport. Just as drivers today can be second or third generation, so too are some fans.
The highlight of the night has to be the Induction of 2007’s selections for the Speedway ’s L. St. Amand Enterprises Wall of Fame. The Reunion Committee has made their selections and like since the start – each year’s honorees do not find out until Reunion night.
For Alumni a pre-race dinner will again be presented behind the turn one grandstands catered by Rick’s Ole-Tyme Catering & Barbie Q.
In addition to the 56 lap 358 L. St. Amand Modified main event, racing will also take place in the Original Pizza Logs Sportsmen, Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lites, Hoosier Stocks and Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders.
The Meridian Credit Union Kids Club will not be left out as another match race will see Lucas Oil sponsored drivers Adam Leslie and Rob Disher challenge each other for bragging rights between the Open Wheel Lite and Hoosier Stock Divisions. After the race – both bikes will be given away via a draw.
Lucas Oil Products is one of the fastest growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry featuring a premium line of oils, greases and problem-solving additives. Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil Products has established itself as the top selling additive in the industry.
Lucas Oil Products was established by Forrest Lucas in 1989 in the United States and wasn’t introduced in Canada until 1997.
Race fans can look for Lucas Oil Products in Canada at all PartSource locations and in Western New York at Advance Auto Parts or on line at either www.lucasoil.ca or www.lucasoil.com.
For further information on Nostalgia Night including Alumni, please call the Speedway Office at 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.
Since the 40th Anniversary Season in 1991, Merrittville Speedway’s Reunion Committee has presented an annual Nostalgia Night with the assistance of L. St. Amand Enterprises, CAA Niagara, the Fonthill Kinsmen, Ricks Ole-Tyme Barbie Q, Ed MacPherson Construction and Philbrick Farm & Garden Equipment
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