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For Release - Thursday March 20, 2008 - From Jim Irvine - Merrittville Speedway Public Relations - 905-685-7223 – Winter Office
Thorold, Ontario (March 20) – Hurray … Spring is here!
Back in the spring of 1974 – Harry Sittler was about to launch his Modified Career for car owner Ray Stevens – the same year his son Andrew was born.
In 2008, Andrew Sittler will start his Modified Career in a car owned last year by Ray Stevens in just 37 days in Merrittville Speedway’s Baron Roofing Windows & Doors Spring Sizzler 100 – Saturday April 26th.
It’s an event that will bring the cream of the crop to the Thorold track – and he his well aware of that.
“I’m hoping to qualify,” said Sittler, realizing, “what I need is some seat time and to get some laps in ... I’ve got quite a learning curve ahead of me … it should be quite a field in the opener.”
Sittler’s learning curve is not all that long as some as growing up with his dad as a racer – Andrew spent many a summer in the grandstands before working on the cars at home and in the pits. While staying active with his Dad’s storied career – Andrew eventually got behind the wheel himself.
Prior to Pat McGrath’s Merrittville Speedway Championship Season in the 90’s, Sittler who was a partner in the car - ran the car a number of times at the Ransomville Speedway in addition to a couple of races in his dad’s car.
Last season, Sittler purchased his own car and joined the ranks of the Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lites as a Rookie.
“It’s a great class,” reflects Sittler, “it’s a real family atmosphere … everyone helps each other out … I hate to leave it behind … but the 358 Deal was too good to turn down.”
Sittler’s new ride is the Brian Stevens’ #44 of last season and so the reunion of sorts between the Stevens’ and Sittlers.
“I was looking at a few more seasons in the Mod Lite,” added Sittler, “but it needed up-dating … Brian’s car cost me less than it would have to update the other car.”
It was still a few years away but the 34 year old was maybe thinking to launch his 358 Modified Career in his #37 in celebration of his 37th birthday.
That was done a few years ago by Tim Tallman when in celebration of his 40th Birthday – spent the season in a Open Wheel Lite – to learn the division before his son Andy embarked on his own career.
Andrew and his wife Danica have two children – A.J. who is 8 and 5 year old Brooke. While both are a little young yet to consider a 3rd generation driver for the family – the two help out on the car at home.
Andrew has not ruled out giving his Dad Harry another shot either. In getting the ’05 Bicknell Chassis together … his shopping list included racing seats to fit both him and his dad.
“When this deal started,” revealed Andrew, “both Dad and Ray tried to get me to start as a Sportsman … but in the end we all agreed on the 358’s.”
Andrew and his dad have been hard at work on the car in preparation for the upcoming Bicknell Racing Products Chassis Seminar and Pete Bicknell Driving School that he will participate in.
At the track, the Sittlers will have help from Bob Reid who works with Andrew at the Ontario Street Midas Auto Service Experts location in St. Catharines .
The Sittlers are also hoping to draw on the more than 50 years of racing knowledge earned by Ray Stevens as they write another chapter in the long history of Merrittville Speedway.
Midas will be joined on the side panels by his major sponsor Gaston’s Auto Sales in addition to PartSource. All three businesses are located on Ontario Street in St. Catharines . Precision Transmission is also supporting Sittler’s Rookie Season this year.
Much of Merrittville’s success and longevity has been built from the support of it’s many ‘racing’ families.
With the 57th Season now just 37 days away – second generation driver Andrew Sittler looks to having some fun when the familiar 37S makes its return to it’s Saturday Night Home – the L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Division.
Your local Dirt Track is where it’s at and it’s at Merrittville Speedway in just 37 Days – Saturday April 26th.
The star studded 358 Modified Super DIRTcar Series Stars are set to challenge our home town heroes in the Spring Sizzler 100 Super DIRTcar Series presented by Baron Roofing.
April’s Event also includes a 40 lap event for the Sportsman and a 25 lap Street Stock Open Event.
With plenty of free camping – it puts Merrittville Speedway on the map as a must see event and it’s just the start of 2008 – you won’t want to miss a single event all season!
To learn more call 905-685-7223 until April 1st or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com. |
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