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ENTRIES FILING IN FOR BOTH WEBBER INTERNATIONAL
CLASSIC AND ENDURO AS MERRITTVILLE’S SEASON FINALE NEARS – MODIFIED AND SPORTSMEN JOIN STREET STOCK
SPECIALS IN J&S HEATING WEEKEND
For Immediate Release - September 4, 2008 - From Jim Irvine - Merrittville Public Relations - 905-892-8266
Thorold, Ontario (September 4) Merrittville Speedway’s 57th Season Finale is upon us and with it comes quite an array of events that make up the J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Weekend that kicks off Friday September 5th and concludes Sunday September 7th.
While the tripleheader is anchored by the two day Rose Webber Memorial International Classic for Classic and Mod Lite-style Dwarf Cars, also in the spotlight is the 4th annual Duel on the Dirt that pits the Merrittville Speedway Hoosier Stocks against the Brighton Automotive Pro Stocks from the Brighton ( Ontario ) Speedway as part of the opening night.
The rare Friday Night also includes on the race card – the rain delayed 50 lap Lucas Oil Shoot Out Finale for the 358 Modifieds. Joining the Jerry Winger Memorial hosted by the Merrittville Speedway Reunion Committee will be the L. St. Amand Enterprises Wall of Fame Inductions as well as Vintage Cars on the race card.
“We’ve had to keep our new inductees a secret for almost a month,” relates (Merrittville Speedway Reunion Committee Chair) Rick Kavanagh, “hopefully this weekend we will be able to honor them on the CAA Niagara Stage prior to the weekend’s racing begins.”
The final Saturday night of the season features the finale of the Rose Webber International for the Classics and Mod Lites plus the Street Stock 50 lap Open that will pay the winner $1000.
Saturday Night will also see the Original Pizza Logs Sportsmen featured in a 50 lap Super DIRTcar Series Event that will bring the best teams to Merrittville in addition to the 4 Cylinder Trucks – transplanted from their original Friday Night slot.
The 57th Season comes to a close in a Sunday Afternoon Tradition with the 100 lap Konzelmann Estate Winery Enduro accelerated by Niagara College .
“It’s quite an exciting end to our 57th season,” reveals GM Erica Bicknell, “race fans won’t want to miss a night …. There’s no other event that draws such a diverse field of Classics and Mod Lites … the Street Stocks also put on quite a show and how can you not miss the 50 lappers for the 358s and the Sportsman … all that action before we turn them loose Sunday … you’ve never seen anything like it … the Enduro is like a traffic jam on the QEW … only with no rules.”
The 9th Annual Rose Webber Memorial for Lee Webber Classics and Mod Lites has attracted some of the best Classic and Mod Lite Drivers from across the United States - the States of Texas, South Carolina, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New York, Georgia, Ohio and others have been represented over the years.
The invaders of course will challenge Merrittville Speedway’s regular New York Dwarf Car Association (NYDCA) Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite Members that compete weekly at the Thorold track.
Nine years ago, Jim Varble, the then president of the NYDCA, set the groundwork for a special night to showcase the Classic Division each fall.
When Lee Webber won two Merrittville Speedway Points Championships, he also served as treasurer of the club and his wife Rose Marie was an integral part of both as well. Rose Marie was diagnosed with cancer a little more than 6 years ago and after a courageous battle, succumbed to the disease.
Fellow driver Wally Billing was a good friend of both Lee and Rose and wanted to honor Rose by making the International Race a memorial to her.
For the Mod Lites – the two night event kicks off Friday with a 20 lap feature – followed up Saturday with a 25 lap Main Event. The Lee Webber Classics will have their own separate dashes each night provided that there are enough cars.
In total, the Classic and Mod Lite events boasts purse and prizes valued at more than $20,000.
The winner of the Rose Webber Memorial International Memorial Trophy will be the points leader for the two nights – one for the Classics and one for the Mod Lites. The Overall Champions will also receive $250 and $500 bonuses as well.
The opening two days – the Rose Webber will surely be a highlight of J&S Heating’s 52nd year of operation.
J& Heating and Air Conditioning is a factory authorized Carrier Sales and Service provider servicing the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. Specializing in gas furnaces, central air conditioning, humidifiers and electronic air cleaner – visit them on line at www.jandsheatingandair.ca or their offices at 5 Seapark Drive in St. Catharines or call 905-682-9287.
Both Friday and Saturday Events will also feature Street Stocks with the 4th Annual Duel on the Dirt presented by Lawns We Do and DL Services seeing Merrittville’s Hoosier Stocks battling the Brighton Speedway Pro Stocks on the opening night card.
Saturday, it’s a 50 lap Street Stock Open that will again pay the winner $1000.
“We’re proud to host these events that will pit the best Street Stockers from across Ontario against other top teams,” boasts Bicknell, “it will definitely compliment the Dwarf and Mod Lite teams that visit us as well … and with the Lucas Oil 358 Modified Shoot Out and Sportsmen Super DIRT Series … the pit area will be at capacity both nights.”
The Pits should be at capacity as well Sunday when the Konzelmann Estate Winery Enduro accelerated by Niagara College takes to the track for 100 laps of almost non-stop action.
“We don’t know what to expect,” adds Bicknell, “but from the previous events … some where around 100 cars could start the Enduro … of course many of them are hoping to survive enough to compete in the Ladies Event too.”
Beginning Friday, there is free camping and parking all weekend long.
Showtime Friday and Saturday Nights is at 7:00 after the gates open at 5:30. For Sunday’s Enduro – the Grandstand opens at 12:00 Noon with the Enduro to start shortly there after.
For further information on the J&S Heating Tripleheader – call 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.
“ Niagara College continues to be # 1 in student satisfaction,” boasts (Merrittville Speedway GM) Erica Bicknell, adding, “and we are thrilled they are accelerating our Enduros.”
Niagara College is in its unprecedented fourth consecutive number-one ranking in overall student satisfaction among all Ontario colleges.
Individuals considering re-training for a new career are encouraged to take a serious look at the many programs and opportunities available at Niagara College .
For further information on technology, apprenticeship and skills training visit niagaracollege.ca and accelerate your career.
MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS
The 2008 Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series for Merrittville Speedway’s 5 Divisions is brought to fans by partners including J&S Heating and Air Conditioning, Lucas Oil, L. St. Amand Enterprises, CAA Niagara, Konzelmann Estate Winery and Niagara College in addition to contingency sponsors Bilstein Shock Absorbers, Hoosier Tire Canada, Inside Track Motorsport News, Intercomp, ISC Racer’s Tape, Jaz Products, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, Motorsports Safety Systems, Port City Racing, R.J.S. Racing Equipment, Sway-A-Way, Ultra Shield Race Products, Outerwears and XRP, Inc.
You’re among friends at Boston Pizza and Merrittville Speedway. Check your Merrittville Speedway Ticket stubs for a special offer from the Niagara Street Welland Boston Pizza location.
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.
Race fans can look for Lucas Oil Products at their favorite automotive retailer including the St. Catharines and Niagara Falls PartSource locations, Drummond Home Hardware in Niagara Falls and through RCM Racing Equipment.
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