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James Baker
BLENHEIM, Ontario (July 7) - Canada's only dirt late model touring series, the "Ontario Dirt Late Models," has invited the top drivers from the western provinces to participate in the series' 2008 events. Included on the invite list are top late model drivers from Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Thunder Bay, Ontario.
The effort is the first step in eventually crowning a true Canadian national dirt late model champion.
Heading the list of invitees are Tom Nesbitt and Joel Cryderman, both from Thunder Bay, ON , Mike Balcaen of Winnipeg, MB, Ricky Weiss of St. Francois Xavier, MB and Dave Smith of Edmonton, AB.
The 68-year old Nesbitt, a 2005 National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame inductee, began racing in 1959 and has won 601 features. Cryderman has won 175 main events and eight track championships in a career that began in 1979.
Balcaen is a six-time track champion at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, ND while Weiss captured the 2007 track title at Red River Co-Op Speedway in Winnipeg, MB. Smith was the 2007 track champion at Castrol Raceway in Edmonton, AB.
Also invited were Dave "Turk" Tyrchniewicz of St. Andrews, MB, Kevin Sexton of Lorette, MB, Mike McCaughan of St. Francois Xavier, MB, Shawn Holden of Winnipeg, MB, Scott Greer of East St. Paul, MB, Jeff Pritchard of Carman, MB, Les Pritchard of Winnipeg, MB, Tom Balcaen of Winnipeg, MB, Gord Hockevich of Winnipeg, MB, Terry Newhouse of Brandon, MB, Brad Cameron of Virny, AB, Stewart Hayward of Calgary, AB, Ed Turnbull of Estevan, SK, Danny Young of Thunder Bay, ON and Bob Slater of Thunder Bay, ON.
The 20 racers are "true warriors of the dirt."
With few western tracks running late models on a regular basis, many of these drivers are forced to travel 600 miles one-way to race in the United States on week-ends.
The "Ontario Dirt Late Models" opened their 2008 campaign with a "World of Outlaws Late Model Series" co=sanctioned show on June 20 at Ohsweken(ON) Speedway. Tim McCreadie of Watertown, NY captured the $10,000 to win, "Six Nations 50" at Ohsweken which is located on the Six Nations Reserve.
Chris Ross of Wallaceburg, ON led the "ODLM" with an impressive 12th place finish. Other "ODLM" finishers were Adam Ferri of Port Colborne, ON 16th, Ed Carley of Freedom, NY 18th, Andrew Reaume of Blenheim, ON 23rd and Chad Valone of Warren, PA 24th.
"Ontario Dirt Late Models" race coordinator Debbie Brush has scheduled a special two-race, holiday week-end show for the series in August. The "Civic Holiday Challenge" will open Saturday, August 2 at Merrittville Speedway in Thorold, ON with competition Sunday, August 3 at Humberstone Speedway in Port Colborne, ON.
Brush also announced that the "Civic Holiday Challenge" will offer a $1000 bonus to be shared by the top three drivers in points from the two-day event.
The series returns to Glenn Styres' Ohsweken Speedway on Friday, August 29. The "ODLM" finale will be held at Brighton(ON) Speedway on Saturday, September 20.
Rules and other information regarding the "Ontario Dirt Late Models" can be obtained by visiting the series' website at: www.ontariodirtlatemodels.com
Ontario Dirt Late Models 2008 Schedule
"Canada's Only Dirt Late Model Touring Series"
Friday, June 20...Ohsweken Speedway, Ohsweken, ON with the "World of Outlaws"...winner Tim McCreadie
"Civic Holiday Challenge"
Saturday, August 2...Merrittville Speedway, Thorold, ON
Sunday, August 3...Humberstone Speedway, Port Colborne, ON
Friday, August 29...Ohsweken Speedway, Ohsweken, ON
Saturday, September 20...Brighton Speedway, Brighton, ON
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