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James Baker
BLENHEIM, Ont. (July 22) - Canada's only touring series for dirt late model racers, the "Ontario Dirt Late Models," will take national stage on the coming civic holiday week-end with a two-day show set for two Ontario speedways.
"The Civic Holiday Challenge" opens at the 3/8 mile dirt oval Merrittville Speedway in Thorold, ON on Saturday, August 2 and concludes Sunday August 3 at another nearby 3/8 mile dirt oval, Humberstone Speedway in Port Colborne, ON.
In an effort to increase the series' visibility on a national level, the "Ontario Dirt Late Models" have invited 37 of Canada's top dirt late model drivers to compete in the organization's 2008 events. The invitation to western province drivers is the first step in eventually crowning a true Canadian national dirt late model champion.
Included in the invitees are Thunder Bay, ON drivers Tom Nesbitt, Joel Cryderman, Danny Young and Bob Slater and Manitoba racers Mike Balcaen of Winnipeg, MB, Ricky Weiss of St. Francois Xavier, MB, 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 Rolland, MB, Tom Balcaen of Winnipeg, MB, Gord Hockevich of Winnipeg, MB and Terry Newhouse of Brandon, MB.
Invited from Alberta were Dave Smith of Edmonton, AB, Brad Cameron of Virney, AB, Dave Vennard of Edmonton, AB, Brian Saipe of St. Albert, AB, Kelvin Bell of Hardisty, AB, Todd Dale of Warranilla, AB, Curtis Fortowsky of Edmonton, AB, Don Roberts of Fort Saskatchewan, AB, Terry Carter of Fort Saskatchewan, AB, Dan Billey of Edmonton, AB, Murray Phillips of Edmonton, AB, John Jones of Rimbey, AB, Aaron Dowler of Fort Saskatchewan, AB, Craig Akerstrom of Edmonton, AB, Ron Brisbois of Hinton, AB, Ryan Hodgson, Callihoo, AB, Brad MacLeod of Hinton, AB, Trevor Emond of Edmonton, AB, Stewart Hayward of Calgary AB and Steve Lee of Calgary, AB. Saskatchewan driver Ed Turnbull of Estevan, SK was also extended an invitation.
With few western tracks featuring late models on a regular basis, the 37 drivers have become "true warriors of the dirt." Some of the drivers travel 1200 miles each week-end to race in the US when the Winnipeg and Edmonton venues are not running their division. Mike Balcaen, Weiss, Smith and Turnbull recently competed in some of the events on the "World of Outlaws Late Model Series" Western Tour.
Many of the western drivers have already expressed interest in participating in the "Ontario Dirt Late Models" events despite the long tow.
The "Ontario Dirt Late Models" will be making their debut appearance at Merrittville Speedway. In previous "ODLM" events at the Humberstone oval, Darren Kish of Port Colborne, ON captured both 2006 races with Rob Ledingham of Port Colborne, ON taking the 2007 show.
An additional incentive has been offered to drivers who participate in the holiday week-end shows. "ODLM" race coordinator Debbie Brush has announced that the series will pay a $1500 bonus to be shared by the top five drivers in points from the two-day event. Both the Merrittville and Humberstone events will pay $2000 to win with $1000 guaranteed to the runner-up.
Expected to represent the "Ontario Dirt Late Models" in the "Civic Holiday Challenge" are four drivers who competed in the "ODLM/World of Outlaws Late Models Series" co-sanctioned event at Ohsweken, ON Speedway on June 20. Chris Ross of Wallaceburg, ON led the ODLM parade with a 12th place finish. Adam Ferri of Port Colborne, ON was 16th with Ed Carley of Freedom, NY 18th and Chad Valone of Warren, PA 24th.
An array of stellar Ontario, Quebec, New York and Pennsylvania late model drivers are tentatively expected to represent the ODLM at Merrittville and Humberstone including Justin Coulter of Leamington, ON, Gregg Haskell of Chatham, ON, Jeff Dayman of Port Colborne, ON, Greg Oakes of Franklinville, NY, Doug Ricotta of Warsaw, NY, Mike Lewis of Wallaceburg, ON, Peter Mantha, Jr. of Gatineau, Quebec, Paul Rivait of Tilbury, ON, Tim Mackenzie of Chatham, ON, Rick "Boomer" Briggs of Bear Lake, PA, Rick Baker of Port Erie, ON, John Vanderlinden of Chatham, ON, Dale Glassford of Thamesville, ON and 2003, 2004 and 2005 ODLM champion Brad Authier of Chatham, ON.
The Saturday night show at Merrittville Speedway will also feature a full racing card of Sportsman, Stocks, 4-Cylinders and Pro 4 Trucks. Gates open at 5:30 p.m with hot laps at 6:30 p.m and racing at 7 p.m. The Merrittville facility is located 12 miles from the US border at Niagara Falls.
A full day of fun is planned for the Sunday night finale at Humberstone Speedway. Humberstone will be hosting "The Molson All-Canadian Championship" with activities beginning at 11 a.m. Free camping will be offered to race fans all week-end with live bands also featured. Also included in the racing program will be Mini Stocks, Pro 4 Trucks, Street Stocks, Sportsman, Week-end Warriors and School Buses. Racing will began at 7 p.m.
Rules, purse and other information regarding the "Ontario Dirt Late Models" can be obtained by visiting the series' website at: www.ontariodirtlatemodels.com
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