LAMPMAN AND CONN OPEN-WHEEL MERRITTVILLE CHAMPS
by Bruce Bonham
THOROLD, ON - August 30 — The instant 27-year-old Larry Lampman took the green flag to begin the John Spencer Memorial main event at Merrittville Speedway Saturday, he became modified champion.
“This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me in racing,” said the champagne-drenched Port Colborne champ who began his modified career driving for Ray Stevens in 1999 and acknowledging 3,200 cool weather fans.
“It’s been a long hard road for us getting here. We had some expensive trouble this year, but because of our great sponsors and support this season, we were able to put everything together.”
Lampman, who credits Stevens’ tutelage for much of his success in the top division, finished second to16-time track title holder Pete Bicknell in the 50-lap classic, taking the crown 96 markers over Sanborn, N.Y.’s Richie Vinson.
Stewart Friesen — winner at Ransomville Speedway Friday — drew the pole position. The 20-year-old rookie was chased by the champion for the first 20 laps.
In typical Bicknell fashion, he steadily sped over the grippy track surface and took the lead five circuits later.
Lampman finally got by Friesen with four laps remaining. Robbie Krull of Cambria, N.Y. (third in final points) was fourth.
Wayne Conn admitted to having butterflies before the sportsman dominator’s 25-lap title-deciding feature, but said he wasn’t about to become conservative to assure the championship over Tim Jones.
“I feel quite confident, just going out there, run our own race and try to win another,” the six-time victor said before finishing second to race-long leader, Adam Ferri and emerging champ.
“We had a good ride tonight,” said Conn, who’s entire crew was dripping in champagne, adding that Merrittville fans are the best in Canada.. “Adam was very quick tonight.”
After surviving five, first-half cautions, Ferri held the frooont, saying, “Every time I’m up front there’s tons of restarts. But the car was hooked up tonight.”
Mike Ward was planted in third the entire race, while Jones, of Hamburg, N.Y., who had a slim shot at the championship, worked his way to fourth to hold second in points.
Dolf McCready’s brilliant Turn 2 move to get by the leaders with two laps left of the street stock 15 lap skirmish netted the title leader his sixth win of the season.
Defending champ Kirk Wilson spent most of the race bumper-to-bumper with Mike Dooley, but, after losing a few positions rallied for third. Street stockers wrap up their season next week.
In the opening dwarf car 15-lap feature, Chris Rimmen of Lewiston, N.Y. went from sixth to first, staying there until Dave Ackler retook the point on Lap 11.
At the final turn with the top four clustered in the last lap, Dave Russell squirted out of the pack and took the thrilling win. Wayne Robins also shook off Ackler and Rimmen for second.
Trevor Goulding appeared to have the 15-lap four cylinder feature in the bag, until Robbie Rounce showed up for a last lap pass.
Title Leader Glen Leinen spun on the first lap, but salvaged third when the dust settled and padded his point lead, finishing ahead of title rival Norm Mark.
RESULTS
Modified (50 laps): PETE BICKNELL, Larry Lampman (champion), Stewart Friesen, Robbie Krull, Richie Vinson, Don Spatorico, Rob Pietz, Rick Richner, Jamie Turner, Pete Cosco, Boyd MacTavish, Paul Ashton, Todd Gordon, Kenny Winfield, Chris Ricker, Brian Stevens, Gary Kruchka, Dan Miller, Chad Chevalier, Fred Carleton, Randy Chrysler.
Heats: 1. Todd Gordon; 2. Stewart Friesen; 3. Robbie Krull.
Sportsman (25 laps): ADAM FERRI, Wayne Conn (champion), Mike Ward, Tim Jones, Bobby Davidson, Billy Willard, John McKenney, Brad Malloy, Billy Bleich, Mike Kruchka, Bob Winters, Paul Gadboury, Darren Zumpe, Blair Young, Dennis Giancola, Tim Zach, Tony Cowell, Dereck Lemyre, Don Spiece, Dean Hoffman, Doug Spiece, Stan Zanchin, Martin Polhill.
Heats:1. Mike Kruchka; 2. Don Spiece; 3. Adam Ferri
Street Stocks (15 laps): DOLF McCREADY, Mike Dooley, Kirk Wilson, Rob Murray, Greg Ayres, Kevin Kocarik, Carl Saunders, Rick Simons, Paul Plante, Ron Kingsbury, Peter Reid, Terry Larmet, Ed Fargnoli, Wayne Paquette, Rick Champigny.
Heats: 1. Dolf McCready; 2. Kirk Wilson.
Dwarf Cars (15 laps): DAVE RUSSELL, Wayne Robins, Dave Ackler, Chris Rimmen, Wally Billing, Mark Brighton, Greg Balyea, Ken Robins, Rob Knapp, Kellie Mason, Bob Breden, Jason Corless, Ken Knapp, Dave Arnold, Mike Brubacker, Ray Webber, Derek Breden, Scott Billing.
Heats: 1. Dave Ackler; 2. Chris Rimmen.
Four Cylinder (15 Laps): ROBBIE ROUNCE, Trevor Goulding, Glen Leinen, Norm Mark, Mike Giberson, Roger Shenstone, Rick Beales, Alex Wheeldon, Gord Bates, Bill Baago, Larry Erskine, Mark Swayze, Dave Magrin, Dan Erskine, Steve Miller, Bill Stoner, Dave Bitner, Rob Wagner.
Heats:1. Norm Mark; 2. Glen Leinen.