MERRITTVILLE CHAMPIONS OPEN SEASON ON RIGHT TRACK
Thorold, Ontario...Merrittville Speedway kicked off its 1997 season April 26th with several defending champions earning victories in their respective divisions. In the invitational 358 Modified Winner’s Classic Pete Bicknell showed top form in taking the 15 lap Special. Points began for all other divisions with Bill Krull and Ken Sargent opening their respective title defences on top with wins in the Sportsmen and Pro-Stock divisions. Ken Hildreth and Roger Beaulieu were also victorious in the Mod Stock and Street Stock divisions.
By virtue of a pre-race drawing 1995 Classic winner Fred Cade started on the pole and was the leader at the drop of the green. Immediately several cars came together with the all star field slowed. Cade resumed control on the restart. On the move in the early stages was Pete Bicknell. Starting last in the 7 car field - the defending and 11 time Merrittville Champion was up to second by lap 5. By lap 7 Bicknell had caught up to the leader. Through the second half of the dash Bicknell tried every line to take over top spot with an outside move along the back stretch of the final lap paying off. Bicknell took the lead with a half lap to go and at the checkered flag the margin of victory - a car length at most.
Pete Bicknell was followed by Fred Cade, Jamie Turner, Doug Gordon, Rob Krull, Don Turner and Martin Polhill.
Saturday May 3rd’s action sees the first point event of the season for the 358 Modifieds - a 35 lap event.
1997 sees former Sportsmen Champion Terry St. Amand returning to the sport and it was the Thorold veteran that was first to lead the 20 lap Sportsmen feature. A caution slowed the field immediately also and when action resumed the new leader was Bill Krull. The defending champion set the pace through another caution on lap 4. Through lap traffic Krull kept the top spot with Tim Jones on the move and closing in on the leader. Lap 15 saw another caution slow the field after second generation driver Wayne Conn slowed along the front-stretch with apparent engine problems. Krull once again was the leader on the restart before a last lap incident slowed the field once again. In the one lap dash to the finish Bill Krull was followed by Tim Hones, Terry St. Amand, Rob Pietz, Garry Moreash, Pete Cosco, Jay Mallory, Chad Brachman, Joe Meisel, and Don Anderson.
With the rule changes taking place in the Pro-Stock Division a majority of the field didn’t make the earliest season opener in a number of years. Defending points champion Ken Sargent took the lead at the start of the 10 lap event in his newer style 97 Lumina. Towards the half-way point Randy Chrysler was challenging the leader with his older style car but from lap 8 to the finish Sargent was able to pull away slightly for the win. Sargent and Chrysler were followed by Jarrod Yuhasz and Ed Dmytrow.
After a false start in the 12 lap Mod Stock feature Ken Hildreth took control with an early lap 2 caution slowing the field. Harry Vanderzanden was the new leader on the restart before a lap 3 caution slowed the field after defending points champion Mark Edwards slowed with a flat tire. Hildreth returned to top spot on the restart setting the pace through to the finish. At the checkered flag Hildreth had a 2 car length advantage over Tony Royston, Kevin Reichel, Derek VanMil, Anthony DeLazzari, Dave Colavecchia, Jeff Kline, Ryan Hunsinger, Harry Vanderzanden and Kirk Wilson.
Chris Charest was first to lead the 12 lap Street Stock feature - setting the pace until Brad Gravestock took control on lap 5. Gravestock’s lead was brief however as sophomore driver Roger Beaulieu was the new leader on lap six. Beaulieu went the distance in the top spot as leader. At the finish Beaulieu was followed by Brad Gravestock, Chris Crawford, Paul Reichel, Sam Cooper, Jeff Dayman, Paul Beakman, Darren Zumpe, Rick Simons, and Al Smith.
In a post race inspection Ron Gravestock was found with suspected illegal heads. At press time the part numbers had not been checked. If they are deemed to be illegal, Gravestock may be disqualified.
Street Stock Hearts First 1. C. Charest, 2. K. Reichel, 3. B. Gravestock. Second 1. R. Beaulieu, 2. C. Crawford, 3. J. Dayman.
Pro-Stock Heat 1. K. Sargent, 2. R. Chrysler, 3. J. Yuhasz
Mod Stock Heat First 1. R. Hunsinger, 2. K. Hildreth, 3. D. VanMil. Second 1. H. Vanderzanden, 2. D. Colavecchia, 3. T. Royston.
Sportsmen Heats First 1. T. St. Amand, 2. G. Moreash, 3. R. Pietz. Second 1. B. Krull, 2. T. Jones, 3. K. Walsh.
The month of May kicks off at Merrittville with Minor Hockey Night featuring all 5 divisions plus a Kart Racing Display. Closing out the night will be the first Demolition Derby featuring more contact than a Don Cherry Video. Children in their Minor Hockey Team Sweaters will be eligible for draws. Gates open at 5:30 with the opening face-off at 7:30. For further information call 905-892-8266, email speedway@vaxxine.com or http://www.vaxxine.com/merrittvillespeedway.