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For
Immediate Release - March 18, 2008 - From Jim Irvine -
Merrittville Public Relations - 905-685-7223 (Winter
Office)
Thorold, Ontario
(March 18) – With Merrittville Speedway’s Baron
Roofing Spring Sizzler 100 - 39 days away and counting
down – many of the Thorold track’s DIRT Weekly Racing
Series Race Teams and those from across the DIRTcar
circuit are putting the finishing touches to their
machines. So too are those that race Tuesday Nights on
the infield Kart Track at the Thorold facility.
For one family – the
Sliters – pre-season preparation takes on a whole new
meaning in 2008.
While Shawn’s Modern
Corporation 71S Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite entry is
gone over since returning from a pre-season racing
trip to the East Bay Raceway in Tampa Florida – the
final touches are taking place on his son Dillan’s
71Jr Margay Kart.
When the details of
the RCM Racing Equipment-presented Kart School were
posted on the Kart Message Board last November – the
younger Sliter replied within 24 hours, “I can’t wait
for it!!!!!!!”
For the 11 year old,
Grade 6 Student at St. John Bosco School in Port
Colborne it has been a two year wait that really
escalated last summer.
After a couple of
trips to the Tuesday Night races last summer –
including some testing in Mitchell Tallman’s Philbrick
Farm & Garden #8M – the wheels were really put in
motion for his 2008 debut.
Sliter and other first
time karters must attend the two day Kart School which
begins with a classroom session Saturday April 5th in
the Speedway’s Dipper’s Turn 1 Meeting Facility
located behind the Turn 1 Grandstand Area.
“It’s a must for first
time Novice and other karters alike,” informs (RCM
Racing Equipment’s) Chris Long, “but karters of any
level are welcome.”
In class and on track
sessions will teach and develop entry level or
inexperienced karters the basics of karting – focusing
on understanding the track rules and providing basic
instruction of kart setups, maintenance procedures and
proper driving techniques.
Although it will be
Dillan’s first summer as a Tuesday Night Racer, he is
no stranger to Saturday Nights.
After enjoying the
races from the stands he eventually joined his dad’s
race team and now serves a crew member on the 71 in
addition to team-mate Jamie Gilbert’s #53. His duties
also see him helping out when needed with the other
Sliters who also compete in the Lucas Oil Open Wheel
Lites – Josh and his Uncle Ray.
Dillan’s dad and Jamie
Gilbert have done most of the work putting his CMH
Leasing Midas Front Row Speed and Performance Kart
together. He is looking forward to the Tuesday Nights
when his Grandpa Ray and Grandma Sharon will join them
not to mention his mom Lenie and younger sister
Ryleigh.
“Ryleigh’s a little
young yet but she really likes her racing,” adds Lenie
when asked if she too will get behind the wheel, “she
cheers for all the family and Kory Howe … she wouldn’t
want to show up Dillan though so she may delay her
racing.”
About to celebrate
another birthday, Dillan’s mom Lenie admits to being
scared out of her wits over her son’s first racing
season. She should feel somewhat calmed when
remembering what her husband Shawn probably has gone
through over the course of his racing career – not to
mention what she surely experienced herself en route
to her 2007 Pure Stock Championship earned at the
Humberstone Speedway – last season!
When not in racing
mode, Dillan enjoys an after school program at the ‘Y’
when not playing ball hockey and basketball. In the
summer months he will have to juggle his new sport of
Kart Racing with his baseball, bike and scooter riding
hobbies among others.
Dillan has developed
such a keen love of the sport at such a young age.
Week in and week in – that spirit will drive him as he
gains karting racing experience this summer. And that
experience starts right away with the RCM Racing
Equipment Kart School.
The two day event
begins with a Classroom session Saturday April 5th in
Dippers Turn 1 Meeting Facility which is located in
behind the Turn 1 Grandstand from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
On track portions run
Saturday April 19th from 8:30 AM until 11:30 AM in
addition to Sunday April 20th – running all day 8:30
AM to 4:00 PM.
Registration is $50
per person and for families where there are two
drivers – an economical rate of $120 has been
established which includes both drivers and one crew
member.
New 2208 Karters are
reminded that attendance is mandatory while other
karters may wish to participate to improve their
skills and increase overall knowledge of the sport.
For further
information or to register – call Chris Long at
905-383-1480 or contact him via e mail at rcmracing@sympatico.ca.
Karters are also encouraged to visit
www.rcmracing1.com.
“I am very excited to
go racing,” reveals Dillan.
Once the Kart School
is complete – an open practice is set for April 22nd,
followed by the 2008 Spring Series Opener – Tuesday
April 29th.
Dillan’s wait will
soon be over.
Your local Dirt Track
is where it’s at and it’s at Merrittville Speedway in
just 39 Days – Saturday April 26th.
The star studded 358
Modified Super DIRTcar Series Stars are set to
challenge our home town heroes in the Spring Sizzler
100 presented by Baron Roofing.
Rounding out the show
are 40 lap Sportsman and 25 lap Street Stock Events.
Through the three
divisions and others throughout the season – the local
Karting Community has quite a connection to
Merrittville’s Saturday Night Divisions.
With plenty of free
camping – the Spring Sizzler 100 puts Merrittville
Speedway on the map as a must see event and it’s just
the start of 2008 – you won’t want to miss a single
event all season!
To learn more call
905-685-7223 until April 1st or visit
www.merrittvillespeedway.com. |
