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For
Release - Monday March 24, 2008 - From Jim Irvine -
Merrittville Speedway Public Relations - 905-685-7223
– Winter Office
Thorold, Ontario (March
24) – Surely with Merrittville Speedway’s Baron
Roofing Spring Sizzler 100 now 33 days away and
counting down – drivers and their crew members have
been hard at work on their race cars.
For Justin Sharp
however – he has had to rely on the efforts and skills
of his dad and grandfather.
He literally hasn’t
seen his race car since Christmas.
Justin has been hard
at work though - at a job site outside Calgary
Alberta.
“It’s a great company
to work for,” relates Justin via his cell phone while
on a Good Friday lunch break, “I am fortunate to be
able to go wherever the jobsite is … but when it comes
to the racing season … they know not to send me
outside Niagara!”
Sharpe works for
Schreiber Roofing – a company that specializes in
commercial flat top roofing. Last winter, Justin was
dispatched to the province of Newfoundland.
“We’re about a quarter
done,” added Sharp, “when I leave …. The guys will
still be on the project until at least August.”
The project Sharp is
working on is a new shopping center on the outskirts
of Calgary that when completed will make its western
neighbor – the West Edmonton Mall look small.
Sharp is set to leave
his crew behind this Saturday as he makes a pro hockey
player-esque return home for the summer. He will catch
an early flight … land … say some hellos … and then
grab his hockey bag – heading straight for the
Merritton Arena.
Sharp was on the
Championship Todd Gordon team last season and the team
is successfully defend their Stanley’s Cup Title.
Race fans are
encouraged to attend this charity fundraising event
and can find more info on the event named after former
Merrittville Speedway and long-time Ransomville owner
Stan Friesen by visiting
www.humberstonespeedway.com.
The Sharp-Gordon
connection began at the race track – long before it
ever got to the ice.
Justin’s dad – Ken and
his grandfather – Neil have enjoyed a lifetime in the
sport that began back in the day with Friesen and
Hughie Tripp. Neil’s success also included the
championship years of Davey Moore in the 70’s and his
brother-in-law Harvey Hainer as well.
Joined by his son Ken
– the Sharps would also get behind the career of Doug
Gordon until his son Todd joined the sport a driver.
Ken also enjoyed his own career as a driver.
Eventually, Justin
showed an interest in getting behind the wheel and a
third generation of family involvement began when
Justin started Kart Racing Tuesday Nights.
After 3 seasons on the
infield oval, Justin would spend a few seasons away
from the sport as a driver before joining the Saturday
Night ranks as a Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite Driver.
Justin would race in
the class for four seasons before making the move last
year up to the Original Pizza Logs Sportsman
Division.
After quickly getting
into hockey mode, Sharp will have to switch to racing
mode as his sophomore season will start as it will for
many others with a $5,000 to win Sportsman Super
DIRTcar Series Event at the Black Rock Speedway
Saturday April 5th.
In preparation for
2008 - the elder Sharps have been hard at work on
Justin’s car – purchased from Quebec Star Real
Lafrance last fall. The 2007 Bicknell Chassis will
once again carry support from Blue Moon Potatoes’ Ted
Gronewegen and the Bill McGee-owned Port Pontiac. Both
gentlemen have been involved with the racing of so
many including Justin.
Justin’s graphics were
done by Platinum Grafx – a new company started by Ted
Curvin while L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified
Driver Tim Jones fabricated the body.
In addition to the
entire Super DIRTcar Series, the Sharps are planning
on the Lucas Oil Sportsman Shootout by
dirttrackdigest.com in addition to weekly racing
Friday Nights at Ransomville Speedway as well as their
Saturday Night Home – Merrittville Speedway.
“I hate to leave,”
revealed Sharp, “it’s such a beautiful part of the
country … but even being out here … I can’t wait for
racing to start.”
During the interview,
Justin remarked that it was 10 degrees out and that
except for one week of -50 … it had been pretty mild.
Maybe when he comes home – he can bring some of that
nice weather with him!
That couldn’t be much
truer after what we woke up to this Easter Monday!
Your
local Dirt Track is where it’s at and it’s at
Merrittville Speedway in just 33 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 Super DIRTcar Series presented by
Baron Roofing.
April’s Event also includes a 40 lap event for the
Sportsman and a 25 lap Street Stock Open Event.
With
plenty of free camping – it 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. |
