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From Jim Irvine
- Merrittville Speedway Public Relations -
905-685-7223 – Winter Office
No driver probably
looks forward to Opening Night more than Larry Lampman.
In each of the past
two seasons – he has won the L. St. Amand Enterprises
358 Modified Features – in quite dramatic fashion.
If he is successful
and makes it three straight in 2008 – the Baron
Roofing Windows and Doors Spring Sizzler 100 would be
a career highlight.
“To do it this year …
that would be a tall order,” informs an excited
Lampman, “it’s quite a big event for us … and it would
be great to start the year off like that for my new
car owner.”
For the 4th time in
his racing career, Larry will be driving for a car
owner that isn’t his father – Larry Lampman Sr.
In recent years Larry
has campaigned #23 – so why was the try for 3 straight
not yesterday’s headline?
In just 22 days – he
will make his debut as a team-mate to new car owner
and driver of the #22 – Dan Miller.
Like yesterday’s Rick
Bellante story – this teaming up virtually happened a
little more than a month ago.
“I’d tried selling my
cars,” revealed Dan Miller, “I still had them when I
heard that Larry was looking for a change … we got
together and put together a deal.”
Each car is a 2004 BRP
Chassis and each one is identical in colors, graphics
and sponsors – the only difference is the number.
“Thank god for the
transponders,” added Miller, “that’s pretty much the
only way we’ll be able to tell them apart.”
Aside from the looks
of the car – the mechanics and set ups are also
identical. Claims Miller, “we might each find our
little differences set-up wise but as far as
maintenance goes ... they’re both the same … from the
Penske Shocks to the C.C. Performance Engines.”
Although they have
been competitors in the 358 Modified Division for a
number of years at Merrittville – Dan and Larry’s
racing goes back to their earlier days when the two
raced Micro Sprints in the early to mid 90’s at tracks
such as Limerock.
And that wasn’t the
first Miller-Lampman go round either.
Dan’s father Gene and
Larry Lampman raced against each other in snowmobiles
and karts before that.
It was during this
time period while racing Micro Sprints that Dan got to
know a younger Vic Coffey and for one year was his
team-mate with backing from the same Sweetener’s Plus
Company that supports Coffey’s DIRTcar racing today.
When Coffey decided
that he was going to move to the DIRTcar Sportsmen
Division – all the Micro Sprint equipment was sold and
Dan stepped back from the sport for some 4 years.
Prior to the Micro
Sprints, Dan enjoyed quite a Kart Racing Career at
local tracks like Virgil and Bieda’s in addition to
several Asphalt Road Courses.
Before taking to the
track – Dan had a ‘Junker’ Kart at home that needed a
new clutch. His Dad went to get the part and instead
came home with two complete karts and as they say the
rest is history.
Dan’s 358 Modified
Career began as another one’s ended as he would buy
all of Harvey Hainer’s Equipment when the recent L.
St. Amand Enterprises Wall of Famer retired.
In recent years, Dan
has become involved in Karting once again – as a
sponsor of the Novice Division with his Garden City
Auto Complex business and as a mentor for his eldest
son Travis’ racing.
While Miller will be
in his familiar looking machine on Saturday Nights,
young Travis will be moving from a Dale Earnhardt DEI
#8 inspired look to the Black Yellow and White of the
NHL Pittsburgh Penguins and Sidney Crosby’s # - 87.
Dan and his wife
Veronica’s youngest son Kyle also raced although a few
years ago in the red and yellow colors and with a 22Jr
but is now focused on his upcoming lacrosse season in
their home of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Larry and his wife
Leah have two daughters – Regan and Parker and at 5
and 4 years of age the two may be showing signs of
joining their grandfather and dad into the sport.
Merrittville Race Fans
may remember Leah as a former Miss Merrittville.
“We just got back from
March Break in Myrtle Beach,” relates Larry, “we went
to the NASCAR Speed Park there … Regan really took to
it and had some fun.”
That is something that
Larry would like to have lots of this year – fun – in
his first year for his new car owner.
Like Miller before the
Micro Sprints – Larry raced go karts at the local
tracks including Merrittville. Larry however took a
little different route getting to where he is today.
2008 will be the
fourth time in his career that he has driven for
someone other than his dad.
It all started in the
former Mod Stock Division where he drove for both Ken
Leslie – who has taken his son Adam up through the
kart ranks to where they are today in the Lucas Oil
open Wheel Lite Division. Lampman also drove for Bruce
Montreuil as well as Ray Stevens.
From the Mod Stocks,
Larry moved on to the Sportsmen Division and in 1997
was the Point Champion.
On to the 358
Modifieds and in a very short time, Lampman has earned
himself 2 Point Championships as well – in 2003 and
again in 2006.
“I talked about it
with my guys,” added Miller, “they all agreed that
bringing Larry to the team would take them to the next
level … the ultimate goal – a Point Championship.”
Dan’s team is made up
of …. and the group has meshed well with Larry and
his dad who will continue to serve as crew chief for
his son.
Both cars will carry
sponsorship from Garden City Auto Complex, Player’s
Athletic Lager, Spear Electrical, Emissions Tests Only
and Hingston Metal Fabrication.
Your local Dirt Track
is where it’s at and it’s at Merrittville Speedway in
just 24 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 Windows and Doors.
April’s event also
includes a 40 lap event for the Sportsman and a 25 lap
Street Stock Open.
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
905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com |
