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For
Immediate Release April 5, 2008 From Jim Irvine
.... Merrittville
Public Relations 905-892-8266
Thorold, Ontario (April
5) Paul Klager made quite an impression last season in
earning his first Merrittville Speedway Lucas Oil Open
Wheel Lite Points Championship.
In 2008 – he looks to
make quite an impression with the Tuesday Night Kart
Club as well – having taken on the position of Race
Director.
In just 21 Days, the
Baron Roofing Windows and Doors Spring Sizzler 100
will take to the track and although the Beamsville
Driver’s Division is not part of the first event – his
2 Seasons in 1 are starting to accelerate.
In conjunction with
RCM Racing Equipment’s Chris Long, Klager began the
pair’s 5th Annual Kart School today with a class room
session. The On Track Sessions are scheduled for next
Saturday and Sunday – weather and conditions
permitting.
Prior to that - Klager
was one of several Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite Drivers
that got a start to their 2008 racing seasons at the
East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa Florida in the TUSA
Bilstein Mr. Dirt Winternationals.
For most of them – it
was a start that they would like to have back.
“Last season,”
remembers 2007 Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite Champion Paul
Klager, “I could’ve got mixed up in a 5 car pile-up
and would’ve been able to drive away without a scratch
after everyone else got towed … on the trip home last
week … I was just waiting for the hauler to get in an
accident as well!”
What can you say about
the new father’s break-out 2007 year … 11 Merrittville
wins and throw in another mid-season triumph at the
Rolling Wheels Raceway in his first ever trip to the
Elbridge NY track.
What can you say about
his year to date?
Klager had qualified
for the TUSA Hoosier All Star Challenge to open the
event and while trying to avoid a spinning car that
Klager’s new Pro Race Car would make heavy contact
with the wall.
So heavy - that the
KRT Motorsports Crew and more than likely the entire
New York Dwarf Car contingent that made the trip
worked throughout the next day fixing the car – the
entire front clip was replaced from the firewall
forward.
Their heroic efforts
paid off – only in that the Thursday Night was rained
out – allowing some rest before the next event.
On to Friday Night,
Klager’s Ripley’s RCM Racing Equipment #1 was fast
after the Thursday thrash.
So fast that after a
12th place start in his heat – he had raced up to 5th
and a qualifying spot when disaster struck once more
when the throttle cable broke.
So it was on to the
consi where the Beamsville Driver would start 22nd -
only to become involved in a multi-car wreck. Klager
could not drive away from this one as the suspension
was damaged and again he was done for the night.
With the area weather
reports indicating an 80% chance of rain for Saturday
– Klager decided to pack up and start on the 22 hour
tow back home.
Finally he would come
out ahead as indeed the finale did get rained out and
he’d won a head start home.
“What can you say,”
added Klager, “all of us that went were looking to get
in some racing and have some fun … last year was maybe
too good to us … we just have to look forward to our
season here – I can’t thank everyone enough that
helped us with the car.”
Since returning, the
car has been completey gone over and returned to it’s
pre-Florida shape – the teams efforts are on display
just one more day in the Pen Centre until April 6th.
Prior to joining the
Saturday Night ranks as a driver – Klager served on
former racer Joe Plazek’s crew as well as that of
Jamie Turner – son of Merrittville Wall of Famer Don
Turner.
As a 14 or 15 year
old, Klager would spectate at Merrittville on Turner’s
ramp truck until one day when Plazek and his
brother-in-law Jamie needed help. It was here that he
would first meet up with Chris Long.
While he enjoyed
crewing, Racing was something Paul wanted to do for
himself. One of Plazek’s other crew at the time was
Kent Peckham – himself a former World Karting
Association National Champion who offered his
assistance.
Due to his age, Klager
was thrown right into Senior level competition – but
he was a quick learner – having tied another driver
for the title.
That other driver is
current Merrittville Kart Club Starter Steve Sim who
will stay on in the same capacity this season with
Klager.
Klager also still
keeps in touch with Peckham who is employed by
Gillette Evernham Motorsports in NASCAR land.
Having helped current
fellow Open Wheel Lite driver Andy Tallman and his
younger brother Mitchell into kart racing – Paul came
to know their father Tim.
Once Klager stopped
kart racing – he and Tim would get more involved in
the Technical and Rules aspects of the sport serving
as Tech Inspectors.
Klager still wanted to
race himself and set his focus on Saturday Nights and
the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Division - mainly due
to it’s affordability.
Klager’s need for
speed wasn’t fulfilled with the class as compared to
some of the karts he had raced and so after one season
– he made the move to the Open Wheel Lites.
That was four years
ago.
Ripley’s Believe It or
Not, Louis Tussaud’s Wax Museum, RCM Racing Equipment,
Lucas Oil Products, Philbrick Farm & Garden Equipment
and the St. Cathairnes Rust Check are some of the main
sponsors this season while Chris Long, Tim Tallman and
Ron McGarry serve as Klager’s crew.
So with a new born son
Hayden at home – how is Paul able to add more track
time to his schedule – away from his wife Denise and
their two daughters – Mackenzie and Bailey?
“We haven’t quite
finalized my schedule yet,” revealed Klager, “what
with the family … and Chris’ planned PRO RACE CARS
expansion this year … there may be some series events
we may want to take in.”
He has however
finalized a plan for the Tuesday Night Kart Club that
will help take it to the next level over the next
several seasons.
“Today’s session was a
great start … there were a number of brand new karters,”
prided Klager, “they have lots to learn and they were
asking lots of questions … we’re happy to help them
out in anyway.”
Your
local Dirt Track is where it’s at and it’s at
Merrittville Speedway in just 21 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!
The
month of May will kick off with the first point events
for all divisions as the Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lites
and Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders join in the Dirt
Weekly Racing Series for a 5 star race card –
welcoming Global Warranty Corporation as sponsors of
Saturday May 3rd.
To
learn more call 905-685-7223 until April 1st or visit
www.merrittvillespeedway.com. |
