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For
Release - Sunday April 13, 2008 From Jim Irvine
Merrittville
Speedway Public Relations 905-892-8266
Thorold, Ontario (April
13) – When we last saw Rob Knapp, Rick Bellante and
Kevin Knapp – their cars were all on display at the
Pen Centre.
With Merrittville
Speedway’s Baron Roofing Windows and Doors Spring
Sizzler 100 – Saturday April 26th – now 13 days away –
those drivers and others took their cars to the track
for the 2nd On Track Session of the Pete Bicknell
Driving School.
“What a difference a
day makes,” relates (Merrittville Co-owner and BRP
Chassis Seminar Instructor) Randy Williamson, “once
again the weather cooperated … but with the wind and
the sun we had … it gave today’s drivers a much
different track.”
Two drivers that have
already raced this season – Rob Knapp and Rick
Bellante – were also looking to get a head start on
the Sportsman field at Merrittville as well after
attending the Sportsman Super DIRTcar Series event
last week at the Black Rock Speedway.
“It was an awesome
experience,” stated Rob Knapp, further revealing, “I
spent the whole day in the car I rolled at Black Rock
last week … we put an older body we had on it and
switched from the crate to a 358 Engine I put
together.”
Knapp did not run any
laps in his newer car that was on display at the Pen
for the second half of the Race Car Show. Two drivers
that put it through it’s paces were his brothers Kevin
and Tim.
Knapp also revealed
that with the car and engine combination that he was
in today – he plans on running some of the Lucas Oil
358 Modified Shootout Events this summer.
“We’ve talked about it
… for me in the future,” relayed Kevin Knapp of a
possible move up to Sportsman from his current Hoosier
Stock, “ I just love where I am so much though … I
really enjoy starting with a scrap car and working on
it to make a racer out of it.”
“It’s a whole new ball
game,” added the full fender fan favorite Kevin, “the
way the car handles … it’s power … it’s a whole new
driving style.”
As with each driver in
the school, Pete Bicknell provides coaching on a one
on one basis through the one way radios, “it was nice
to learn the fast way around and put the pointers to
work right away.”
The Classroom and On
Track Sessions are not geared just for drivers as crew
members are also welcome. One Crew Chief that took
full advantage of both options was Tim Knapp – who
crews for both of his brothers.
“I don’t think a
driving career is in the cards for me anytime soon,”
commented Tim Knapp, “ I thought I ran some good laps
and got quite comfortable in the car … but I’m going
to stick to wrenching.”
And a pretty good
wrench Knapp is – having won the Billy Matthews
Memorial Crew Chief of the Year Award previously.
“The hands on
experience I gained today was invaluable,” added
Knapp, “ it will definitely help our team’s
performance in the future.”
Another driver sharing
sponsorship from Little Brothers Service Centre is
second year Sportsman Driver – Rick Bellante – who
started his rookie season by attending the school as
well.
“The in class session
in very informative,” affirmed Rick Bellante, “
drivers of any experience stand to learn something
that will help them … on the track as well.”
Bellante was another
driver that found the coaching from Bicknell and
Williamson while on track invaluable.
“I’m so happy that the
school is available to us,” believes Bellante, “seat
time is real important … and it’s all that much better
getting the tips and pointers while in the car.”
Once again the day
started in Dipper’s Turn 1 Meeting Facility at
Merrittville and it was full of drivers and crew
members eager to become more knowledgeable.
“Once again there was
a lot of keen interest,” relayed Randy Williamson, “in
addition to some of our local teams … we had drivers
here from a number of different tracks and all with
different backgrounds … everyone showed improvement as
the day went on trying different lines and set-ups …
trying to master the slippery track conditions.
As the countdown to
green continues, we will touch base with some other
drivers that have graduated from this year’s school –
including the driver the Baron Roofing Windows and
Doors # 18R Sportsman – Brad Rouse and second
generation 358 Modified Rookie Andrew Sittler and
others.
Day 3 of the Bicknell
Racing Products Chassis Seminar and Pete Bicknell
Driving School takes place Saturday April 19th prior to
the Evening Test Tune and Time Trial Session for all 5
DIRT Weekly Racing Series Divisions.
Your
local Dirt Track is where it’s at and it’s at
Merrittville Speedway in just 13 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 Windows and Doors.
April’s Event also includes a 40 lap event for the
Sportsman and a 25 lap Street Stock Open Event
All
of these Special Events puts Merrittville Speedway on
the map as must see events 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. |
