Ransomville Speedway updates members

Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, March 9, 2006

Ransomville Speedway officials updated drivers and team owners about rule changes, new regulations and purse monies at the annual membership and registration meeting, held on March 5 at the Ransomville Fire Hall.

With several drivers taking the opportunity to pre-register for the upcoming 2006 season, promoters announced tentative plans to increase the purses in all divisions.

“I am a proponent of applying the purse increases evenly throughout the field rather than putting it all on top,” said co-promoter Joel Friesen. “However, with that being said, we are still going over numbers and between myself, my brother, Jamie, and father, Stan, we will come up with what we feel is fair in the coming weeks.”

Speedway officials also officially announced that Dirt Motorsports has leased the big “R” for the World of Outlaws Late Model and Advance Auto Parts Big Block tour events. Support classes, however, will not race for home-track points on these particular nights.

Officials also pointed out that the Mighty Taco Modified field ended the 2005 season on a positive note compared to other racetracks. While many speedways find the car counts in their top divisions dwindle toward the end of the season, the entries for the Mighty Taco Modifieds were at their season’s high in the final races. Favorites for the 2006 season include reigning champion Pete Bicknell, Todd Burley, Chad Brachmann and Scott George. New additions to the field are 2004 Sportsman champion Scott Kerwin, Bill Torissi, and Rich Vinson, who is returning after a one-year absence.

Rookies in the Original Pizza Logs Sportsman class include reigning Mr. Dirt ProStock champion Jipp Ortiz, Rachal Clare, Scott Drake and Don Spatarico. Ransomville champion Kevin Wills will return to defend his title, while Jeff McGinnis hopes to find himself at the top of the points battle.

James Henry and rookie Rick Gorhan will race in the Bobcat of Buffalo ProStock class this season. After campaigning in Central New York for several seasons, Henry has recently relocated to the Greater Niagara region and made Ransomville his new home track. A winner at other racetracks, he is looking to add some victories at the big “R” to his list.

Gorhan won the Streetstock title in 2004 and came close to repeating in 2005. He will compete for Kenny Banker’s team in the ProStock division.

The Johnston’s Restaurant Streetstock class continues to grow as Ransomville Speedway is one of the few tracks to host twin features on a weekly basis for their beginner division. With a total of seven rookies registering on at the meeting, this division seems on its way to an all-time high in entries. Rookies include former go-kart ace Brandon Sherwood, Glenn Barlow, Brian “Boots” Martin, Jeff Wilkinson, Chris “Bacon” Brant, Chris Burek and Carlo Duchnick. Defending Streetstock champion Digger Lester, who has sold his race car, remains undecided about his return.

For more information, including complete rosters and the official 2006 race schedule, visit www.ransomvillespeedway.com.