Ransomville Speedway: Big R presents crowns for 2010

The Ransomville Speedway 2010 Awards and Dinner banquet was held last Friday night in Lewiston. As has been the scene throughout 2010, another record for Ransomville Speedway was set as the largest crowd in speedway history gathered for the celebration.

In addition to recognizing the champions of the Big R for their accomplishments, many additional awards were distributed.

Todd Burley of Spencerport was joined by family and friends as he celebrated his fourth Mighty Taco Modified title at Ransomville Speedway. Burley's championship was aided by several top-five finishes in addition to a pair of wins. The top 15 drivers in the points standings each received a picture plaque, including runner-up Pete Bicknell and third-place finisher Scott Kerwin.

Ryan Susice of Ransomville took title honors aboard the Original Pizza Logs Sportsman for the second year in a row. This championship was not decided until the final points show. Involved in a very tight battle with Don Spatorico, Susice picked up just one win in 2010, but it was his consistency that vaulted him to the top in the final weeks.

The Ki-Po Chevrolet Streetstock championship was another that came down to the final night. When the dust settled, it was Chris Burek winning his second title in three years aboard the full-fendered division. In addition the picture plaques presented to the top 15, the top 10 received bonus money from American Racer.

Gary Watier Jr. captured the 2010 title aboard the Gippsters Collision 4 Banger class. It seemed as though tight point battles were the way of the season, as this division was also not decided until the final night. Watier just edged out Jamie Woods, who came home second in points. Eugene Washburn finished in third. The trio shared some $500, donated by Gippsters Collision.

Jim Harbison won the Bobcat of Buffalo Firehall Enduro crown and earned a $1,000 check from Bobcat of Buffalo for the Ransomville Fire Co. Harbison beat out Erick Gunio on the final night.

More than $25,000 was awarded to the top 15 in Modifieds, Sportsman, and Streetstocks, plus the top three in the 4 Bangers. Many thanks are extended to Cheryl Burley and Ashley Schaal who sold 50/50 tickets throughout the season, and to Jennifer Martin for helping out during KOH Weekend. Additional thanks are extended to Mighty Taco, Original Pizza Logs, Ki-Po Chevrolet, Gippsters Collision, Bobcat of Buffalo, and Find-It-Quick.com for the bonus dollars they contributed to the 50/50 points fund.

Most Improved Awards were handed out in the three top divisions. Boyd MacTavish took the laurels in the Mighty Taco Modifieds, while Mark Chiddy earned the honor in the Original Pizza Logs Sportsman. With 30-plus entries in the Ki-Po Chevrolet Streetstock ranks, it made it tough to choose just one. Therefore dual awards were given to Charles Harvey and Brian Lonneville.

The Best Appearing Awards are among the toughest to determine. There are so many great-looking cars week in and week out, showing that each team spends a number of hours maintaining the machines. For 2010, Best Appearing Awards were distributed to Scott Kerwin (Modified), Greg Martin (Sportsman), Derrick Borkenhagen (Streetstock), and Jamie Woods (4 cylinder).

Rookie of the Year honors are determined strictly by points. For 2010, Rookie of the Year honors went to Anthony Rizzardo in the Mighty Taco Modifieds, Dave Conant in the Original Pizza Logs Sportsman, and Jake Stefanski in the Ki-Po Chevrolet Streetstocks.

 The Jimmy Binks Memorial Mechanic of the Year Award is presented to a crewmember that goes above and beyond to help not only his one team, but others as well. Both Chris Burley and John Susice received these awards for their hard work all season long.

The Trevor Wilkins Memorial Hard Charger Award is one that recognizes a Sportsman driver who possesses the skills showed by the late Trevor Wilkins. For 2010, Ryan Susice was awarded the Hard Charger Award for his consistent charges from deep in the field.

The Hard Luck Award is one every driver hopes he does not win. For 2010, Justin Sharp took home the plaque as his Modified season was filled with bad fortune. More than once Sharp suffered mechanical breakdowns while running in the top five -- once while leading.

The Owner of the Year Award went to Pete Cosco. Cosco owned two Mighty Taco Modified teams. For his efforts and dedication to local racing, the Humberstone Speedway promoter was honored.

The Sportsmanship Award went to Mike Williams. Williams is simply an overall "good guy." Always smiling, he can be found lending a helping hand when needed.

Two specialty awards were presented this year -- one an Appreciated Award and one for Ransomville Speedway's Best Friend. For his continued willingness to do whatever is needed to help promote Ransomville Speedway, and specifically the 50/50 point fund, a special Appreciated Award was given to Chad Brachmann. Brachmann sold 50/50s four times in 2010, raising $2,500 himself for the 50/50 point fund.

The Best Friend Award was given to Dave Roberts. Roberts can be found every Friday at the Big R, helping to answer phones, set up the grounds, do whatever is needed to simply help out. He also fills in anywhere that is needed -- scoring, pit sign-in, announcing, VIP -- you name it, he has done it.

"Thank you" gifts were presented to Ashley Schaal and Cheryl Burley for their continued dedication to the 50/50 point fund. These two girls' hard work resulted in close to $20,000 in the 2010 points fund. Additionally, Jessica Whitley, was recognized for her role as Miss Ransomville 2010 with an appreciated gift.

The Performance Award was presented to Mark Loveland. Loveland won a total of five times in 2010 aboard the Ki-Po Chevrolet Streetstock ranks. He is a familiar face around Ransomville, but had not raced on a weekly basis in quite some years. Loveland certainly showed he had not missed a beat as he came right out of the gate strong.

Don Spatorico of the Original Pizza Logs Sportsman took home the coveted Driver of the Year Award. Spatorico won five feature events in the open-wheel division - the most of any driver in the open-wheel ranks for 2010. Not only did he capture to most feature wins, he also won the biggest race for the Sportsman this season -- the inaugural Investors Services King of the Hill 100.

The final awards for the night were presented to each champion and a significant other in their lives. Compliments of Firth's Jewelers, each champion was awarded a watch engraved with Ransomville Speedway 2010 Champion, while his significant others received a silver necklace with a racer's pendant attached. The pendant featured an oval charm with crossed checkered flags and a diamond accent.

For the nearly 300 guests who attended the 2010 celebration, the Big R said "Thank you." The  banquet and awards dinner closed out a tremendous 2010. The Big R looks forward to 2011, which starts Jan. 1 with the 11th annual Hangover 150.