JUSTIN WRIGHT-ONE OF RANSOMVILLE SPEEDWAY'S BRIGHTEST STARS
At the tender age of 23 years, Justin Wright is one of the many young stars in the Ransomville Speedway pit area.
The 2009 campaign was Justin's first full season at the Friday night oval. It proved to be a good one as the Pittford, NY racing star scored a pair of victories and a third place showing in track points.
"I learned a lot from racing here," said Wright as he looks toward the 2010 Ransomville Speedway opener on April 30th."They have a great number of guys racing there. If you're going to drive by somebody on the outside, you can be confident that someone's not going to come out and run into you."
He also puts down rumors that he'll be moving up to the 358 Modifieds in 2010.
"That's news to me. I'd like to know how that got started."
Justin feels that he needs another year in the Sportsman division. He really came into his own during the 2009 season. He picked up a third place points finish at Cayuga County Fair Speedway and a fourth in points for the 2009 Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Championship Series.
Along with his Ransomville Speedway effort in 2010, he'll continue to run at Weedsport as well. The only question he ponders is where he'll run on Saturday. He mentioned Canandaigua, but that is yet to be determined.
Justin keeps himself busy. He ran 66 events in 2009, 71 in 2008. He drives the family owned car on Fridays and Sundays. On the Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Championship Series, he runs the Rob and Jim Sweeden entry.
Justin's dad Alan drove in the mid 1980's at Black Rock Speedway and Woodhull Raceway. At the time, the family was based out of Northern Pennsylvania. Today, Alan, along with Justin's grandparents Ruth and Charlie are Justin's biggest supporters.
Justin collected five wins during the 2009 season.
Knowing Justin's talent and desire, he's only going to get better and when the 2010 season opens up, two wins at Ransomville will not be enough this time. He's certainly a threat for the 2010 Ransomville Speedway Sportsman title.
With the talent this division offers, it's anyone's game.
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Billings putting in extra time in school in 2010
2009 was quite a year for Matt Billings of Brockville. The 16 year old student at Thousand Islands Secondary School turned a small budget father and son racing operation into a big time success that shocked the DIRT racing world in the last 12 months.
Billings grabbed the track title at Brockville Ontario Speedway in the ultra competitive Sportsman division. That was followed with a win in the Eastern Division of the Lucas Oil Sportsman series. Then came the biggest one yet, as the youngster conquered the Moody Mile in Syracuse taking the pole and leading all 30 laps capturing the Sportsman championship in October’s Super DIRT Week. Also, mix in some big buck feature wins and you have a true dream season. So, what you do you do to try and top the previous year? Why you put in extra time in class of course.
Broadway Matt and his trademark pre race poutine are headed south later this month to the centre of the North American motorsports world, Charlotte, North Carolina. Billings found out late in 2009 that has received a scholarship worth $7,500 to attend Race 101 racing school. The special educational program is designed to encourage talent short-track racers to further develop their potential and further their racing careers.
“I found this school on the internet,” said Matt, when I did my research I found out the man behind the school is Tony Blanchard, who worked with Joe Gibbs Racing to bring Joey Logano along to become the winning Nascar Sprint Cup driver he is today. That’s good enough for me.”
Billings applied and was selected as one of just five scholarship drivers from across Canada that will take part in the Race 101 program that includes 25 hopefuls with classes beginning at the end of January. The school works on everything that today’s successful driver must know, from dealing with sponsors to working with a crew chief to actually making the adjustments needed on the race car. There will be some long weekends in North Carolina through the winter and spring, webinars throughout the year and some on track time in a pavement late model during the race season itself. The biggest reward is one student will be selected to drive full time in a super late model car in 2011.
“I grew up around motorsports and this is what I want to do in life,” said the personable youngster. “My dad followed his hockey dreams to the OHL, and now I’m doing the same thing just in a race car. The Billings name has a lot of wins connected with it in Eastern Ontario and Northern New York, now it’s time for me to learn everything I can to take it to the next level and challenge myself.”
If going to school, working on his race cars, flagging go-kart racing and being a normal teenager wasn’t enough, Matt and the family have decided to accept one more challenge in 2010. “We are going 358 Modified racing too, Billings Automotive, Pastime Motors, Stealth Racewear, Babe Design, Brockville Motors, and Turnone Steering Systems have all stepped up to sponsor us in the premier division at Brockville Ontario Speedway every Saturday night.” The plan for Team Billings, which most nights consists of father Dean and driver Matt, is to run two nights a week and catch the odd 358 Super DIRT Series event as well.
The planning doesn’t end there, as Matt has found a kindred spirit in Central New York sprint car ace Chuck “The Cobra” Hebing. Billings convinced Hebing after a phone and email assault to let him try a Sprint Car late in 2009. Plans are in the works to see Billings in the Hebing prepared car a few more times in 2010.
“I will always treasure 2009 in my Bicknell Sportsman car and I thank everyone that played even a small role in my success “says Matt, “but I don’t want to stand still, I want to get better, I want to prove to myself that I can run with guys like Danny O Brien and Chuck Hebing every week.”
It’s going to be a busy 2010 for Brockville’s Matt Billings, it’s certain he’ll be doing his homework on and off the track. He might also be in line for a degree in time management by the time 2011 rolls around.
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Black Rock Speedway Honors Champions at 2009 Awards Banquet
Rich Vleck, WATKINS GLEN, NY (January 10, 2010)- At the midpoint of the offseason, racers and track workers alike took time to reflect on the past season and prepare for an aggressive 2010 schedule at the Black Rock Speedway.
Over 200 people were in attendance for the 2009 Black Rock Speedway Awards Banquet on the traditional second Saturday of January at the traditional site, the Watkins Glen Community Center. Once again the temperatures were low, but the energy was high with plenty of smiles and big trophies to go around.
Donnie Lawson led a large contingent of champions on the night. The Woodhull driver won 12 race on way to the overall Hoselton Automall Sportsman Championship. Along the way, Lawson also collected the open-tire series title and notched wins in the Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Championship as well as the crate/open motor shootout to end the season.
Todd Henderson, of Canandaigua, was the recipient of the DIRTcar Hoosier Tire Track Championship honors, as he was solid over the second half of the season.
Dale Welty was gracious in accepting the Freedom Village USA Late Model Championship, an honor he admitted that early in his career he could have never dreamed of. Driving the unsponsored No. 92x for Steve Kent, the Montour Falls resident captured three wins this season and held off defending track champion Dave DuBois late in the season to capture the crown by a mere 3 points.
Frank Guererri Jr. had set out on achieving a top honor heading in to 2009, and after finishing only one point race outside of the top-five, it was easy to see how the Ovid driver scored the Labatt Blue Street Stock Championship. The second generation driver collected seven wins on the year and needed every one of them to generate enough points to beat 2008 Champion Chris Fisher.
Terry Povoski took his No. 4 to the front in the Signs Plus of Kanona 4-Cylinder consistently this year, and used his years of experience to earn the track championship. With an impressive 9 wins, “The Tornado” was the class of a division that produces the best racing at the track on weekly basis.
The winningest driver at the track in 2009 was young Dylan Cecce, who captured the win in 16 of the 17 Black Rock Bandit events this season. The only time the Bath driver did not win, he finished in second.
Paula Wallenbeck, of Beaver Dams, was recognized as the first champion of the new Ladies 4-Cylinder division, which will continue on in 2010. Ronnie Hill was the champion of the 7-race FWD Enduro Series which ran on the first Friday of each month.
Among the special awards on the night were the Jack Christensen Media Award, given to Al Robinson, the Doris Hoag Leading Lady Award, awarded to Sharon Schuyler, and the Dutch Hoag Award for Excellence, given to his son, BRS President Dean Hoag.
Hoag briefed the crowd shortly after dinner about things he was planning to do in the 2010. Among the major announcements was the return of the popular Fall Sprint Nationals on the second weekend in September, with a new title sponsor to be announced at a later date.
Racing will get back under green flag conditions at Black Rock this Saturday with ice racing hitting the speedway grounds. Traditional dirt track racing returns the first Saturday of April with a slew of different classes set to run throughout the season. For more information, visit www.BlackRockSpeedway.com.
BLACK ROCK SPEEDWAY
2009 AWARDS BANQUET Honorees
Sportsman
Donnie Lawson- Open Champion
Todd Henderson- DIRTcar Champion, Best Appearing Car
Brady Fultz
Craig Gardner- Sportsmanship
Fran Hilton
Loren Lincoln- Most Improved
Chuck Winslow
Brandon Butler- Rookie of the Year
Josh Butler
Late Models
Dale Welty
Dave DuBois- Sportsmanship
Mike Wonderling Jr
Rich Karlnoski
Brandon Smith
Chris Peacock- Best Appearing Car, Most Improved
Bob Buono
Nathan Daggett
Jeremy Wonderling
Quinn Sutherland
Street Stocks
Frank Guererri Jr
Chris Fisher
Carl Cleveland- Sportsmanship
Jared Hill- Hard Luck
Josh Parker
Kevin Morrison- Most Improved
Jim McAfee
Rob Parker
Jason White- Best Appearing Car
Scott Sebring- Rookie of the Year
Jayme Gilbert
Jeremy Perkins
George Parker
Gene Parker
Rich Bixby Jr
4-Cylinders
Terry Povoski
Rich Sharpsteen II
Dave Matwiejow- Rookie of the Year
Del Cummings
Raymond Speicher
C. J. Winslow- Most Improved
Phil Yaw- Best Appearing Car
Chad Ayers
Brad Rathbun
Joe Povoski
Scott Bradley
Brent Ayers
Brett Crawford
Russ Wassner- Sportsmanship
Brian Thompson
Jason Barrett
Erica Bell
Cody Morehouse
Chad Winslow
Black Rock Bandits
Dylan Cecce- Best Appearing Car
Josh Wallenbeck
Zach Teed- Most Improved
Noah Herington
Lisa Cornish- Sportsmanship
Cody Clemens
Ladies 4-Cylinders
Paula Wallenbeck
Jamie Schuyler
Erica Bell
Sarah Potter
Amanda Scholtisek
FWD Enduros
Ronnie Hill
Gary Baker
Mark Sincock
Special Awards:
Doris Hoag Leading Lady- Sharon Schuyler
Dutch Hoag Award for Excellence- Dean Hoag
Jack Christensen Media Award- Al Robinson
Charles Hill Memorial Award- Gary Van Horn
Service Award- Track Safety Crew (Terry Cornish, Aksel Jensen, Alfie Clark, DJ Mullen, TJ Pipe)
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New Year Rings In Updates to DIRTcar Northeast Region Sportsman Rulebook
WEEDSPORT, NY — Jan. 7, 2010 — From fuel to shocks to weight to RPMs, DIRTcar Northeast Region officials have updated the rulebook for 2010 to continue the goal of equal competition among the hundreds of racers in the division.
“We have closely looked at the outstanding competition in the Sportsman division and want to make sure that going forward we continue to keep the playing field as even as possible,” said DIRTcar Northeast Region of Series & Sanctioning Joe Skotnicki. “The additions to the rulebook not only will make it easier for teams to be competitive, but they should also make it easier for competitors to know that they’re using approved components on their cars, and components that should extend the life of them, as well.”
First, tests and inspections have revealed several challenges in the fuel usage; many competitors are blending race fuel with pump gas , pump gas can be unreliable as vendors use additives to achieve premium status, and development of specialized fuels for spec engines, creating an unknown for Sportsman competitors that could damage motors. Therefore, VP Race Fuels has developed the D-98 fuel required for the DIRTcar Northeast Region Sportsman division, and it can be purchased through track vendors or a VP dealer. GM, who builds the engines used in the division, has endorsed the use of consistent fuel.
Shock absorbers will now be labeled with a DIRTcar decal to show they are approved and requires manufacturers to sell only shocks that fit the approved design for the Sportsman division, and allows inspectors to easily inspect them. The rule will cap the price on shocks and give competitors a variety of approved choices.
Before the Sportsman division went to GM 602 engines, the cars weighed 2,500 pounds. To encourage their use, cars powered by a GM 602 motor were given a 100-pound weight break. Now, with all cars running the GM 602 motors there is no need for a weight break, making the new weight rule 2,450 pounds.
Finally, a new RPM limit chip will be required, holding cars to no more than 6,000 RPMs. With GM recommending a maximum of 5,700 RPMs, this chip will bring the engine closer to its intended specification and should then add to its longevity and durability. Motor builders have been forced to do increased number of engine rebuilds as the RPMs have increased on the GM 602 engine. The reduction of RPMs will lead to less heat and stress on the engine components, thereby adding to an engine’s life and reducing the cost to the competitor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
About 2010 DIRTcar Sportsman Modified Rule Adjustments
Fuel
1. Why the new fuel requirement?
Racers, builders and others have been developing a variety of performance enhancing items for GM 602 crate engine, including custom fuels. Testing during the 2009 season found three factors that were in place:
a. An overwhelming number of teams are blending fuels from several sources including mixing race fuel with pump gas. Tests showed octane levels as high as 109 as well including the addition of fuel additives and octane boosters
b. Several fuel suppliers have introduced a new generation of “crate fuel” designed to boost performance 25 hp with up to 114 octane. MSRP is 3 or 4 times D98
c. Pump gas testing shows an increasing mixture of alcohol, ethanol, and water making it a wild card on what a customer is getting. Pump gas vendors are also using additives to achieve the “premium”
2. What does that mean?
Teams are now using fuel to gain horsepower; it has become a way to circumvent the design of the GM engines. DIRTcar and VP Racing Fuels have developed a fuel that will bring consistent fuel, eliminate the “chemist” and solve the inconsistency of retail pump fuel.
3. What are the details?
D98 will be available from your track vendor or a VP dealer. Technical inspectors will use comparative and analytical testing on inspection. The fuel will retail at approximately $4.50 per gallon and it will be labeled D-98.
4. Where do I get the fuel?
Your local track fuel vendor or your VP dealer.
5. Will there be a burn off?
No, this will be the required fuel at events
6. Do I need to adjust jetting? Timing? What will it do?
Drivers who used the fuel at Syracuse did not feel any adjustments were necessary and many were pleased with the stability. GM has endorsed the use of a consistent fuel.
Shock Absorbers
1. What’s the deal with the shock rule?
The key points are:
a. Make the shock companies and suppliers responsible for selling the approved parts.
b. Create a ceiling price point for shocks.
c. Allow the manufacture to recommend and manage within the price range.
d. Give the participant selection between manufactures’ but within approved design, product type and price point.
2. I don’t get the purpose of the sticker?
The sticker does three things:
a. Primarily, makes the manufacture responsible that they are only selling the approved shocks to the division racing within the approved design and price point.
b. Let’s the participant know the shock style is approved and fits within the type and price point submitted for approval.
c. Allows tech inspectors a quick approval and associates the number to a manufacture.
3. Who set the approved types?
Nearly two years ago, all shock companies were asked to submit shocks that fit within the rule goals and price points. Most companies submitted types and models and they were approved and announced via bulletins starting June 2009.
4. I don’t get why we need a shock rule or a sticker?
The DIRTcar decal program lets the driver know the shock he is using or buying fits the rules. It makes the shock companies responsible.
5. Will my shock absorbers be technically inspected?
Each manufacturer has provided samples and provided detailed specified part boards for the ease of inspection. Since they are responsible for selling the correct part, it is important to them.
Weight
1. I don’t get it… why do we need a change?
a. Originally the cars weighed 2,500 lbs prior to the introduction of the crate engines. A weight break of 100lbs given to the crate motors to encourage use.
b. Since we only have one engine type, the need for the weight break is not necessary.
c. Lightweight high end components are not necessary in Sportsman.
2. So what is the rule?
The rule is now 2,450 lbs.
The RPM Limit Chip
1. I don’t get it… why do we need a change?
a. The GM recommended RPM is 5,700 and this change brings the engine closer to its intended specification.
b. One of the other concerns is that the rebuilding of the crate engine has increased rapidly since the program was introduced. The GM 602 engine program was intended to create longevity and durability in a racer’s program. The reduction in RPM will reduce some heat and stress on the components that were intended to operate at the specific and required RPM. The 6,000 RPM Chip rule is closer to the recommended RPM from GM, which is 5700.
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