kawartha speedway

Kawartha Speedway 2011: From the Drawing Board to the Blacktop

Kawartha Speedway 2011: From the Drawing Board to the Blacktop

Gary Grant ⋅ Motorsport News ⋅ , , , ⋅ No comments

Saturday night may be alright for fighting, but Central Ontario’s Friday night place to race is Kawartha Speedway. With a highly successful 10th Anniversary campaign as their template, officials at the Fraserville, Ontario 3/8th mile oval recently put the finishing touches on the 2011 schedule. Based on the growth and level of success achieved in 2010, General Manager and Promoter Derek Lynch firmly believes the 10 race schedule is the best recipe for the track to follow.

“Even though some people had their doubts at first, we had one of most successful seasons in years,” said Lynch. “The car counts were amazing, with more than 102 different drivers scoring points for starting at least 1 race in our NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model, Better Carpet Thunder Car and Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rentals Mini Stock divisions. The mini stocks have a number of very talented young drivers with the potential to move-up through our different divisions. That’s something any track promoter can be proud to say.”

Another point in Kawartha Speedway’s favour is the success its drivers have enjoyed at other tracks. During the most recent running of Peterborough Speedway’s Autumn Colours weekend, Mike Nelson and Daryl Fice each earned top 5 finishes in the mini stock main event, while late model pilots Bryan Mercer and Ryan Kimball finished 2nd and 3rd respectively against some very tough competition. Late model graduate Brandon Watson earned the checkered flag in the OSCAAR main event. Lynch also gives a ‘tip of the hat’ to Kawartha’s latest track champions.

“Chris Morrow had a strong, very consistent season but still only managed to capture the late model crown by 31 points over Dan McHattie. Willie Reyns claimed a second thunder car title, just 30 markers ahead of Chad Strawn. Mini stock champ Mike Nelson rose to the top of the heap only 29 points ahead of ‘Too’ Moroney. Each battle came down to the final night of the year,” said Lynch. “In itself, that’s an amazing statistic and makes drivers eager to race here because they know they’re running against some of the best short trackers around.”

The first on track activity for the 2011 regular season is a test session Friday, May 27th for Kawartha’s 3 weekly divisions and drivers from any other track interested in shaking-down their new equipment. The opening night for track points is Friday, June 3rd as the OSCAAR Outlaw Super Late Models join the action. The annual 150 lap late model Summer Sizzler is on the agenda for Friday, July 8th. Things wrap-up with the annual NASCAR Canadian Tire Series 250 Saturday, September 24th. The full schedule will be available soon at www.kawarthaspeedway.com.

Jasen Held Races by the Book…If There was One

Jasen Held Races by the Book…If There was One

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If short track stock car racing was something you could learn from a handbook, Jasen Held would read it from cover to cover. Instead, the first year chauffeur in Kawartha Speedway’s Better Carpet Thunder Car division learned his craft the same way every other driver before him has; with hands-on experience that is otherwise known as the school of hard knocks. The 37 year-old from Baltimore, Ontario says it was a tough ride every so often, but he wouldn’t change anything about his learning curve.

“I had a casual interest in the sport and coming to the track as a fan only helped to fuel my desire to compete,” said the gas and oil technician. “It looks like something anyone can do when you’re watching from the grandstands or even hanging around in the pits. Once you’re on the track, it’s easy to see that it’s really not that easy. I love the speed and the challenge of running side-by-side with the best in our division. Scoring that first checkered flag was a thrill and ironically, so was the first time I hit the wall.”

Even though the 2010 campaign was just his first kick at the can, the father of 3 wants to race as much as possible and would like to see the Kawartha schedule expand past its current 10 event agenda. Until that day comes, he’ll continue to wheel his #08 Getty Associates/Markland Mechanical/Buchanan Haulage Monte Carlo at every opportunity, with a long term goal of moving-up to the track’s NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model division.

“There is still a lot to learn before I take the next step,” said Held. “As a driver, I’ve been making some mental notes of how this car performs and which lines work best on the track. It’s kind of tricky though, because as soon as you think you have things figured-out, the weather can change and even something as simple as a slight shift in the temperature will make the car do different things when you mash the throttle.”

At the track and in the shop, Held’s crew – led by his father Rick Held, with Butch Buchanan, Chase Held, Tylar Held and Jacob Bennett take care of a maintenance program that helped their freshman pilot earn a 12th place finish in the final driver’s standings. Wife and car owner Deneane Held controls the purse strings and makes sure the team stays within their operating budget. Jasen Held says a simple philosophy has helped him keep things in check.

“There’ll be some set-backs along the way, but we’re learning as we go and having fun. That’s what is most important.”

Kawartha Speedway will celebrate the 2010 season Saturday, January 15th with their annual award’s banquet. Fans can vote now for the most improved and most sportsmanlike driver in each weekly division by visiting www.kawarthaspeedway.com.

By Jim Clarke, Kawartha Speedway PR/Clarke Motorsports Communications

Josh Gruntz Survives a First Year in the Trenches

Josh Gruntz Survives a First Year in the Trenches

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By Jim Clarke, Kawartha Speedway PR/Clarke Motorsports Communications

In team sports like baseball, football and hockey a first year player will often have time to adjust to the pace of the game. They’ll get their feet wet and learn as they go. Freshman drivers in short track stock car racing also get the chance to sharpen their skills – only at a faster pace. First year runner Joshua Gruntz – from Kawartha Speedway’s Better Carpet Thunder Car division – filled his head with knowledge during his rookie season. The 28 year-old, originally from Bethany – who now calls Peterborough home – says it was sometimes an uphill climb, but feels he’s a better racer from the experience.

“I’ll admit that I didn’t know much when I first started”, said the plumber/pipefitter. “I had watched the races from the grandstand, but there’s nothing compared to the rush you feel when you see that first green flag. We started scratch (at the back of the pack) for the first few weeks. Once I began to build my confidence, we were right there fighting for positions like everyone else”.

Gruntz steered his Ultimate Car Care/Maple Key Landscaping/Mike’s Transmission Repair/Laddie’s Signs and Graphics sponsored Monte Carlo to a 16th place finish in Kawartha’s final point standings. He says some solid effort and support from his crew members Jamie Wagar, Fred Norton and Ben Gruntz helped him reach that level. During the off-season, they’ll be stripping down the car, looking to make some changes to the complete package program in a search for more speed.

“Much of what we worked with on the car during 2010 is a baseline set-up we got from the former owner”, said Gruntz. “We’re going to check the frame, cage and all the suspension components to see if there’s anything that needs to be adjusted or even replaced. I learned some things about the way I like the car to feel and we’ll work on those ideas over the winter. The start of the next season isn’t as far away as everyone thinks and we want to make sure we’re ready for opening night”.

Gruntz says he enjoys the friendships he’s made at the track and the helping hands his team receives from other drivers, teams and crew members. There’s even a chance his thunder car – carrying #31 as a tribute to his high school football days – could begin the next campaign with fresh graphics package and a brand new colour scheme.

Kawartha Speedway will present their 2010 awards at the annual banquet Saturday, January 15th 2011. Fans can submit their choices for the most sportsmanlike and most improved drivers in each of the track’s 3 weekly classes by using the on-line ballot at www.kawarthaspeedway.com.

Michael Batchelor Finds Hard Work and Good Luck the Perfect Marriage for Racing Success

Michael Batchelor Finds Hard Work and Good Luck the Perfect Marriage for Racing Success

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Following the first week of Kawartha Speedway’s 2010 season, Michael Batchelor occupied the top spot in the Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rental Mini Stock point standings. Although he’d eventually slip to 4th place in the final rundown, the 16 year-old from Port Perry had accomplished many of his first year stock car racing goals and made his mark in the sport. Although a rookie at the controls of a stock car, the Port Perry High School student just finished half a decade in motorsports.

“We picked our car number because I was born on June 5th and 2010 was my 5th year of racing”, said Batchelor. “I ran go karts in the Arrive and Drive program at Goodwood Kartways, and then moved-up to the Toronto Kart Club and eventually the Toronto Racing Association of Karters. Moving into the mini stock at a great track like Kawartha was the next logical step. My goal is to learn as much as I can with this car and then hopefully land a late model seat with a long term plan of running the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, depending on the funding we can acquire along the way”.

When the youngster isn’t turning pages in books at school or turning laps on the racetrack in his State Farm Insurance-Nicole Currie/Nick Oram Auto Body/Acoustex International/Keller Williams Realty-Nancy Dressel/Whitby Honda/Designs by Deb Honda Prelude, he can usually be found working his part-time job at Port Perry Marina. Even though he just recently completed his first year in a mini stock and has yet to find victory lane in a main event, Batchelor loves the feeling of speed that comes with mashing the throttle and knows it’s just a matter of time before he lands that first win.

“We’ve been very close a number of times”, said the young driver. “In June’s 50 lapper, I was running second behind ‘Too’ Moroney. There was a restart with 10 laps to go and I grabbed the top spot. On the very next lap, the right front brake rotor shattered from the heat and then, the crank seal went. I tried to nurse the car to the finish and was running 3rd coming off the last turn when I made contact with another car and hit the inside wall. I went from a possible win to finishing 12th – the last car on the lead lap”.

Batchelor knows there’ll be nights like that and he’s happy to have the support of his parents Steve and Joan with him at the track. His #5 machine is maintained at the shop by crew members Brian Marlow, Howie Newhook and good friend Melissa Fracz. There are also a number of people who stop by the trailer on race nights to visit, lend a hand and encourage his efforts.

“We learned a lot in our first year and can’t wait for the next season to begin”.

Fans can cast a vote for the most improved and most sportsmanlike driver in the Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rentals Mini Stock, Better Carpet Thunder Car and NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model divisions by visiting www.kawarthaspeedway.com. The 2010 awards will be handed-out at the track’s annual banquet Saturday, January 15th 2011.

By Jim Clarke, Kawartha Speedway PR/Clarke Motorsports Communications

Kawartha Speedway 2011: It’ll Make you Shiver With Antici…Pation

Kawartha Speedway 2011: It’ll Make you Shiver With Antici…Pation

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After an extremely successful inaugural edition during the winter of 2010, Kawartha Speedway officials are pleased to announce the second running of the Long John 200 Endurance event Sunday, February 6th. While the maiden voyage of the popular event had only 1 winner, Kawartha’s General Manager and Promoter Derek Lynch says the second go-round will have a different format.

“We may have underestimated things a little with the first effort”, said Lynch. “The weather was great, the car count was high and there was a solid crowd on hand to watch the action. We’re looking to build on that strong foundation by opening-up the rule book a little. There will be an $800.00 payday waiting for the first place finisher in the 6 and 8 cylinder division, while the 4 cylinder winner will take home the same amount for their efforts. The second and third place runner in each division will earn $300.00 and $100.00 respectively”.

Gates will open at 11:00, with a half-hour practice session getting underway at 12:30. The green flag drops on the 200 lap event at 1:00 and spectator admission is just $5.00. Rules for competitors are available now at www.kawarthaspeedway.com.

“We’ll have plenty of coffee, hot chocolate and food to cut the chill and our enclosed grandstand is the perfect place to spend a Sunday afternoon watching the action”, added Lynch.

Fans looking for mid winter racing fix would be wise to mark Sunday, February 6th 2011 on their calendars for the second edition of the Long John 200 lap enduro at Kawartha Speedway.

By Jim Clarke, Kawartha Speedway PR/Clarke Motorsports Communications
Photo by Joel & Heather Wiebe

Kawartha Speedway 2010: They’ll Clash for a Cause

Kawartha Speedway 2010: They’ll Clash for a Cause

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Speedway press release

Take a look at the spectator area of any speedway, anywhere. You’ll find a number of people who’d just love to be out there, tearing-it-up behind the wheel. There’s nothing about these folks that makes them stand out from the rest, but inside beats the heart of a racer – not just a race fan. Friday, July 16th Kawartha Speedway will give a group of 8 lucky participants the chance to slip into one of the track’s driving school mini stocks as Holiday Ford presents the 3rd Annual Race for Charity. Event organizer Collin Welsh – a competitor in the track’s Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rental Mini Stock division – says it’s something all the runners look forward to.

“We’re not professional racers, just a group of guys looking to have some fun and raise some money at the same time,” said the service manager at Peterborough’s Holiday Ford. “Everyone likes the chance to give back to the community in their own way. We do it by going fast and turning left.”

Welsh will race for the Epilepsy Foundation and Daryl Anderson for the Cancer Society. The 8 lap exhibition will also feature Ben Heigh racing for Cystic Fibrosis and Scott Minicola collecting donations for St. Michaels Hospital Neurosurgery Unit. Eric Emery, Sean Sanderson, Chris Bridge and Ron Pinkerton will also run for their charities of choice. The group will get a few laps of testing time following the regular practice session and then run their 8 lap feature race later in the evening.

Friday, July 16th is Kawartha Speedway’s annual fan appreciation night presented by Earl Ireland Auto Sales. A 50 lap Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rentals Mini Stock feature will be the highlight of the night, along with a full show of Better Carpet Thunder Car and NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model action. The event will also include an on-track autograph session, where fans can meet and chat with their favourite driver in each of the track’s weekly divisions. In the ultimate tribute to the fans, all admission prices will be reduced by 50% for the night.

For complete details on Kawartha Speedway’s 10th Anniversary schedule, see www.kawarthaspeedway.com.

Photo attachment: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

Collin Welsh found his way to victory lane during the first edition of the Race for Charity.

Kawartha Speedway Revises Plans for Summer Sizzler Rain Date

Kawartha Speedway Revises Plans for Summer Sizzler Rain Date

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Track press release

It was bound to happen. After 3 solid weeks of action to kick-off the 2010 campaign, Kawartha Speedway was bound to experience the wrath of Mother Nature. It’s just unfortunate that the first rainout of the 10th Anniversary Season had to come on one of the biggest nights of the year. After suffering through hot, humid and sticky conditions to start the week, the forecast changed to showers with the possibility of heavy rain and thunderstorms. General Manager and Promoter Derek Lynch says there was no other choice but to pull the plug.

“The Summer Sizzler is one of our marquee events and we hated to have to postpone things,” said Lynch. “With an increased car count expected to chase the $3,000.00 winner’s purse and a capacity crowd to watch the action, we wanted to make sure everything would go off well for all concerned.”

When Lynch and track officials first announced that the event had been postponed, they issued a release with a new date of September 3rd. After checking events at other tracks, it was learned that the make-up date was also the kick-off of Delaware Speedway’s Great Canadian Race Weekend.

“We moved a little quickly announcing the new date,” admits Lynch. “In the spirit of co-operation between Kawartha and other tracks, we decided it was best to stay away from another speedway’s big events, so we’re looking at a new date that we hope to be able to announce shortly.”

Fans can keep an eye on www.kawarthaspeedway.com where the make-up date for the 7th Annual Summer Sizzler will be announced soon. Next on the schedule is the 2010 edition of the Fan Appreciation Night, presented by Earl Ireland Auto Sales Friday, July 16th. A 50 lap Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rental Mini Stock will be the highlight of the night, along with an on-track autograph session. All admission prices will be reduced by 50% for the night. The show will also include the 3rd Annual Holiday Ford Race for Charity.

Kawartha Speedway Summer Sizzler rescheduled due to heavy rain

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Speedway press release

After a stretch of hot, sticky and humid conditions, everyone was looking forward to a change in the weather. Unfortunately for Kawartha Speedway race fans, that change has forced tonight’s Summer Sizzler to be postponed until Friday, September 3rd.

“With heavy rains and thunderstorms heading into to area, we’ve regrettably been forced to delay one of the biggest events of our season,” said track General Manager and Promoter Derek Lynch. “The beauty of this year’s 10 race schedule allows us the opportunity to make up the event.”

Action at the 3/8th mile oval at Fraserville, Ontario will continue Friday, July 16th as Earl Ireland Auto Sales presents the annual Fan Appreciation Night – complete with a 50 lap main event for the Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rental Mini Stocks and an on-track autograph session.

Race times for the Friday, September 3rd make-up date of 7th Annual Summer Sizzler will remain the same. Gates will open at 2:00, with racing at 7:00. Full details are available at www.kawarthaspeedway.com.

Kawartha Speedway 2010: Maybe the Third Time Was the Charm

Kawartha Speedway 2010: Maybe the Third Time Was the Charm

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By Jim Clarke, Kawartha Speedway PR/Clarke Motorsports Communications

With only 10 races on this year’s schedule, Kawartha Speedway drivers are quickly learning that there’s little – quite possibly no room for error. Teams in the Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rental Mini Stock, Better Carpet Thunder Car and NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model divisions have discovered they need to be ready to rock as soon as the green flag drops every night. As the third show of the 10th Anniversary season entertained a capacity crowd – Friday, June 25th – it was apparent that everyone was at the top of their game.

A series of 6 qualifying heats was first to roll off pit road. Larry Jackson and Dave Morgan earned the late model wins. Norm Mayhew and Chad Strawn picked-up the thunder car checkered flags, while Dwight Lavoie and youngster Steven Slot found victory lane in the mini stocks. Craig Graham, Joe Sinopoli and Mike Nelson won the late model, thunder car and mini stock semi features. Steve Mayhew, Earl Ireland and Neil Hannah qualified for the main event in their respective divisions through the consolation round.

With feature racing next on the agenda, a pack of 15 hungry Better Carpet Thunder Cars – led by Dave Haywood and Jeff Remington – rolled to starter Mike Charest’s green flag. Before 1 lap could be completed, the yellow was displayed for a turn 3 incident with Remington and Andy Ford. Dan Price slowed to avoid the wreck and was hammered by Josh Gruntz. Of the 4 involved, only the #31 of Gruntz was able to continue. Back under green conditions, there were some excellent battles throughout the pack until a pair of quick yellow flags for a solo spin by Chad Strawn and contact between Haywood and Steve Mayhew. From there, the 25 lapper stayed green until Jason Held slowed to a stop on the front straight. Norm Mayhew was holding the point, but the real struggle on the track was between Willie Reyns and Strawn, who had bounced-back from his earlier troubles. With a green-white-checkered finish needed to decide the outcome, the pair waged an intense fight for the runner-up spot. Strawn chased Mayhew across the line, with the 2008 series champion settling for 3rd. Joe Sinopoli and Howie Crowe completed the top 5.

After running a 100 lap invitational event the week before, the NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Models – Kawartha Speedway’s headline division – was back to their regular 25 lap feature race distance, as Mike Sinopoli and Craig Graham paced the field of 22 to the start/finish line. The yellow flag was displayed early, as the Brian Watts looped the #61 on the back stretch. On the ensuing restart, a 6 car wreck sidelined Darragh Moroney and Kevin Clark. Ryan Kimball and Spencer MacPherson ducked into the pits, but were able to continue. Cale Bailey went for a solo spin to bring out another yellow. Watts did the same, a few circuits later. While under green flag conditions, Dan McHattie and Chris Morrow treated the fans to some excellent side-by-side racing. The pair would swap position and racing lines lap after lap, but never touched. Not even a late race slap of the front stretch wall could deny the tracks all-time wins leader another notch in his belt. Morrow, Larry Jackson, Sinopoli and Dave Morgan finished 2nd through 5th.

18 Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rental Mini Stockers came to the line for their 20 lap main event. The race was slowed by just 1 yellow flag, as 12 year-old Cole McFadden slowed to a stop on the exit of turn 2. From there, everything remained clean and green as Mike Nelson picked-up his first Kawartha Speedway win by nearly a straight-away over Michael Batchelor, ‘Too’ Moroney, Tyler Junkin and Dwight Lavoie.

Kawartha klips: The Ontario Legends Series made the first of 4 appearances Friday night. Heat race wins went to Andy Warbutton, Chad Windsor, Adam Cuthbertson and Tim Fernandes. Derek Frohlich picked-up the 20 lap feature, in only his first start of the season….After slamming the front stretch wall last week, many expected Dave Morgan’s #10 late model to be missing from action Friday night. Not only was his yellow and black machine in attendance, he won his qualifying heat and finished 5th in the feature…Kawartha Speedway’s 10th Anniversary season takes another 1 week break before returning with the NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model Summer Sizzler – Friday July 9th. With the 150 lapper on the program, there will be special start times. Gates will open at 2:00, with racing at 6:00.

Stormin’ Norman Mayhew is on an Early Season Hot Streak

Stormin’ Norman Mayhew is on an Early Season Hot Streak

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By Jim Clarke, Kawartha Speedway PR/Clarke Motorsports Communications

It’s no big secret. Norm Mayhew’s 2009 Kawartha Speedway season got off to a horrendous start. After heading into the year with a renewed sense of enthusiasm, the second generation racer quickly became the poster boy for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Before the season was 2 weeks old, the NAPA Auto Parts Late Model machine he’d spent the entire off-season rebuilding had been all but reduced to a twisted pile of metal that he could barely stand to look at.

The car was never repaired and its usable parts and pieces were eventually sold off to other racers. Compared to the way his season began, Mayhew says he can’t believe the way things wrapped-up.

“It was embarrassing,” admits the owner of Mayhew Graphics. “I can’t blame anyone for the things that happened to me. The wreck that sidelined the late model deal happened when my hand slipped off the steering wheel and actually shut off the racecar. I tried to get it going again, but with the field coming-up behind me, there just wasn’t time. I was hit from behind and bounced off the front stretch wall. Luckily there weren’t too many other cars involved and no one was hurt, but that crash took a lot out of me emotionally and it was time to regroup.”

Mayhew took his father’s back-up thunder car out of storage, updated the graphics to his own number and went on to record a string of top 5 runs and finished 8th in the overall points. The way he finished 2009 must have given Mayhew a little shot of confidence. Armed with a new machine, he has won the first 2 features of 2010 and earned checkered flags in his 4 most recent starts, including qualifying heats and semi features.

Kawartha Speedway’s 10th Anniversary season continues Friday, June 25th as the Ontario Legends Series makes the first of its 4 appearances, along with a regular night of Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rental Mini Stock, Better Carpet Thunder Car and NAPA Auto Parts Late Model action. Gates open at 3:00 and the first green flag flies at 7:00. See the full Kawartha Speedway schedule at www.kawarthaspeedway.com.

Photo Credit: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

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