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Darren Latimer will have his second Merrittville outing this weekend. Ben Graham photo Latimer To Conest Bob St Amand Senior Memorial At Merrittville Jim Irvine posted Monday July 26, 2010. Thorold, Ontario (July 25) – The first Bob St. Amand Senior Memorial at Merrittville Speedway is just 7 days away and counting down and for the first time since in it’s history could have drivers from three countries battling in the 100 lap Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series Main Event. Wamuran Australia’s Darren Latimer would so like to have his brand new BRP Chassis shipped back to his home country sporting a Feature Winner Sticker on the Latimer & Sons Transport #83. If there was one for Heat Winners – it would have one – he came home on top in his first qualifying heat at Merrittville July 24th. “It’s so much different racing here than at home,” revealed the veteran of 22 years of racing in his home country while waiting out a rain delay at the Thorold track, “the cars here are so much different to drive here.” With no signs of jet lag showing on the 38 year old, his wife Melissa or their two boys Ricky and Lochie and Tony Handley and Brent Barwick who joined them on more than 20 hour trip – Latimer’s first thing he saw in Canada was the race track. “Back home we just wouldn’t see this,” commented Melissa Latimer, who also drives back at home, while waiting out one of the rain delays, “the drivers, crews and officials at Merrittville are a great bunch.” Some track time this past Thursday evening resulting in some pretty consistent lap times learning from Pete Bicknell. Prior to getting into the race car – orientation included watching some video from previous events from this season to see just what he was in for. Thursday Night’s session was run with the car meeting DIRTcar 358 Modified rules as well as those from home. “Normally we would run a 104” Sprint Car Tyre on the right rear,” said Latimer, “that gives us anywhere from 14 to 16 inches of stagger.” Before his V8 Dirt Modified career began Latimer raced Sprint Cars for two seasons. Prior to that he spent 5 years in what’s called a V8 Stock Car – a division where full contact is expected Latimer would probably fit right in to this coming Saturday’s Grantham Lions Club Enduro Qualifier accelerated by Niagara College. I wonder if he has seen what they did to rental cars in the movie Days of Thunder? Latimer was one of the first drivers to get a BRP Race Car in his country as along with TEO – they were the first manufacturers to export to the other side of the racing ‘world.’ With Troyer also now included – the Australian racing community share the leaders in the dirt racing business The reason for choosing BRP – like it’s retail locations and strong dealer network serving customers in Canada and the US – racers in Australia can go right to Ian Boettcher Race Parts for all their needs. In the opening round of the Roosters Cup last December at the Maryborough (Queensland) Speedway – a late race caution set up a two lap dash to the checkered flag with Pete Bicknell holding off the reigning Australian Champion Peter Britten and former champion Mark Robinson. The three graced the podium after the event that was described as one of the most memorable feature events ever run at that facility. With Bicknell chalking up win number 671 for BRP-chassied drivers in 2009 – ironically it was car owner Latimer who started the impressive stat with the first two wins of the season at the Lismore Speedway and Maryborough.. “Our first contact with Australian racing came in the late 90’s,” prided Randy Williamson, “supplying parts developed into complete cars by 2002 … the school was the next progression … back home we pride ourselves in our customer’s achievements … the same can be said for those on the other side of the world.” Earlier this season, Australian racer Luke Oldfield was the first to catch up with Bicknell and Williamson. A very quick visit saw Oldfield run a former Matt Sheppard BRP Chassis at Merrittville – a chassis that Tom Flannigan purchased after its last race. David Clark – who eventually finished second in this year’s Rooster’s Cup Series, was also a recent visitor to Merrittville – spectating a few weeks ago – turned 20 years of age probably about the time he arrived back home. Clark also from Queensland like so many here at Merrittville got his start in Go Karts before moving on to the Junior Sedan division before spending the last four years in a V8 Dirt Modified. “We are so used to one groove tracks back home,” said Clark minutes after spending the Modified feature on the starters stand with a unique look at the racing, “the two and three wide racing was awesome.” After a quick stop at Merrittville, the Clarks were off to take in the All Star opener at Brewerton before visiting the MACK Truck Factory. When not racing back home like so many around here as well Clark and Latimer as well are in the trucking business. David’s recent visit wasn’t his first time to North America. Two years ago while on a family holiday – the Clarks also took in that year’s Kings Royal at Eldora. For the Latimers – the trip is the first time away from Australia. “So far our trip has just been racing related,” anticipated Latimer, “to see just how our race cars are made was so cool … but this week we are really looking forward to seeing the Falls and all we can of your area.” To follow Latimer, Clark, Oldfield and the Australian V8 Modified racing scene – visit http://www.v8dirtmodifieds.com.au This weekend the Latimers will surely get their fill of racing Merrittville-style with two big holiday nights kicking off when Cotton Inc presents a Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Event featuring the 40 lap King of the Crate Sportsman Series powered by Niagara Motors, the rain-delayed Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Triple Crown, the final Grantham Lions Club Enduro Qualifier accelerated by Niagara College in addition to the L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modifieds and the Hoosier Stocks. Monday August 2nd – L. St. Amand Enterprises presents the Bob St. Amand Senior Memorial 100 lap Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series Event – it’s unparalleled … unrivalled and unsurpassed and it’s a must see event. Since 1972 – a who’s who of DIRTcar Modified Racing have converged on the d-shaped oval the first Monday in August. Race teams and race fans alike can prepare for the Civic Holiday tradition in advance as tickets for the pre-race Club Castropignano Pasta Dinner Tickets are now available as are inaugural T Shirts commemorating the 1st Bob St. Amand Memorial. Almost gaining as much in tradition as the race itself is the pre-race Pasta Dinner served up by Merrittville’s Annual Banquet Hosts – Club Castropignano. For race fans and race teams alike – it’s the best deal in DIRTcar Dining. Feast on fresh pasta and meatballs, garden salad, dinner roll and a can of Pepsi for $10 in advance. Get your tickets at the track … via e mail – ebicknell@cogeco.net or from the Speedway Office at 905-892-8266. When the Gates open at 4 PM Monday August 2nd - the Club Castropignano Pasta Dinner begins at 4 PM and runs until 6. Race Fans and teams alike should get their Pasta Tickets in advance as on Race Day – Tickets are $12. Adult Grandstand Tickets are $25 for Monday August 2nd, Students and Seniors - $23, Juniors from 8 to 12 are $10 and Children under 8 are free. Merrittville Speedway is located in Thorold Ontario Canada – just a short drive from the International Bridges. The inaugural Bob St. Amand Sr. Memorial 100 Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series Event Monday August 2nd is an event that Merrittville Speedway has hosted since 1972 – the year ‘Sr.’ won his Modified Points Championship. Since that first event – the stars of DIRTcar Modified racing have challenged Merrittville’s talented field of hometown heroes in the Canadian Civic Holiday Classic. The heart-pounding, high-powered, pedal-mashing entertainment includes a 25 lap Duel on the Dirt Home Track Event as Merrittville’s full fendered Hoosier Stocks battle against the Brighton Speedway Pro Stocks in the 2010 Big 6 and a 25 lap Modified Lite Championship Tour Event for the J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lites.. For Pasta Dinner Ticket and other Event Information – call the Speedway Office at 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com. For further information on the 59th Season – race fans and race teams alike can follow Merrittville on Face Book and Twitter. Crazy Offer! Race fans – check your 2010 Ticket Stubs for a Crazy Offer from Little Caesars Pizza – located at 572 Niagara Street in Welland. With the purchase of a HOT-N-READY Pizza and Crazy Bread – receive a Free Crazy Bread! Sounds Good! Enjoy all the play by play from the Merrittville Announce Team of Clint Geoffrey, Mikey Kruchka and Fran Buschardt and special guests all season long on our new state of the art Yorkville NX Series Loudspeakers. Race fans and teams can also tune into 89.9 FM to listen to live feeds from our FM Transmitter. Your Local Dirt Track is where it's at!! Merrittville Speedway "The Best Family Entertainment in Niagara" Make your plans … call your friends and maybe even get a carpool together and enjoy a staycation at the speedway with plenty of free parking and camping spots – a night at the races is so much fun and so close to home! Your Local Dirt Track is where it’s at!!! Merrittville Speedway ‘The Best Family Entertainment in Niagara.” MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS The 2010 Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series for Merrittville Speedway’s 5 Divisions is brought to race fans and racers by division sponsors – L. St. Amand Enterprises, Original Pizza Logs, J&S Heating and Air Conditioning, Hoosier Tire Canada and Turn 4 Collision in addition to contingency sponsors Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shock Absorbers, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Hoosier Tire, Lucas Oil Products, Inside Track Motorsport News, Intercomp, ISC Racer’s Tape, Jaz Products, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, Motorsports Safety Systems, Outerwears, Port City Racing, R.J.S. Racing Equipment, Racing Optics, Schroeder Torsion Bars, Schoenfeld Headers, Ultra Shield Race Products, Wrisco Industries and XRP, Inc. Lucas Oil Products is one the fastest growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry featuring a premium line of oils, greases and problem solving additives. Through innovative product research and development along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil Products has established itself as the top selling additive in the industry. Look for Lucas Oil Products at their favorite automotive retailer or maintenance centre including Drummond Home Hardware, KC Auto Parts, RCM Racing Equipment and Tim Phillips Garage   [ Back To Referring Page | Back To News ]