Lady Luck Grows Wheels at Speedworld

“The Best Four Cylinder Drivers in Atlantic Canada” will be adding a new father/son combination to their roster in 2011. The Lightning division drivers will have to be up on the wheel though if Mike Brown continues to have the luck he had at the track last summer. Though he didn’t pilot a car on the 3/10-mile oval, he did get the thrill of becoming a winner at Scotia Speedworld as he and his friends became winners of the Shriner’s 50/50 draw.

“I went to the races with friends on Friday nights and we always bought 50/50 tickets,” explained Brown. “I split the tickets with a friend of mine and last year we won $1449.” With the winnings, Brown chose to go racing. “I decided to put the money into a car; we’re there anyways, so why not join in on the fun, right?”

The rest is history. Brown bought a ’98 Neon in 2010 and began preparation for the season. Though he and his son Ben, who will spilt time in the #118 car with his 52-year old father, came up short of having the car completed by the end of the season the two are planning on a full time run in ’11. “We are getting pointers and driving info about the track from JR Lawson and others. We can’t wait for the season opener. Our goal is to have fun this summer!”

Look for the pair on track this season in the black and yellow #118 Neon sponsored by Wallace Equipment and Sid Sells Signs.

Speaking of rookies, the 2010 Rookie of the Year in the Lightning class is looking to pick up where he left off one season ago. Nicholson, of Beaverbank, can be seen in the pit area on Friday nights with a big smile on his face as he readies his #140 Seagull Trucking Neon for battle on the oval. He had plenty to smile about last season as his freshman year ended with top rookie honors along with the eighth place overall in points. Nicholson knows that in order to keep up with the competition this season he’ll have to step up his game, something that he’s done over the winter months.

“We realize that we have to be more consistent to improve our season end point position,” said Nicholson of his goals in 2011. “That’s what going to make this summer so much fun. My nephew and good friend Cody has given his time to the car and team to be the crew chief this season. We need to send a huge thank you out to Kevin and Paula at Seagull Trucking and Chris Grennan of Grennan’s Garage in Middle Sackville for their continued support to our efforts.”

The team has been busy preparing the car for the first green flag of the season on May 29th, including the installation of a new power plant. “We had to replace our motor over the winter,” commented Nicholson on the change.

The season remains two months away and the anticipation for the Lightning cars to hit the track has already reached a boiling point. To see who has the upper hand on race day, be with us on May 29th at the Speedworld.

SCHEDULE NOTCHES UP EXCITEMENT FOR 2011

As most of you likely know by now, the schedule for this summer has been released. A glance over this season’s slate sees many events that are “must see” attractions this summer. The season commences with two heart stopping season openers in May. The Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour and Maritime League of Legends Tour kick open their campaigns on Sunday the 22nd while the Weekly Racing Series will see their lid-lifter one week later on May 29th.

The Weekly Racing Series divisions will each have schedules totaling in the double digits when it comes to race counts. The popular four cylinder classes will see Twin 50’s on July 22nd and September 2nd. The latter of the two will see “Four Cylinder Finale Friday,” where the championships for the Thunder and Lightning classes will be determined in season closing fifty lap events.

The Sportsman class schedule is highlighted by their two marquee events. The Sportsman 100 has been moved back to Friday night, August 12th as apart of the Atlantic CAT 250 weekend. The race was held on Friday night during previous Atlantic CAT 250 weekends but had seen a change to Saturday in recent years. Though a date hasn’t been set yet, the 17th Annual Shriner’s Classic will also be on the bill for this season. The race was one of the most action packed of 2010 as three-time champ Terry Roma battled Sportsman 100 winner Colby Smith to the line with Smith getting the best of Roma for his first Classic win.

The Hydraulics Plus Bandoleros are back for another season as the young guns of Scotia Speedworld are sure to get fans on the edge of their seat during their dozen appearances this summer. The Truck class is growing and is expected to hit double digits when it comes to competing drivers this season. The Weekly Racing Series is rounded out by the Legend cars. The Legends always seem to find themselves with the tightest point battle heading down to Finale Friday, which will be staged this season on September 9th.

The schedule also sees the Media Races being staged on June 24th with Kiddies Rides taking place on Canada Day (July 1st) and August 26th. The USHRA Monster Jam Summer Heat Tour will light up the Speedworld during the second weekend in June and is always an event you will want to take in. Additional dates can be found by clicking on the schedule page to the right of ScotiaSpeedworld.ca!

Until next time, keep the hammer down and we’ll see you at the track!