Merrittville’s 2017 Schedule Coming Together
Story By: JIM IRVINE / MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY – THOROLD, ONT – The recent spring-like weather has new Merrittville Speedway Owner Don Spiece’s 2017 Schedule featuring traditional events with returning and new event partners counting down until the first Bobcat of Hamilton Weekly Racing Series Event.
“For 65 seasons, Merrittville has developed some traditional events which will remain our focus for the most part in 2017,” said (new Merrittville Speedway Owner) Don Spiece, “I am thrilled that many former partners have continued their support of our events … and I’m extremely excited that race fans and teams will find some new businesses joining us as marketing partners.”
After Saturday April 15th’s Test, Tune and Inspection, Spiece will welcome first time sponsor Peter’s Excavating as presenters of the Spring Sizzler Saturday April 22nd.
The Special Event will feature the Patriot Sprint Tour in addition to events for the Pinty’s 358 Modifieds, S&W Service Centre Sportsman in addition to the rain-delayed TUSA Canadian Nationals Event from September of 2016 for the Wood Motor Company Modified Lites.
Saturday Night Sprint Car Fans won’t be disappointed in 2017 as in addition to the Patriot Sprint Tour, the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints will make a visit Saturday June 24th when Avondale Food Stores hosts the Gary Cunningham Memorial.
Cotton Inc. will host the final event of the Thorold facility’s 66th Season Saturday September 9th that will also close the season for the Southern Ontario Sprints.
Pinty’s Delicious Foods are set to close the month of April on the 29th with the first 5 Division Bobcat of Hamilton Weekly Racing Series finding the Hoosier Stocks and the Central Fabricating 4 Cylinders taking to the track for the first time of the new season,
Leading off the month of May – D&L Small Engines host the first Hoosier Stock Home Track Duel on the Dirt Event on the 6th and the Kid’s Club Registration Night.
The second Home Track Event for the Hoosier Stocks is set for Saturday August 12th as part of Niagara Employment Help Centres Night.
A $1000 to win 50 lap Duel on the Dirt Combined Event for the Hoosier Stocks will also help close 2017 on Cotton Inc. Night.
May 13th finds Tomaski Racing presenting the first Triple Crown Series Event for the Central Fabricating 4 Cylinders. Round 2 takes place on Archer Truck Centre Night Saturday June 10th which also features the Annual Best Appearing Dog Contest.
The 2017 Tomaski Racing 4 Cylinder Triple Crown Series concludes when W Abrasives presents Saturday July 29th’s Event.
Pen Centre will kick off the first of two Doubleheader Weekends Saturday May 20th, playing host to the first Vansickle Pet Valu and Groomingdale’s Enduro Qualifier accelerated by Niagara College.
The first Monday of 2017 will celebrate Victoria Day May 22nd with the 3rd Brian Stevens Memorial for the 358 Modifieds that will pay $2,666 to the winner of the 66 lap Main Event. Joining the Holiday Race Card … the RUSH Late Models, the Central Fabricating 4 Cylinders and the first Eataly Foods Triple Truck Challenge for the Mike Knapp Ford Trucks from Humberstone Speedway.
Round 2 for the Triple Truck Challenge kicks off the second doubleheader weekend Saturday August 5th when Tim Hortons are the hosts. The Eataly Foods Triple Truck Challenge helps conclude the season Saturday September 9th.
Race Fans can also build an entry for the second Vansickle Pet Valu and Groomingdale’s Enduro Qualifier accelerated by Niagara College as part of Avolndale Food Stores Night June 24th in addition to Saturday July 29th’s W Abrasives Night.
Race Fans and Race Teams will surely note that the Traditional 100 lap Enduro has been moved to Saturday August 26th when the Seaway Mall stages all kinds of Motorized Mayhem Events including Backwards Racing, a Ladies Race, a Flagpole Race and more.
Stay tuned for further details on this event and start your builds now!
May 27th’s CAA Niagara Night will host the David Chevrolet King of the Crates Series for the S&W Service Centre Sportsman Division before Round 2 takes to the track Saturday July 22nd when Hingston Metal Fabricators play host to Minor Sports Team Night.
The David Chevrolet King of the Crates Series concludes with the 40 lap $1000 to win Gabe Bellante Memorial presented by Niagara Trailers Saturday August 19th.
Race Fans can mark two Family Autograph Nights on the calendar with Young McNamara hosting their first night at the races Saturday June 3rd with KIDSRACE Night once again benefitting the Canadian National Autism Foundation.
The second Family Autograph Night is set for Semenuk’s Esso Championship Night Saturday September 2nd which also features the 50 lap John Spencer Memorial for the Pinty’s 358 Modifieds.
Ontario Truck Driving School will present a recent tradition that has generations of race fans and teams looking through their memorabilia to join in on Retro Race T Shirt Night Saturday June 17th.
An Event 150 Years in the making has Performance ATV & Leisure celebrating Canada Day July 1st with our famous $1 Hot Dog Night and a FIREWORKS Display.
Another traditional event is set for Modern Corporation Night Saturday July 9th. If you would like to display your Big Rig Truck – please call the Speedway Office to preregister.
The Welland and Fort Erie Timber Marts will celebrate Merrittville’s 66th Consecutive Season Saturday July 16th with Nostalgia Night hosted by Merrittville Speedway’s Reunion Committee.
The L. St. Amand Enterprises Wall of Fame Ceremonies will open the celebration that also features the Jerry Winger Memorial for the 358 Modifieds in addition to Vintage Race Cars.
Race Fans that enjoy the sights and sounds of Vintage Race Cars can look forward to a second event when the Thunder on the Dirt Vintage Racing Series joins Tim Hortons Night August 5th.
The second Monday of the season is an event that has been held annually since 1972.
L. St. Amand Enterprises and St. Amand Auto and Truck Repair will proudly present the 8th Annual Bob St. Amand Senior Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series 100 lap Main Event Monday August 7th.
Also new to Merrittville Speedway’s schedule in 2017 will be Wednesday Night Test and Tune Sessions. Race Teams can stay tuned for planned dates.
