Ok well as January completes itself its time to do my sneak peak at how I could see the Barrie 4cyl division forming this season, and the drivers that could possibly be entered in it. I was going to surmise on if these drivers would be running CHARGER or Pure Stock A for this coming season, but I guess the emalgimation of those two classes have at least made that part of it unneccessary. And I dont really have any sort of idea who the newcomers might be in this class what so ever, so I'm forgoing that step as well. Will try and get as much of this done this evening as I can but might have to break it up into seperate parts so we'll see how it goes...
#2 Ben Melenhorst-------- one of the most sucessful Pure Stock drivers over the past couple seasons in Ontario in his lightning quick Nissan 240sx. The 2007 season was spent at Sunset, and Ben amassed 7 feature wins including the year ending Frosty Special in what was a very complete field. Also captured a Dash for Cash win at Sauble in 2007, proving the talented Stayner pilot has the abiliy to get it done at wide variety of tracks. Ben made the switch to BSW for the start of the 2008 season and the impressive results continued to follow, as evidenced by his 4 feature wins and 10 top 5s in just 14 starts. If you think the Melenhorst list of accomplishments was done there you'd be wrong however, as Ben would also capture two Wed night invitational wins, with the latter coming in what was a thrilling race with Sauble dominator #66 Mike Smith and Sunset's #10 Doug Butler also running nip and tuck at the front of the field on that day. Also made his annual return to Sauble for the Aug Dash for Cash event, this time coming 2nd to the strong Smith Neon at his hometrack. I would surmise its 100 percent we see Ben back at BSW in 09, and he would be my personal choice for the 2009 track champ. Quite possibly the most talented of the young guns in Simcoe County, I would suggest its just a matter of time till we see this talented driver move up in the ranks to higher levels of racing. Also the track record holder in the Pure Stock division with a blistering lap of 16.819 sec. set in Sept of 08.
#7 Billy Melenhorst-------- Can you say sucessful rookie season??? Billy proved to have that in spades, as the 14 year old racing sensation brought home the 2008 Charger division track title, without capturing a feature win all season long. Did have many heat wins and the fact he won the point title without a feature win should proove testament to the consistency this rookie developed in 08, after competing in just a handful of races in 07 in the Four Fun division at Sunset. Billy would match brother Ben's accomplishments in also establishing a track record for the Charger division with a clocking of 16.987 sec., ironically set on the same day in Sept. While brother Ben is more of a finesse driver in my eyes, the younger of the Melenhorst brothers is cut out more of the hard charging driving style as I see it, and I would hazard a guess that we would seen him make the move regardless if he Charger division existed or not. The thought of the two brothers competing against each other this coming season brings me goose bumps on how good the racing will be between the two. Along with his brother its 100 percent the race prodigy returns, and I'd look for a top 5 finish in the points and this should be the year he captures a feature win or two as well.
#15 Mike Burtoo------ a former Thunder car driver, Burtoo brought out his ultra quick green Mustang at the midway point of the 2007 season and has proven its a car to contend with any night at BSW since then. Burtoo's 2008 stat line read quite well, with 3 feature wins, 10 top 5s, and 12 top 10s in 13 starts. Still managed to finish 6th in the Charger points in 2008, despite a DQ infraction in the tech shed, and missing a night on another occasion. A hard charger for sure, if this Gravenhurst driver can find the fortitude to exhibit more patience on track the results will come, and a top 5 isnt out of reach in the slightest. Would of been another that would of made the move up regardless of the Charger situation I feel, and due to the proximity in which he lives to the track should be 100 percent back in 2009.
#16 Bryan Penny -------- this guy has made huge strides in the 5 years I've seen him racing the High Line. 2008 proved to be Bryan's best year to date, as the Barrie resident would set a career best with a 4th in Pure Stock A points, with one feature win along the way. Did suffer a bad wreck at mid season or the talented Penny might of even finished higher in the standings. From all accounts has purchased a Honda Prelude out of the Crumbie garage to compete in 09, and we all know how well the Crumbie cars have worked at BSW in the past, combined with Penny's driving talents and will to win and I could see this being another stellar year for this 6th year driver. Brandon Crumbie himself won a track title in his 6th season, so dont be shocked to see Penny challenging the divisions other top shoes in 09 . A true BSW loyalist is pretty certain to say Bryan is another 100 percent returnee.
#16x Ian Burney------- a rookie in last years charger class, the light seemed to go on for Ian at Mid Season, and the improvement made by this 54 year old was noticed by many around the speedway. A true gentleman of racing, Burney would be a co winner of Most Sportmanlike driver with an equally deserving #68 Allyson Smith. Burney would finish 12th in Charger points, with 5 top 10s in 14 starts, so if the sophmore driver could better that feat in what should be a much more competitive and deeper field this coming season, that would have to be looked upon as a sucess and realistic goal in 2009. Another of those in the 100 percent returnee bunch.
#17 Kenny Cox------ 2008 was a bit of a hit and miss year for this sophmore driver as he would capture some impressive heat results to go with 2 top 10s in just 6 starts, in what was shared duty in his Mustang with brother Tommy. If Cox returns to full time duty he could challenge for a top 10 in the season ending ending points. Due to the shared ride factor, I could contemplate the brothers might do the same in 09, so for now it looks like 50 percent duty for the elder of the Cox brothers in 09.
#20 Anna Milligan-------- a longtime division veteran, make no mistake this lady is never intimadated by any of her male counterparts on the track. Did put an end to her race season 3/4 of the way through the year in 08, after a nasty fued with another of the race teams at BSW. Lets all hope those are things of the past, and this hard charging lady will return to BSW in 2009. Captured her last feature win in the 2006 season I believe, further proof this lady is more than capable of reaching victory lane given the right circumstances. But due to the events of last season I'll have to leave it at 50/50 for a return for now as I havent heard much this off season regarding the plans of ATM racing.
#22 Chris King --------Quietly went about his business and had a very steady, competiive season in 2008 in his #22 Mustang out of the Walt garage. Chris had many good heat results, although that trip to victory lane eluded him in 2008. If he steps up his program marginally this coming season, I could see King being an ultra solid competitor in this division, with a top 10 in points very much an attainable goal. Finished 5th in Charger points, with 4 top 5s and 11 top 10s after making all 15 starts. Has deep ties to some of the drivers at the Barrie track, this making him another 100 percent returnee in 2009 I feel.
#23 Terry Tompkins-------- Has a very sucessful season in 2008, capped by a career best 2nd place in a feature in mid August. This 2008 rookie would also win the award for Best Looking Car in the Charger division in the former Troy Potts Dodge Shadow. Tompkins would end up 11th in Charger points, with one top 5 and 5 top 10s in 14 starts. Been hearing that this is one team that will really step up their program in 2009, and due to this factor I could see him land������� right in the thick of things as he goes for a top 10 in points to better his standards of a season ago. 100 percent back as BSW in 2008 as well.
#24 Tom Milligan------ Mr. Everything in the Pure Stock division covering the last 7 or 8 seasons at BSW. Always a front runner in his VW Golf, the talented Milligan was another that hung it up at the 3/4 point of the season. While making 11 of 15 possible starts, Milligan still would manage 2 feature wins with 7 top 5s and 8 top 10s. The runner up in the 2006 points chase to a very stout Shawn Murray Mustang, heres for hoping this long time division veteran will once again grace the confines of BSW with his vast racing talents.. Again for now its 50/50 till I can come up with some more solid facts to build on as it relates to the ATM team.
#25 Darron McMinn-------- Limited to just 5 starts in 2008, McMinn��������� is a long time division veteran who finished a career best 8th in poins in the 2005 season. If he can find the time to race more frequently, and can avoid some mechanical issues that have plagued him in the past in his Chevy Cavalier its quite possible this popular Angus resident could return to his past form in 2009. Did manage one top 5 in those 5 starts and had another 3rd place lost in the tech shed due to a very minor infraction. Not really sure on his plans for 09, and due to the limited # of starts in 08 I'll give it 60/40 we see McMinn back.
#29 Tia Dale----------- what better way to end part one of my preview than this talented young lady. One of the pure delights to deal and conversate with at the Barrie track and a darn good driver to boot. Was sidelined in 2008 due to some mechanical difficulties early on, and that led to Tia making just 8 of 15 starts in feature races. Did capture two Charger heat wins in 07, and was well inside the top 5 in points that season until being sidelined with a knee injury due to an on track accident at the midway point. Runs on a limited budget and does very well with it, if Tia and crew can sort out some of the mechanical bug a boos that plagued her Chevette in 2008 we could see this girl conteding for a top 15 in points in this very deep division. Giving it about 80/20 she returns as she did get married in the off season and might have other things taking priority over racing at this present time.
As I said getting a little tired of typing right now, but look for parts 2&3 in the coming days. Should be completed by the end of the weekend for sure though!!!LOL Just for you my good buddies CHARGER & DUSTY!!!!LOL
;D 'bout time we have been buggin you since before xmas. lol ;D
??? 🙂 😀 ;D
when is the rest coming...u shld type it in word and post it all at once Davey! haha
ok here is part two.. the remainder of the entries to be finished on Sunday.
#33 Crystal Doucette -------- The 2008 season sure did get started off in fine style for the daughter of Thunder Car dominator Dave Doucette. Crystal would capture the Charger feature on opening night, and went to on to record 3 more feature wins before the year was complete, on route to a 3rd place points finish in the division. When all was said and done in 15 starts Doucette had 4 feature wins, with 8 top 5s, and 10 top 10s,� also winning the HARD CHARGER award at the banquet in Nov. All this after being named 2007 Charger Rookie of the Year, where she came in 8th in points to be the highest finishing female competitor. Has a ultra strong team behind her, and the only thing maybe missing to expand on her vast racing talents would be a couple visits to other tracks to get a feel for the entire racing game. Was hearing rumblings father Dave could be Sunset bound in 09, possibly taking his talented daughter with him to compete there. Those rumors seemed to have cooled of late, and I believe Crystal has a certain attachment to her fellow competitors at BSW, as well as the Barrie track in general which should make her a 100% certainty to return. With the strong team, and another valuble year of expierience, I'd be suprised if this girl wasnt challenging for a top 5 point finish by seasons end.
#35 Nick French -------- also a member of the 35 Isherwood Thunder Car team, Nick was limited to just 4 starts in 08, as he and good friend Chance tried to get their Thunder Car program off the ground. Those 4 starts all resulted in top 10 results with two of those being inside the top 5 in the 2007 Kawartha championship Mustang. I would suggest we might see French on a more regualr basis in 09, but with him still being an active member of the Isherwood team the # of starts might be limited to maybe half the races if I were to take an educated guess.
#37 Robbie Sikes -------- had a solid start to the season with a few top 5 feature results, the tempermental Sikes took a hiatus from the track at the 3/4 point, returning on the final night to a 5th place feature result. Could be a more soild contributor in 09, and if he would just learn to cool his jets a little, and not let his temper get the best of him, Robbie could possibly land inside the top 10 in points. Also won 2 Charger features in 07, proving that he can saw the wheel at times, and with another year under his belt, heres for hoping he now has the temperment to make his driving skills pay off for him. Given the movement of last season for now I'll say 75 % he returns to regular competition at BSW. Did show a willingness to travel away to other tracks with appearances at Sauble, Kawartha, Sunset, Varney, and Peterborough so I'll give him full marks for being willing to learn different set ups and race strategies.
#45 Derek Surerus ------- the 3rd and final member of the ATM race team, Surerus debuted a new�� VW Golf in 2008 with mixed results. Still looking for his 1st feature win after 3 years in the Pure Stock A division, Derek did manage a win in one of the last chance qualifiers at Fall Colors, with his final Barrie stat line reading 5 top 5s, and 8 top 10s in just 11 starts. Another that needs to sort through some temper issues, this guy has the talent to be a solid top 10 car year in and year out. Again with the ATM race team future somewhat in question I'll give it 50/50 for a 09 return till I learn further.
#49 Mike Woodward ------- the son of LLM driver Larry, Mike struggled at times with a new car, but by seasons end he would return to the form of 2007 that saw him capture 3 Charger features in sucession. This talented and patient sophmore finished up the year with a 10th place in the season ending points in his Nissan 240sx, including 1 feature win, 4 top 5s, and 6 top 10s in 13 starts. Has gone to university in the off season, and if he lands some off season work in his field of studies a return could be in question for the North Bay resident. But due to the fast his father races BSW, and the young lion is a true competitor I say its 90 percent we see his return for at least as many races as the 2008 season entailed.
#50 John Kaszab ------- made the move from Sunset just a couple weeks into the season�� and was very competitive in a slightly underpowered Dodge Colt. �� Kaszab is a squeaky clean racer, and earned the respect of his Barrie peers in short order because of this. In 11 starts, John went on to record 2 top 5s, and 7 top 10s, proving consistency and keeping a clean car under him is indeed a strong suit for the former Four Fun driver. Being told he has a 240sx coming out for the 09 season, but it might not be ready in the opening weeks which might make the quest for a top 10 in points hard to reach. Its 100 percent he will be returning and the # of starts could be quite similiar to last season if my info is correct.
#55 Shawn Monette -------- the inaugrial Charger division champion in the 2007 season, 2008 brought about a move to the Pure Stock A division for this mechanically gifted 3rd year pilot. Has a brilliantly prepared Subaru that also won the Best Looking Car award. Monette, struggled early on with his new ride, but by season's end when the necessary tweaking was complete, several good heat results followed. Finished the season 8th in points, with 11 top 10s in 14 starts. Represented BSW nicely in the Targa Newfoundland event as well, coming home "top in class" in that week long event, and gaining valuble expierience along the way. 100 percent a returnee as his main sponsor Davenport Subaru is heavily involved at the track, I'd look for Monette to land inside the top 10 drivers in points, with possibly a spot in the top 5 not out of the relm of possibility.
#56 Jeff Heighington --------Monette's teamate and friend, this is one guy that has grown by leaps and bounds in his 2 years as a BSW regular. Jeff would go onto record a career best 9th in Charger points in 08, with 3 top 5s and 9 top 10s in 14 starts, including a career best 2nd place in a mid July feature. Could be another that really steps up his game in 09, and I wouldnt at all be suprised if he abandons his Toyota for a Subaru this coming season, as this promising wheel man is also employed by the division sponsor Davenport Subaru. Another 100 percent returnee as he drives for that elusive 1st feature win.
#57 Mitch Casey -------2008 was year of ups and downs for this former go kart competitor, after being involved in several hard tangle ups, not particularily of his own accord on occasion. Mitch did finish the season 9th in Pure Stock A points, with 7 top 10s in 13 starts. In 2007 this rising talent finished 3rd in Charger points, and grabbed his first feature win, proving his Mustang is more than capable of racing to the front. With another year of maturity under his belt, its quite possible he can better the results the 2008 season brought about, and that should remain the goal for this talented young shoe progressing forward.
#61 Larry Gauci -------- how old is he??? Well lets just say possibly as old as Jack Benny!!LOL But this long time veteran of the Pure Stock wars made his return to the Barrie track in 08, after taking the 2007 season off to persue other interests. Gauci, did only make 4 starts in 08, all of which resulted in top 10 results in the Charger division with 2 top 5s included in his VW Jetta. Another one of the true nice guys and pure competitors I'm really unsure on Larry's plans as 09 approaches but I'd hazard a guess to say we see him in at least half the races this coming season.
#63 "California" Dave Crumbie -------- the runner up in Charger poins in 2007, Dave would make the move to the more competitive Pure Stock A division in 08 to compete against son Brandon once again. Dave would finish 6th in Charger points, with one top 5, and 7 top 10s in 14 starts, after lending his own car to son Brandon after the latter suffered a blown motor in the season opener. Winner of the Most Sportmanlike driver, Dave is truly one of the nicest guys you will ever meet at the track and a silky smooth driver and hard charger to boot. Might get sidetracked this coming season as the Crumbie team remains focussed on Brandon's LLM efforts, I'd say Dave would be happy being a top 10 car in this day and age, but one thing for sure no one will have more fun on track this coming season. Another 100 percent returnee..
#66 Chris Free -------- defines the term "Steady Eddy " as it relates to finishing races and keeping a clean car under him. In 2008, the talented Free would have his best season to date, finishing 4th in Charger points with 5 top 5s and 13 top 10s in his #66 B&B Towing Mustang. This hard charging 3rd year pilot from Stayner should be a staple of this division in 09 and going forward, and if he continues to learn and grow as a driver as he has done in each season leading up to this I'm expecting big things, with a possible top 10 in poins very much in reach. Winner of the Most Improved in the Charger class in 08, which was very much deserved for this ever improving wheel man.