As promised the completion of the list.
#68 Allyson Smith ------- this 3rd year driver has apperently elected to hang up the driving suit, handing the wheel over to daughter Leslie I believe. The rookie is starting out in a good, strong car as evindensed by the feature wins and a couple podiums when Allyson put the car in the hands of Drew Stieler for a couple weeks, when he needed a ride to keep up in the points standings. I wouldnt be expecting the young rookie Smith to set the world of fire by any means, but if she is patient and willing to just learn the car and stay out of trouble , things her mother was known for, maybe a top 20 point finish could be in order in the #68 Mustang.
#76 Joe Ficker -------- another venerable veteran of the Pure Stock wars , he is another that will be actively involved in Brandon Crumbie's LLM efforts this coming season. A pretty decent wheel man in his own right, Ficker made 11 starts in 2008, amassing 4 top 10s along the way. Being told that we might possibly see son Justin in the car for a few starts as well, but I'm 100 percent sure the #76 Mustang will be back in some form or another.
#77 Scott Leclerc ------ Started out the 2008 season in the Charger division and made the move to Pure Stock A at the midway point to further challenge himself. Leclerc would win 2 featuers in Charger, and made 4 starts in Pure Stock, with 2 top 10 results and impressive performances in the Wed night invitationals as well.. Also put former Barrie Pure Stock driver Larry McKinnon in the car for 4 races in which he recorded 1 top 5 and 2 top 10s in Charger. A good strong car, and not really sure who the driver will be this coming season, but  I predict we see the Barrie Road Mini Storage Mustang another 100 percent returnee.
#88 John Mitchell ------ to be honest this is one of the few drivers at BSW I have never had the pleasure of meeting, so this could be a little difficult. Did do a really good job of holding his line, and avoiding trouble in his rookie season. Mitchell made only 8 of 15 starts this past season, and proved he has what it takes to further his race exploits in this division, so I would look for better results to come in 2009 for this sophmore Bracebridge driver. As I stated we have never met so really unsure if he returns or not, but seems to be connected to the Stieler Racing team whick leads me to believe he will indeed be back competing at the High Line.
#90 Jim MacDonald -------- AHHHH this should be fun for me to do!!LOL If asked to put into two words that reminds me of CRO's own CHARGER I would have to expound the words "total class". Always willing to help anyone out around the pits as most racers are, Jim would have his most sucessful year to date in the CHARGER division. Did miss the opening weeks of 08 as the car was getting race ready, MacDonald would make 10 starts in his Prelude in 08 with 4 top 5s, and 6 top 10 results along the way. Won a heat race every night he competed I believe, and on a couple of occasions would also turn "the double" winning both heat races. Narrowly missed that elusive feature win of a couple of occasions, and mixed in a 8th place finish in a Varney invitational as well. Another that would of made the move up regardless of the Charger division situation, if he races a full year I'd suggest he lands in the top 10 in points and possibly even challenges for top 5 positioning. NO PRESSURE JIMBO!!!!LOL The motivation to win his 1st feature makes him another 100 percent returnee.
#91 Kyle Lethbridge ------ the nephew of former Barrie/Sunset/OSS driver Ron, heard rumblings of late that Lethbridge is leaving Barrie for the Outlaw 4cyl Division at Sunset, so I'll keep this short and sweet!!!LOL Did have a pretty decent later half of the season in 08, with the final line reading 11 starts and 4 top 5s and 5 top 10s.. Good riddence to ya and hope you dont choke on too much Sunset dust!!!FLMAO
#92 Ralph Sikes ------- Another of those that had a career year in 08, coming home 5th in Pure Stock A points, with 2 top 5s, and 11 top 10s in just 13 starts. Ralph seemed to really step up his game come the latter part of the year after nephew Robbie left the track. Co incidence or not???LOL Won his share of heats last season as well, and I know the car was for sale towards the end of the 2008 season so all I can surmise right now is a 50/50 returnee.
#97 Travis Hallyburton -------- a former or perhaps current snowmoblie racer, this guy proved he has the jam to get it done on ashphalt as well. Ran two of the Wed invitational events in 08, finishing and impressive 4th in the Aug event, also notching a heat win. Very talented driver and hard charger for sure, Travis also has taken to the track at Flammy winning a heat in 2007 Oktoberfest event. Being told the starts will be limited to maybe 50-75 % of the races, with perhaps brother Thayne making a start or two as well on off nights for the Thunder Cars.
#98 Brent Stieler -------- if not for the sensational rookie season of Billy Melenhorst, this was the Rookie of the Year in the Charger division. Brent impressed me right from night one in his imaculate yellow #98 Mustang, picking up 2 feature wins on the season as well. When all was said and done this ultra impressive newcomer finished 7th in points , just edging younger brother Drew. The final line read like this::: 2 wins, 6 top 5s, and 7 top 10s, nothing to sneeze at to say the least. Probably best served with a couple more years in 4 cyl, look out for this guy to really make a name for himself in the future. Another 100 percent returnee.
#99 Drew Stieler --------- if there was one that has accomplished more in just two short seasons of racing at BSW I dont know for the life of me who you could be talking about. Try this on for size:: 2007 Charger Rookie of the Year, with 2 feature wins and a impressive 7th in points. The 2008 season started off slowly for this emerging talent, as he suffered some really bad luck and breakdowns in the mechanical dept. But by season's end Stieler righted the ship, notching a couple of feautes wins, 6 top 5s, and 10 top 10s. The #99 All Star Auto Mustang is truly a thing of beauty, and one of the cleanest, well maintained cars your ever likely to see. I think a top 5 in points is a realistic goal for the Bracebridge driver and I personally will be extremely shocked and disappointed if we dont see Drew in a Thunder, or perhaps LLM as the 2010 season approaches. Joins brother Brent as another 100 percent returnee.
#117 John Crossman -------- alas Johnny Wallbanger!!!LOL Well at least he comes by the name honestly!!LOL A pretty decent shoe in his own right, he started off week 1 in Pure Stock A but returned to the Charger division to finish 13th in points with one top 5, and five top 10 results. Another brilliantly prepared Mustang, this guy could be ready to make a name for himself in his 4th year of racing, but if he can better the finish of a season ago I think this hard charger would also be happy, in what will be a much more competitive class in 2009. Much like many of the others mentioned its 100 percent for Crossman in 2009.
Well there you have it that is my take on the 4cyl's at Barrie. Sorry if I left anyone out but it was pretty hard to follow along with typing, and using the Barrie site for a refrence point but I assure you if you were omitted it wasnt intentional!!LOLÂ I guess I should add that I heard a rumor that both #14 Tanja Huffman and #114 Horst Ziebell will both be returning in 2009 as well, after taking last season off. I ommitted them on purpose, as they didnt make any starts last season, but both are proven veterans of this division and have won their share of races and features in the past. Heres hoping we see both these personable drivers make a return to BSW.... Well there you go have at her folks and if you dont agree with any of my assessments give it to me I can take it, but cant promise I wont knuckle ya on opening night!!!LOL
OOPS!!!!LOL I did forget one upon further info I received!!LOL Here goes!!!
#4 Mike Meyer ---------- The runner up in Pure Stock A points last season, this guy's strengths lie in his sportmanship, and squaky clean driving style. One of 3 drivers to break the 17 sec. barrier in a Sept time trial, with a clocking of 16.936 sec. covering the tight and tricky 1/3rd mile tri oval that is BSW. Mike had a really solid and competitive season in the #4 BIG DOG TIRE RECYCLERS Mustang with 3 feature wins, 10 top 5s, and 12 top 10s, after making all 15 starts. Could of very well been the 2008 point champion, but for having to run a lesser car on one occasion. I originally had him tabbed for the former Granger Thunder Car but that doesnt appear to be the case now.... Ohhhhhh well I cant be right all the time, just 95.5 percent of the time!!!!LOL But I think we still might see him in a Thunder on the Pure Stock nights off that being said. Could really challenge the two Melenhorst boys and others for the track title this year I think...... Ok so there you have it
Good job Davey! As you mentioned Trav's starts will depend on his lacrosse schedule!
Nice job Dave. I spoke with John Mitchell yesterday. All I have to do is rewire the Lil Sang, a fresh coat of paint mopped on and she's ready to go..... As for the Steiler Bros. Brent (Toad), is older than Drew (Dewy) And we are resting up for a strong last minute rebuild. Usual stuff LOL 😉
I'm in the middle of building a Outlaw $4 banger for 2010. It's comming along$$$$$
thanks for the props there dave, it will all come down to $ as to how much i run this year, i would love nothing more thant o run a full season somthing i have never acutally done and with the car being as good as it is we'll just have to see what we can do.