By CLAYTON JOHNS
BRIGHTON – The top talent in dirt Late Model racing returns to Brighton Speedway Saturday night when the World of Outlaws Late Models Series hits the track for the Dibbits Excavating and Vanderlaan Building Products Mud Slinger 50 presented by Excel Tower Service.
A number of local drivers are gearing up special equipment to take on the 800 horsepower World of Outlaws regulars. Picton, Ont. driver Corey Earl has dropped a built motor in to his Hotch’s Auto Parts No.11 for the big event. Earl, who finished 16th against the Outlaws in 2013, hopes to learn from the experience and earn a top-10 on Saturday.
“I always like it because it’s kind of David vs Goliath thing for us. We want to defend out home turf and put on a good show,” Earl said. “The ultimate goal is to pick up a big $10,000 cheque, but I’d love a top-10 and a top-5 would make me ecstatic.”
Brighton native Phil Potts also have a bigger-than-usual engine in his Vanderlaan-sponsored No.29. Potts, who finished __ Thursday night against the Outlaws at Fonda Speedway (New York), says his team hopes to have fun in the Outlaw races without the pressure of points racing.
“We frame it as going and having a good time. We don’t plan on being first, but we don’t plan on being the last either,” Potts said. “They do it for a living, we do it for fun. That’s what this is for us – fun.”
Both Potts and Earl are on the same page for setup and handling the extra power.
“These cars were designed to hold 700-800 horsepower. The cars are, believe it or not, a little more forgiving with more horsepower because the more throttle you give them the more traction they generate,” Earl said.
“It’s got so much horsepower that you can take an ill-handling car and rear steer it. It actually works better,” Potts explained. “I think it’s almost a little less adjustment, but you have to pay more attention to burning the tires off of it.”
Blenheim, Ont. pilot Andrew Rheaume will also be in the field on Saturday night. Rheaume finished ninth against the Outlaws at Brighton in 2013 and is looking to improve on the finish again this year. The driver of the No.88 races primarily south of the border and went toe-to-toe with many of the Outlaw regulars during the Eldora Speedway Late Model dream on June 6.
“Last time, I qualified well and that put me on the front row for a heat,” Rheaume said. “With this level of competition, you have to be good right out of the gate. Our plan is to be aggressive early.”
Fort Erie, Ont. native Jorden Peters will make his first career start against the Outlaws as well. Peters made his first start at Brighton last weekend in order to tune-up for the Outlaws show. Peters is a regular at Humberstone Speedway in Port Colborne, Ont. and said he felt comfortable at Brighton because of its similarities to his home track. The driver of the No.11P will drive his usual car with a crate motor under the hood.
“I’m pretty excited to race against guys like Josh Richards and Darrell Lanigan. Hopefully we can make the race and be able to race with them,” Peters said.
Potts, the driver for the Stu and April Archer-owned No.29 team, believes time trials may be one of the most difficult aspects for most drivers who have not faced that task in 2015.
“They put you out with two other guys who do this for living. You better be on your “A” game,” Potts said.
Rheaume stressed the importance of time trials as well.
“The top time to the 20th time is probably only going to be separated by a couple of tenths. One screw up could put you from the front row to the back row,” he said.
The task during time trials will be significantly more difficult for the drivers who will attempt to qualify with crate motors.
“We’ll try not to lift. That’s the only way we’ll be able to keep up with the open motor guys,” Peters said.
Pennsylvania invaders Jim and Bryan Bernheisel as well as Gregg Satterlee (Indiana, Pa) and New York natives Greg and Michael Oakes (Franklinville, NY) are also expected to travel to north to battle the Outlaws. The Bernheisels, founders of Jonestown, Pa-based Lazer Chassis, have long desired to travel to Ontario and decided not to run for points at their home Selinsgrove Speedway in order to facilitate the trip. Like the Brighton regulars, they know a battle with the Outlaws is no easy task.
“They’ve got so many laps in and they’re more experienced in making changes and knowing what to do. Not that we don’t, but they’re a little better at it. That’s why they’re professionals,” said Brandon Bernheisel, who serves as crew chief for both his father, Jim, and brother, Bryan.
The family will have their hands full with the Outlaws while they hope to get their season headed in the right direction.
“We haven’t won yet. We’ve had some bad luck – some flat tires, mechanical failures – plus it’s rained a lot actually,” Bernheisel said. “When it rains, it’s hard to race the bad luck out.”
The forecast looks clear for Brighton Speedway’s biggest event of the season. Hot laps for the World of Outlaws Late Models Series Dibbits Excavating and Vanderlaan Building Products Mud Slinger 50 presented by Excel Tower Service take place at 6:15pm with time trials scheduled for 7:00pm.
The Southern Ontario Sprints are also in action for their fourth race of the 2015 season and the OilGARD Canadian Modifieds complete the undercard.
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About Dibbits Excavating: Dibbits Excavating is an excavating contractor located in the Quinte Region. Dibbits offers a full range of excavating services and a wide variety of soil products. Dibbits has continuously expanded since its inception in 1970. Dibbits is a proud sponsor of Brighton Speedway and several racers. Dibbits Excavating – moving the world one bucket at a time. Visit them at 132 Country Road 40 in Trenton or online at www.dibbitsexcavating.com.
About Vanderlaan Building Products Ltd.: Located in Brighton, Ont., Vanderlaan Building Products is committed to the highest levels of construction. Vanderlaan offers high quality installation services on building products from over 20 suppliers, including North Store vinyl windows. Visit them at 13 Loyalist Drive in Brighton, online at www.vanderlaanbuilding.com, or call them at (613) 475-3684.
About Excel Tower Service: Excel Tower Service specializes in building wireless networks. Excel Tower Service is your source for professional installation of telecommunications and transmission towers, technical services, equipment supply, network maintenance and management. Excel Tower Service has installed networks for some Canada’s largest telecommunications company. Find out how they can help you at www.exceltowerservice.ca.
About Campbellford Chrysler/JJ Stewart Motors: Campbellford Chrysler is located on Hwy.30 just south of Campbellford and is one of the top dealers for Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep in the Quinte area. JJ Stewart Motors is located in Norwood, Ont, at 2239 8th Line. The Brighton Speedway Dodge Ram pace truck is provided by Campbellford Chrysler. Take a test drive at Campbellford Chrysler and receive a FREE family pass to regular Saturday night racing at Brighton Speedway. Visit them online at www.campbellfordchrysler.ca and www.jjstewart.ca.
About 95.5 Hits FM: 95.5 Hits FM is one of Belleville’s Best radio stations, playing the best hits from the 80s, 90s and Now! Tune in to 95.5 Hits FM from 5am-10am weekdays for Mark and Ingrid in the Morning. 95.5 Hits FM is CJOJ-FM, a part of Starboard Communications Ltd. For more information or to listen live, visit www.955hitsfm.ca.
About Stoneridge Specialty Insurance: Stoneridge Specialty Insurance is Canada’s only insurance provider dedicated to the motorsport industry. Stoneridge Specialty Insurance offers the widest range of products that are specifically designed to protect motorsports associations, facilities, teams and special events. Contact the only experts for all your motorsports insurance requirements by visiting www.stoneridgespecialty.ca.
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For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com. Fans can also follow the WoO LMS on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/WoOLateModels and Facebook at www.Facebook.com/WorldofOutlawsLateModelSeries
The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Arizona Sport Shirts (Official Apparel Company), Bad Boy Buggies (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Lincoln Welder (Official Welder), VP Racing Fuel (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award) and McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award); in addition to contingency sponsors: Butlerbuilt, Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, JRI Shocks, Mobil 1, MSD, Ohlins Shocks, QA1, QuarterMaster, Superflow Dynos and Wrisco Aluminum; along with manufacturer sponsors Capital Race Cars, Club 29 Chassis, Integra Shocks, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, Rocket Chassis, and TNT Rescue.
Brighton Speedway’s 2015 season is proudly supported by the following corporate sponsors: ABC Taxi, Adecco, AeCON, Bay Marine, Belleville Bulls, Bellevue Fabricating Ltd., Benson Auto Parts, Bill’s Johns, Breeze 107.9, Brighton Automotive, Brighton Recycling, Campbellford Chrysler, Canadian National Autism Foundation, Coca-Cola, Comfort Zone Heating & Air Conditioning, Cool 100, Deerhaven Farm and Garden, Dibbits Excavating, Electro Cables, Excel Tower Service, Extreme Rush Adventures, Gord’s Water, Greig Truck & Trailer, Humber Nurseries, Hotch’s Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire, ImageFactor.ca Motorsport Designs, Investor’s Group, John’s Equipment, JJ Stewart Motors, Kellogg Belleville, Lange & Fetter Ford, Lucas Oil, McDougall Insurance and Financial, Monster Energy, Mystical Distributing, NOCO Fuels, OilGARD Anti-Rust, Owasco RV, Part Source, Quinte Septic, Rapid Rad, Rock 107, Rona Trenton, Sanderson Tire and Automotive, Small Engine Fuels, Star 93.3, Stoneridge Specialty Insurance, Town and Country Liquidation, TRS Communications, 95.5 Hits FM, UCB Radio Canada, Ultramar CST, Workman’s OK Tire, Vanderlaan Building Products. VanZuylen Tire, and VP Racing Fuels.
About Brighton Speedway: Brighton Speedway is a 1/3-mile clay stock car racing oval located on the shores of Lake Ontario in Brighton, Ont. The speedway hosts five weekly stock car divisions on Saturday nights from May to September. The weekly Pro Late Model division competes under RUSH Late Model Series sanctioning.
Brighton Speedway mailing address: 775 County Road 64, Brighton, ON, K0K 1H0.
Media Contact: Clayton Johns
claytonjohns@brightonspeedway.com
Photo Credit: Rod Henderson
www.canadianracer.com