RACE TEAMS AND RAC E FANS WILL SEE NEW MERRITTVILLE FOR FIRST TIME IN STOCK CAR AND KART PRACTICE DAYS

THOROLD, ONTARIO … In preparation for its 55th consecutive season, Merrittville Speedway will be hosting two Practice Days for all Dirt Weekly Racing Series Stock Car divisions Saturday April 22nd and Saturday April 29th.

Every Saturday Night, the DIRT-sanctioned ¼ mile d-shaped oval presents as part of it’s 2006 DIRT Weekly Racing Series – the headlining L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modifieds, Original Pizza Logs Sportsmen, Premier/Mademoiselle Fitness Centers Classics/Mod Lites, Hoosier Stocks and Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders. While the day will focus on these classes – any dirt race car is welcome.

“We are expecting so many rookies this year,” informs GM Erica Bicknell, “ the two date format will give them all plenty of seat time … before the season starts for real.”

Race fans can look forward to many new faces through-out the season – the majority of new drivers are preparing for competition in the Classic Mod Lite and Sportsmen Divisions.

With the 2006 schedule set, highlight events include the first ever visit of the Bobcat of Buffalo Patriot Sprint Group as well as two visits for the BRP 360 Late Models – formerly the BRP Can Am Super Stocks – several of these teams may attend the daytime session.

Merrittville Speedway’s Official Pace Car supplier – David Chevrolet Corvette will present the Sprint Spectacular Saturday June 24th while the Meridian Credit Union and Economy Paving will host the exciting Late Models – Monday May 22nd and Saturday August 19th respectively.

The last few seasons have seen the BRP Modified Tour at the Thorold oval much to the delight of Big Block fans. Merrittville Speedway is proud to announce that the Annual Trevor Wilkens Memorial will return to it’s roots as the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series Event will turn the Big Blocks loose for 100 laps of excitement on Monday August 7th – a Toolneeds presentation.

The two Practice Days will be the first times that Merrittville Speedway weekly competitors and visitors see the new surface that was put down in two stages beginning back in the fall.

“With how mild it has been over the winter,” comments co-owner Pete Bicknell, “ I couldn’t turn down the clay … we’re trying to make the Stock Car Track into more of a true oval.”

More than 200 loads of new clay were worked in to both the Stock Car and Kart Tracks in preparation for the new season.

The Pit Gates are scheduled to open at 10:00 AM with the first cars on the track after safety and tech inspection of all cars. Grandstand Gates will open at 12 Noon.

Race Teams must bring all their safety equipment also.

2006 Merrittville Speedway Stock Car Members will be able to pick up their Contingency Decal Packages that do not have them for the exclusive program that last season saw more than $100,000 in value awarded to Stock Car and Kart Teams.

Merrittville Speedway Purse and Point Fund information is available at the Speedway’s recently revamped web site – www.merrittvillespeedway.com.

Race fans may wish to purchase a reserved or general admission Grandstand Season Pass or economical Family Passes for use during the upcoming season. All Ticket levels will be available also on Practice Day.

For the Baron Roofing 55th Season Opener Saturday May 6th – Race Fans will see a new Price as well as for all Regular Events. Adult, Senior and Student Admission will all be $10.00.

For Merrittville’s Kart Race Teams – there will also be two Practice Sessions – Tuesday April 25th and Tuesday May 2nd before the Spring Series Opener on Tuesday May 9th.

For further information on Merrittville Speedway’s Stock Car and Kart 2006 season - race fans and race teams can also call the Speedway Office at 905-892-8266 which recently opened for the season.