DEFENDING RANSOMVILLE
SPEEDWAY 358 MODIFIED CHAMPION
For the 12th
time in his illustrious
career, Mighty Taco 358
Modified racing star Pete
Bicknell comes into the next
season as the Ransomville
Speedway defending champion.
Bicknell, 58
of St. Catharines, Ontario,
has been one of the more
successful open wheel racers
in the northeast…not just
Ransomville Speedway. The
twelve modified/358 modified
titles he’s obtained in the
past 33 years makes him the
most successful racer in the
history of the facility.
In 2012,
Pete was involved in one of
the biggest point races in
the history of Ransomville
Speedway. Going into the
final points night of the
season, both Pete and Chad
Brachmann were tied for the
lead. It was an eighth place
finish by Bicknell that
decided the championship.
“The year
before that,” says Bicknell.
“I came into the final night
in the points lead and I was
third by the time the night
ended. All week long leading
up to that night, I was
determined to win it.”
Bicknell
celebrates his 40th year of
racing. His first years was
in a Late Model that
competed in the region.
“I shared
the ride with Dan Rizzardo.
He drove it here at
Ransomville. I drove it at
Merrittville and we shared
it at Humberstone.”
Pete’s first
Ransomville Speedway
championship came in 1980
and he did it with a 320ci
small block motor under the
hood. Against a pit full of
big block motors, Pete
didn’t expect to win any
championships. Especially
against the likes of Davey
Moore, Gary Iulg and Don
McGinnis. He didn’t win any
feature events but stayed
consistently in the top five
“With the
small block motors being
able to use drag tires, it
really help us. I never
thought we would ever win a
title that year.”
In addition
to his dozen championships
at Ransomville, he’s done
better than 20 at
Merrittville. He is a three
time DIRTcar 358 Modified
titlist. Seven times in his
career, Bicknell has won
titles at Ransomville and
Merrittville in the same
season. The most recent
being in 2012.
Following
the 2012 season, Pete was
considering running a
limited schedule at
Ransomville Speedway in
2013, but last week put
those rumors to rest.
“With all of
the problems I’ve had with
my back, I just wasn’t sure.
I’ve been feeling pretty
good over the winter. I’m
ready to go.”
In 2004,
with business partner Randy
Williamson, he bought
Merrittville Speedway. In
addition to a successful car
builder and fabrication
business, Pete spends a lot
of time preparing a race
track for Saturday night
action.
In 40 years,
Pete has missed few, if any
Friday or Saturday night
racing events.
“I’ve been
fortunate that I’ve never
been sick or have something
wrong with me that would
keep me out of the car. I’ve
had a bad back and a broken
ankle but I’ve always been
at the track.
Tonight’s
56th season opener at
Ransomville Speedway marks
another start of the racing
season for Pete Bicknell.
He’s been at it a long time
but still gets excited when
he gets to the race track.
The guy certainly still has
the knack for slinging it in
the dirt.
STEVE MILLER MAKES MOVE
UP TO THE MIGHTY TACO
358 MODIFIED DIVISION
FOR THE 2013 SEASON
Steve Miller of Burt, NY
has used the Ransomville
Speedway program to move
himself into the track’s
Mighty Taco 358 Modified
Division for the 2013
season.
Miller started his
career in the early
2000’s in the Pro Stock
class. Moved into the
Sportsman class in 2008.
When the opportunity to
go into the 358
Modifieds this season
came about, he seized
the opportunity when his
older brother Jon
retired from racing
after several years
following the 2012
season. Steve will take
over the same ride.
“We’re ready to run the
358 Modfieds,” said
Steve in a recent
telephone interview.
“I’ve ran most of the
other classes here and
really looking forward
to this chance.
Jon retired from racing.
He is currently the
Superintendent of the
Town of Newfane.
Steve is one of the
veterans of the
Ransomville Speedway
driver’s roster. He
spent five years in the
track’s Sportsman class
before announcing his
move up during this past
winter. His first year
in the Sportsman
resulted in a banner
year…getting third in
points without a feature
win. Steve credited a
consistency in the top
five as for the reason
he did so well in his
rookie season.
Since then, however,
Miller has seen his
share of tough times,
which has resulted in a
number of breakdowns and
accidents. Miller has
one win in the Sportsman
class in 2009.
His most successful
season was in the Pro
Stocks in 2005. Steve
won three out of the
final five
events…including the
prestigious King of the
Hill 100. It was a late
season surge for Miller
that saw him as one of
the better racers in his
class. Miller also did
work on the DIRT Pro
Stock Series as well.
“In 2005, it was late in
the season where I
finally got the car
working my way. It was
an exciting part of my
career.”
Steve plans on running a
full schedule at
Ransomville and doesn’t
rule out running
elsewhere.
“It all depends on how
things go at
Ransomville,” said
Miller, who works
fulltime at Tonawanda
based EMA Life.
Sponsoring Steve this
year is Wilson IGA and
Clifford D Miller
Cementary Memorial.
Helping out with the
race car will be Cliff,
Tim, Brian, Jeff and Ty.
Best of luck to Steve
Miller at Ransomville
Speedway for the 2013
season
SCOTT GEORGE MAKING
COMEBACK IN RANSOMVILLE
SPEEDWAY INVESTORS
SERVICE SPORTSMAN
DIVISION!
A familiar face will
return to the
Ransomville Speedway
Investors Service
Sportsman Division for
the 2013 season.
Scott George of Wilson,
NY will mark his return
to the Niagara County
oval after a five year
absence. George has
additionally competed in
the tracks Mighty Taco
Modified and Pro Stock
classes. Scott's biggest
success, however, came
in the Sportsman class
as he won the
Ransomville Speedway
title in 2003 and was
the Mr. DIRT Sportsman
champion in 2004.
With five years gone by,
George had been looking
for a return.
“I had been wanting to
come back for a couple
of years now,” says
George, who came close
to winning another
Ransomville Speedway
Sportsman title in 2002,
losing out to Randy
Chrysler by one point.
“I don't know if I'll be
running every week but
I'm looking forward to
coming back.”
George says that the
situation from the last
time he competed will be
much different.
“We're not going to run
for points this time.
We're here to have fun.”
In addition to that, the
race car isn't going to
be the priority in the
family.
“The go-kart program we
have will be the number
one priority.”
Scott's son Zachary has
been a tough competitor
in Ransomville
Speedway's Thursday
night go-kart program.
In addition to that, his
daughter Greenley will
also race in 2013. In
addition to racing a
stock car, Scott will be
extremely busy in the
garage.
Scott remembers the hard
work put into the stock
car program, especially
in the championship
season.
“It was a lot of hard
work getting the car
ready. It was also a lot
of money.”
Scott spent a couple of
seasons in Ransomville
Speedway's premier 358
Modified class.
Following the 2007
season, Scott “retired”
from racing.
“It just wasn't fun
anymore.”
Scott has recently
helped Sportsman driver
Chris Burek, who just
completed his rookie
season, finishing tenth
in points and getting a
feature victory as well.
In addition to working
on his own stock car and
go-kart teams, he will
also continue to help
the Burek program.
Sponsoring the Scott
George Sportsman effort
will be Apollo Steel of
Niagara Falls, NY, which
just happens to be his
employer as well. Apollo
Steel will also be a
sponsor on the go-kart
program too. Dan Zellner
and his wife Jules are
co-owners of the
Sportsman and will be
helping with the effort
on race night. Look for
son Zachary and former
Street Stock racer Kirk
Tuttle to lend a hand.
He has always been
exciting on the race
track. Scott George will
be a great addition to
the Ransomville Speedway
Investors Service
Sportsman field in 2013.
He's an experienced
driver who could hit
victory lane at any
point in the upcoming
season.
DERRICK BORKENHAGEN
JUMPING INTO THE
RANSOMVILLE SPEEDWAY
INVESTORS SERVICE
SPORTSMAN CLASS IN 2013
In the six years
that Derrick Borkenhagen
has competed in the
Ransomville Speedway Ki-Po
Chevrolet Street Stock
Division, he's placed
first in the overall
points on two occasions
and has done no worst
than sixth in five of
those seasons.
He's ready for the move
up.
Borkenhagen has been a
fan of his hometown race
track for most of his
life. He's lived his
dream of racing...and
winning at Ransomville
Speedway. In 2013, he'll
move up to the very
competitive Ransomville
Speedway Investors
Service Sportsman class,
where an already
impressive field of 26
cars have signed up at
the recent Ransomville
Speedway registration in
late January.
His expectations for his
rookie season are
modest.
“I'd like to win at
least one feature event
and finish in the top
three in points,” says
Derrick, who finished
third in Ki-Po Chevrolet
Street Stock points in
2012. He also collected
a pair of victories.
“I'm a believer that you
need to set high goals.
There's no other way to
do it.”
The choice to move up
comes from one decision.
He really doesn't have
much to prove in the Ki-Po
Chevrolet Street Stock
class. It's been a good
six seasons for the two
time champion. In fact,
Derrick was looking to
move up for the 2012
season but decided to
stay in the Ki-Po
Chevrolet Street Stocks
one more year.
“I didn't regret that.
The Ki-Po Chevrolet
Street Stocks is a tough
class. It's really
helped me. I'm really
excited about driving a
Sportsman. I remember
that it didn't take me
too long to adjust to
the Street Stocks. I
feel that I will handle
the Sportsman car the
same way.”
“I will pick it up
quickly.”
We have no doubt here
that Derrick Borkenhagen
will quickly become a
competitive fixture in
the Ransomville Speedway
Invevstors Sevice
Sportsman Division. His
adjustment to the lower
weight of the car and
the different size of
the tires....along with
the setup of the car
will be his biggest
challenges.
Sponsoring Derrick this
season will be Ray's Tavern.
Helping out on the
Derrick Borkenhangen
ride will be his dad
Rick, who is a recent
winner of the
Ransomville Speedway
Mechanic of the Year.
Mike Targon and Rolan
Sparks .
DANNY JOHNSON AND
RANDY CHRYSLER TO TEAM
UP FOR FULL RANSOMVILLE
SPEEDWAY 358 MODIFIED
ASSAULT FOR 2013 SEASON
Current Ransomville
Speedway competitor
Randy Chrysler has
announced that he will
field a DIRTcar 358
Modified ride for
DIRTcar superstar Danny
Johnson at Ransomville
Speedway for the 2013
season.
Johnson, of Rochester,
NY, is a six time
modified champion at
Ransomville Speedway.
Johnson is electrifying
to watch on the
Ransomville Speedway
oval and often uses the
famed front stretch moat
as a way to advance
through the field.
Johnson comes into the
2013 season as the only
winner of the Battle at
the Border event, which
has been hosted in July
for the past three
years.
“I would like to thank
Randy for his
hospitality,” said Danny
at this past weekend’s
Motorsports 2013 event,
which was held in
Philadelphia. “Randy has
always been a great
friend of mine and I
hope to give him a track
championship.”
For the past couple of
seasons, Chrysler has
been giving Johnson a
hand on a part time
basis, allowing Johnson
and car owner Mike Payne
the opportunity to use
his equipment when
needed.
“I first met Danny
Johnson at Ransomville
Speedway in 1990, said
Randy in a recent
interview. “I went over
to introduce myself and
he was so polite to me.
Danny still acts that
same way today. When
Danny sees my mother in
the pit area, he always
sits down and talks to
her. That goes a long
way with me. He’s just a
nice guy” adds Randy.
Mike Payne will continue
on as crew chief. The
deal to officially put
Danny and Randy together
came this past November
when both parties sat
down to discuss the 2013
season.
“Technically, Mike Payne
has helped us so much,
“says Randy. “We won
races at Mercer, Little
Valley and Pittsburgh
and it was their help
that was responsible for
that.
Randy says his faith in
God also helped him make
the decision as well.
Helping out with
sponsorship includes LAX
Press, Page’s Trucking,
and Three Tusky
Incorporated.
Turning wrenches
includes crew chief Mike
Payne, Dave Botsford,
Dave Fauzy, Clyde
VanEvery, and Jim Herbst.
Danny will join a stout
field of competitors all
looking to take home the
2013 Stanley’s Cup
crown.
BRETT SENEK MOVES UP
TO 4 BANGER RANKS!
Like many of the
competitors that have
been successful at the
Friday night stock car
program at Ransomville
Speedway, Brett Senek
will look at having the
same kind of success on
the “big track” that he
has enjoyed on the
Thursday night go-kart
program.
A 16 year old junior at
Wilson (NY) Central
School, Brett lives
right around the corner
from the race track. In
2013, Senek will
continue his Thursday
night go-kart program
but will also compete on
Friday night's in the
Gippsters Collision
4-Banger Division.
“When Rick Wilkinson's
car was put up for sale,
we decision to take it,”
said Senek in a recent
telephone interview. “It
was right near the end
of last season when we
had the chance to buy
the car so we haven't
had it too long.”
Wilkinson holds the
honor of being the
oldest driver to ever
win a feature event at
Ransomville Speedway at
age 71. Senek has been
driving go-karts for the
past seven years, most
of them successfully.
Actually, Senek was
thinking of moving up
but the four bangers
wasn't his first choice.
“We were thinking of
Street Stocks. When this
opportunity came up, we
felt we should take it.”
Brett has three go-kart
championships at
Ransomville Speedway.
Brett has also had some
experience on the big
track as well. The
youngster has competed
in the Hangover 150 for
the past three years.
This year, he ran the
four and six cylinder in
which he complete the
four cylinder class
feature.
When asked if he had any
goals for his rookie
season, he didn't
hesitate one bit.
“I would like to win a
lot of races and win a
championship. I'm
looking to adjust well.”
While he hasn't driven
in the four cylinder
class he's gotten plenty
of advice. Knowing his
talent level, he will
adapt very well to the
four bangers.
Helping Brett this
season will be his
father Tim, uncle
Malcolm, grandfather
Bill and Jeff Wilkinson.
Brett has also got a
good list of sponsors.
Ransomville based Senek
Farms, Ed's Garage,
Lakeview Motel and
Cottage, Little Joes
Pizza and Mohawk Tree
Service. Buffalo based
Hanzlinas Sausage will
also help out with the
effort this season.
Look out for this young
man. It wouldn't
surprise me if he took
the win on opening
night. He's going to be
a good one...that's for
sure
TODD
BURLEY
PROFILE
It has been an unusually tough 2012 season for Todd Burley.
Winning tonight’s 28th annual Alex Friesen Summer Nationals would certainly help the cause in the right direction.
Burley, of Spencerport, NY comes into tonight’s 100 lap showcase as the event’s defending champion. He is also a four time titlist of the Ransomville Speedway Mighty Taco 358 Modified Division
“That night was good for us all around,” recalled Burley as he readied to go out on the track for Ransomville Speedway’s annual autograph session. “We drew a good number for the heat. Drew well enough to start on the outside pole and won by a couple of car lengths at the finish.”
Burley had a game plan for the 2011 effort.
“We ran the cushion for the first 40 laps then went down low for the last 60 laps. I know that Brett Hearn came up beside me on lap 92 but we were able to out run him to stay in the lead.”
Burley is also the 2008 winner of the Alex Friesen Summer Nationals, when the event was 68 laps. Burley, however, likes the 2011 event much better.
“The field was more star studded. Brewerton Speedway dropped the modifieds on that night to allow their drivers to come here. It was like a Super DIRTcar Series field. “
Tonight, Brewerton has once again graciously allowed it’s Modified field to come to Ransomville Speedway for the $10,000 to win effort.
Todd began running in the DIRTcar Sportsman division in 1991. His brother Chris was actually the first driver of the family as he drove in the Sportsman class as well. Todd was a long time driver of go-karts before going into the stock cars.
It took him exactly one year to prove himself a champion as he won the 1992 Mr. DIRT Sportsman title. He would stay in the class until his move up in the 358 Modified Division in 1996.
Todd has seen tough times. Accidents and breakdowns have been a part of Burley’s problems in 2012.
Despite that, he’s still one of the more powerful drivers in the very competitive Mighty Taco 358 Modified field. He currently sits sixth in track points with the opportunity to go higher with two points events left on the 2012 schedule.
Helping out Todd in the sponsorship department is Original Pizza Logs, Bayshore Trucking, New York Pizzeria, Bicknell Racing Products and Jancen Automotive.
In the pit area, Todd counts on Chris, Paul, Mike, John and Joel.
Look out folks. The 28th annual Alex Friesen Summer Nationals is set to go tonight and two time winner Todd Burley is one of the favorites to win his third.
ERICK
RUDOLPH
ENJOYS
FIRST
FULL
SEASON
ON DIRT
When it
comes to
weekly
short
track
racing,
Erick
Rudolph
just
might be
the most
diversified
driver
around.
Who
could
argue
it?
While in
his
teens
(which
was just
a few
years
back),
Rudolph,
a third
generation
driver
that
seeming
breeds
success,
had
already
won a
Dunn
Tire
Raceway
Park
Modified
and
Sportsman
title…both
in the
same
season.
He was
also one
of the
youngest
racing
stars on
the
NASCAR
Whelen
Modified
Series.
Today,
Erick
runs a
selected
number
of
asphalt
modified
events
and has
concentrated
his
efforts
on a
weekly
schedule in
Ransomville
Speedway’s
premier
Mighty
Taco 358
Modified
Division,
where he
currently
sits
seventh
in track
points.
Erick
has
several
top ten
finishes
this
season
as the
Ransomville
Speedway
358
Modified
class
has
provided
a tough
point
for all
of it’s
competitors.
In other
words,
he’s
been
good on
both
side of
the
short
track
racing
game.
“The
adjustment
has been
fine,”
said
Erick
following
last
Friday
night’s
racing
program.
“We have
no wins
but we
have
several
top five
and top
ten
finishes.”
“We’re
still
learning
this
program
but
we’re
looking
for our
first
career
win.”
It was
a tough
night
last
Friday
as Erick
lost the
motor.
Eric
isn’t
exactly
new to
Ransomville
Speedway.
He was a
multi-time
go-kart
champion.
He also
ran a
limited
358
Modified
schedule
in 2010,
where he
had a
third
place
best.
He’s
currently
sixth in
Mr.
DIRTcar
358
Modified
Championship
points
.
The
Rudolph
family
has won
titles
at
Ransomville
Speedway.
Erick’s
dad
Charlie
was a
1982 and
1986 big
block
Modified
champion
while
his
grandfather
Jim was
a
1963-64
Hobby
Stock
champion.
Charlie
was
also the
1986 Mr.
DIRTcar
big
block
Modified
champion.
Snyder
Industries,
located
in
Tonawanda,
New York
will be
the
major
sponsor
inside
the
Budweiser
Towers
tonight,
cheering
on Erick
for that
first
ever 358
Modified
win.
After
several
years of
success
on the
asphalt,
Erick’s
decision
to drive
his
hometown
Ransomville
Speedway
was
simple.
“It was
mostly
financial.
It was a
little
lighter
on the
expenses.
We’re
also
having
more fun
.”
Erick,
along
with the
rest of
us, has
seen the
lower
counts
of the
asphalt
modifieds
in the
past
years.
Erick
was
driving
a
minimum
of six
hours to
race on
the
NASCAR
Whelen
Modified
Series.
Racing
at
Ransomville
Speedway
is just
a five
minute
drive
from the
team’s
home
base.
Certainly…Erick
Rudolph
is not
very far
away
from his
first
win.
He’s
been
extremely
competitive
every
night.
He’s got
the know
how and
the
talent
to make
it work.
He’s
just
going to
have to
put it
all
together.
In our
opinion,
it won’t
take
very
long.
Good
luck to
the
Rudolph
Racing
Team for
the
remainder
of the
2012
season.
CHAD BRACHMANN....WINNING THE
TITLE IN 2011 WAS A DREAM, GETTING A SECOND WOULD BE EVEN
SWEETER
When
asked
about
his late
season
success
that led
him to
the 2011
Ransomville
Speedway
358
Modified
championship
and his
current
success
that has
him in
the
points
lead
once
again,
Chad
Brachmann
really
didn’t
have
much to
say.
“We’re
just
plugging
along,”
said
veteran
racing
star,
shrugging
his
shoulders, after
a fifth
place
showing
last
Friday
night.
Brachmann
his been
steady
in 2012,
winning
four
feature
events
and
handling
a twelve
point
lead as
the
Ransomville
Speedway
2012
schedule
heads
into the
month of
August.
Brachmann
has only
been out
of the
top ten
twice as
Brachmann
and Pete
Bicknell
ready
for the
final
five
weeks
and what
looks
like a
fight to
the
finish
in the
Mighty
Taco 358
Modified
class.
“This is
a tough
place to
race,”
said
Brachmann
of
Ransomville
Speedway.
“The
field is
very
competitive.
You
really
don’t
know
what’s
going to
happen
here
when you
come
through
the
gate.”
In
addition
to
running
Ransomville
Speedway
on
Friday
nights,
Chad
runs a
limited
schedule
at
Grandview
(PA)
Speedway.
Comparing
both
tracks
is like
comparing
apples
to
oranges.
“Both
tracks
have
their
own
personality,”
says
Brachmann.
“Grandview
is a
high
banked
one
third
mile
oval and
you have
to be
constantly
up on
the
wheel.
Ransomville
is a
bigger
track
and you
have
more
room.”
Brachmann’s
run to
the 2011
title
started
nearly a
year ago
when the
schedule
entered
August.
He went
into the
final
points
night of
racing
fourteen
down and
sitting
in third
place
behind
Todd
Burley
and
Bicknell.
Chad
would
win that
night
and have
plenty
of room
in the
points
race.
This
season,
Chad
didn’t
wait
until
August
to start
his rush
to
another
championship.
He won a
couple
of
feature
events
early on
and has
maintained
the
points
race for
much of
the
season.
Brachmann
has been
racing
regularly
at
Ransomville
Speedway
since
the
mid-1990’s.
He’s a
four
time
Ransomville
Speedway
Sportsman
titlist
before
moving
into the
358
Modifieds
in 2002.
Chad was
also the
2001 Mr.
DIRTcar
Sportsman
champion.
Mighty
Taco is
a
sponsor
for Chad
Brachmann
Racing.
Tonight’s
Ransomville
Speedway
sponsor,
Grelak
Mechanical,
is also
on the
race
car.
Other
partners
include FindItQuick.com,
Brownies
Auto
Care and
Bonnies
Style
Unlimited.
Helping
out with
Chad
Brachmann
Racing
is his
dad Mike,
brother
Corey
and
Jason.
Chad
Brachmann
still
has a
lot of
racing
left in
the 2012
schedule.
If he
should
plan on
keeping
his
chance
for a
second
title
alive,
he’ll
have to
run as
well or
better
as he
has to
this
point in
the 2012
season.
Winning
a
championship
at
Ransomville
Speedway
was a
dream
come
true for
the
Wheatfield,
NY
resident.
Getting
a second
would be
even
sweeter.
Good
luck to
Chad
Brachmann
and Chad
Brachmann
Racing
for the
remainder
of the
season
VETERAN MIGHTY TACO
MODIFIED PILOT - RICKY
RICHNER
Since the
1985 season,
Rick Richner
has been a
regular at
Ransomville
Speedway.
He’s one of
the veteran
racers of
the pit
area.
He has been
in the class
for the
better part
of 22 years
and has been
very
competitive
winning
his fare
share of
feature
events on
the
Ransohmville
Speedway
half-mile
clay oval.
Richner, who
currently
sits ninth
in
Ransomville
Speedway 358
Modified
points, ran
his best of
the 2012
season last
Friday night
when he took
home a
second place
finish.
Richner led
much of the
30 lap main
before
eventual
winner Chad
Brachmann
slipped by
later on.
“The car ran
good
tonight,”
said Richner
following
last week’s
performance.
“We had
everything
in the car
except
something
for Chad. ”
Tonight, the
Jetport
Lounge,
along with
Niagara's
Lazy Lakes
Campground
and A-Verdi
Storage
Containers
will be
sponsoring
the
evening’s
activities.
The Jetport
Lounge is
the Richner
family
business
along with
the Jetport
Motors.
Both
businesses
are
convenientely
located in
Niagara
Falls, NY -
just 20
minutes from
the
Speedway.
Featuring
Breakfast,
Lunch, and
Dinner - its
a must stop
while
visiting the
Niagara
Falls area.
Rick was
into racing
long before
he decided
to get
behind the
wheel of a
race car.
Rick, along
with his
brother Ron,
Ray MacIver
and George
Lebrun did a
lot of work
behind the
scenes
working with
Bill
Stuyvenburg,
who drove
the 320ci
Modified
Division in
the late
1970’s into
the 1980’s.
Stuyvenburg
was a racing
troubadour,
running at
race tracks
all over the
northeast.
When
Stuyvenburg
got out of
racing,
Richner
stepped in.
He bought a
Stuyvenburg
car and
slipped a
Limited
Sportsman
motor under
the hood. He
was a
champion in
the class in
his first
year at
Genesee
Speedway,
now called
Raceway 5.
At
Ransomville
Speedway, he
was a 1987
champion in
the
Sportsman
class.
In 1990, he
moved into
the modified
class and
has been a
regular
there in the
division
ever since.
Richner
admits that
the car ran
well last
Friday due
to a new
shock
package.
Here’s
hoping that
they can
continue a
run to a
victory very
soon. Maybe
tonight,
where many
of the
Richner
family
members and
friends will
be in the
Budweiser
VIP Towers
watching the
night’s
activities.
Sponsoring
the Rick
Richner
effort this
season is
Original
Pizza Logs,
Jetport
Lounge, Lazy
Lakes
Campground,
National Vaccum,
FindItQuick.com
and Frontier
Auto
Wrecking
Ron, Randy,
Kyle, Joe
and Gene are
helping on
the car for
the 2012
season.
The best of
luck to Rick
and his team
for the
remainder of
the 2012
season.
MIKE
WILLIAMS
-
ONE
OF
THE
GOOD
GUYS
Mike Williams has seen a lot of history in the 55 years that Ransomville Speedway has been in existence. In fact, this is his 25th year in racing and while he has yet to score a track championship at the Niagara County oval, he recently hit victory lane in his Original Pizza Logs Sportsman. It was his first since he started racing the class four years ago.
“I had a feeling that night,” said Williams following last Friday night’s racing program. When you’re legal and you cross that finish line first, you know that it can’t be taken away and that’s such a good feeling.”
Williams does have a track championship, but not at Ransomville Speedway. His only seasonal conquest was at Genesee Speedway in the 2006 season when the Pro Stock class was still a fixture in the Western New York region.
Mike Williams currently sits seventh in Ransomville Speedway Sportsman points.
A highly competitive driver, Mike came from the BRP 360 Late Model class to the Sportsman. Williams felt that the 360’s division was like the Pro Stock class.
“It was like an open motor. A different type of racing. Affordable and it had more power than a Pro Stock.
Following his career in the Pro Stocks, Mike did look at the Sportsman class but felt that the costs were high. It was prior to the Sportsman crate motor phenomenon and most tracks were still using the conventional motors.
As Mike was putting together his BRP 360 Late Model, he had forgotten one thing.
“The travel was too much. They had a number of shows during the week and not only did I get home early in the morning from a long distance, I had problems getting a crew together to go with me.”
Mike got his start in racing in 1985 in an enduro at Ransomville Speedway.
“I got 63 laps in. The one thing I do remember is that there was about 125 cars on the track. The race was during the fall.”
In 1986, Mike entered the Bomber class. He actually got his first car for free but had to travel to Kentucky to get it. When the division changed to the Pro Stock class in 1988, he went along for the ride.
He missed a couple of years in the late 1980’s after getting married but was still building a Pro Stock in the process. In all, Williams scored 14 Pro Stock wins. Included in that was the final Ransomville Speedway points race of the 2006 season. It would be the last as the division was replaced following the season.
“I remember that race was a 30 lapper. I’m glad that I was able to win it. I really loved that class. That’s why I kept racing it the next year at Genesee Speedway.
Williams is one of the more popular drivers at Ransomville Speedway. His sponsor, 2findyourhome.com , will be in the Budweiser VIP Towers tonight hoping that Mike can pull together a second win on the 2012 season.
Mike is also involved with the Ransomville Speedway Thursday night go-kart program as his grandson, AJ Woolston, is in his first season in the track’s Novice Division.
In addition to 2findyourhome.com, Williams is sponsored by Maxwell Murphy, Attys At Law; G & J Contractors; Halleens; Designs by Deb (Mike’s wife Debbie) and Able Agency.
Helping out Mike on the race team this year are Brian, Mike. Chris, Dave and Tom.
The very competitive Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Division has eight different winners in ten weeks of racing in 2012. Mike Williams can say that he’s one of those drivers that have enjoyed the annals of victory lane. Don’t be surprised if he comes through once or twice again before the 2012 season is completed
MIKE
HOSSFELD - LOOKING
FOR HIS FIRST
GIPPSTERS COLLISION
4 BANGER TITLE
While he
might not be
the most
famous name
in the
racing
Hossfeld
family, you
can bet that
he's turning
a lot of
heads in his
first full
season in
the
Ransomville
Speedway
Gippsters
Collision 4
Banger
Division.
Hossfeld,
who will
turn 21
years of age
in October,
is the
cousin of
famed
asphalt
modified
racing star
Chuck
Hossfeld,
who also is
attempting a
career on
the dirt.
Mike leads
the
Gippsters
Collision 4
Banger
division by
16 points as
the division
gets ready
for
tonight's
racing
program.
Hossfeld has
one feature
win in 2012,
but in
looking at
the division
statistics,
nobody has
been able to
double up in
feature wins
so far this
season. The
highly
competitive
class is
just that as
Hossfeld and
his fellow
competitors
get ready
for the last
two months
of the 2012
Ransomville
Speedway
season.
"So far,
it's been
picture
perfect,"
said
Hossfeld
during an
off-week at
Ransomville
Speedway.
""With the
one win,
we've been
in the top
five every
week instead
of one and
that's when
we finished
sixth."
Mike's one
win this
year came on
Friday, June
8th...which
turned out
to be his
sister
Robin's
birthday.
The week
before, he
was also
looking to
get that
first win of
the season
on his dad
Mark's
birthday.
Unfortunately,
it was the
only rainout
so far here
at
Ransomville
for the 2012
season.
While
Hossfeld has
been on the
Ransomville
Speedway
racing
surface
before the
2012 season,
this season
is the first
full tour
for the
young North
Tonawanda,
NY racing
star. He
started
racing on
the pavement
at Dunn Tire
Raceway Park
in 2010. It
was easily
where he got
his
inspiration
from.
"While we
didn't help
Chuck with
his ride too
much we did
follow him
around. We
went to all
of his
races. Right
now, he's
just way out
of my league
and when I
decided to
get a car
for myself,
Chuck was
there to
give me
advice and
send me in
the right
direction.
He's the
reason I
started
racing."
Mike awaited
until he was
out of high
school and
had a
fulltime job
before he
looked at
getting into
a race car.
In 2011,
Hossfeld
bought a 4
Banger car
from Jamie
Woods. He
was planning
on running
both dirt
and asphalt
buthe had a
bad wreck in
the second
week at
Ransomville
Speedway.
While he
stayed away
from
Ransomville
for much of
the
remainder of
the 2011
season, he
continued on
at Dunn Tire
Raceway
Park, where
he finished
second in
points. He
returned to
Ransomville
last August
and picked a
pair of wins
in
consecutive
weeks by
season's
end.
"The
accident was
a wake up
call for me
but when I
returned, I
was able to
make the
necessary
adjustments
to the
track."
Hossfeld
feels that
the
Gippsters
Collision 4
Banger
Division is
a good place
to learn
dirt track
racing.
"It's really
nice to race
against 24
cars every
night. The
track is
well run.
They have
the pictures
and the
points up
the
following
day on the
website. The
division is
also very
competitive.
You really
have to work
hard here."
Hossfeld is
running the
full
Ransomville
Speedway
schedule in
2012 while
the asphalt
ride is
currently on
the
sidelines.
If things
continue to
go well,
Mike is
looking to
move up into
the Bobcat
of Buffalo
Fireball
Division
next season.
If enough
sponsorship
could be
obtained, a
trip to the
Original
Pizza Logs
Sportsman
class would
be possible.
"It really
depends on
what happens
here for the
remainder of
the season."
Helping out
with Mike on
his racing
effort is
his dad
Mark, who
also steps
up as his
crew chief.
He also
credits
Chuck,
Justin and
Ray for
putting in
an effort
with the
race team.
Mike also
would like
to thank
current
Ransomville
Speedway
competitor
Alex Morris
for helping
out with the
car and also
putting it
back
together
after the
2011
accident. In
addition to
that, Mike
would like
to thank his
girlfriend
Emily and
the race
fans who
come to the
track every
week.
Sponsoring
the car in
2012 is
Durf's Tire
in Gasport,
Frontier
Auto
Wrecking in
Tonawanda
and Jerry
Gradl Motors
in North
Tonawanda,
NY.
Starting
tonight, the
Gippsters
Collision 4
Banger class
has six
events left
on the 2012
schedule.
With the
hard nosed
competition
the division
has already
provided,
Mike
Hossfeld
will have to
work twice
as hard to
keep the
points in
his favor.
It should be
fun to
watch.
RANSOMVILLE SPEEDWAY
PROFILE: DICK WILKINSON
When you reach the age
of 73, many don't figure
those individuals to be
still racing the
half-mile oval at
Ransomville Speedway.
Someone forgot to tell
Bobcat of Buffalo
Fireball competitor Dick
Wilkinson.
For most of the past 50
years, Wilkinson has
been a part of the
Ransomville Speedway,
whether it has been
behind the wheel of a
race car or just sitting
in the grandstands, you
knew where Dick
Wilkinson has been
during the summer on
Friday nights.
Wilkinson has been an
off again-on again racer
since 1963, where he ran
Late Models against the
likes of current
Ransomville Speedway
co-owner Stan Friesen or
against a driver with
the last name Treichler.
His latest thing has
been with the Bobcat of
Buffalo Fireball
Division. Wilkinson, who
is currently a member of
the Lewiston #1 Fire
Company, has been
driving the division for
the past four seasons.
"I'm having a lot of fun
right now," said Dick,
who is currently fifth
in Bobcat of Buffalo
Fireball points. "We got
off to a good start but
this division is tough."
Wilkinson didn't take
too long to get into
victory lane in 2012,
winning on opening
night. Dick also has the
distinction of being the
oldest driver in the 55
year history of
Ransomville Speedway to
win a feature event.
"I was definitely
surprised," adds
Wilkinson of the season
opening victory.
"However, the car was
really hooked up that
night. It was a great
memory."
While Wilkinson
continues to do well, he
mentions that the
handicapping process
forces him to start from
the middle to the back
of the field.
"When you have to fight
from the back," laughs
Wilkinson. "It's tough.
The car gets nicked up.
You're trying to keep it
in one piece."
Despite that, Wilkinson
continues to enjoy his
Friday nights at
Ransomville Speedway and
hopes to continue to run
strong right through the
remainder of the 2012
season.
Dick says that his start
in the Late Models in
the early 1960's drew a
number of feature wins.
He started out in a 1953
Ford. He's also been in
a Dunn Tire Raceway Park
Late Model and has owned
358 Modifieds for former
Ransomville Speedway
competitor Mark Sylvies.
Dick's sons Rick and
Jeff have also ran race
cars. His son-in-law Tim
Phillips has driven
Sprint Cars and grandson
Kyle Phillips currently
is a go-kart competitor
at Ransomville
Speedway's Thursday
night program.
For several years, Dick
sat in the grandstands
watching the racing
program. Four years ago,
he got the itch to race
again. "I didn't race
because I couldn't
afford it. I really did
want to try it again. So
when the Bobcat of
Buffalo Fireball
Division was at the
track, we decided to
give it a try."It was a
good decision for
Wilkinson, who got a
loud applause from the
large Ransomville
Speedway opening night
crowd as he removed
himself from his race
car in victory lane on
opening night.
Tonight, the Wilkinson
family will be
sponsoring a 358
Modified Dash for Cash.
It will be in the memory
of Dick's son Rick, who
passed away from throat
cancer this past
January. It's also
Rinehart Memorial Poster
Night.
Sponsoring the Dick
Wilkinson ride is
Philpac, Kenny Young
Paving, Pardee
Automotive and Tim
Phillips Garage. Helping
out in the pits and in
the garage is Jeff,
Ricky and Dan.
Dick Wilkinson has had a
long history with the
Ransomville Speedway.
Winning one or two more
times this year would
certainly make the
legecy that much nicer.
THE ORTIZ FAMILY
HAS BEEN AT RANSOMVILLE
AS LONG AS ITS BEEN IN
EXISTENCE - A LOOK AT
JIPP ORTIZ
Coming off a third
place finish in last
Friday's Original
Pizza Logs Sportsman
25 lap feature,
veteran campaigner
Jipp Ortiz feels
that the division is
as tough as it's
ever been.
"Were out here
fighting for every
spot we can," smiled
the second
generation driver
who also lives in
downtown
Ransomville. "I have
to be on my toes all
the time."
Entering his sixth
season in the
track's Sportsman
class, Ortiz has
never won a
championship in the
open wheeled class.
He has, however,
been extremely
competitive and has
won his fair share
of feature events.
He is currently in
fourth place in
track points as he
explains his effort
from last week.
"I
made an adjustment
tonight and I
thought it would
help us.
Unfortunately for
us, the car got a
little too tight."
The
previous week, Ortiz
felt that he had a
car to win but the
right rear shock
broke...sending him
to the pits. He
would return for a
ninth place finish.
Jipp
is one of those
drivers that many
have come to when
advice needs to be
handed out or a pat
on the shoulder is
neccesary. He is one
of the veterans of
the Ransomville
Speedway pit area
that nearly everyone
has respect for.
Jipp isn't afraid to
help out a
struggling young
driver who might
need help in getting
it's program on the
move.
Jipp
grew up in a racing
family. His father
Ed is one of the all
time greats in the
northeast. A race
track was built
behind the current
Ed's Garage in the
1950's and that was
the stepping stone
to the current
Ransomville
Speedway. The
facility behind Ed's
Garage was built to
keep the teenagers
from drag racing on
the Ransomville
streets. What
happened next is
that it drew
competitors from
places other than
Ransomville. It just
got too big and the
idea of the facility
on the current 2315
Braley Road property
allowed it to grow
even further.
While Ed became one
of the region's top
drivers. Jipp was
awaiting his time as
he too began to
think about racing.
However, Ed quit
racing in the
1970's...just when
Jipp thought he
might be ready.
Jipp
would eventually
become one of the
more successful
DIRTcar Pro Stock
drivers in the
history of the
division and he did
much of it away from
his hometown track.
In 1998, he wrenched
his dad's return to
racing at
Ransomville in the
track's Pro Stock
class. Ed would get
his 200th career win
during this season
and left the sport
once again after the
1998 season. Jipp
was flagging
Ransomville Speedway
at the time as well.
In 1999, Jipp went
on the road, running
the Pro Stock Series
while continuing to
flag at Ransomville.
He
would also become
one of the career
high Pro Stock
winners at
Canandaigua
Speedway.
"We
had a lot of Pro
Stock wins. It was a
really good division
for us."
Jipp
figures about 80
wins. In addition to
that he was also a
three time DIRTcar
Pro Stock champion
and two time
Syracuse Pro Stock
winner. While the
Pro Stocks still
exist along with a
Syracuse event
annually, the
Western and
Central New York
regions have seen
the division dropped
from it's tracks.
Jipp
had three wins in
the Sportsman class
in 2011. He's still
a favorable
commodity when he
goes onto the race
track every Friday
night for the
feature event.
Jipp
is still having fun
and does like
performing before
the hometown crowd.
He also doesn't
mention the word
"retirement" in his
discussions.
Sponsoring the Jipp
Ortiz Racing Team is
longtime supporter
Bob Cordova of
Original Pizza Logs,
Ed's Garage and
Pifford Automotive.
The
crew behind the team
is Andrew, Ron,
Randy, Bill and
Stoner.
While Jipp Ortiz has
yet to pick up a win
in the 2012
season...don't worry
about that. He'll
have his fair share
by the time the
season is completed.
JESSE JOHNSTON-PART OF
THE YOUTH OF RANSOMVILLE
SPEEDWAY
At just 17 years of age,
Jesse Johnston has been
impressive as he enjoys
his second full season
in the Ransomville
Speedway Ki-Po Chevrolet
Street Stock Division.
While he currently
awaits his first career
victory in the
competitive full
fendered division, he's
come close on a few
occasions. Our guess
here is that he won't
have to wait too long.
"I thought I had a win a
couple of times last
year," said Johnston,
who will be a senior at
Wilson Central School
this September. "We're
certainly going to keep
on trying. I hope it
comes soon."
Jesse has been quite
competitive. He's one of
several young drivers
who have adapted well to
the stock car program
after spending time in
Ransomville Speedway's
Thursday night go-kart
program. Many of the
area's top racing stars
cut their teeth in the
go-kart program.
"Because of the go-kart
program here, it's
allowed me to learn.
When I got to the Street
Stocks, I had some
experience to help me
there."
Jesse ran go-karts for
four years. He had the
experience on both dirt
and asphalt. In the 2010
season, he was a
champion at the Batavia
(NY) Kart Club. It was
then that he and his
dad, Randy, wanted to
make a decision.
"My dad offered to buy
me a race car or a car
for the road."
Jesse chose the obvious.
A real racer. He came
into the 2011 season
with the Street Stock
and finished eleventh in
points. Going into
tonight's program he is
fifth in the standings.
Jesse has had plenty of
help in the pit area as
he improves his racing
program. Along with his
family, Jesse credits
Chris Burek, Billy
Coleman, Jake Stefanski,
Derrick Borkenhagen and
Jaren and Roger Israel
with his progress. It
was Jaren that allowed
him to test a Street
Stock that also helped
him make his decision on
what he wanted to drive
after go-karts. He also
had thoughts of driving
a TQ Midget and watched
Erick Rudolph drive one
to victory at Dunn Tire
Raceway Park.
Jesse is looking to stay
in a Street Stock for
the next two years
before making a decision
to move up.
"Right now, I'm looking
for that first win but I
need time in this car. I
would also like to
compete for a
championship too."
It's also easy for Jesse
to compete at
Ransomville Speedway as
he lives just five
minutes from the track.
His favorite Mighty Taco
358 Modified drivers at
Ransomville Speedway are
Danny Johnson, Pete
Bicknell, Todd Burley
and Ryan Susice.
Sponsoring Jesse this
season is Tim Hortons of
Niagara Falls, NY; Kevin
Woods Auto Collision of
Sanborn and NAPA of
Niagara Falls, NY. He
also has a sponsor the
First Baptist Church of
Wilson.
Behind the scenes and
working on the car is
his dad Randy, his mom
Lisa, brothers Eric and
Jeremy along with good
friend Jeff.
Look out for this young
driver. He's looking to
hit victory lane very
soon.
It just might be sooner
than you think.
JAMES HENRY ENJOYING
A GREAT START TO THE
2012 SEASON
By...Dave Roberts
Driving the very
competitive
Ransomville Speedway
Sportsman class,
James Henry has
adjusted well.
Henry, of Niagara
Falls, NY, sits
fourth in points
just 26 markers
behind leader Don
Spatorico. His
fourth place finish
last Friday was his
best showing of the
2012 campaign. Henry
is also one of the
many competitors in
the class that can
put his car in
victory lane at any
time.
“Last time out, I
thought we had
something for them
early on,” said
Henry of last week’s
performance. “Then I
had a left rear tire
going down and that
didn’t help me.”
Henry has two career
wins at Ransomville
Speedway. Both in
the Sportsman
Division. He also
has a win at
Syracuse in the
Futures Race. Henry
has come close on
several occasions to
get that third
Ransomville Speedway
win. He is hoping
that it comes very
soon.
James got his racing
start in the Central
New York region at
Canandaigua
Motorsports Park.
James ran the
track’s Street
Stocks then into the
Pro Stock class. He
became one of the
top Pro Stock
competitors in the
region, averaging
four to six wins a
season. The Pro
Stocks were
eventually dropped
from the Canandaigua
schedule due to lack
of competitors.
At
this time, James was
ready to make
another move. His
appending marriage
would move him into
the Western New York
region. He started
running in the
Sportsman class in
2006.
“It
took me about a year
to get used to the
division. It was
totally different
than the Pro Stocks.
With the Pro Stocks,
I had a right front
fender. I can’t use
that the same way
with a Sportsman.”
Henry is certainly a
highly competitive
racer. However, he
feels that he’s only
going to race a
couple of more years
before calling it
quits.
“I’ve got two boys
and they are
growing. Jakob is
five and Tyler is
almost two. I’d like
to spend a little
more time with
them.”
James is married to
Diana, who’s brother
is former local
racer John Panattoni.
Sponsoring the James
Henry Ransomville
Speedway Sportsman
machine is MADSKINS,
of which Henry is a
co-owner with Dave
Conant, who should
be out in a
Sportsman tonight
for the first time
this year. Also
sponsoring Henry is
Norampac, Shawnee
Service, National
Maintenance, Kelly’s
Corner, McKensie
Auto and
Finditquick.com, all
of Niagara Falls,
NY. Canadian company
Orlando Poga is also
on board with Henry.
It
would seem that
Henry doesn’t have
many problems
attracting sponsors.
“We
have a really good
sponsorship base.
Especially for a
Sportsman Division
competitor.”
Helping with Henry
in the pit area is
John, Porter, Bud,
Dave and Maria.
Should James Henry
have just a few
years left in
racing, we’re sure
that he’s got a few
more wins as well.
Maybe tonight will
be one of those
times.
Best
of luck to James
Henry for the
remainder of the
2012 season
ANTHONY RIZZARDO - A RISING
STAR
Ransomville Speedway has a
high number of talented
young drivers in it’s
headlining Mighty Taco 358
Modified Division.
One of them is 25 year old
Anthony Rizzardo.
Tonight is Regional Haulage
Night at Ransomville
Speedway. Regional Haulage
is the Rizzardo family
business. Rizzardo is
currently in his second full
season in the Mighty Taco
358 Modified class. Anthony
found success in the
Sportsman ranks and will
undoubtably do the same in
the 358 Modifieds. Anthony
is hoping that he can start
that trend tonight with a
win in front of the Regional
Haulage folks in the
Budweiser VIP Towers.
“We expected this to be a
tough field to qualify with
and we were right,” said
Rizzardo following last
Friday night’s program.
“When you have 30 cars every
night, it’s going to be
difficult but it’s also
going to make me a better
driver.”
Anthony has a common goal.
To make the top ten in
points by seasons end and to
make every feature event.
Unfortunately for Anthony,
he didn’t make last week’s
show. He missed out in the
Mighty Taco “B” main by just
one position. Despite that,
Rizzardo is upbeat about his
future in racing.
“I was disappointed but when
you look at the field and
how many feature wins it
has, it really makes you
want to work harder.”
Anthony comes from a racing
background. His uncle Dan
was a Late Model and
Modified competitor in the
region. His mom, Josie, come
from the famed Begolo
family.
Jeno Begolo was the first
ever Modified champion at
Ransomville Speedway and
Lancaster Speedway. His son
Jimmy was an established big
block modified driver in the
1980’s and his son Brent is
a current competitor as
well.
Along with his dad Felix and
mom Josie, Anthony’s biggest
fan is his grandfather,
Steve Palmeri, who will turn
90 years of age in January.
Steve looks absolutely great
and is also one of
Ransomville Speedway’s
biggest fans. In the 55
years that the speedway has
been open, Steve has missed
few nights of racing here.
When it comes to Friday
nights, Steve is securely
nestled in the grandstand
watching another racing
program.
Young and ready to learn,
Anthony calls on several
drivers for advice in the
pit area when needed.
Anthony credits Scott Kerwin,
Richie Vinson and defending
Mighty Taco 358 Modified
champion Chad Brachmann.
Anthony went from go-karts
directly to the Sportsman
Division.
“We had a ride set up in a
Sportsman at Merrittville in
2005, but that fell through.
My dad then stepped up and
bought me a Sportsman
because he didn’t want to
let me down. We started
driving it in 2006.”
There will be several past
drivers in the Budweiser VIP
Towers tonight cheering for
the Regional Haulage Troyer
sponsored car of Anthony
Rizzardo. Join then as the
#99 hunts for that first
checkered flag as a Modified
pilot.
Best of luck to that entire
race team for the remainder
of the 2012 season.
McGINNIS NAME SYNONOMOUS
WITH RANSOMVILLE SPEEDWAY
By
LARRY OTT
During opening night
festivities here at
Ransomville Speedway May
4, many veteran fans may
have wondered which
driver was piloting the
No. 1R entry in the
Mighty Taco 358 Modified
division and was among
the very strong 31 cars
that raced here on that
evening.
While the car number may
have been somewhat
unfamiliar, the name of
the man behind the wheel
is certainly not. That
driver was Jeff
McGinnis. The McGinnis
family name has been a
prominent one at
Ransomville Speedway for
many decades. The name
of McGinnis and
Ransomville Speedway
have been synonymous
with one another and
this association is as
strong today as ever
before.
After sporting the very
familiar traditional
McGinnis family No. 20
machine for so many
seasons, McGinnis now
drives this year for a
new team owned by Jerry
and Rochelle Skurski.
Thus the change of
number assignments to
1R.
“I
guess you could say that
my family has been
coming to Ransomville
Speedway for a long time
and we’re having fun
because if it’s not fun
we wouldn’t be doing
it,” said Jeff. “Once on
the track, it doesn’t
make any difference if
I’m in the No. 1R or the
No. 20. The goal is
still to win.”
Jeff, 38, of
Ransomville, has been
coming to this Niagara
County based dirt oval
since he was very young
watching and assisting
his dad, the now retired
Don McGinnis.
“I
remember coming to see
my dad race when I was
real young and I started
working on his car at
our home even before I
was old enough to get in
the pits,” said Jeff.
“I’ve learned a lot
about racing from him.”
Don McGinnis had much
success during his
driving years at
Ransomville. In a career
that spanned from the
1970’s to the mid
1990’s, the elder
McGinnis won many races
and crowned his career
by capturing both the
1975 Late Model and
1994, 358 Modified
championships at
Ransomville.
Soon it would be time
for Jeff to apply his
talents behind the wheel
of a race car. Sporting
the No. 20, long
associated with his
family, Jeff entered the
Original Pizza Logs
Sportsman class in 1997,
driving the first two
seasons for car owner
Dick Blake. Then it was
time to move on to a
family financed machine
provided by Jeff’s
parents, Don and Suzi
McGinnis.
During his time in the
Sportsman class Jeff won
many races including the
two most prestigious
races contested in this
division each season at
Ransomville, the Grelak
Mechanical Nationals and
the DIRT.car Sportsman
Tour event. He capped
his Sportsman racing in
2006, winning the
Ransomville Speedway
season points
championship. He was top
five in Sportsman points
each year he campaigned
in the division.
“We had pretty good
success in the Sportsman
and we felt that I had
accomplished everything
there was to accomplish
in that class so we
moved on to the 358
Modifieds,” said Jeff.
“I’ve been in the 358
Modifieds since 2007 and
have driven for my
family every year except
2010 when I drove Pete
Cosco’s car.
In
2007, right off the bat,
Jeff secured his biggest
moment in his 358
Modified career when he
captured the Lucas Oil
Series 358 Modified
title that year. The
Lucas Oil Series was a
regional traveling
series comprised of
races at Ransomville,
Genesee, Merrittville,
Humberstone and Ohsweken
Speedways.
Now in 2012, Jeff has
hooked up with the
Skurski camp and will
compete in the team’s
Morrison Performance,
Teo chassis car weekly
at Ransomville along
with a limited slate of
appearance at other
tracks.
“I
talked to the Skurski’s
over the winter and
decided to join their
team for this season,”
remarked Jeff. “I like
the way they operate a
team plus this is a much
better financial
situation for me and my
family to handle. I
think it will work out
well. I also like to
race one night a week to
allow for more family
time as well.”
Sponsorship for the
Skurski teams is
provided by Stirling
Lubricants, Pink
Carburetors, Dan’s
Collision, Niagara Lock
and Key, Morrison
Performance, Island
Prescription Center,
Richard’s Motor Service,
Kelly’s Country Store,
Anchor Marine, Honey’s
and Joe Calarco.
Much support for Jeff’s
racing career not only
comes from his parents
but also Jeff’s wife
Patty and children Cody
(age 13) and Michelle
(21). Jeff’s sister Juli
Anstett offers support.
Ransomville race
director Jeff Anstett is
Jeff’s brother-in-law.
Other team members
include: Jerry, Spark
and Victor Skurski, Tim
Hayes, Mike Emmons, Tim
Jeffery and John
Salerno.
“I
know that there is a lot
of good competition here
this year at Ransomville
and it will be tough but
we will learn and grow
as a team and that’s
important,” said Jeff.
The backbone of any
operation that has been
successful for as many
years as Ransomville
Speedway has been, is
the loyal families that
make positive
contributions for the
betterment of the track
through many years and
multiple generations.
This by definition is
the McGinnis family.
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