|
|
|
Ferri Captures Civic Holiday Challenge
Opener at Merrittville |
By James Baker
THOROLD, ON, CANADA- August 2- For many years Adam Ferri was a regular competitor in the Sportsman and 358 Modified divisions at Merrittville Speedway.
Saturday evening Ferri used that experience to his advantage, capturing the $2000 to win, opening leg of the Ontario Dirt Late Models "Civic Holiday Challenge" at Merrittville Speedway.
Much pre-race publicity shadowed the race. The show was the first-ever appearance of the Ontario Dirt Late Models(Canada's only dirt Late Model touring series) at the Erica Bicknell promoted facility, one of the most professionally operated speedways in Canada.
It was however, the local favourite Ferri, from nearby Port Colborne, ON, who stole all the thunder for the popular win.
Ferri's trip to victory lane was well-earned. The veteran of many Saturday night battles at the Merrittville oval had to hold off the challenges of Chris Ross to preserve the historic win.
And containing Ross is no easy task as the Wallaceburg, ON driver has developed into one of Canada's most promising Late Model drivers this season.
But there was no stopping Ferri Saturday night at Merrittville. The converted open wheel driver was on a mission as he recorded his second career Ontario Dirt Late Models victory.
Polesitter Ferri and Chad Valone diced back and forth for the lead in the early-going of the 25-lap main event. By the fourth lap, Ferri had taken the lead for good with Valone retiring to the infield with a broken drive shaft on lap 11.
After a caution flag, Ferri and Ross separated themselves from the rest of the field on the restart, with Ferri nosing out Ross at the checkered flag by a car length.
"I'm glad to be back, this is such a great track," said Ferri. "We've been racing in the states but there's nothing else like it though, right here at Merrittville."
Ross conceded that Ferri had the better car Saturday night.
"I was just trying to maintain," said Ross. "I wanted to be there in case anything happened to the leader. In the end, I just didn't have enough for Adam(Ferri)."
Ross earned $1000 for his runner-up finish.
Trailing Ferri and Ross was the trio of Greg Oakes(Franklinville, NY), Doug Ricotta(Warsaw, NY) and 2005 ODLM series champion Jim Dale, Jr. of Shrewsbury, ON.
Hard-charging Justin Coulter of Leamington, ON impressed with a sixth place finish while Paul Rivait(Tilbury, ON), Paul Turner(Picton, ON), Jeff Dayman(Welland, ON) and Keith Cameron(Tilbury, ON) rounded out the top ten. Completing the finish were Gregg Haskell(Chatham, ON), Rick Baker(Ridgeway, ON), Mike Lewis(Wallaceburg, ON), Valone(Warren, PA) and Ed Carley(Freedom, NY).
Ferri and Ross were heat race winners.
Other feature winners on the Merrittville card were Sportsman, Brad Rouse; Stock, Dolf McCready; 4-Cylinder, Trevor Goulding and 4-Cylinder Truck, Jim Horton.
The "Civic Holiday Challenge" closes Sunday(August 3) at Humberstone Speedway in Port Colborne, ON with $2000 paid to the winner. In addition, racers will vie for a $1500 bonus offered by Ontario Dirt Late Models race coordinator Debbie Brush to be split among the top five drivers in points from the two-day event. The racing program, part of Humberstone's "Molson All Canadian Championship," will begin at 7 p.m.
And no doubt, the local favourite Adam Ferri will be in the house very focused on defending hometown honours.
Erica Bicknell contributed to this story.
"Civic Holiday Challenge"...Adam Ferri, Chris Ross, Greg Oakes, Doug Ricotta, Jim Dale, Jr., Justin Coulter, Paul Rivait, Paul Turner, Jeff Dayman, Keith Cameron, Gregg Haskell, Rick Baker, Mike Lewis, Chad Valone and Ed
Carley.
RESULTS:
Merrittville Speedway -
Saturday August 2nd, 2008
Heat 1
1F Adam Ferri
00 Jim Dale Jr.
RH94 Justin Coulter
11 Paul Rivait
78 Rick Baker
21 Gregg Haskell
05 Mike Lewis
5 Jeff Dayman
Heat 2
18R Chris Ross
2V Chad Valone
22 Greg Oakes
01 Doug Ricotta
92C Keith Cameron
7 Ed Carley
92 Paul Turner DNS
Feature
1F Adam Ferri
18R Chris Ross
22 Greg Oakes
01 Doug Ricotta
00 Jim Dale Jr.
RH94 Justin Coulter
11 Paul Rivait
92 Paul Turner
5 Jeff Dayman
92C Keith Cameron
21 Gregg Haskell
78 Rick Baker
05 Mike Lewis
2V Chad Valone
7 Ed Carley
Thruway Muffler Hard Charger Award:
#92 Paul Turner
Humber Nurseries (Brampton):
New ODLM top driver #5 Jeff Dayman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
After
August 3rd/08 |
| 1. |
18R |
Chris
Ross |
224 |
| 2. |
01 |
Doug
Ricotta |
-2 |
| 3. |
22 |
Greg
Oakes |
-5 |
| 4. |
2v |
Chad
Valone |
-18 |
| 5. |
1f |
Adam
Ferri |
-24 |
| 6. |
92 |
West/Turner |
-26 |
| 7. |
5 |
Jeff
Dayman |
-34 |
| 8. |
94 |
Coulter/Haskell |
-36 |
| 9. |
11a |
Paul
Rivait |
-41 |
| 10. |
05 |
Mike
Lewis |
-41 |
| more
|
|
