Super Modifieds are back at Jukasa
The track was known as Cayuga Speedway the last time the ISMA Super Modifieds raced on the big oval. That was in 2009.
The facility is now called Jukasa Motor Speedway, and when the cars are unloaded Saturday, the refurbished track will be new to the drivers.
Except Mike Lichty.
One of two Canadians who compete regularly on the tour, the Innerkip resident has some seat time on the new five-eighthsmile track.
“We tested two weeks ago with Hoosier Tire,” said the 31-year old who operates a scrap metal business.
“The track has definitely changed,” he continued. “They have done an unbelievable job. We should be putting on a good show.”
After his win in the recent Monadnock, N.H., race, Lichty is second in points going into the Jukasa race, the Queenston Chevrolet 50. His car is owned by Craig Reed of Ohio who is also his main sponsor, along with Raeco Metal and Patco Transportation.
Lichty started racing Super Modifieds with the patronage of his father, Brad, adding he raced at Jukasa three times before 2009. And although he started when he was a teenager he believes his fellow racers helped him along.
“I started full-time at this when I was 17,” he said.
“I have had good people around me, and ISMA has a lot of mature drivers. My learning curve was good.”
A Super Modified is a beast on the paved ovals. With a weight of 1,850 pounds, an off-sided bigblock Chevrolet-derived engine of about 900 horsepower, fuelled on paved ovals. Lichty thinks 170-175 m.p.h. down the Jukasa backstraight is possible.
Fellow ISMA racer Mark Sammut agrees. The London driver, who won the last ISMA (International Super Modified Association) race at the track in 2009, said advances in technology have pushed up the speeds.
“We should be faster than at Thompson,” said Sammut, speaking about the Connecticut track where the cars can obtain high speeds. “With better tires and shocks it’s going to be a whole new ball game for everyone.”
Sammut, who won the Lancaster, N.Y., event in June, has been driving a Super Modified for 21 years, and not yet driven on the new Jukasa track.
“It should be fast,” he noted. “I think 175-180 m.p.h. down the back straight will be possible, but we all have to get our feet wet and see.”
Sammut, fifth in points to date, operates Murray Transmission in London, and has had a sponsor relationship with the firm for many years. Art Curry has been with him for many years, and Wells Foundry and Mobil Striping and Sweeping also help him get to the race track. “It’s a lot of work and expense, but we’re having fun most of the time and that’s what counts,” he said.
Both drivers said racing a Super Modified is not a cheap venture. For a competitive car, the outlay would be $75,000 to $100,000, with a big chunk of that cost in the engine.
During his limited time on the new track, Lichty said the corner and straight speeds are close, with a variance in engine speeds of about 1,800 r.p.m., which means the cars will appear to be going through the corners without slowing down. He added there should be lots of room to manoeuvre on the new surface, as well.
“The track is so smooth, with a wide groove,” he said. “There will definitely be two-wide passing. I’m excited.”
The Queenston Chevrolet 50 will take place Saturday evening with the green flag to drop at 9:20 p.m. The track will also host a 100-lapper for another openwheel series, the ROC (Race of Champions) Modifieds. Practice and time trials will take place late in the afternoon.
For more information, go to www.jukasamotorspeedway.com.
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