750s roar into action on motorcycle track
There will be racing on four — and two — wheels on three fronts in Niagara this weekend.
Weather permitting, action gets underway 6 p.m. Saturday at Welland County Speedway, where motorcycle racing fans will be treated to action in the 750 cc class for the first time this season.
The 750s are the most-powerful bikes that race on the clay track in Welland, but they are not part of the weekly program.
“They don’t come here all that often, but they always put on a good show for the fans when they do,” track spokesman Wes Pierce said.
What is bringing 750s to Welland this weekend is the Ray Washbon Memorial. The annual race honours the memory of a rider from western New York who died October 2015 at age 54.
In addition to racing in Niagara, Washbon competed professionally on the American Motorcycle Association Pro Flat-Track circuit from the early 1980s until retirement from racing in 1995.
Gates open at 2:30 p.m., practice begins at 5 p.m., with heats for children’s and regular racing classes getting underway at 6 and 7 p.m., respectively.
Welland County Speedway is located on Netherby Road, east of Highway 140, in Welland.
Let’s try this again
With fingers crossed and one eye on the weather-tracking radar, Merrittville Speedway is hoping to get in its first enduro qualifier for the second time this season.
Round 1, originally set for May 19, was rained out, prompting a postponement until this Saturday night, as well as a chain reaction in scheduling. With enduros now rounding out the fiveclass program Pure Stock V-6 won’t be in action this week.
Round 2 in the Hardy’s Racing Triple Crown Series for Mini Stocks highlight a show that also includes Hoosier Stock, Mod
Lite, Sportsman, Modified 358 as well as a best-appearing dog contest. Pits open at 5 p.m., grandstands at 5:30 with racing getting underway at 7 p.m.
Close points races
New Humberstone Speedway has yet to crown a repeat winner as it races into the third week of its 59th season.
As a result, no driver has a double-digit in any of the five regular divisions.
Kyle Rothwell’s four-point lead over Leroy Buscumb in Mini Stocks, 112-108; is the closest race heading into Sunday night’s program.
Defending track champion Cody McPherson’s cushion over Chad Chevalier in Sportsman is six points, 112-106.
Drivers atop the three other divisions all have eight-point leads after two weeks of racing at the Port Colborne track: Late Model, Chad Homan, Sam Pennacchio, 198-190; Thunder Stock, Dave Bailey, Jason Fontaine, 116-108; Pro 4 Trucks, Mitch Dumont, Craig Vlasic, also 116-108.
Featured on Sunday’s full racing card in Round 2 in the InstaPanels Duel of the Dirt Series for Thunder Stock and an Autograph Night meet-and-greet during intermission.
Gates open at 4:30 p.m. followed by racing two hours later.