HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1994-9-21, Page 16MEN'S DART
MEETING
Wed. Sept. 28
8 p.m.
EXETER LEGION
v
Page 16 Times -Advocate, September 21, 1994
Mlcro-sprint racing latest attraction at Speedway
Local driver Mark Hickson from Lucan has become a real daredevil
Making some final adjustments to one of the dragsters prior
to a race on Sunday at the Grand Bend Speedway
More racing
A dragster warms up on the track on Sunday in Grand Bend.
By Fred Groves
T -A staff
GRAND BEND - ti+lark Hickson
is what you might call daredevil.
In the winter, the Lucan resident
stands between two metal posts and
lets others take slapshots at him -
he's a goalie.
The summer months now belong
to his other adventurous hobby -
micrdsprint car racing.
Sunday afternoon he strapped
himself into his powerful miniature
car and took on the new dirt track
at the Grand Bend Speedway.
The local speedway, in its first
year of operation, has become very
popular and on Sunday not only
featured the micro sprints for the
first time but the paved race track
was busy.
There were dragsters, funny cars,
motorcycles and even mini drag-
sters that the kids were racing and
all trying to nab a piece of the prize
money.
Prior to his first race, Hickson
said that racing has become a fami-
ly attraction.
"It's my first year, we started
May 27," he said of him and his
dedicated crew. "My cousin started
me into it last year and my dad
(Terry) used to race at Delaware."
What his dad used to race and
what Hickson was in on Sunday
was quite different but the ob-
jective was still the same - be the
first across the line and watch as
the checkered flag falls behind you.
Looking over the dirt track, Hick
son said, "it's a little rough on three
and four (turns) other than that its
okay."
Micro sprinters spend their sum-
mer either racing in Lambeth at
Wonderland Speedway or in Bel-
mont. Lambeth will be the site of
the big 100 lap feature this week-
end which, for many, will conclude
the season.
For those who attended the micro
sprint racing on Sunday, there was
a little similarity to go-karts. But as
pointed out by Hickson, there is a
big difference between the two.
"They have a full roll cage and a
fibre glass body and a 440 snow-
mobile engine. They have to weigh
a lot more than a go-kart."
A go-kart probably weighs about
150 pounds while the micro -sprints
are about 450 pounds.
Safety is a major priority in all
racing, and for the micro -sprinters
it's even more as they have an add-
ed safety feature.
"You wear arm restraints so your
hands can't come out of the cage,"
said Hickson. Helmets or course
are mandatory.
The track at Grand Bend had
tight comers but nice wide straight-
aways which made it even more ex-
citing for the fans to watch.
"It's quite a bit bigger than what
we usually race on," said Hickson
in comparing Grand Bend to Bel-
mont and Lambeth.
While race fans were watching
the big cars speed down the quar-
ter -mile on one side of the former
Grand Beni Airport, others had
brought their lawn chairs and sat
around the micro -sprint track.
Organizers had the racers entered
in three -15 lap heats which was fol-
lowed by a 20 lap consolation race
and finally the big 22 car 40 lap
feature.
MAXIh1UM .- _
/AUDIO
VIDEO
234-6308
1-800-463-2063
Driver Mark Hickson (glass-
es) and other drivers wait for
some last minute instructions
prior to jumping into their mi-
cro -sprint cars.
The starter at GrancBend Speedway gives the green flag for the micro -sprints to start on the new dirt track.
Promo day
Coaches from the Exeter and Oletrlct Ringette Associa-
tion were pleased with the turnout of girls on Thursday,
night at a rinngette promotion day. Girls interested in the
game were given a chance to try the sport. Here, novice
coach Julie Ritchie, left; gives Kristen Regier a lesson.
I.. �\7 i %. 'Iii '�
.."4•17,..."4 ei 1 �t.rx1P3 ir".�i1
.., ify..:40,1"1,44..k.-:,.;',7s;70.4.347..c.e,of,7:11714142;16--,..;.iptilif
‘t r,
fall
',A? -16 78
Ignan
Landscaping
Sod Supply
R.R. 2 Hensall• Ontario
( LANDSCAPING Your key to year round beauty
• Take advantage of our complete professional landscape design
service.
• Phone and our landscape designer
on you and produce a detailed dra
• Interlocking Brick •
• Ground Work •
• Sodding •
• Cedar Lawn Furniture
,Order your nursery stock
can be done by our
ilandscaping specialists
will make an appointment to cal
wing.
Sending
Railway Tles
Design Service
Nursery stock planing
now ... or the work
.- .-
r .
,-scA
AO nay
stock guaranteed
Phone 235.1878 238-445
• Iffy Is first in our business
111
4,!
4
Today at GM
Goodwrench
the price on the
ground is the
price on the hoist.
Period.
LUBE, OIL & FILTER
$ 9 5*
D0141 91 LESS THAN
!tor $J$U11$ oa
Tail NEXT OIII'S FRRI
INCLUDES • Replace filter, tube ds and replace oil sith up to 5litres of GM
Fluids brake, power
steering i premium oil • Check feren t firmer following c tri •
steeringWindshieldfilter oolant►o tib rinse belt, buten. lights
Campine
inspection. tires, air filter coolant. hoses. G � 1�icia�
and indicators • All done by our friendly ,�, a it �, ons e
MAINTENANCE
TUNE-UP
GM AMOY!, MITI Alta LAWN COMI WWI It MOMTN NAMANTY NMI RMTALLATIOIL
95+ INCLUDES • Replace spark plugs • rhedr
air and fuel filters, belts. hoses. PGI; ignition wires
and cap* Visual battery check • Electronic engine
analysis • Road test
(. cru
••witch ,,,ii CM Okla t9tr* taws n run nailer mr al kr Ai
BRAKE SERVICE
ALL GM-AMROYra PARTS AMO LA1011 AR[ GIWIANTID FOR 1t MOM.
1
5 • • Replace front pads • Brake Fluid
included • Inspect master cylinder,
caliper, rotors and rear brakes • Check
broke lines, wheels, emergency brakes.
tires and brake lights • Road test
•1Allealeboor eu*Ws AAkikrser Cal Wilds Odeawl dlie lea
GOODWRENCH
EXHAUST SYSTEM
MwIn a GIAaAMTIID ION AS LONG AS YOU OM YOUR vuaaz.
1
95'
INCLUDES • Replace inknnedh a pipe.
mullet tail pipe and drops
• "All other- pants and labour Farm*
• ioi 12 matron ipen'fiaFly deltoid for
GM vehicles
• 1,111-10.0e0Avaii WA a *# edit *WM us we ora noir ma, lel for lar ke der* ebb
Goodwrench
ServkejfAis
EXPERT SERVICE • HONEST PRICES
PCIATAC
BUICK
NOBODY KNOWS YOUR VIHICLI BITTER THAN
YOUR GM GOODWRENCH DEAUR.