This Saturday night, July 16, the ASA Advanced Testing BC Late Model Tour invades Saratoga Speedway with the running of the Thrifty Foods 150. A collection of the top Late Model racers in B.C. will tour the 3/8ths mile "D" oval track in a highly contested 150-lap main event.
The fastest full-bodied Late Model stock cars in the province will include local Island favouites Bart Smith, Brandon Carlson, Brent Morris, Geoff Morris, Tyler Clough, Doug Richens, Ray Anderosov and Rory Smith.
Racers throughout the mainland of B.C. will be rolling into Campbell River to compete with the local favourites. Along with last year's Katana Sportsman Late Model champion Tom Berrow the fans will be treated with the mainland hot shoes of Bob Kuhn, Dave Hemrich, Murray Dyck, John Ross, Harvey Hoogenboom and a number of others attempting to challenge the local heros.
The first-ever ASA (American Speed Association) Late Model tour in B.C. will get started at 6 p.m. with the racers vying for the Harding Forklift fast time award. The Bayfield Mortgage Professionals A Dash and the Kool Coat Ceramic Coatings B Dash will be up next.
The Longacre Racing Products A heat race and the Richmond Engines B heat race will challenge the drivers to compete for the overall points champion of the day.
The 150-lap Thrifty Foods Main event will run under the lights with the Island stars trying to out duel the mainland visitors. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and qualifying begins at 6 p.m.
Fans are welcome to check out www.saratogaspeedway.bc.ca and www.asaadvancetestingtour.com for more information regarding this weekend's events.
PIT STOPS In years past, this series was known as the Katana Sportsman series, but over the offseason the ownership was sold to John Ross, who races the #2 Late Model ... the series then joined up with the American Speed Association, an organization based out of Florida ... the rules are the same but the racing has developed tremendously ... #86 Tom Berrow who won the series last season, holds the lead after one race, six points up on #52 Geoff Morris ... the Island stock cars and the Bomber cars will fill out the racing card this weekend ... the monster trucks return July 30-31, with four of the towering titans in town ... this night also marks the mid-season championship for the Hornets and the Bombers ...