By Dave Vokey
Well with just a little over 24 hours till the race season officially kicks off at Ontario's fastest 1/3 mile tri oval, I figured it would be a good time to delve into what for all intent and purposes will be the deepest division at the track this year the Barrie Mitsubishi Pure Stocks..With the graduation of 2008 track champ #63 Brandon Crumbie to the more highly competitive Late Model division, the 4 cyl's will be highlighted by the two guys that pushed Crumbie every step of the way last season in #4 Mike Meyer and #2 Ben Melenhorst. These two guys could of staked their own claim to the title in 2008, but for some bad racing luck on at least one occasion as the season unfolded. In the case of Meyer it was having to run a lesser car on one occasion, and for Melenhorst it was a mid season DQ that ended any hopes of a first Barrie title.. By the time all was said and done Meyer would fall 30 points shy of Crumbie, but did manage 3 feature wins to go with 10 top 5's and 12 top 10 finishes in 15 starts.. For Melenhorst, the stat line was equally as impressive with a division leading 4 feature wins while he would equal Meyer's mark of 10 top 5's, while showing 11 top 10's in just 14 starts, due to the mid season DQ..Melenhorst would also add two Barrie invitational wins, besting some of the province's top 4 cyl.drivers on those occasions. Fully expect these two drivers to lead the charge for the 2009 title.
With the emalgimation of the former Charger division and Pure Stock A class it is expected this division should see in excess of 30 cars for the season opener tomorrow (May 23rd), with the non qualifiers through heat action now having to race their way into the A main, in what should provide some very intense action all season long.. The contingent of returning Pure Stock A drivers aside from Meyer and Melenhorst will be a strong one, led by 4th place finisher #16 Bryan Penny, who has a new Honda Prelude set to debut after racing an Accord a season ago..Drivers joining Penny for another season of 4 cyl. racing include #92 Ralph Sikes,#64 Dave Crumbie, #97 Travis Hallyburton, #45 Derek Surerus,#24 Tom Milligan, #20 Anna Milligan, #35 Nick French, and #77 Scott Leclerc... All are capable of acheiving a feature win on any given night..Also returning to the track after a 1 year absence is the #114 VW Rabbit of Horst Ziebell, himself a past feature winner on multiple occasions.
A strong contingent are on the move up from the former Charger division, led by 3rd place point finisher #33 Crystal Doucette, who amassed an impressive 4 feature wins in just her sophmore season in 2008.. Doucette won't be the only driver looking to prove she belongs in this newly formed more competive division, as a vast array of former Charger drivers will be joining her in search of better results then the 2008 season brought about.. Included in this group are the Stieler brothers Drew and Brent in their immaculately prepared Mustangs,#07 Kurtis Ball, #23 Terry Tompkins, #22 Chris King, #17 Kenny Cox, #16 Ian Burney, #15 Mike Burtoo, #61 Larry Gauci, #49 Mike Woodward, #88 John Mitchell and #90 Jim MacDonald, with the latter fresh off a 5th place in a recent Varney invitational, where he would also notch a heat win..
A number of new drivers are also slated for action in this division and its anyone's guess how these guys will fare at the tight and tricky Barrie track.. Â Leading the charge in this latter group come a trio of former 4 fun drivers from a track to the south in the form of #22 Bob Mercer, Mike Robinson Jr., and Ron Goodall.. Once these guys develop a familiarity with the tight Barrie confines expect some decent results to follow, as evidenced by the fact all have found top 20 point standings a season ago at their former hometracks.. All in all you see why I say the depth in this division is simply incredible as 2009 approaches, so come on out to the 8th Line of Oro on May 23rd and see for yourself just what all the hype is about... But dont bring your full seat, as you will only need the edge to witness the 4 cyl. action at the High Line this coming season..
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