ODLM Drivers Face Big PurseIn Season Finale at Brighton By James Baker BLENHEIM, ON, CANADA- Drivers on the "Ontario Dirt Late Models" tour will face the biggest purse ever offered in the series' six-year history in the season ending finale at Brighton(ON) Speedway on Saturday September 20. Amidst much fanfare, Canada's only touring series for dirt late models will pay $2500 to the winner of the "Hino Trucks of Kingston(ON) and Gatineau(QC) Justin Turner Memorial." The runner-up will receive $1100 with $800 to the third-place finisher. The feature event will pay $300 to start. In addition, $3450 in lap money prizes will be awarded to participants of the Brighton event. The purse enhancement is compliments of the efforts of Brampton, ON businessman Ron Piotrowski who secured sponsorship from 27 Canadian businesses for each lap of the 25-lap feature. Piotrowski's family-owned business, Humber Nurseries of Brampton, ON, will also sponsor the "New ODLM Driver Award." The race is expected to attract some of the premier dirt late model drivers from throughout Canada and the United States in addition to the regular array of "Ontario Dirt Late Models" racers. The event has been promoted across Canada as well as in the northern United States. Numerous drivers from Winnipeg, MB, Edmonton, AB and Thunder Bay, ON have expressed interest in the Brighton race and may make the long tow to participate. The "Ontario Dirt Late Models" have visited the 1/3 mile Brighton oval twice in their six-year history. In the first-ever appearance at Brighton Speedway in 2003, Brad Authier of Chatham, ON grabbed the victory. In last year's "Justin Turner Memorial," Adam Ferri of Port Colborne, ON captured the win. The 2008 "Ontario Dirt Late Models" racing season has featured a torrid points chase for its drivers with three different winners in the series' four events. In the ODLM opener at Ohsweken(ON) Speedway, a co-sanctioned show with the "World of Outlaws Late Model Series," Tim McCreadie of Watertown, NY came away the winner. The ODLM hosted the "Civic Holiday Challenge" with Ferri the opening night victor at Merrittville Speedway in Thorold, ON and Rick "Boom" Briggs of Bear Lake, PA taking the checkered flag at Humberstone Speedway in Port Colborne, ON. Chris Ross of Wallaceburg, ON was crowned the overall "Civic Holiday Challenge" points champion. Ferri captured the most recent ODLM event with a thrilling last lap victory at Ohsweken Speedway to become the season's only repeat winner. A tightly contested points race has left six drivers in the mix for the championship. Doug Ricotta of Warsaw, NY is the current leader with 305 points but five others are within 43 points. Greg Oakes of Franklinville, NY is in second place with 297 points with Ross close behind with 292. In close pursuit are Ferri(285), late model rookie Adam West of Ridgetown, ON(267) and Chad Valone of Warren, PA(262). The promised showdown for the ODLM points championship, along with the increased purse and possible invasion of touring Canadian and American drivers, has set the stage for an electrifying finish to the much anticipated Brighton race. Regardless of the outcome, the event promises to be one of the most exciting dirt late model races ever presented in Canada. Brighton Speedway opened in 1969 and is promoted by Mark Rinaldi. The track is located 100 miles east of Toronto, ON, just minutes south of the Highway 401. The speedway will present a complete racing card on September 20, the facility's "Fan Appreciation Night." Along with the headline attraction, the "Ontario Dirt Late Models," also featured will be Canadian Modifieds, Pro Stocks and Comp 4's. Racing action will begin at 7 p.m. "Ontario Dirt Late Models" race coordinator Debbie Brush has announced that the 2008 ODLM points leaders will be honoured at the organization's annual awards banquet and Christmas party to be held in Blenheim, ON on Saturday, December 6.
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