May 10, 2008

AVA MERCADO CAPTURES FIRST WIN IN STUNNING STYLE

Yes, Ava Mercado, daughter of veteran racer Angelo Mercado and Mom, Dawn notched her very first win as one of this year's Rookie drivers at Airport Speedway.  In a stunning wrap-up of pre-Mother's Day races, Ava put her newly painted #3 RTS/Honda powered racer on the pole of the 250 Stock feature and then went wire-to-wire for the victory in just 5 starts. Needless to say, Mom and Dad were two proud parents along with a cheering grandstand of standing spectators. Ava was able to hold off some very tough "chasers" as she was pressured on several restarts and while dicing her way, like a veteran, thru lapped traffic. With her new confidence, she's sure to be in Victory Lane many more times.

Mercado was leading on lap 22 when the first yellow flew for two simultaneous spins by Jim Garrison and Todd Elwell.  As the race resumed another yellow for a tangle by Cameron Bellinger and Ernie Carlisle bunched the field on the restart.  This allowed the lurking Alex Swift to move up to the back bumper of Mercado.  However, Swift was not able to mount a serious challenge by the time the checkers were displayed. Mercado was followed across the line by Swift, Barry Pollard, Kelsey Johnson and Phil Durham.

Another first time winner, Bill Murphy, was welcomed in Victory Lane of the 270 feature.  Murphy, driving the #84 machine, was also another pole sitter by virtue of capturing his heat.  The first yellow came out on lap 4 for the Robert Dungan, Luke Fogg tangle in turn 2.  Andy Locuson, returning to Airport competition, moved past Kyle Melvin on lap 5. Drew Boyce navigated around Locuson to move into the second spot. Boyce made a quick pass of Murphy on the restart of lap 13.  However, the move was nullified by an immediate yellow as Ryan Wozunk rolled his #15 in turn 2. Once again the top runners were Murphy, Boyce and Locuson. Following the last restart on lap 20, the top five, Murphy, Boyce, Andreas, Locuson and Brown put on a show for the fans as they sped around the 1/8th mile to the checkers. Murphy, in his post race interview, said that this is only his second season of micro competition racing previously at the Bridgeport and Kutztown ovals and this year deciding to give Airport a try. It looks like Airport suits him just fine.

The 600 feature welcomed last week's winner, Jack Conover, once again to the winner's circle. Another pole start for the JR Culler #89 racer, had Conover turning some impressive laps in the 9.95 second range. Rick Stief, coming from his fourth starting spot, finished in second.  During the early going, Luke Thomas, Stief and Conover      were also turning some impressive laps pulling out a 3-car break-a-way from the second place threesome of Oswald, DeVault and Radcliff.  Lap 13 was an unlucky lap for Angelo Mercado as his #3 machine lost a left rear wheel entering turn 1 making the #3 a DNF for the night. Lap 18 saw Stief get by Thomas who then spun the 2T in turn 3.  This allowed Stief to move to second and have a chance at Conover.  It was not to be as he had to settle for the runner up spot at the finish line.

The 125 feature had Heather Colbert and last week's winner, Shane Braxton, bringing the field to the green flag.

It didn't take Phil Durham long to move into the second spot passing Braxton on lap 2 and then passing Colbert to move into the lead. By mid-race, Durham was showing the way over Braxton and Eddie Wagner who had moved up from his 8th starting spot.  After a yellow flag for debris on lap 22, Wagner slipped by Braxton to take over the runner-up spot.  The checkers flew over Durham, Wagner and Braxton to conclude the event.

The Juniors had two hard chargers, Tyler Tank and Glenn Frye Jr, up front as the first green flag flew. Tank had himself a big lead by lap 5.  Erin DeLong brought out the yellow for a spin on lap 8.  On the restart it was Tank and Kody Holand ready to do battle.  Tank opened up a three car lead quickly and pulled out an impressive 250cc powered Junior win over Frye at the checkers.  It was Zoe Mattis in the #02 taking the 125cc Junior win.

Complete finishes:

600cc: Jack Conover, Rick Stief, Randy Oswald, Sam Locuson, Bill Thomas, Bryan Radcliff, Stewart Carmichael, Carl Locuson, Bryant Davis, Bob DeVault, Jon Holmquist Jr., Gregg Cable, Cameron Bellinger, Luke Thomas.  DNF: Angelo Mercado  DNS: Harry Aragon, Jim Garrison, Jim Tippin.

270cc: Bill Murphy, Drew Boyce, Ken Andreas, Andy Locuson, Dave Brown Jr., Mike Rice, Cameron Merriman, Nick Walton, Stefanie Palmai, Eddie Wagner, Kyle Melvin, Chris Locuson, Roland Saxton Jr., Brent Sheaffer, Elbert Melvin.  DNF: Bill Sorey, Dane Tobias, Evan Bowlsbey, Josh Martin, Ryan Wozunk, Luke Fogg, Erika Palmai, Robert Dungan.  DNS: Todd Elwell

250cc Stock:  Ava Mercado, Alex Swift, Barry Pollard, Kelsey Johnson, Phil Durham, Jeffrey Wills, Steve Wright, Eddie Gobbo, Jim Garrison III, Cameron Bellinger, Lew Schwander.  DNF: Ernie Carlisle, Todd Elwell, Ed Holz.  DNS: Mark Schwinger

125cc: Phil Durham, Eddie Wagner, Shane Braxton, Bryan Kostiak, Brittany Whitesall, Corissa Matherly, Lee Reinhardt, Dana Watkins, Evan Krautwald, Jim Pollard, Hannah Schrom, Joe Hall, Heather Colbert, Justin DeLong, Stephanie Wright.  DNS: Areanna Bassler

Juniors: Tyler Tank, Glenn Frye Jr., Kody Holand, Kelli Matherly, Justin Layton, Zoe Mattis, Kyle Newkirk, Shelby Garrison, Erin DeLong.

Jack Conover 600cc                          Billy Murphy 270cc

Tyler Tank 250 Junior                          Zoe Mattis 125 Junior

Philip Durham 125cc                            Ava Mercado 250cc

May 17, 2008 Crazy Hat Night 

Do you have a goofy or crazy looking hat? Then dig it out of the storage and wear it to the races and be proud of it.

Tech Notes: The 2008 BMMRC Rules and Regulations Technical Highlights

600 Class; The connectors must be on all motors, this is an tech item. 

Item 8. b) All cars must have the PA connector for the track to check engine rpm rev limit.

250 Stock Class; Pistons must have 2 rings whether Stock OEM or aftermarket.

Item 3. k) Stock OEM piston or aftermarket piston that meets factory specs for year and make.

Visitors

If you are a visiting driver planning on racing at Airport Speedway this season, you must fill out the form for the 1099-Misc.  These are for cars not registered with B.M.M.R.C. All Drivers use the Visiting Driver form, Drivers that have a ride with a Car Owner use 1099 Car Owner form ALSO. Please complete the on-line form and print it out, then take the form to the Sign-in booth the first time you plan on racing.  

If you are under the age of 18, you must bring a copy of your birth certification or drivers license as proof of age.  This is a BMMRC requirement per the BMMRC By-Laws Racing Rules and Regulations.

VIP Lounge Rental

If you would like to have a party or be indoors, the VIP Lounge is available to rent in the 2008 Race season.  Anyone is welcome to rent the booth on a Saturday night to watch the racing in an indoor setting. Contact Alan Durham (856) 697-8314 to schedule the date(s) you would like to rent the booth.

Membership Application Form 
Just click on the MEMBERSHIP button at the left and follow instructions.
You will be able to fill out the form on your computer and print it out.
You will, however, still need to sign the form and send it to the Club P.O. Box along
with your check. 

If you are under the age of 18, you must send in a copy of your birth certificate or 

driver's license as proof of age. This is a BMMRC requirement per the BMMRC By-Laws 

Racing Rules and Regulations.

Minors

Any minor between the ages 12-18 must have a signed Parental/Minor Consent Release Waiver Agreement before entering the pits. 

Parents-This Waiver must be signed by the minor and both parents before being allowed to enter the pits.

Please see Secretary to pick up your form.  

Car Registration Fee

Payable with annual dues.  This fee is for Club car registration and must be paid by each

Club member registering a car.  

All registered cars must have been inspected and competed or attempted to compete in at least three (3) point races during the registration year in order to retain its registered Club number for the following year.

All car number re-registrations must be completed before April 1st to assure retention 

of a previously registered car number.  

Contact Barbara Sparks for availability of numbers before submitting your application.

Jr Sprints

Airport Speedway is once again hosting the Jr Sprints on race nights.  Engines allowed will  be 125cc and 250cc Stock.  These engines will be required to meet all BMMRC technical rules. If anyone is interested between the ages of 12 - 15 years, the coordinators of the Jr Sprints are: Curtis Matherly, Chick Whitesall or Ken Andreas to register or for more information.  Drivers: when filling out the BMMRC Membership application form, you are to check the Individual Member box.  You will NOT be registering your car number with BMMRC, this may be handled by the Jr Sprints coordinators.

2008 Rulebook

The 2008 BMMRC Racing Rules and Regulations is now available on the website and at the Club meetings.

2008 Schedule

The race schedule is available on line. Remember you must have your car and safety equipment inspected before going out on the track for any practice.

Coming Events

May 17 - Crazy Hat Night

Quick Links:

Admission Fees

Airport Speedway Mylaps

Car Count Pay Out Schedule

Hotel Listings

MAGP Map 

Speedway Directions Mapquest

Sponsorship/Advertising Fees

1099 Visiting Car Owner Form

1099 Visiting Driver Form

2008 Club Officers

President : Debbie Locuson
Vice President: Dawn Mercado
Secretary: Barbara Sparks

Treasurer: Sandy Stumpf-Rineer

Board of Directors:
Ken Andreas

Alan Durham

Debbie Locuson

Angelo Mercado

Ralph Parks, II
Debbie Pilli

Chick Whitesall

Class Representatives:
125cc - Brittany Whitesall
250cc - Steve Wright
270cc - Marco Michetti
600cc - Cameron Bellinger

Race Director:
Mark Brooks

Tech Committee:

Preston Sparks

Ken Andreas

Alan Durham

Track Rental Contact:

Angelo Mercado (302) 376-7070

VIP Booth Rental Contact:

Alan Durham: (856) 697-8314