Published: May 16, 2008 11:20 pm            

DIRT RACING: It’s a small Big R world, after all

Thousands flock to Ransomville Speedway on Friday night.

RANSOMVILLE — Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and just plain family friends brought in a new generation of racing fans Friday night at Ransomville Speedway, where youths dominated the attendance.

More than 3,000 people crammed into the historic Braley Road half-mile dirt oval facility to watch a full card of racing, including the Enduro Firehall Series, which is quickly gaining popularity because it features a full line-up of local drivers representing local fire halls.

The Big R’s unofficial attendance counter was 11-year-old Eddie Briggs of Lewiston, who was busy selling programs just inside the front gate on Friday night. Briggs said he sold programs last year and liked it so much, he just had to come back for another year.

“I think it’s going to be a huge crowd today,” he predicted correctly a half-hour prior to the start of racing.

“Everyone’s real excited to be here to watch the races and it’s a great night.”

Ricky Richner of Niagara Falls won the Week 2 modified feature race. He was followed by Todd Burley of Spencerport, Jeff McGinnis of Ransomville, Bob Broomfield of Youngstown and Todd Gordon of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, to round out the top five.

The Sportsman feature winner was Ransomville’s own Jipp Ortiz. Ortiz was followed by Don Spatorico of Ransomville and Mike Bowman of St. Catharines to round out the top three.

Friday night’s street stocks feature winners were Lockport’s Dave Conant and Wilson’s Jaren Israel. The Enduro Firehall winner was Mark Brown, representing the Wilson Fire Hall.

Fans of all shapes and sizes sat or stood and cheered on their favorite drivers. Some fans, including a young group behind the flagman stand, found an interesting way to root for two drivers at the same time in the Street Stocks Division.

On one side, their double-duty sign paid tribute to one driver. On the other, it saluted rookie driver Marika Morris of the Falls. The kids took turn flipping the sign over quickly as the packs flew by in front of them.

“Why do you like Marika so much?” this reporter asked the loud, enthusiastic group, glancing at the program. “She’s just a rookie.”

“Because that’s my mother,” yelled out Marika’s daughter, Rachel Illig, 8, smiling ear-to-ear.

And it was a Mother of All opening races as things got off to a high-flying start in the opening Enduro heat. Jim Pringle, representing the Wilson Fire Hall, flipped his car No. 928 over between turns one and two. The wreck, in which no one was injured, ended the race prematurely with fellow Wilson team member Jamie O’Donnell being declared the winner.

Meanwhile, many younger fans in the stands took in their first races, including Lockport’s Jonathan DeMartz, 6.

“It’s really cool here,” he said.

“I like the crashes the most. I think I want to be a race car driver some day.”

Added Jonathan’s father, Mike DeMartz, “It’s my first time here in 24 years. I’m glad I decided to come back and I’m glad I brought the kids. It’s a great place to be with your family. We’re going to come back for sure.”

Next week at the Big R is the 50-lap Lucas Oil Shootout plus a full card of racing and fireworks.

        

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