Twenty-four Ontario Dirt Late Models Set for WOO Fray at Ohsweken

By James Baker

BLENHEIM, ON, CANADA- The "Ontario Dirt Late Models" open their sixth season Thursday, June 19 as 24 drivers are tentatively set to battle the "World of Outlaws Late Models" at Ohsweken(ON) Speedway.

Canada's premier dirt Late Model touring series will vie with the famous Outlaws for the $10,000 offered to be winner of the 50-lap main event.

Heading the list of pre-race, tentative entries is three-time "Ontario Dirt Late Models" series champion Brad Authier of Chatham, ON. Authier captured the "ODLM" crown in 2003, 2004 and 2006. Also expected at Ohsweken is 2005 series champion Jim Dale, Jr. of Blenheim, ON.

Other tentative entries according to "ODLM" race coordinator Debbie Brush are Justin Coulter, Leamington, ON, Chris Ross, Wallaceburg, ON, Andrew Reaume, Blenheim, ON, Brett Reaume, Blenheim, ON, Gregg Haskell, Chatham, ON, Joe Field, Chatham, ON, Gerald Giroux, Chatham, ON, Jeff Dayman, Port Colborne, ON, Adam Ferri, Port Colborne, ON, Mike Lewis, Wallaceburg, ON, Shawn Gilles, Windsor, ON, Paul Rivait, Tilbury, ON, Jim Jones, Chatham, ON, Tim Mackenzie, Chatham, ON and Adam West, Ridgetown, ON.

West, a regular open-wheel competitor on the "Southern Ontario Sprints" circuit, will be making his debut in a Late Model.

Also expected is Quebec driver Peter Mantha, New York racers Jipp Ortiz, Gregg Oakes and Doug Ricotta and Pennsylvania drivers Boomer Briggs, Dutch Davies and Chad Valone.

Ricotta has enjoyed success at Ohsweken Speedway in the past, winning an "Ontario Dirt Late Models" show in 2006.

Brush has guaranteed show-up points to all "ODLM" drivers who compete in the Ohsweken event.

Pits gates for Thursday's show open at 2 p.m. with the spectator gates opening at 4 p.m. Hot laps and time trials will start at 5:30 p.m. with racing at 7:45 p.m. In addition, the "Ohsweken 360 Sprints" will also be in action.