THOROLD, Ontario (January 29, 2016) – Earlier this week we learned how excited Ryleigh Sliter is about moving to Saturday Nights and joining the fleet of Team JSR Cars in the Rev’s Full Throttle Powersports Modified Lite Division.
Team JSR leader Josh Sliter of Port Colborne is just as excited about the new season that began for him on New Year’s Day at Seymour Tennessee’s 411 Motor Speedway.
“We heard about the Hangover from Eddie Crutchfield,” said Josh Sliter said of his engine builder, “I was sold on making the trip on the spot … I just had to get my team-mates on board. The move for Ryleigh has been in the works for awhile … I am so excited for her – I think she will fit in once she gets some seat time!”
His JSR team-mates RJ Pietz, Rob Misener and his uncle Shawn Sliter all made the trip to high-banked 3/8 mile red clay just south of Knoxville and were among some 200 cars in front of a packed grandstand.
“When we arrived … everyone had a full day of practice … it was a fast track and we changed gears a few times trying to get the right set up,” added Sliter who would finish the event in the runner-up spot.
Sliter – the five-time Merrittville Mod Lite Champion is no stranger to pre-season racing and is on the way once again to the East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa Florida for the TUSA Winternationals along with Misener with racing scheduled for February 3rd to 6th.
“Rob and I are excited … honored and really looking forward to this year’s edition,” relayed Sliter, “in the Invitational Champions Race … my National Championship puts me on the pole and Rob will start 4th.”
To follow Sliter and Misener’s racing in the Sunshine and Slide Jobs Event on pay per vew click on https://dirtnation.tv/ or by visiting http://eastbayracewaypark.com/
Two years ago Sliter’s Spring Training also included a racing and sightseeing trip through Australia in a Mod Lite owned by Toowoomba Queensland’s Jamie Cowling – a driver he met a few years ago at East Bay.
After returning from Florida this year while the team prepares for Merrittville’s 65th Season – his focus will be on event set for Saturday April 2 … the Stag and Doe for him and his fiancée Maartje.
With Sliter’s cousin Ryleigh joining Team JSR the bench racing has already started as to what will happen if they could all end up in the same heat. The Team JSR Driver lineup includes Misener, Pietz, Jamie Gilbert and Josh, his dad Ray Jr. and his uncle Shawn in addition to special appearances of the former Wally Billing #37 that Ryleigh will take over in 2017.
“It would be nice to see the division get back to where it was,” hopes Sliter, “the racing is pretty good as is but with fields back up to around 20 cars … the fans would really enjoy it!”
Fielding eight cars wouldn’t be possible without the support of a great group of sponsors with the fleet sharing the Welland Midas Auto Repair as well as Niagara Falls Nissan, Tender Cuts Port Colborne, Thurston Machine, Pro Fabrication, Jawzy.ca, Crutchfield Performance and Leader Racecars.
“We’re looking to build on last season … going into the final night we had a shot at sweeping the top 4 spots in the points,” remembered Sliter, “we’re counting down the days until the Spring Sizzler (April 23rd) and finishing the rain-delayed TUSA Canadian National Championship and the rest that this season will bring.”
An exclamation point to Josh and his team-mates 2015 success came during the Awards Banquet when his dad Ray Jr. was honored with the Pete Cosco Memorial Award as Car Owner of the Year.
Racing is what the Sliters do … enjoying some quality time together … the immediate family … aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins and everyone else that’s a part of Team JSR.
For all the news on Merrittville Speedway’s 65th Consecutive Season in 2016 – visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com. Race fans and Race teams alike can follow Merrittville on Face Book (Facebook.com/Merrittville Speedway) and Twitter (Twitter.com/Merrittville
Merrittville Speedway’s Winter Office Hours are Monday to Thursday from 9:00 to 5:00 and on Fridays from 9:00 to 4:30. To reach by phone call 905-685-7223 or via e mail ebicknell@cogeco.net.
MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS The 2016 65th Anniversary Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series for Merrittville Speedway’s 5 Divisions is brought to race fans and racers by division sponsors – Pinty’s Delicious Foods, Yager Bros Trucking, Rev’s Full Throttle Powersports, Hoosier Tire Canada and Van Raine Construction in addition to many marketing partners Visit them at . http://www.merrittvillespeedway.com/sponsors.htm and visit them when you require their products and/or services.
Lucas Oil Products is one of the fastest growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry featuring a premium line of oils, greases and problem-solving additives. Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil Products has established itself as the top selling additive in the industry.
Race fans can look for Lucas Oil Products at their favourite automotive retailer or maintenance center including Kala’s Home Hardware. KC Auto Parts, RCM Racing Equipment and Tim Phillips Garage.
From: Jim Irvine/ Assistant General Manager- Merrittville Speedway
