KINCARDINE, ON- Fresh off of a 2015 Thunder Car Rookie of the Year season, Sauble Speedway fan favourite Kevin Bridge will look to tackle the perennially competitive Ltd. Late Model division in 2016.
The move up will pit Bridge against some of Ontario’s elite Late Model veterans, including Tim Ellis, Marvin Freiburger and Josh Stade.
“Our whole team is well aware that this move up is going to come with some growing pains,” laughs Bridge candidly. “I mean, how could it not? The Ltd. Late Model division all over Ontario is one of the best around. And the guys at Sauble have all been doing it, at a really high level, for a long time”
“It’s going to be tough to catch up to their years of experience. All we can hope for Is to pick something up every Saturday, and learn something new every time we fire this car up”
Bridge’s family-owned operation acquired a McColl Racing Enterprises chassis from multi-time Sauble Speedway champion Jason Parker at the conclusion of the 2015 season.
“It’s a huge relief knowing that the equipment we’re in is proven,” explains the Kincardine, ON native. “Jason [Parker] won a ton of races with this car and Scott [McTeer] looked great in it last season. So, we know that we’re bringing a great piece to the dance, and I know that I have an awesome team behind me, so our season will be all about getting the driver up to speed”
The former Mini Stock standout will chase Sauble’s Rookie of the Year title in 2016, with the hopes of entering a number of invitationals through the tail end of the season.
“We’re going to run the full schedule at Sauble, and if we feel as though we’re progressing the way we hope to, we’ll head out on the road and try our hand at some of the open shows”
Despite the obvious excitement centered around making the climb to Sauble’s premiere division, Bridge remains realistic and grounded ahead of his newest venture.
“I think the most important aspect of this season is going to be not getting ahead of ourselves,” says the personable freshman. “It’s easy for guys to move up a division and start expecting too much, too soon. Once you fall into that, it’s easy to spend a lot of money and make a ton of mistakes”
“We’re here to crawl before we walk,” affirms Bridge with conviction. “It’s all about doing things the right way – because we’re hoping to be around for awhile.”
Kevin Bridge Racing’s 2016 season is made possible thanks to the support of LIUNA Local 1059, CASTROL Canada, Huronview Insurance, Lakeside Chevrolet Buick GMC, Daniel Kelly Custom Cabinets, Saugeen Shores Transmission, Spira Fire Protection, Beefway, UPI Energy, EPIC Racewear, Coldwell Banker of Kincardine, 4 Wheel Performance, Bridgehaven of Angus, Gilcrest Speed and Custom, DJD Graphics, Permatex, DEI and NGK Sparkplugs.
By Spencer Lewis (@itsspencerlewis)
