Episode 95
February 29, 2016
DT 100 Held at Maine Indoor Karting February 27th
Eighth Annual DT 100 Make-A-Wish Fundraiser Race at MIK
The racing season started last Saturday at Maine Indoor Karting in Scarborough with the 8th Annual DT 100 Make-A-Wish kart races. Over 100 racers from as far south as the Carolinas made the trek to the indoor venue to raise money and have fun.
The DT 100 organized by Dave Thomas of New Hampshire, typically begins the countdown toward racing at some of the New England tracks, some of which plan to open in late April.
The lack of snow in the greater Portland area made it seem like with a smidgen of warm weather racing could begin anytime. Reality check…it is still winter and we still live in New England. Those spring-like conditions could change very rapidly, however, it was good to look forward to the 2016 season.
Racing featured many of the biggest names in motorsports including drivers from stock cars, karts, autocross. and modified. Several points champions as well as big name event winners were on hand to qualify for the 25 lap features in each of the three classes.
Classes, Tier 1, 2, and 3 were based on weight to equalize competition. A light weight driver in an equally prepared kart would have the advantage over a heavier driver. The weight classes tend to group the karts together in more equal races.
Tier 3 podium finishers, l to r 2nd place Jimmy Renfrew, Candia, New Hampshire, winner Jeff Ramsdell, Worchester, Massachusetts, and third place Jacob Dore, Sanford, Maine. HTF Motorsports photo
Ramsdell Tops Tier 3 Heavy Class
Massachusetts Jeff Ramsdell, the 2004 Lee Speedway Mini Stock Champion, took advantage of several opportunities in the first feature of the day. Multiple yellow flags were thrown to sort out the field after some overly aggressive moves resulted in track blockages.
“It was a little rough at the beginning,” said Ramsdell. “I got some lucky moves to allow me to go. I started seventh on one of the restarts and there was a collision on the front stretch. A hole opened up and I went by them.”
“This event is awesome. It is good to see the kids come out here and present their testimonies. All the money we raise is for a good cause. It’s a competitive event, but also for a good cause.”
Make-A-Wish DT 100 Tier 2 top three l to r second place Rusty Poland, Windham, first place Kyle Treadwell, Auburn, and third place Nick Cusack, Scarborough. HTF Motorsports photo
Auburn’s Treadwell Wins Closest Feature of the Day
The second tier (medium weight) class finish was Daytona-like as Kyle Treadwell held off second place Rusty Poland. Going into the white flag lap Treadwell held a slight lead which disappeared as lapped traffic came into play. Poland slipped outside Treadwell in the back part of the racetrack but was unable to make it stick all the way to the finish.
“”This field was stacked today, ” said Treadwell. “We were all within two-tenths of each other. When you run all day like that I am exhausted trying to hold Rusty off right there.”
“He raced me very clean. Gave me a couple bumps throughout the race. He got me to the outside going through the esses which set me up good through the hairpin at the end.”
“This win is a pretty big deal. We lost Rachel (Dubois) in January. She was a Make-A-Wish beneficiary. This is definitely for her.”
Dubois, 24, was a racer in Oxford plains Speedway Ladies Division.
What was the secret to Treadwell’s third feature win in a row? “The same as last year, a double cheeseburger and lemonade at McDonalds last night,” said the Oxford Plains Super Late Model 2014 ‘Rookie of the Year'”.
“This race set’s the stage for me in 2016 and I can’t wait to come back here next year” exclaimed Treadwell!
Tier 1 Lights Division l to r second place Ryan Dyer, Gorham, winner Alby Ovitt, Somersworth, New Hampshire, and third place Taylor Svenconis, Auburn, New Hampshire. HTF Motorsports photo
Ovitt has Four in a Row
Alby Ovitt has a streak of two wins in a row and four total at the Make-A-Wish DT 100 making him one of the forces to beat in the charity fundraiser. Make no mistake these racers were in it to help a good cause, however, once that green flag drops they all have one goal, winning.
Ovitt drew the sixth starting spot in the lights feature. Second place Dyer had the pole position with third place finisher Svenconis starting outside pole. Dyer, a two-time 24 hour world record holder at Maine Indoor Karting, has thousands of laps at the indoor facility.
Dyer leapt out to a second and one half lead from his pole position when a caution flag came out about lap four. On the re-start Ovitt, who had already worked his way into second place, made a nice move in turns four and five to muscle his way into the lead and held the margin for the remainder of the race.
Ovitt, who was still slightly winded after the race said, “I got really lucky on the initial start for sure. I was able to avoid the mess. I was in second place right off.”
“Ryan I think was faster, but on the restart it gave me a chance to get right up on him and rattle his cage a little. He made one little mistake and I was able to capitalize on it.”
It is definitely the biggest race of my season just for the fact that Dave Thomas and everyone involved puts on such a great deal. It’s for a great cause. I don’t know the final tally but the numbers are really high. That’s what it is all about.
Frenchville native Shawn Martin, on left with hand raised, represented the County well at the Make-A-Wish DT100 at Maine Indoor Karting in Scarborough.
Aroostook County native, Shawn Martin, now living in Auburn, had a good showing moving up to third place from his eighth place starting position in the light division. “We got a little aggressive at the start and make up a couple spots. I got up to third at one point, then I got moved and got shuffled back. It was pretty quick and awesome.”
Final Thoughts On DT100
I had no plans to be at Maine Indoor Karting last Saturday, however, when plans to meet family in Westbrook the previous weekend changed due to to my mother-in-law’s health, we all agreed to meet this past weekend.
I am glad I had the chance to see the race in person. There were between 250-300 people in attendance according to Maine Indoor Karting owner Rick Snow.
The 2016 event will probably exceed the 2015 total, those figures will be released later this week by Dave Thomas. For me what impressed me most was the racing spirit that permeated the facility. Missing was the drama and tension found often at race tracks.
The drivers did not back off one bit yet had a day of genuine pleasure participating in what was for me “almost” pure racing. I wish there was more of that during the season.
So Where is the British Parts Company and Tom Peters Snowmobile Articles?
Do not worry both stories will be in future episodes of UpNorth Motorsports. Their stories are interesting as well as intriguing to me and I think will be for you as well. The subject of today’s episode simply lent itself to timely reporting plus it gives us a chance to look forward to future episodes.
Some Events to Put On Your Racing Calendar
March 12, 2016 @ Northern Maine Fairgrounds
Registration 8 – 10am
Tech Inspection 8 – 10:15 am
First race 10:30 am
more information www.northernmaine fair.com
Funny commercial for the Frozen Motor Mayhem event https://youtu.be/doLQaZdC1qQ
Bite the Bullet & Battle Big Rock Snowmobile Hillclimb
Big Rock Mountain would like to openly invite all the snowmobile enthusiasts to attend the Snowmobile Hill Climb March 19, 2016 with racing starting at 5:30pm, hosted by Last Chance Motorsports Racing Supplies in conjunction with Mars Hill Winterfest Weekend!
Side by side racing up the steep and challenging mountain will test your manuevering skills in several different divisions of snowmobile racing. Cash payouts will be awarded to all the regular classes of 500cc, 600cc,700cc & open. There will also be classes for 120cc stock & modified with trophies. Registration is $20.00 per class, and will be available from 3:00 – 4:45 pm.
If you only want to come out to support the hillclimb event while enjoying the evening of snowmobile racing, plan ahead, as …….There will be a Live Band in the Lounge and a special Fireworks display to kick off the evening.
for more information:
https://www.facebook.com/bigrocksnowmobilehillclimbs/
Let’s go racing,
Tom Hale
Soli Deo Gloria
