Thursday, June 07, 2012
On or off the track, Melanie Simmons is an ambassador for her sport
Top Dragster driver ready to compete in Summer Showdown
at US 131 Motorsports Park this weekend along with PMRA and PBSS series
CAYUGA, ONTARIO (June 6, 2012) – One of drag racing's greatest ambassadors does her talking on the track with her supercharged Top Dragster, but off the track Melanie Simmons spends her time talking to fans and the media about her sport.
Now in her fourth year of Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts, Simmons, of Orillia, Ontario, takes time between rounds to speak with spectators, sign autographs, and explain the intricacies of her 509-cubic inch supercharged dragster which is capable of obtaining over 200 mph in just over six seconds on the quarter-mile.Simmons and her Toyrific Racing Team will be ready for action both on and off the track this weekend as part of the Summer Showdown at US 131 Motorsports Park at Martin, Michigan.
I love racing, said Simmons, but I love meeting with the people at the tracks we go to. Children are especially impressed when they see the car in the pits.
And I truly enjoy signing autograph cards and shirts for them, she continued. I hope I am fulfilling my off-track time as a role model. It is an important part of my racing.
Simmons has been behind the wheel of a drag car since 1996, starting out in Junior Dragsters and working her way into the faster cars. Her father Roger Simmons has been with her since the beginning of her racing career, and continues to this day as crew chief for the team.But don't let the off-track attitude fool you. When she pulls up to the line to stage her dragster, she is all business.
When I'm racing, I am focused on winning and nothing else, she said. And I want to win as much as anyone else.
Toyrific Racing thanks all of its loyal sponsors and supporters for the 2012 season. Jackson Transportation Systems, Delta Faucet Canada, Barrie Harley Davidson, Auto Sense Auto Parts, Auto Logic Service Expert, Castrol, Extreme Collision Centre, NGK Spark Plugs, Resolution Racing Services, G-Force Race Cars Inc., Brampton Pallet Inc., J&M Recycling Inc. and RS Performance Auto Service.The Toyrific Racing Team will be one of many this weekend for the inaugural race at the storied Michigan facility. The Quick 32 Sportsman Series is comprised of Top Dragster and Top Sportsman cars. Each side is made up of 16 qualified cars, which compete against each other, and the finalist from each side is pitted in a final round which determines the event winner.
Along with the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, the two companion series, the Pro Modified Racing Association, and the Pro Bike & Sled Series, will take to the Martin track this weekend in the second of six events for 2012, offering a well-rounded and exciting package of drag racing action.
Qualifying in all three series takes place Friday, June 8 beginning at 7 pm. Final qualifiers will be held Saturday June 9 at 2 p.m., with round one of eliminations scheduled for 3:30 pm.
General admission tickets for Friday's show are $12 and $20 on Saturday. Children 6-12 are $5 for Friday and $7 for Saturday ages 5 and under are admitted free both days.
As part of its 50th anniversary, US 131 Motorsports Park is offering exclusive Champions Club VIP seating Saturday. This $50 package includes admission, a pit pass, unlimited catered meal with drinks, and a special commemorative 50th US 131 Motorsports Park hat.
After the opening event held in May, Jeff Roth of New Dundee, Ontario leads the Pro Modified Racing Association Championship Point Award Series, with three-time PMRA champion Bruce Boland of Hamilton, Ontario second and Derek Hawker of Corbyville, Ontario third.
Going into the Summer Showdown, Dan Aitken Jr of Belle River, Ontario heads up the Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts Championship Point Award Series Standings, followed by Mike Everitt of Stratford, Ontario, and former champion Kevin Wicke, also of Stratford.
In the Pro Bike & Sled Series Championship Point Award Series Standings presented by Wiseco Performance Products, Chris Bondi of Aurora, Ontario is the leader at present, followed by Ted Glinny of Milton, Ontario, and the Beachville, Ontario team of Danny Staples and Kevin McKay.
For information about US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan call (269) 672-7800 or visit online at www.us131msp.com
The Quick 32 Sportsman Series, www.Quick32.ca will race six times in 2012. The series also competes with its two companion series, the Pro Modified Racing Association, www.PMRA.ca and the Pro Bike & Sled Series, www.PBSS.ca offering a solid and full package of drag racing action.
For more information contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher at Bruce@Quick32.ca
Photo Credit: Mike Goodwin ~ www.MGdigital.ca and Dave Erauw Photography ~ www.erauw-photo.com
