Contacts - For Immediate Release
Speedway Promoters - Fritz & Krista Roehrig
Address - 50 Big Diamond Road
Box 524
Minersville, PA 17954
Media Contact - Deb Smith (610) 972-6176
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Big Diamond Open Practice - A Sneak Preview of the 2012 Season
The forecasted rain never arrived and the Big Diamond Speedway opened its gates for the first time in 2012 to welcome nearly 100 racers for its open practice session on Sunday.
With Big Diamond presenting two nights of racing for the first time in the history of the track, competitors from the many divisions to be featured this season took advantage of the opportunity to prepare for the upcoming season openers.
Twelve competitors from the headliner Modified division were on hand for the Sunday practice session. For some, it was the first time on the track since the end of last season. For others, it was a little bit longer.
Sunday's practice session marked the return of "The Law", Easton, PA driver Rick Yetter who last completed at Big Diamond during the 2010 season. Yetter picked up his first feature win that season but spent most of 2011 campaigning for the Magisterial District Justice position in his local area. Yetter won the position in November and is enjoying the challenge of his new position. Even though Yetter has a newly constructed 2011 Bicknell for this season's competition, a delay in engine parts had Yetter taking laps in his TEO #5 during the practice session. "I really didn't want the first laps on the new car to be under race conditions," the young racing judge stated. "But it is what it is. This practice day is more about me getting some time in the car anyway." The speedway management has undergone a change during Yetter's absence as owners, Fritz & Krista Roehrig returned to promote the Schuylkill County racing facility last season. Yetter noted the wider racing surface as he reacquainted himself with the 3/8 mile track. Yetter hopes to have his new car ready for the season opener.
Doug Manmiller was pleased with his maiden voyage in the Schaeffer Harley Davidson T102. Manmiller joins the Fitzpatrick brothers, Tim and Shawn, as the driver of the 358 Modified entry. Manmiller picked up a Big Diamond feature win for Fitzpatrick last season. Manmiller was the 2010 Big Diamond Track Champion.
Michael Weinert took his laps on Sunday to prepare for the 2012 season - the season that Weinert hopes will produce his first feature win of his young career. Weinert "graduated" from Micro Sprint competition in 2010, starting out in Sportsman and then moving up to the 358 Modified ranks about midseason. Weinert has been close to that first checkered flag on several occasions but has not been able to complete the task. This season, Weinert has some additional incentive to do well in Friday night competition at Big Diamond. Tom Weinert, Michael's dad and car owner, has dangled the proverbial carrot - a top five finish on Friday will give the young racer the chance to race a second night that weekend.
Brad Arnold joins the 358 Modified ranks as a rookie this season. Arnold was able to iron out some mechanical issues early in the practice session and spent the remainder of the afternoon gaining some seat time in his beautiful #27. Arnold is up to the challenge of the Big Diamond modified division after moving up from the micro sprint ranks.
Colt Harris has had a rough start to the 2012 season. Harris made hard contact with another car during warm-ups at the recent Selinsgrove Icebreaker weekend. The impact broke the W-link on Harris Crown 7. The young Big Diamond competitor was forced to revert to his car from the 2006 season because of the frame damage sustained at Selinsgrove. "We're pretty much week to week this season." Harris explained between hot lap sessions at Big Diamond. The Crown 7 driver is hoping to pick up some additional sponsorship for the season. "This week is going better than last week - that's for sure," Harris exclaimed. "I guess it's not all bad news though - I like this old car better anyway. This car has always handled better."
Reading, PA driver, Andy Burkhart has his Troyer #87 prepared for the 2012 season and is hoping that he is able to produce some better results this season. Burkhart had several strong appearances during the 2011 season but joked that there needs to be less driver error this season. Burkhart's #87 is powered by a Lombardo engine. Burkhart explained that is problem isn't a lack of power but being able to bet the power to the track.
The Station House 358 Modifieds, the U.S.S. Achey Sportsman and Wooden Keg Roadrunner divisions will compete on Sunday, April 1st to officially mark the start of the 2012 season at Big Diamond. (And that's no April Fool!) Race time is 4 pm as the 40th season of racing gets underway at the Big Diamond Speedway.
With ten races scheduled at Big Diamond this season, there was a strong showing of ARDC Midgets on hand for the open practice day. Fifteen ARDC drivers participated in the preseason warm-up session. Several teams had multiple entries on hand. Nick Wean, Ryan Smith, Brett Arndt, Steven Drevicki and Tim Buckwalter were top ten championship contenders in 2011 and were preparing for ARDC's season opener at Big Diamond on Saturday, April 7th.
410 & 305 Sprint Cars, Excel 600 Modifies, Micro Sprints, Pro Stocks, Thunder Cars, Late Models and Vintage Racers participated in several warm-up sessions throughout the afternoon.
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