BY TOM HALE
SPECIAL TO THE BDN
Aroostook County once again becomes the center of Maine motorsports action this weekend as Spud Speedway in Caribou hosts the Pro All Stars Super Late Model Series and the PASS Modifieds.
In addition, Loring Commerce Center’s runway in Limestone will be the location of the Cumberland Motor Club’s huge autocross.
When asked about the PASS Tour coming to the County, Spud Speedway owner Troy Haney said, “This is like our Daytona 500 for us. This series has never run at the Caribou racetrack. I think this is really a unique opportunity for race fans in northern Maine and western New Brunswick.”
Prerace ticket sales include fans from New England and Canada while the PASS race will feature retired NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Sterling Marlin.
Marlin will be at an autograph session at Spud Speedway on Friday at 6 p.m. and will compete in the PASS Super Late Model Series on Saturday night. PASS racing begins at 6 p.m.
One local fan, Ryan Deprey of Caribou, said he likes the chance of seeing the drivers compete in Caribou.
“My dad, Leland, and I usually go to Speedway 95 in Bangor and to Fredericton to watch the Super Late Models. I would go to a Pro All Star race before NASCAR. You can watch Ben Rowe start 15th and just pick off cars the whole way.
“If you like Bristol, Martinsville and Richmond and those tracks, you are not going to be disappointed when you go to a PASS race,” he added.
Deprey was asked to pick a winner of the Spud Speedway race.
“It’s hard to go against Johnny Clark. He’s just set up; he’s so consistent wherever he goes. I like Trevor Sanborn as another possibility,” he said.
Caribou’s Tim Todd, crew member and tire specialist for Presque Isle’s Kirk Thibeau, the only Aroostook County entrant, said, “I think this race will be good for the area. It will be good exposure for the County. These race cars and teams are not what people around here are used to. I think Kirk will be competitive. When we tested here earlier this year we gathered good information which will help him in the race.”
Thibeau hopes his 16 years of experience, much of it right at Spud Speedway, will help.
“I’m pretty excited, these are high-tech race cars driven by top-notch drivers,” he said.
PASS President Tom Mayberry added, “There will be 20 or more of our top racers at Spud Speedway. Another wild card in the race will be two- time Daytona 500 winner Sterling Marlin who, in addition to meeting and greeting fans, will be in the PASS race. I think fans will be amazed at the tight racing.”
Loring, the site of world-record land speed racing earlier this month, will feature two distinct, simulated race courses over which drivers, one at a time, will run their cars against the clock.
“Loring will feature the most intense 1-2 minutes of automotive fun you can legally have with your car in a controlled and safe environment,” said Cumberland Motor Club member Carl Perry of West Gardiner. “The courses will be laid to resemble a Formula One circuit.”
“Participants will need a car, driver’s license, Snell-rated helmet, entry fee money and a desire to have fun,” according to CMC Autocross director Chris Molberg of Windham.
He added registration is Saturday and Sunday, 8-8:15 a.m., with the course opening at 9 a.m.
Schedules and information can be found at www.spud- speedway.com and www.cumberlandmotorclub.com.