St. Catharines, ONT — January 27, 2009 – By Jim Irvine, Bicknell Racing Products Public Relations (905/685-7223)
What can you say about the BRP Chassis? The results speak for themselves!
From Billy Pauch’s first win of the new season at Volusia Speedway Park in Florida to one of the last of the season by Josh Van Brocklin with the newly launched 2009X Chassis at Brockville Speedway in October – 606 wins and numerous track and series championships – impressive stats indeed!
The 2009 Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH is quickly approaching and many Team BRP drivers are preparing new cars to make the trip to Barberville Florida for the 38th edition of the mid-winter motorsports happening – kicking off another successful season for the cutting edge manufacturer.
That Team – more than 20 strong includes ’08 Advance Auto Parts Mr. DIRTcar Big Block Champ Billy Decker who has yet to claim a Florida Tour Title – unlike his Gypsum team-mate Pat Ward who topped the standings in 2004.
Teenage sensation Larry Wight will round out the team – looking to start the new season on a high note after earning rookie of the year honors in 2008 in both the DIRTcar Big Block and 358-Modified Divisions.
Jeff Brownell Sr. was the first car owner to file Florida entries for his two car team of Matt Sheppard and Jeff Brownell Jr. and recently made further headlines in posting a $1,000 prize package for the 2009 Tour Champion. Both drivers will be behind the wheel of brand new BRP Cars.
Brothers Randy and Roger Chrysler are set to make the trip representing the DIRTcar Western Region as will third generation Canadian driver James Michael Friesen who will make his debut in a Big-Block Modified.
Ohio second-generation driver Rex King Jr. is set to get an early start on his BRP Modified Tour Season by making his first trip to the Sunshine State.
Pennsylvania’s Ray Swinehart will also be heading back to Volusia after missing 2008’s edition while Delaware’s Jamie Mills is preparing to make his 12th straight appearance in gator country.
Exactly twenty years ago this year, Doug Hoffman made an impressive debut in his first start in a BRP Chassis – winning two out of the five 1989 Winter Tour events. While the Pennsylvania native will not be heading south for this year’s edition, he’ll be making a return to weekly driving duties in 2009 for car owner Norm Hansell at the Big Diamond Raceway where he has won five track championships and Grandview Speedway as well as select Big-Block Modified shows.
Race fans will definitely find these drivers and many others in victory lanes throughout the Northeastern US and Canada as the 2009 record books are filled by members of Team BRP once again.
Bicknell Racing Products began more than 25 years ago and has grown today to boast a St. Catharines, Ontario-based manufacturing and retail headquarters and a US location in Niagara Falls, New York.
“Since Bob Slack joined our manufacturing and research and development departments two years ago,” revealed Randy Williamson, “he has become a key player in new product design and testing … and it’s taking BRP to the next level.”
Slack has been instrumental in the development of many new products that began with new brake calipers and a new front hub assembly. In a probable first for the racing industry, the front hub comes with a lifetime warranty.
E-Z Adjust Torque Arms, Push Lock Quick Release Systems, heavy duty front panhard axle mount brackets, rear shock sliders and the latest product launch of a Torsion Bar Roller Change tool are among leading edge technology components available from both retail locations as well as a strong dealer network.
“Although our new products are specifically designed for our newest chassis designs,” reveals BRP partner Randy Williamson, “they are engineered to fit older models as well.”
Race teams from across the Northeast are invited to annual Bicknell Racing Products Open House Saturday February 21st to be held from 9 AM to 3 PM at both locations.
Just in time for the new season, numerous one day in store specials in conjunction with their family of suppliers will be featured.
Huge savings will help race teams gear up for 2009.
The Canadian location will also play host to a series of free seminars with Scott Jeffrey – crew chief of 2008 Mr. DIRTcar Champion Billy Decker – hosting a Shock Seminar on behalf of Integra Shocks at 10 AM, Dennis Botindari of Motorsport Safety Systems will present a Safety Seminar at 11, Derek Spencer of Performance Friction hosts a Brake Seminar at 12 Noon.
Randy Williamson and Ted Curvin will also provide Maintenance and Set Up Tips at 2 PM.
As well at the Canadian headquarters, key staff members will be on hand providing demonstrations and answering questions including Luke Proulx who will be available for French language customers.
Chassis building demonstrations will be led by Chris Hawkins, Randy ‘T-Ball’ Ellison and Kevin Majkut, Luke Proulx will lead Body Shop fabrication demonstrations and Bob Slack and key Bicknell Machine Shop operators will show how a BRP manufactured part is made on in house state of the art CNC Machines.
The latest edition of new CNC equipment was the recent purchase of a 2009 KITAMURA 3XiF Pallet Changer that was just delivered in January.
For further information on Bicknell Racing Products or to find a dealer near you – call either 905/685-7223 or 685-4291 or 716/285-7502 or visit BRP on line at www.bicknellracingproducts.com. US customers can also place their orders on line on the website.
About Bicknell Racing Products
Bicknell Racing Products offers full in-house machining, welding and fabrication departments and stocks all racing products from front to rear with retail locations in St. Catharines Ontario and Western New York. BRP supports a dealer network that includes #1 Speed, A-1 Racing, Andy’s Speed Shop, Bandit Speed, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Big Daddy’s Speed, Blue Hen Speed and Performance, Bob Mullen Pro Speed, Budd Olsen Racing, Dewart Speed, Gibbs Speed, Hoffman Speed, J&L Speed, Lake Erie Speed, Metal Fab, Mr. Radiator, P.O.P., Paine Motorsports, SD Performance, Snookie’s Speed Parts, T&G Speed and Custom, Total Race Supply, Trackside Products, Traps Speed Shop and Willy Decker Promotion Motorsports.
