Tim Kerr - George Smith Photo
Belleville, ONT — February 24, 2009 – By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications
*George Smith Photo
While the rest of the Great White North was battling through the latest round of cabin fever, Tim Kerr was all smiles. The Picton, Ontario pilot knew it would be just a matter days before he and his crew packed their Kevin Enders-powered Bronskill & Coe-Greenbush Electric-Kerr Construction Bicknell DIRTcar Modified into the hauler for a trip to Volusia Speedway Park for the 38th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH.
After following the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Northern Tour for the past two seasons, the Prince Edward County speedster – who just celebrated his 23rd birthday – was making his first trip to Florida for the winter tour since an ill-fated maiden voyage in 2007 that ended with his #07 car failing to qualify for any of the main events.
The second time around was much more successful as Kerr and the team found their way into 3 of the 4 feature races. Wednesday, February 11 he qualified by finishing 3rd in the night’s third heat race and came across the line in 12th spot. One night later, it was a 5th-place finish in the consolation event that put him in the ‘A’ main where he finished 23rd after starting in 26th-place. After failing to qualify Friday, February 13 the team rebounded to finish 20th in the 50-lap tour finale, ending up 23rd in the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals mini-tour point standings.
“My goal is to learn something every time I’m in the race car,” said Kerr, a full-time racer. “My first year in a Modified we towed to Brewerton and Fulton speedways in New York every weekend. It was tough sledding some nights, especially when you’re running against guys like Alan Johnson and Billy Decker, two of the best there are. You can’t help but gain some knowledge. Along the way, we made some good friends and the crew learned how to adjust the car for the changing track conditions throughout the night.”
While not as heavily funded as some of the teams he has run against, Kerr seems to know how to make the best of the sponsorship support he has on the his 2007 Bicknell mod. “Our sponsors have been great. They’re not throwing a ton of money at our program – and let’s face it, everyone would like to have more”, Kerr said with a smile. “Still, we’re not back-pocket racing either. Even with the Pro Cup team we’ve learned to make the support we have go that extra distance.”
His strong Florida tour efforts may have opened some eyes as far as the Canadian runner’s ability to get the job done in a DIRTcar Modified, but Kerr says his plans for the upcoming season are still up in the air. “The economy might dictate what happens with our Hooters Cup deal. It’s a lot of fun to run those races, but it also means a lot of time away from family and friends. My family has some solid roots in the racing community at home – fielding a Canadian Modified for driver Charlie Sandercock at Brighton Speedway – so we might decide to concentrate on the running the DIRTcar program in ’09. The season openers are getting close, but right now it’s hard to say where and when we’ll run and in what type of car.”
Media contact: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications
clarkemotorsports@hotmail.com, 613/968-6410 or 613/922-0654
