Photo by Dale Calnan/Image Factor Media
By Carin Sundin
OHSWEKEN, Ont. (July 17, 2018) – Ohsweken Speedway officials are pleased to have Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stock driver Blake Bomberry Jr. “In The Driver’s Seat” this week. Each week “In the Driver’s Seat” showcases a driver from the Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stock or HRW Automotive Mini Stock divisions and provides some insight into the driver behind the wheel.
Bomberry would like to thank his sponsors, Nitro 54 Variety, JR Wetlands Outfitters, the Ogwehoweh Skills and Trades Training Centre, Carquest Caledonia, Crescent Oil of Hamilton/Team Kendall and Rivers Edge Camping.
Bomberry would also like to give special thanks to his pit crew who keep him on the track every week, Blake Bomberry Sr. and Kane McGregor.
How old were you when you started racing? What division/class? How long have you been in the Thunder Stock division?
BB “I did some drag racing while in high school then circle track racing in 1996 at the end of the season. I started driving Thunder Stocks full time at Ohsweken Speedway in 1997 when I was 29 years old. I’ve been racing for ten seasons in this division. I also ran for two years in a Pro4 Modified at Flamboro Speedway.”
How did you get involved in racing?
BB “I have been going to watch all types of racing since I was a child and always wanted to try it. And when I heard my friend Glenn Styres was going to build a track, I talked with my father and we decided to build a car and go racing, and here we are still.”
What was your scariest situation in a race car?
BB ”Two incidents stand out in my mind. I was involved in a crash where a bumper bar came through the door bars of my cage and stopped 3-4 inches short of my ribs/seat. The other incident was a crash where a car got airborne and I could see it was going to come down on my car – I yanked hard right and floored it and the rear bumper came down on the top door bar beside my shoulder. I completely plate my door bars and close the window opening on all of my cars because of those incidents.”
Do you get “race nerves” before a race?
BB “Every time I fire the car to head out I get pretty excited. When we get to pit road and wait to go out, I relax and almost fall asleep, when they call us out I am calm and ready for show time.”
What is your favourite race moment to date (as a driver, fan, growing up, etc.)?
BB “My favourite moment was seeing my Father Blake Sr. win his first race in my original car, which he rebuilt after he crashed it up and I built a new car. There was a time when I had to step away from racing and I helped my father with his race program. His car was a beast.”
If you could race in any other class, which would it be?
BB “I would love to be in a Dirt Late Model. But then that would mean a Sunday night on the road for an away race.”
What advice would you give anyone who is interested in getting into racing?
BB “Start as a pit crew member on a race team. Learn what it takes to run, set up and maintain a race car. Jump in one and take it out for hot laps and practice nights. Pick a class of racing within your financial means, trying to run a Sprint Car on a shoe string budget will be tough without a lot of support. Don’t be afraid to bring up racing and ask potential sponsors if they would be interested in being a part of your team. All they can say is no.”
What driver do you most admire? Do they influence your driving style?
BB “I’m not trying to suck up to the big guy, but I have to go with Glenn Styres. I love watching him go flat out up on the cushion. I like running the top too, if it’s there. Drive it in and hope it sticks!”
If you could compete in any race, what would it be? Which track?
BB “That would have to the big Dirt Late Model National finals at Eldora Speedway with 150 of the best drivers from Canada and US.”
Do you have any race day or pre-race superstitions?
BB “I always tighten the wheel lug nuts before every race. I don’t let anybody else do it, I once had a wheel come loose.”
Blake is currently in the 13th position in the Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stock point standings. We’d like to wish the No.24 team a safe and successful 2018 race season. Thank you, Blake, for getting In The Driver’s Seat this week.
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Canadian Sprint Car Nationals Tickets and Camping Available Now!
Advanced reserved seating tickets are on sale now for the 14th annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals on September 14-15 are on sale now! The event features two full nights of Sprint Car action, including Saturday’s $10,000-to-win Feature Event. Visit www.ohswekenspeedway.ticketforce.com or call 519-717-0023 to order and for more information. For the full 2018 schedule of events, click here.
Ohsweken Speedway Live Stream
Can’t make it to the track or don’t live within driving distance? No problem! Check out all of Ohsweken’s weekly Friday Night Excitement action live online for free via the Ohsweken Speedway Live Stream. The stream goes live at 7:30pm EST each race night at www.OhswekenSpeedway.ca and on our official Facebook page.
2018 SEASON
Ohsweken Speedway’s 23rd season of weekly Friday Night Excitement features four divisions of racing, including the Kool Kidz-Corr/Pak 360 Sprint Cars, Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Cars, Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stocks and HRW Automotive Mini Stocks. Visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com to view the schedule or call (519) 717-0023 for more information.
About Ohsweken Speedway: Founded in 1996, Ohsweken Speedway is a motorsports complex which includes a 3/8 (0.375) mile clay oval track. The facility is owned by the Styres family, and located in the village of Ohsweken, Ontario, Canada. Ohsweken’s weekly Friday night racing program runs from May to September each year, featuring 360 Sprint Cars, Crate Sprint Cars, Thunder Stocks, and Mini Stocks, while the season finishes each year with the annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals. Ohsweken Speedway also hosts weekly Micro Sprint racing on Thursday nights.
OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY MEDIA
Phone: (519) 717-0023
Email: media@ohswekenspeedway.com
Website: www.OhswekenSpeedway.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/OHSWEKENSPEEDWAY
Twitter: @OhswekenSpdway
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/OhswekenSpeedway
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/user/OhswekenSpdway
Ohsweken Speedway thanks the following partners for their support in 2018: Arrow Express, Kool Kidz Ice & Water, Corr/Pak Merchandising Inc., Renway Energy, Case IH O’Neil’s Farm Equipment, Hoosier Tire Canada, EPIC Racewear, McDonald’s Restaurants of Paris & Brantford, Ackland Insurance, Strickland’s GMC, Lucas Oil Products, Burger Barn, Pinty’s Delicious Foods, Creative Edge Signs & Graphics, Insta-Insulation, Middleport Mechanical, HRW Automotive, and Gale’s Auto Aftermarket.