Team BRP to launch assault on victory lane at Volusia

St. Catharines, Ontario – (February 5) With Pete Bicknell himself perhaps the final driver to score a win in 2009 – one of the largest ever contingents of Team BRP drivers are all looking to be among the first to win in 2010. Bicknell’s December pre-Christmas win of course came in his first ever visit to the Maryborough Speedway during a whirlwind tour of Queensland Australia – capping off a 670 plus win season for the cutting edge chassis and components manufacturer.

When the 39th Florida DIRTcar Nationals By University of Northwestern Ohio comes to life at the Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville Florida – February 10-13th – many of the almost 30 strong BRP-chassied racers will look to draw on previous success.

In last year’s 38th edition on the strength of his first 2 feature wins in the Sunshine State – Team Gypsum Driver Pat Ward won the Florida title with perennial down south competitor Jamie Mills earning a single win in the 4 race series.

Ward’s team-mate and 2008 Mr. DIRTcar Champ Billy Decker would surely like to keep the pre-season mini-series crown within the John Wight-owned race team. Ward – from Genoa NY earned his first DIRTcar Nationals Title in 2004. The Gypsum Team also will include 18 year old up and comer Larry Wight.

Billy Pauch – the lone New Jersey driver is also a two time Florida Champ. 13 years separated his two titles – the last coming in 2008.

One driver who will surely be looking to pick right where he left off in 2009 is Matt Sheppard who came within 4 points of 2009 Mr. DIRTcar Champion Brett Hearn and his first Big Block Championship.

Sheppard enjoyed quite a strong finish last season in winning the final three Super DIRTcar Series Tour events - including the Super DIRT Week Rite Aid 200 finale at Syracuse.

The Waterloo NY second generation driver who led DIRTcar Northeast with 20 Big-Block triumphs in ’09 - has yet to visit Victory Lane in 5 visits to Florida to date. Sheppard will be joined by team-mate Jeff Brownell Jr.

Several two car teams will see brothers Randy and Rodger Chrysler making the trip south – representing the DIRTcar Western Region as well as the father and son team of Rex King and Rex Junior – staples on the BRP Modified Tour.

The Len & Jo’s Restaurant-sponsored entries of Bill VanInwegen and Jeremy Markle are also hoping to serve up some top finishes.

The Canadian contingent will see the province of Quebec featuring another father and son team - Wallace and Dexter Stacey in addition to former Mr. DIRTcar 358 Mod Champ Mario Clair and Michel Chicoine while Eastern Ontario race fans will be cheering on Tim Kerr.

With 11 previous Florida wins to his credit, Danny Johnson will also be part of Team BRP this year – joining his brother Alan Johnson in the Sunshine State.

Central New York Team BRP fans can cheer for another three drivers – Dave Rauscher, Chris Higgins and Dale Planck while Easterners will no doubt be behind Bobby Varin and Keith Flach.

From the Keystone State – Darwin Greene, Ray Swinehart and Dan Vauter will be looking to put Pennsylvania on the Volusia Podium.

Volusia Speedway Park’s events are just the start of another assault on 2010 Victory Lanes at a dirt track near you throughout the spring, summer and fall.

In 2009, BRP-chassied drivers won more features than any other Chassis Manufacturer in Big Block, 358 and Sportsman competition. In fact since 2002 – Team BRP drivers have annually combined for at least 500 total wins each season.

For Release - Friday February 5, 2010 - From Jim Irvine - Bicknell Racing Products Public Relations - 905-685-7223