After 8 years of elementary school, students head for the 9th grade. 4 years later, the next step is college or university before taking their place in the working world. After first learning her craft in an endurance racer, then dividing her time between a mini stock and pro stock machine at Brighton Speedway Park, Caley Weese is ready to graduate. The 23 year-old from Carrying Place, Ontario will kick-off the 2010 season at the controls of a DIRTcar sanctioned pro late model on the familiar turf of her home track, as well as the half-mile Can Am Motorsports Park at Lafargeville, New York.
Powered by the same small block V-8 General Motors crate motor the team used in their pro stock, the fully-fabricated beast features a tube-frame chassis, aluminium body and rides on massive 14 inch Hoosier rubber. The cars were already popular through the southern states and have recently been added to a number of central New York tracks. In addition to their 2 regular venues, Weese Racing will also have the option of following the Ontario Dirt Late Model tour, depending on their level of sponsorship support.
“As much as I hated giving-up the pro stock car, we did almost everything we could with it,” said Weese. “5 years in one class at the same track is a long time. We did some travelling to different places with that car, but we were kind of limited to where we could go. With the late model, we’ll be running Friday and Saturday nights – plus we can do the entire ODLM series, or pick and choose as our schedule and backing allows.”
With an educational background in Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communications (class of 2008) from St. Lawrence College in Kingston to help her, Caley – who works as a Project Supervisor with the Heart and Stroke Foundation – is confident that her late model efforts will be strongly supported. Just after coming back from Kentucky with the new car – a 2007 Pierce chassis – the team sent out a ‘teaser’ e-mail to their 2009 backers to let them know of their plans for the new season. So far, the response has been incredibly positive with backing from Dibbits Excavating, Cool 100.1, Classic Hits 95.5, Ten Star Weese Insurance, A & W Belleville, McDougall Insurance, Fresh Thinking Graphics, Burr Insurance, Campbell’s Orchards, Associate Muffler and Brake, Spy Optics, Osiris Shoes and the Heart and Stroke Foundation on the her #77 machine – but the driver known as ‘The Skirt in the Dirt’ knows there’s always room for one more sponsor.
“We’ve put together a solid package and we’re always ready and willing to sweeten any deal by involving the team in a sponsor’s marketing plans,” said Weese. “Our equipment is very well prepared and we have best appearing car awards from 2003, 2004 and 2005 that we’re very proud of.”
This will be the second incarnation for the late model class at Brighton Speedway Park, but the first time the division has been crate engine powered. Officials at the 3rd of a mile oval says there is the potential to see close to 20 cars compete in the class when the division makes their first of 14 scheduled starts Saturday, May 22nd. At Chapman’s Can Am Motorsports Park, the DIRTcar sanctioned class was introduced in 2009 and has continued to see the ranks grow. Mark Rinaldi, promoter at Brighton and Can Am’s Chip Burdick recently announced a 4 race series that will kick-off Friday, June 18th at Can Am. Details can be found at www.brightonspeedway.com or www.canammotorsports.com.
Even though she competes in a male dominated field, Caley Weese has already achieved success at many different levels. With a new toy at her disposal, she’s looking forward to another season of playing in the dirt.
Photo attachments:
#1). The Weese Racing DIRTcar Pro Late Model will be part of Brighton Speedway’s pre-season promotional shows. (Clarke Motorsports Communications)
#2). Caley Weese poses with her DIRTcar Pro Late Model at an early season car show. (team supplied)
Release and Photos by Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications
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