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Miriam-Webster defines the word change as, to make radically different, to give a different position, course, or direction, to replace with another, and that’s exactly what the Windsor Locks CT., based modified racing team of car owner Chuck Montville and driver Les Hinckley are preparing to do for the upcoming season on the True Value Modified Racing Series. They are making a change, a kind of out with the old and in with the new approach for the upcoming campaign that kicks off Saturday night April 15 at the Monadnock Speedway, Winchester, NH. Hinckley, the winner of the season opener last year at the western NH race track, will be piloting a brand new SPAFCO modified racer that will again carry the teams familiar # 06 and Montville, with the help and support of his girlfriend Debbie Marquis, a hard working dedicated crew, and power from a Tim Mangus engine, couldn’t be happier. “A new 06 for 06 that hopefully will turn things around for us.” The 2005 season was a tough one for the owner of the new car who is entering his 27th year in New England short track racing. Montville has been no stranger to victory lane throughout his career with Rick Fuller, Ed Kennedy, Ted Christopher and Hinckley all driving Montville racers to feature wins.
Montville, who started racing in 1979 driving a former Bob Stefanik coupe at Riverside Park, has also served as a crewman for veteran car owner Ralph Solhem and has dabbled at SK modifieds in the 90’s. But when Jack Bateman created the TVMRS for the 2004 season he felt that was the way to go and is somewhat surprised at the amount of interest the 3rd year series has drawn. Did he expect to see the number of registered cars bordering sixty with the opener close to two months away? “Absolutely not, it will be tough to qualify.” He added, “When we first started this thing we were looking at 20 cars and it has continued to grow, I’m just happy to be one of the first guys involved.”
Montville’s driver, the 32 year old Hinckley says he is anxious for the new season and the new ride. “After the win opening night last year everything that could go wrong did go wrong but with all the changes that we are making I’m extra excited about the new season.” “With a lot of people I know heading down to New Smyrna, I get a little antsy”. The second generation driver’s thoughts are surely agreed upon by fans throughout New England. The 06 team are hoping to shake down their new racer on practice day April 8 at Monadnock.
TVMRS NOTEBOOK ……
A July 14 date has been added to the schedule at Canaan Fair Speedway. This will be a non points show but it will carry a “pretty good payoff” said tour founder Jack Bateman.
Tour operations manager Michelle Lavigne, who doubles as the web master for the tour’s website advised members at last weeks general membership meeting, the tour has developed so much interest that an average of 80,000 hits have been received just this off season. And recent seminars in Texas and California, the tour was mentioned.
This year, race teams that finish in the top 15 in the point standings will be required to send a team representative to the tour banquet if the driver cannot attend.
Team’s campaigning for the Close Call “Rookie of the Year” title is required to submit a resume to tour officials. Luke Royea is last year’s recipient.
Look for the Royea and Bateman teams to represent the TVMRS at the Racin’ Preview Weekend in Portland ME, Feb 24 and 25, also that weekend Karl Fredrickson, driver of the #41 modified will appear at the Lee USA Speedway show at the Lilac Mall, Rochester, NH. Jimmy Kuhn Jr, Jimmy Dolan, Dave Berube, Mike Keeler and newcomer Bobby Grigas will be on hand at the Race-a-rama show in Foxboro, MA, March 31 to April 2.
Look for Northeast Race Cars/Parts to continue their involvement in 2006 as contingency sponsor and as the official part supplier for the tour. Mountainside Graphix, the official supplier of TVMRS apparel will be back this season. Sunoco Race Fuels, sponsor of the hard charger award returns as does Black Mountain Painting, 1/2 way leader award, and new this year Koszela Speed will present the 5th and 15th place finishers with $100 at each event.
TVMRS officials and competitors wish to extend best wishes to former owner/builder Goodwin Hannaford on his recent well deserved induction into the Beech Ridge Hall of Fame in his native Maine. Hannaford left the tour following the 2005 season after inning two 100 lap events in 2004 with Jim Boniface. Hannaford and his wife Anne, a former tour officer, will be missed.
