Thunder Mountain offers variety

If you like variety in race cars, then Thunder Mountain Speedway in Center Lisle is to place to be on Saturday nights. Featuring a weekly race card that has many divisions, track crews performed offseason upgrades to the speedway. Combined with a new rule that allows softer tires, that should result in multiple-groove racing for the numerous classes in 2004.

Improvements included moving the backstretch out and widening the turns. An all-new clay surface was also added and will greet competitors when Thunder Mountain begins its season this Saturday. Besides the track upgrades, increased purses for the modified and sportsman divisions are in place for this season, [an error occurred while processing this directive]too.

With the added money in the modifed division, it seems odd that the defending track champion would decide not to return in 2004. Brian Weaver, who finished with 44 points more than Paul Jensen for last year's title, will not return after winning his sixth title at Thunder Mountain in 2003.

Weaver's departure and the increased payout of $1,300 for the weekly winner is great news for the returning regulars, who have a division with no clear-cut favorite. Runner-up Jensen and veteran Mike Colsten were four points apart in the points chase last year. Chris Weaver (Brian's brother), Otego's J.R. Hurlburt and Jim Gabriel Jr. will also challenge for the title.

Sportsman

Deposit's Chad Cook smoked the rest of the Sportsman field to earn his second consecutive track championship by more than 100 points last season. Again, rumors are circulating that Cook will move up this year, but with an increased purse, it seems doubtful he will leave. Billy Spoonhower, Ken Titus, Brian White and Dusty Jagger (one victory) completed the top five last season.

Street Stock

Mark Wainwright finished 30 points better than J.T. McKernan to take the division points title in 2003. Wade Decker, Larry Hillis and Harold Humphrey rounded out the top five.

Pure Stock

The special Hurricane Mountain All-Star Pure Stock Series, which started in 2003 in honor of driver Harry Uhl Jr., who died in a boating accident, gives this class top billing on occasion. The series includes four races, giving the winner of each a guaranteed starting spot in the season finale Aug. 15.

Five-time track champion Buck Mills took the 2003 title away from defending champ Mike Wilbur by 33 points.

Four-Cylinder

Bob Doolittle won the Four-Cylinder Stock crown and Ken Stafford was the Four-Cylinder Modified winner last season. In the Thunder Dog class, Tim Parker edged Paul Larow by 19 points for the title.

THUNDER MOUNTAIN SPEEDWAY AT A GLANCE

Location: 0.5 miles north of Highway 79 on Hunt Corner Road, Center Lisle, N.Y.

Race Day: Saturday. Opening Day: Saturday.

Weekly Divisions: Modified, Sportsman, Street Stock, Pure Stock, 4-Cylinder-Stocks, 4-Cylinder Modifieds, Thunder Dogs.

2003 Track Champions: Brian Weaver (Modified), Chad Cook (Sportsman), Mark Wainwright (Street Stock), Buck Mills (Pure Stock), Bob Doolittle (4-Cylinder Stocks), Ken Stafford (4-Cylinder Modified, Tom Parker (Thunder Dogs).

Coming Next: Ransomville Speedway.

Thunder Mountain Speedway

2004 SCHEDULE

April 24: Opening Night.

May 1: Regular Show.

May 8: Regular Show.

May 15: Regular Show, ESS Super Sprints.

May 22: Regular Show, Pepsi Night.

May 29: Regular Show.

June 5: Spring Championship, Pro Flo.

June 12: Regular Show, Midstate Vintage Stock Cars.

June 19: Regular Show.

June 20: Father's Day (Harry Uhl Qualifier) PS, SS, LM, SP.

June 26: Regular Show.

July 3: Regular Show, Fireworks.

July 10: Regular Show.

July 14: North South race PS, SP, SS.

July 17: Regular Show, Sling Shots.

July 24: Regular Show, Midstate Vintage Stock Cars.

July 31: Mid-Season Championship

Aug. 7: Regular Show.

Aug. 14: Regular Show, Fan Appreciation, Helluva Good Cheese Night.

Aug. 15: Second annual Hurricane On The Mountain Pure Stock Special.

Aug. 21: Regular Show, Gary's U-Pull It.

Aug. 28: Regular Show.

Sept. 4: Fall Championship.

Sept. 11: Regular Show, Final Points.

Sept. 18: Season Finale.