By: Merrittville Speedway
July 15 2016

Thorold, Ontario – In addition to Merrittville Speedway’s L. St. Amand Enterprises Wall of Fame Induction Ceremonies July 16th, a new annual Reunion Night Award will honor it’s first two recipients - Dan ‘Moose’ Sider and Pat Ciolfi.

Merrittville Speedway’s Reunion Committee and CAA Niagara have joined together for a special 65th Anniversary Award that will continue to honor individuals in the years to come that have put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into Saturday Nights at the Thorold d-shaped oval.

“Thanks to CAA Niagara for their assistance in establishing our new Award,” said Merrittville Reunion Committee Chairman Rick Kavanagh, “our focus has always been to celebrate our history … in the 65th and in the years to come we can now honor more individuals that have been a part of our Saturday Nights!”

Sider who passed away after an illness in March of 2015 spent the past three decades would see him serves as an a Merrittville Speedway Official in one of the track’s corners or in the tow trucks. Dan ‘Moose’ Sider was a big man with an even bigger heart who never hesitated to give you a hand anytime day or night.

Bill Willard, Vice President of Automotive Services at CAA Niagara and Reunion Committee Member once called him ‘the Cooler’ because any time he would pull up to a wreck and the upset drivers would be yelling at each other etc. Moose’s ‘Settle Down’ for some reason had everyone looking at him and deciding it might be a good idea to listen.

Off the track, Moose worked with CAA helping people in distress for 32 years. He absolutely loved his work and was quite proud of his son Dan Jr. who followed his dad’s footsteps as Moose had done with George Sider Sr,

Away from his CAA Duties, Dan worked alongside his brother George throughout his racing career on the race car and other projects.

Pat Ciolfi of Cooks Mills was a race car driver before taking on the role of Technical Inspector at Merrittville. His passion for the rule book led to him taking on one of the thankless jobs at other race tracks.

Ciolfi would eventually become Chief Technical Inspector with Merrittville Speedway’s sanctioning body – DIRTcar for both Series and Special Events.

Both Sider and Ciolfi have been honored with the Gordy Wilson Dedication to Racing Awards, (in 2014 and 2007 respectively) which is based on a year’s dedication. The new CAA Niagara Dedication to Racing Award honors a lifetime in the sport.

CAA Niagara is pleased once again to provide Merrittville Speedway race teams with the best towing services available in the Niagara Region. Race fans can enjoy the same fast, friendly and professional service by becoming a member of CAA Niagara.

CAA Niagara serves 113,000 members in the Niagara Region with offices in Grimsby, Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Thorold and Welland. For year round peace of mind and member exclusive savings – you can rely on your friends at CAA Niagara. Visit your local CAA Office and start enjoying year long benefits of being a CAA Member.

For more than 100 years, CAA Niagara has advocated safe driving practices – working to make roads safer for drivers and pedestrians and actively supports enhancements in the vehicles Canadians drive.

Whether it’s teaching young drivers the dangers of distracted driving or providing seniors with tips on how to stay mobile in the community, CAA has a long history of helping drivers stay safe behind the wheel.

In addition to its Auto Club, CAA also offers its members Travel information and bookings, Discount Attraction Tickets and Insurance.

If you want to experience the benefits of CAA – visit the office closest to you or on line at www.caaniagara.ca.

For all the news on Merrittville Speedway’s 65th Consecutive Season in 2016 – visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com. Race fans and Race teams alike can follow Merrittville on Face Book (Facebook.com/Merrittville Speedway) and Twitter (Twitter.com/Merrittville

MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS The 2016 65th Anniversary Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series for Merrittville Speedway’s 5 Divisions is brought to race fans and racers by division sponsors – Pinty’s Delicious Foods, Yager Bros Trucking, Rev’s Full Throttle Powersports, Hoosier Tire Canada and Van Raine Construction in addition to many marketing partners Visit them at . http://www.merrittvillespeedway.com/sponsors.htm and visit them when you require their products and/or services.

Lucas Oil Products, Inc., is the world leader in the production high performance oils, fuel treatments and problem solving additives with the largest variety of shelf products of any oil company in North America. Lucas Oil’s premium formulas are marketed worldwide and retail at more than 40,000 auto parts stores across the continent and at virtually every truck stop across Canada.

Race fans can look for Lucas Oil Products at their favourite automotive retailer or maintenance center including Kala’s Home Hardware, St. Catharines Discount Auto Parts, RCM Racing Equipment and Tim Phillips Garage.