By: Jim Irvine/Merrittville Speedway
August 26 2016

Thorold, Ontario – When Niagara Generators were introduced last February as one of the newest 65th Anniversary Event presenters we knew they would be hosting the 2016 running of the Bill Willard Senior Sterling Silvr Event for the Yager Bros Trucking Sportsman Division.

Due to a earlier rain out, Saturday August 27th’s Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Event also will have Niagara’s Generator Specialists hosting the finale of the Triple Crown Series for the Van Raine Construction 4 Cylinder Division.

The Sterling Silvr Award is an annual award created by former Sportsman racer Ken Walsh in 1990 after the St. Catharines resident got his start in racing and had so much help from Bill Willard Senior. Walsh’s efforts honour his memory.

Beginning in the 1950’s, the Willard Family got it’s start in the local racing scene when Bill Willard Senior quickly became an accomplished car owner for drivers including Don Taylor, Bev MacTavish, Stan Friesen, George Winger and Terry Edwards while at the same time providing towing service through Willard & Son Towing which is now CAA Niagara.

Fast forward to the 1970’s and the cars of Bill Sr. and his son Al would own and maintain would be those driven by the family’s third generation … Bill Willard Jr. and later Tammy Willard.

The fourth generation in recent years has included BJ Willard, Tyler McPherson and Cody McPherson who last week won the David Chevrolet King of the Crates Series.

Along with McPherson who won his great-grandfather’s race in 2011, other former winners Justin Sharp (2013), Chad Chevalier (2009) and last year’s winner Brad Rouse who also took the trophy home in 2012 are the only drivers still active in the division for the 27th Edition.

The start of the 2016 4 Cylinder Triple Crown Series was rain delayed but once it got going … it has been all Tyler Lafantaisie.

Originally set for May 14th’s Cotton Inc Night, the Welland driver won the opener as part of May 23rd’s Brian Stevens Memorial presented by Zavitz Financial Strategies and ZFS Employee Benefit Solutions.

When Baron Roofing and Siding hosted Round 2 – it was Lafantaisie once again with his third straight win of the season. Since then he has added another win. The Finale was also rain-delayed – originally part of Avondale Food Stores Night Saturday August 13th.

In the Triple Crown Mini-Series Point Standings, Lafantaisie leads Tony Kelly by 11 points with Kyle Rothwell just two points behind Kelly.

“Every year our 4 Cylinders provide some of the best racing and 2016 has been no exception … the Triple Crown Series could go right down to the final lap,” said (Merrittville GM) Erica Bicknell-Jones.

“Imagine your life without power,” added Bicknell-Jones, “disaster can strike at any time … how many of us remember the Black Out in August of 2003 and who knows what this winter will bring?. Race fans and race teams can benefit from knowing Niagara Generators at any time year!”

It’s storming outside. Neighbours have no power. For you - dinner’s on in 15.

Niagara Generators can provide you with stand-by power when the power goes out for home, business, agricultural and industrial applications.

Since 2007, Niagara Generators has been an Authorized Sales, Service and Maintenance provider Briggs & Stratton, Cummins Power, Generac and Kohler Generators.

Niagara Generators offer Standby and Prime Power Generators fueled by natural gas, propane and diesel – from 7 kW and up to 150 or more.

Without power you’d be without refridgerators and freezers to safely store foods and medicines and what about our kitchen appliances?

Without power how would you supply lighting inside and outside your home and provide clean water for drinking and bathing?

Without power how would you wash and dry clothes … power your security system – let alone your garage door opener and those fans?

Without power how would you keep in contact with the outside world … the internet … your cell phone charger … TV or Radio?

A division of Niagara Power Systems Inc., Niagara Generators can install new and used generators, transfer panels and switches. The Service Department can repair all makes and models of stand-by, prime power and portable generators.

Niagara Generators are located at 5927 Thorold Stone Road in Niagara Falls just past the 5 Corners. Open Monday to Friday from 9 to 5 – call 905-228-3055 for a FREE Site Visit and Quote. Visit Niagara Generators on line at http://www.niagaragenerators.ca/ and like them on Face Book at https://www.facebook.com/niagaragenerators.ca/?ref=br_rs

Niagara Generators Sterling Silver Night Saturday August 27th begins when the Great Clips Grandstand Ticket Office opens at 5:30. Show Time is 7:00.

To reach Merrittville Speedway call 905-892-8266 or via e mail – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Merrittville Speedway is located at 2371 Merrittville Highway in Thorold Ontario.

The Bill Willard Senior Sterling Silvr Award (Previous Winners)

Doug Gordon (1990), Larry Czinege (1991, 1992), Cliff Warner (1993), Don Martin (1994), Greg Panunte (1995), Billy Krull (1996), Bill Podwinski (1997), Chad Brachmann (1998, 1999, 2001), Joe Meisel (2000), Rob Pietz (2002), Bob Davidson (2003), Martin Polhill (2004), Bill Willard Junior (2005), Mat Williamson (2006, 2007), Brandon Easey (2008, 2010), Chad Chevalier (2009), Cody McPherson (2011), Brad Rouse (2012, 2015), Justin Sharp (2013), James Michael Friesen (2014)

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.