Jul 21, 2017 | Amy's Racing Corner, Beech Ridge, Maine Race Tracks
photo By: Amy Harrop
At the young age of 15, Zach Nicholson of Ossipee, New Hampshire is continuing to surprise everyone as he rises to the top of the Wildcat division at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough, Maine. As a lot of drivers do, Zach made his start at Beech Ridge in the “Whiz Kids” division at the speedway, a division where kids between the ages of 8-15 race expedition races before the NASCAR Nite competition begins on Saturday nights. This non-points division allows kids to get a feel of the racetrack and their cars before stepping into a competitive division at the speedway. Although he’s new to the Wildcat division and fresh out of the Whiz Kids, Zach Nicholson is wise beyond his years.
Zach continues to impress fans and fellow competitors each and every week, continuously being a top-5 contender every Saturday night of competition. Earlier this season, he even received his first checkered flag on NASCAR Nite; his prize for winning a qualifying heat race. Although he’s the youngest contender in his series, he continues to compete with Beech Ridge greats like Lewis Anderson; of who he personally idolizes and looks to for advice. Zach jokes that it’s a family atmosphere in the pits, but “All bets are off when we put on our helmets.” In terms of NASCAR drivers that he looks up to, Zach likes watching Ryan Blaney, another young gun, continuously prove himself among veterans of the sport. He also says that’s part of the reason why his number is 21 on his car, but it’s “…more or less because I couldn’t get my number.” His previous car number is 22, so 21 is the closest that he could get. In addition to looking up to other drivers from all levels of the sport, Zach draws influence from his family and friends.
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Jul 21, 2017 | Amy's Racing Corner, Beech Ridge, Maine Race Tracks
Photo Credit to: Ali Pennell (AP Photography)
Written By: Amy Harrop
Ryan Villacci of Falmouth, Maine may only be in his second Sport Series season at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, but he’s continuously impressing everyone at the track as he runs up front every week. Before trying his hand in a Sport Series car, Villacci was a weekly contender in the #10 Wildcat on Saturday nights. Last year, he made the big step up into the #08 car, and he hasn’t looked back since. After struggling with a string of bad luck all season, Villacci got his first Sport Series win of the ’17 season just two weeks ago. This was his second career win in the Sport Series, and a follow-up to his fifth place finish in the points standings last season. This win, to Villacci, felt like a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. “It felt amazing, not just to get the win, but to finally be running better. It was getting to a point where I felt like just giving up. We had tried everything we could think of and nothing seemed to make us any faster. I had started to think that maybe I forgot how to drive a race car. But, over the past few weeks, we had some people lending a helping hand and it made all the difference.” he says, expressing gratitude toward all those that have helped him achieve his goals. Villacci has a very small team, but never falls short of expressing how extremely thankful he is for them.
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Apr 12, 2017 | Beech Ridge, Maine Race Tracks, Maine Racing News
photo by Jamie Williams
Story by Chris Roy
Curtis Gerry of Waterboro, Maine will be returning to Beechridge Motor Speedway this race season. Last year, Curtis won his first Championship in the Pro Stock Series at BRMS. “It was an amazing achievement to win the NASCAR Championship and the track championship in the same year. I believe we can do it again with the same consistency as we had last year.”
Curtis recalls his most memorable moment of last year’s winning season. “Probably the last race, when I won the championship and my whole family and friends were there.”
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Apr 3, 2017 | Beech Ridge, Maine Race Tracks, Maine Racing News, RPM 360
photo by Kyle Kramlich
Story by Chris Roy
Kyle Kramlich, of Scarborough,ME. has been expanded his mind studying Automotive Engineering at Ferris State University, in Michigan. Though race season is almost here and, Kyle is starting a new adventure this race season, moving up into the Sports Series at the Ridge. “Our plans are to run full time in the Sports Series at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway. I do not have any experience in this series but, I’ve talked to people about it and what to feel for. I don’t plan to go set the world on fire so, I plan on starting in back and trying to learn this car and just get seat time.”
There are a number of different racing series here at the short tracks in New England but, Kyle decide to race in the Sports Series at the ridge. “I felt like it would be a good challenge to get into a different type of car compared to a Mad bomber. I felt like I had got a good experience with the good and bad things that come with racing and was ready to move up. I wanted the challenge that came with it so I could push myself to a higher level of racing. I know it will be a whole new animal driving this car but, I’m really excited for it.”
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Mar 15, 2017 | Beech Ridge, Maine Race Tracks
photo by Jamie Williams
Story by Chris Roy
John Peters of Westbrook, ME will be back the wheel of the #51 car at BRMS to race in the Pro Series “I’ve spent the off season in my second year of Business Administration studies at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, NH. After Christmas, my girlfriend and I went to Hawaii to visit my sister’s family and soak up every last ounce of sunshine before getting greeted with plenty of snow… This week my Dad and I have accomplished quite a bit getting the car ready for the season. Truth be told, it wouldn’t be possible for me to do this without him. He’s allowed me the opportunity to really focus on school in the off season when I can’t be in the garage to help him. It’s always nice to be home and working on the car with him.”
The BRMS race season is almost here, as the green flag will fly on April 29th for the Pro ALL Stars Series (PASS) race. “In the next couple of weeks we should be ready to go. We’re going to start out the season at Oxford Plains Speedway with the Pro All Stars Series on April 22nd. From there it’s full focus on our weekly program at Beech Ridge.”
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