For those who may have missed the announcement at the end of last season, we have a brand new division for the Fast Friday series come the 2017 racing season. The Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero division will debut on our opening Friday night this season and they will be here under the INEX sanction, just like our Legends division.
“We have enjoyed some great support from youth racing teams in our Mini Cup division for almost two decades, but need to expand the division to allow our young races to grow with a more structured system,” David Alburn, our Competition Director said. “INEX offers a system that has proven successful with the Legends and we look forward to working with them and growing a successful youth program.”
With the addition of the class for the 2017 season, we are guaranteed to see some young talent begin their climb to the top. The entry list of drivers for this year already includes some familiar names, like Zachary Martinez and Maddie Harkin — two SYRA competitors. Although both are expected to run SYRA races as well, they will be both lead the list of experience at the third-mile oval. The crucial experience of knowing the line around the track should help them with their learning curve of a new car.
Other former SYRA competitors expect to compete include Mason Tessier and Ryan Arieta, who both ran with us last season. We should also see defending SYRA champion Evan Marchand run some races with us during the 2017 Bandolero season as well.
However, a new division also welcomes in some new faces to the Action Track of the East. Riley Caron comes to us from Pascoag, R.I. and is expected to compete against Walpole, Mass. driver Corey Charette. They are joined by car No. 11 driver Teddy Welch, who hails from Griswold, Conn.
RJ Marcotte comes to us from up in Millcille, Mass., while Forestdale, Mass. driver Wesley Heard will also run some events. Seekonk also welcomes Devin Desharies to the group of drivers for this season, along with many others. With the division being under the INEX sanction, we will surely see some invading outsiders come from tracks New London-Waterford Speedbowl as well during the year.
Sit back, relax and enjoy a brand new year of racing here at Seekonk Speedway. This year, we have something different for Fast Friday!