Thornhill Racing Team Tackling SSP Micro Opener With Two Entries
By Ben Deatherage
Banks, Oregon- For race fans that have never seen Micro Sprints at Sunset Speedway Park you are in for a real treat this Saturday, May 2nd, when they make their first appearance of 2015. They will be divided into two divisions. The Restricted, which is for the young and upcoming talent that are just getting a feel for these cars, and the Open ranks that consist of the older kids and veteran drivers of the sport. Several top named Sprint Car drivers have graduated from this division and have went on to do some pretty amazing things.
One of the teams making the long trip from the state of Washington is Thornhill Racing based out of the town of Enumclaw. The team consists of Nick Thornhill and his nephew Colby both of which are experienced and talented shoes.
“This will be the team's first race in the outdoor season,” commented Chris Thornhill, team manager of Thornhill Racing as well as Colby's dad, “we're very happy that Sunset has given a place for us to race and are happy to support them.”
Nick, who is from Lake Tapps, pilots the PGH Excavating/Factory Kahne Shocks/Vahlco Race Wheels #12 PMP 600cc Open. In 2015 he has competed in 360 Sprint competition and in two starts posted his first career top five, a fifth, last weekend at Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Washington.
This year he plans on running all of the Micro races at SSP and when he is not at Banks he will be the behind the wheel of his Sprint Car. Last season Nick made it for three races and posted two top fives including a win on September 13th.
“I'm really excited to make it down and race the 600 Open at Banks,” said Nick Thornhill.
Colby Thornhill, of Enumclaw, will make his second ever start with a wing on his Micro. The first occasion came this winter at the prestigious Tulsa Shootout in Oklahoma. He is going to be quite the force to reckoned with as he won the Kage Cup for the 250cc division of Kage Karts at Salem Indoor Speedway in late March.
By the way Colby, who is the driver of the PGH Excavating/Factory Kahne Shocks/Vahlco Race Wheels #19 PMP 600cc Restricted, is only EIGHT years old. But despite his young age he comes from a heavy background of Quarter Midget and Kage Kart racing. Colby, like his uncle Nick, plans to make every SSP Micro race this season.
The addition of these two cars this year will definitely help bring the growing car count up and add to the excitement. Be sure and make it out to see all of the Micro Sprint competition this Saturday at the “Banks Bullring”.
“I hope we can get the car count up and get more teams out there because it's a great facility,” continued Chris Thornhill.
Other classes in competition include the Budweiser IMCA Modifieds, Street Stocks, Pure Stocks, and 4-Bee's. Pit Gates will open at 2:00 PM, Front Gates open at 4:00, and racing starts at 6:30.
Tickets for this event are Adults $13.00, Seniors/Military/Juniors (13-18) $10.00, Youths (Ages 12-6) $5.00, and Children under the age of 5 are FREE and a family pass will be offered for two Adults and up to four Youths for just $35.00. For more information log on to www.sunsetspeedwaypark.com.