Melanie Simmons Impressive in Transitional Year
Courtesy: Resolution Racing Services
ORILLIA, ONTARIO – Melanie Simmons and her Toyrific Racing Top Dragster had an impressive season in 2010, especially considering the major learning curve thrown her way during the Quick 32 Sportsman Series racing season.
Simmons, from Orillia, Ontario made the move to a supercharged engine in 2010 to afford her a better opportunity to qualify in the top half of the field for the increasingly competitive Quick 32 Sportsman Series events. After several DNQ’s (did not qualify) in the 2009 season, the Toyrific team benefited from the assistance of Carl Spiering and ERD (Engine Research & Development) to build a supercharged 540 cubic-inch Big Block Chevy to motivate the popular female driver. It was an instant gratification for Simmons dipping into the 6.80-second range at 196 mph on her first full pull.
“It was awesome to make the switch from our injected engine to the supercharged engine in 2010. There is nothing like belt-driven power. We cut a full second in ET and added around 30 mph,” Simmons noted.
Melanie advanced to the dragster final in one race and the semi final in another in 2010 and qualified in the top half of the field for every race she attended. In the final race of the year transmission problems kept her from advancing further than the dragster semi-final round of a double header race.
A disappointed Simmons said, “I really felt like I was in the groove to get a win for our team. I was really let down the previous race when it started raining. I felt that my team was on point for the last race and unfortunately we had nothing but mechanical problems. It’s part of racing! I just really didn’t need that to happen at that point in time. It really crushed my overall year end points”. Regardless Melanie held her head high as she always does and represented her sponsors well by signing autographs and being a fan favorite driver at all of the Quick 32 Sportsman Series events.
In 2011, the new year is looking to be the breakout season for the popular driver. The Toyrific team is getting an early start on preparations for 2011 by selling the trusty dragster that she has driven for the past several years.
“It’s time to step up the chassis for my daughter,” said team crew chief and father Roger Simmons. “The cars in this Quick 32 Sportsman Series have not only become quicker but also more consistent. With our new ERD horsepower this year it was evident that we needed to make a move. With safety as a forefront of my concern this was a no brainer. It’s all about persevering in this sport and that’s what we are going to stay focused on.”
Although a new car has not yet been purchased as funding has to be gathered, Simmons plans on being ready to race the May long weekend and opening Quick 32 Sportsman Series race at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario.
For more information log onto www.Quick32.ca
Toyrific Racing thanks all of its loyal sponsors and supporters:
Jackson Transportation Systems, Delta Faucet Canada, ERD (Engine Research & Development), Barrie Harley Davidson, Auto Sense Auto Parts, Auto Logic Service Expert, Castrol, Tim Martin Racing, Extreme Collision Centre, NGK Spark Plugs, Resolution Racing Services, RS Performance Auto Service, Family, Friends & Fans.
