Thorold, Ontario (August 4) Like so many drivers over the years, a young Trevor Wilkens would get his start in racing Go Karts – however long before Merrittville Speedway’s Tuesday night Kart Club was even in the planning stages as the Virgil Kart Club and others would provide the setting. 

Trevor competed against such drivers as Tammy Willard who was one of the most recent inductees into the L. St. Amand Enterprises Wall of Fame – last season. 

Eventually, through the help of his dad Gerry Wilkens and York Auto & Truck Collision – Trevor would embark on a Stock Car Career in the former Bomber Division followed by a move to the Sportsmen ranks. Trevor’s younger brother Curt would also develop his own racing career in the Bomber and Sportsmen ranks as well. 

It was here that the Wilkens Family- Gerry, Janet and Curt and Pete and Linda Cosco would develop a friendship that went beyond racing at the track. 

The Coscos would eventually buy Trevor’s #12 from the family and hence the change from Trevor’s number to the Cosco Haulage 17c that we know today. 

The new team had success in the Sportsmen Ranks before making the move up to the 358 Modified Division. 

Just as Trevor was making a name for himself in the premier division, he would be faced with a setback but battled through it to return to the sport he loved. While Trevor was in recovery, the Cosco Race Team would add another driver as Don McGinnis would step in to keep it going until Trevor could return. Prior to the 1993 Season, he had taken ill once again and in July of 1993 – would pass away due to cancer. 

Very quickly, the racing community would rally around the Wilkens and Cosco Families with Terry St. Amand and others establishing the Trevor Wilkens Memorial – giving the Civic Holiday Monday Syracuse Qualifier even more prestige. 

It is hard to believe that in 2008 – we are celebrating the memory of Trevor Wilkens for the 16th year – Merrittville Speedway’s Biggest Event – a presentation of Toolneeds and others surely would have had his name in the record books. 

When Pete and Linda Cosco purchased Humberstone Speedway – one of the specials  they established at the Port Colborne facility was the Trevor Wilkens Memorial that this year features the Sportsmen Super DIRTcar Series Event in September. 

Each year at Merrittville, the Wilkens Family sells T Shirts commemorating the event and with the help of family and friends – do some fundraising for the Make a Wish Foundation. 

So make sure you pick up yours tonight when the Gates open at 4:00 P.M. 

Pasta Dinner Tickets are also still available and for just $10 – it’s the best deal on DIRT! Enjoy Club Castropignano’s fresh pasta and meat balls, salad, dinner roll and a can of Pepsi with your racing friends prior to race time. 

Showtime is at 7 PM. 

See you tonight! 

Toolneeds Inc. is a one-stop source for machine and manufacturing industries to service their tooling requirements for the most demanding applications. Toolneeds Inc. represents the finest lines of industrial tool supplies from world class manufacturers and their inside professional sales representatives possess both trade skills and industry experience. 

Toolneeds inc. is the ultimate source for all your tooling and industrial supply needs – call them at 905-684-4744 or visit their location at 227 Bunting Road – Unit L – in St. Catharines. 

UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY 

Merrittville Speedway is set to conclude it’s biggest weekend of the season with it’s Annual Civic Holiday Doubleheader. 

Monday August 4th – Toolneeds will present the 16th Annual Trevor Wilkens Memorial featuring the 100 lap Advance Auto Parts Big Block Super DIRTcar Series Main Event. Rounding out the card will be the second home track event for the Hoosier Stock Duel on the Dirt and the second Mod Lite Championship Tour North Event for the Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lites. 

It’s been a Civic Holiday Tradition since 1972 – make it’s yours in 2008!

Gates open Monday at 4 PM with Hot Laps at 6:15. Show time is 7 PM. 

For further info call 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.   

MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS
 

The 2008 Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series for Merrittville Speedway’s 5 Divisions and is brought to fans by partners including Hingston Metal Fabricators and Toolneeds in addition to contingency sponsors Bilstein Shock Absorbers, Hoosier Tire Canada, Inside Track Motorsport News, Intercomp, ISC Racer’s Tape, Jaz Products, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, Motorsports Safety Systems, Port City Racing, R.J.S. Racing Equipment, Sway-A-Way, Ultra Shield Race Products, Outerwears and XRP, Inc. 

Lucas Oil Products is one of the fastest growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry featuring a premium line of oils, greases and problem-solving additives. 

Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil Products has established itself as the top selling additive in the industry.  

Race fans can look for Lucas Oil Products at their favorite automotive retailer including the St. Catharines and Niagara Falls PartSource locations, Drummond Home Hardware in Niagara Falls and through RCM Racing Equipment.