Ransomville, NY - Thursday, January 1st, 2009 - Whether its a mid summer day with temps in the 70's or a mid winter day with temps in the 20's - racers are racers. Several local short track standouts entered the 9th annual Bobcat of Buffalo Hangover 150 Enduro last Thursday at the big R including James Michael Friesen, Jesse Cotriss, Jaren Israel, Tim Phillips, roll-over king Mike Pahl, Bob Urtel, Joe Middlemiss, Scott Kreutter, and Sean Letts.
     Ransomville Speedway enjoyed hosting the first event of the New Year in the Northeast, entertaining a packed pit area and grandstands. "The event continues to amaze me," commented PR Director Tana Robinson.  "It proves time and time again that race fans are second to none. It was simply cold but yet the stands and pits were full proving that short track racing is alive and well in Western New York."

     The 4 Cylinder main event was the first to tackle the speedway. The track conditions were prime as a new coating of snow and very chilly temperatures resulted in a hard packed racing surface. Sprint driver Phillips of Grand Island enjoyed the early lead followed by Bobby Hanel. Hanel was able to take over the top spot on lap seven, maintaining it through lap ten. The #27 car of Don Delkota charged through the field and took over the lead position from Hanel on lap eleven. Delkota held the point positi on through the final twenty-three circuits to collect the first checkered of 2009. Phillips mounted a challenge late resulting in contact between the top two but it was all for naught as Phillips settled for second.

     The 6 Cylinder class enjoyed some sixty-three entries. Jeffery York led a total of thirty-four laps aboard the fifty lap main enroute to the win. York of Niagara Falls, NY led the first two circuits and then regained the lead from Cory Ehrmentraut on lap eighteen. York led the remaining thirty-two laps to claim the second checkered of the year. York was a very excited victor as he did the roof dance in front a two thousand race fans. Hangover Enduro regular Pat O'Keefe came home in second followed by Kyle Phillips.

     The 8 Cylinder main may have had the least amount of entries but it certainly proved to be the most entertaining as Mr. Excitement Jaren Israel made it interesting the final few circuits. Tom Whitte dominated the event aboard a Dale Earnhardt Sr. look alike entry. Whitte led every circuit and appeared as though he would claim the checkered unscathed. Israel would have non of that! After sitting idle with an ailing machine, Israel came alive with just a hand full of laps remaining to challenge Whitte for the top spot. Israel made contact with the back of the #3 machine resulting in the pair getting loose on the frontstretch. Heavy contact was made as the pair entered turn one leaving Israel up against the retaining wall and Whitte in command. Whitte took the final checkered of the afternoon. Mike Fodge and Gary Darnell rounded out the top two.
     For the first time Ransomville management awarded Best Appearing Awards in each class. Mike Pahl took the honors in the 4 Cylinder, Bob Urtel in the 6 Cylinder, and Tom Whitte in the 8 Cylinders. Pahl's car was simply outstanding while Urtel's won for the Most Creativity-he had a wheelchair strapped to the roof of the car while Whitte's tribute to Dale Sr. was top notch.