story by Chris Roy
The 2011 race season is almost here and Tommy “2 Step” Ricker with BMB racing is all set for the season opener at Oxford Plains Speedway
on May 15th. The drivers from New England and Canada get ready to take the green flag fly’s for the first time this season at OPS as ACT returns for the “WJJB The Big JAB, 150.” Tommy had a strong start in 2010 season but had some problems mid season which dropped him out of the top spot and he wound up finishing the season in 4th place.
In the off season Tommy, and the BMB (Blind Mans Bluff) race team have been getting ready for the 2011 race season. As for the race car Tommy had this to say, “We have awesome sponsor’s that help with the financial part, along with car owners Rudy & Natalie, and we have a great pit crew. Now the pressure is on me.” Tommy did take some time off to spend it with his very 1st grandson.
Tommy will be running the full schedule late model schedule at OPS and hopefully when the season is over, BMB will come away with the championship. They also hope to qualify for the ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. “That is our goal this year”, commented Tommy.
I asked Tommy what’s the key to getting around OPS? His reply was “To be smooth, and consistent.”
There are a lot if different types of race car pro-stocks, modified’s, and sportsman just to name a few but, Tommy prefers Late Models, “We ran in the limited division for many years, they dwindled and OPS did away with them. It wasn’t much more money to move up to late model, and Pro Stocks was a dying breed.”
Racing is always changing to improve the sport especially when it comes to safety, so I asked Tommy what changes he would like to see, “I think LMS cars should run HANS devices and all Saturday night divisions wear fire suits, and make sure helmets are DOT approved and checked regularly as most have an expiration date.”
So come see Tommy Race this season at Oxford Plains Speedway and hopefully do his 2 step into victory lane.
