Thorold, Ontario – After crewing for eventual Rookie of the Year Steven Beckett, Tyler Winger will also make the move from Tuesday Night Karting to Saturday Nights in 2016.

The 18 year old Fort Erie resident is set to join the Rev’s Full Throttle Powersports Modified Lite Division during Merrittville Speedway’s 65th Anniversary Season.

“It seemed like it was the right time to make the move,” said Winger, “helping Steven and his dad Terry last season provided dad and I with an invaluable experience and will be a big help to us this season.”

Tyler’s dad Clint was named Kart Crew Chief of the Year in 2014 after guiding Tyler to a second place finish in the Wilder Racing Engines Senior Animal Division where he was named Rookie of the Year after finishing just 16 points behind Champion Corey Bodman.

Tyler began Kart Racing in 2011 after he was invited to the track to try it out in 2010. 2013 was also a good season as he was named Most Improved Driver in the Superior PetroFuels Junior Restricted Division – just 18 points behind Champion Dylan Davidson.

In his final Kart Season, Tyler was one of just 4 drivers that visited KC Auto Parts Victory Lane – taking home a single win early in the season.

Winger has no plans as of yet to do any Kart Racing even though he still has his kart. The engine was sold to fellow karter Nathan Boisvert who like Winger has enjoyed a relatively short karting career. The Kart is for sale for anyone looking to get their start in the sport.

Up until the time he got his start in karting, Winger had played hockey in the Greater Fort Erie Minor System but gave up the sport to go racing. His only hobby these days away from racing – his Dirt Bike.

For a few years, Tyler and his dad have enjoyed karting together. In the years ahead – the two look to enjoy the same career path. Clint is an electrician while Tyler is completing the Electrical Techniques Program at Niagara College and will continue his studies in the Electrical Engineering Program.

The move from Kart Racing will definitely be a learning experience but his Modified Lite comes with some pretty good history. The car the Wingers purchased in the fall is the former Paul Klager-owned car that Chris Steele drove to victory on September 5th. The PRO AFX Modified Lite was new to Klager in 2015.

“Looking ahead – I’m looking forward to the new experience and hope that I can develop into a good racer and be competitive both at Merrittville and at any tracks we visit,” said Winger.

Winger will take his #4 from Tuesday Nights to Saturday Night action. A new sponsor helping to launch his Modified Lite career is RONA St. Catharines while former racer Ted Tremblay’s TNT Motorsports Company in Fort Erie has also helped out with the transition.

Tyler’s Modified Lite will be among the race cars on display at the Seaway Mall in Welland from March 31st to April 3rd.

Weeks before another season of fun and excitement begins at his summer job at Safari Niagara in Stevensville - the fun and excitement at the track will start when Rev’s Full Throttle Powersports presents April 23rd’s Spring Sizzler that includes the TUSA Canadian Modified Lite Championship that is rain-delayed from 2015.

He’ll get ready for his debut by attending the Pete Bicknell Driving School Saturday April 9th followed up with more seat time during Test, Tune and Inspection Day a week later.

Tyler’s Dad Clint is his only crew but his mom Patti is very supportive of his move, “she was a little nervous at first but is coming around as she learns how safe the cars are.”

In a relatively short period of time, Tyler Winger established himself a quite a Kart Racer. The time is right to take on a new challenge – one that should find him challenging for top spot real soon.

For all the news on Merrittville Speedway’s 65th Consecutive Season in 2016 – visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com. Race fans and Race teams alike can follow Merrittville on Face Book (Facebook.com/Merrittville Speedway) and Twitter (Twitter.com/Merrittville

To reach Merrittville Speedway’s Winter Office call 905-685-7223

MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS The 2016 65th Anniversary Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series for Merrittville Speedway’s 5 Divisions is brought to race fans and racers by division sponsors – Pinty’s Delicious Foods, Yager Bros Trucking, Rev’s Full Throttle Powersports, Hoosier Tire Canada and Van Raine Construction in addition to many marketing partners Visit them at . http://www.merrittvillespeedway.com/sponsors.htm and visit them when you require their products and/or services.

Lucas Oil Products, Inc., is the world leader in the production high performance oils, fuel treatments and problem solving additives with the largest variety of shelf products of any oil company in North America. Lucas Oil’s premium formulas are marketed worldwide and retail at more than 40,000 auto parts stores across the continent and at virtually every truck stop across Canada.

Race fans can look for Lucas Oil Products at their favourite automotive retailer or maintenance center including Kala’s Home Hardware, KC Auto Parts, RCM Racing Equipment and Tim Phillips Garage.