NEMA Champ Bertrand Installs Honda Power for 2010
Brockton, MA – Two-time Northeastern Midget Association champion Bertrand Motorsports will march to a different beat in 2010. Honda will power the #47 when Randy Cabral begins his quest for a third straight driving title in the season opener at Waterford Speedbowl on March 27-28.
“It is, of course, a major change and challenge for us,” says owner Tim Bertrand of the enhanced Dual Overhead Cam Honda “K series” motor. Engineered by Stewart Racing Engines of Indianapolis, it is found under the hood of the Honda CRV SUV.
Over the past 50 years no Midget group in the country has been more forward thinking than NEMA. Bertrand, after a third straight owners crown, sees a movement that could be the equal of the “stock block” revolution of the 1960s when, among others, the Falcon, Pinto and Chevy II motors were dominant.
“It utilizes a block and a head directly out of a street car and has incredible reliability,” says Bertrand of the new motor. He points out Greg Stoehr’s similarly powered Circle Performance Mazda #26b has already provided an example of stock block reliability.
“There have been no failures attributable to any major component in better than 1000 miles of both racing and testing,” Stewart says of its “USAC/NEMA” motor.
The Bertrand endeavor will bring added luster to the 2010 season, a 15-race (six tracks) journey that will run into October. Only Albany-Saratoga Speedway, back for the first time since 1977, is not well known. There are few secrets left at Waterford Speedbowl and at, Monadnock, Lee USA Speedway, Seekonk and Thompson Speedways.
“We fully expect to run well with the Honda but we also expect a very competitive season,” says Bertrand. “Considering the equipment and the talent, the mix of veterans and youngsters, and the speeds we achieve, this is as good as NEMA has been in a while.”
The owners championship went to the final laps a year ago. “However it may appear, nothing is easy in NEMA,” says Bertrand.
The competition includes motors. Honda will be doing battle with some established powers. Esslinger was the number one winner in ’09 but Gaerte, Autocraft, Mopar and Mazda sat in Victory Lane as well.
Bertrand is quick to point out that he is still committed to the Esslinger Engineering, as a second and possibly third car will still carry that power plant. “This was a great opportunity for Randy and our team to expand our horizons with a new opportunity, but we will still regularly run the Esslinger power plant in our team cars,” said Bertrand.
He again plans on a series of guest drivers for the #39. Last year, Ryan Newman and Cole Carter were among the nationally known drivers competing for Bertrand in NEMA races.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR