Top Rookie DeRitis Gets Cicconi Ride
Brockton, MA — Chris DeRitis, the Northeastern Midget Association’s 2009 Rookie of the Year, will be driving Lou Cicconi’s #75 Esslinger-powered Drinan chassis in 2010. The three-year old car will be housed at Bertrand Motorsports, Tim Bertrand serving as crew chief.
The car will be ready for NEMA’s opener March 27-28 at Waterford Speedbowl. “We tested there in October and it was damn cold,” said Chris’ father Dan. “Chris turned times that compare favorably with those set by the fastest cars during the warm months.”
DeRitis, a 22-year old Philadelphian, made his full-midget debut last summer in the Chris Desrosier’s Power Point car, finishing fifth in points with eight top tens in 14 starts. He had a fourth at the Speedbowl.
“Power Point is a great team and we enjoyed it very much,” continued DeRitis. “We now look forward to input from both Lou and his dad and Tim and his dad.”
Bertrand, no stranger to Esslinger or Drinan, is NEMA’s two-time defending owner champion. Cicconi drove the car a couple times in 2008.
The move continues the tight relationship between Cicconi and DeRitis. “Lou got us involved with the TQs,” DeRitis said, “and he was instrumental in Chris’ ride with Power Point.”
Young DeRitis brought a strong ACTQMRA resume to NEMA beginning with a Rookie of the Year effort in 2006. He was second in points in 2007, third in 2008. Dan was the2008 owner champion.
“No doubt he proved himself in ’09,” said Bertrand, part of a very successful team with two-time driving champion Randy Cabral. “Chris is a talented driver and it is a good car. I am looking forward to an exciting season.”
Albany-Saratoga Speedway on May 9 is the only newcomer on the 2010 schedule – the Speedbowl, Lee USA, Monadnock, Lee, Stafford and Thompson Speedways all returning.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR