Story By: DALE WOLBRINK / TRI-TRACK OPEN MODIFIED SERIES – SEEKONK, MA – Fresh off a top-five finish in the season opening Icebreaker at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, Sammy Rameau of Westminster, MA, is looking for that type of consistency throughout the 2018 season with the Tri-Track Open Modified Series (TTOMS) and beyond. At the ripe old age of 15, the kid seemingly has everything in place to reach that goal.
“The goal is to build our knowledge and our notebook,” said Sammy Rameau, “to run consistently without any mechanical issues to get strong finishes. We are looking for top-five finishes, but of course, wins would be good.”
With a veteran crew chief now in the fold, a strong family backing, supportive valued sponsors and youth and enthusiasm on his side, 2018 could just be the a breakout season for Rameau. During the off-season, Rameau Family Motorsports hired crew chief Jimmy Fuller, who has achieved many successes in short track racing.
Rameau began racing Quartermidgets when he was five years old. He ran Thompson’s Little “T” Speedway regularly along with national USAC and QMA events until making the leap to Legends cars at the age of 12. After one season of Legends racing at Seekonk Speedway, Rameau and his Rameau Family Motorsports Team made the jump to Modifieds.
“We started racing Sammy in the Modifieds at Claremont Speedway,” said Sammy’s Dad, Randy. “Jimmy Ambrose not only gave Sammy the okay to race but he was also very welcoming to us. We are very grateful to him.”
Ambrose is the owner of Claremont Speedway, where the TTOMS will make their inaugural start in the 2018 season opener on Memorial Day.
Over the past two seasons, Sammy has also made starts in the Modifieds at Monadnock Speedway and has been a regular in the Modified Racing Series and TTOMS. In 2017, Sammy posted a pair of podium finishes at Waterford and Speedway 51 in Groveton, NH. He ended the 2017 season fifth in the MRS point standings.
Fuller is a welcome addition to a small team run by Sammy, his father Randy and 12-year old sister Faith. As a single dad raising two kids-one with a penchant for horsepower and the other a passion for horses- (Faith rides horses), Randy is grateful for the support he and his family receives.
“We have some really, really good guys,” said Randy. “The Team is a combination of my friends from yesteryear and some new friends. “
The elder Rameau ran Strictly Stocks all over New England for many years.
While only being 15 years of age, Sammy can be considered a bit of a ‘throwback’. He doesn’t simply show up at the race track. He puts the skills that he learns every day while enrolled in the Machine Technology Program at Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School (aka Monty Tech) in Fitchburg, MA, to work in the family race shop.
From working on the racecars at the race shop at night during the week, to race day preparation and team management, his Dad says he does it all.
“His effort with the race program is really up there,” said Randy, with obvious pride. “He’s actually deeply involved with all aspects of the racing operation. He even handles all communications for the team with sponsors, track operators and officials.”
The team will campaign Mike Petit-powered Troyer Modifieds with financial support from Powell Stone & Gravel, Dennison Lubricants, Race Choice, K1 Race Gear and a long list of other product and contingency sponsors. Including, of course, the family owned Central Mass Tree. Rameau Family Motorsports also enjoys support from Crafton Motorsports. Matt and his family are good personal friends with Randy and family.
In 2018, around school and work in the race shop, Rameau will run full-time with both the Modified Racing Series and the TTOMS and possibly some NASCAR Modified Tour events.
The Tri-Track Open Modified Series season opener will take place at Rameau’s home track, Claremont Speedway, with the running of the inaugural Ron Bouchard’s Auto Stores 100 presented by SPAFCO and Jerico on Saturday, May 26, 2018.
The event will feature the $6k to win 100-green flag lap main event for the tour-type Modifieds and will also include Super Streets, Street Stocks and 4-cylinder Wildcats.
The four race TTOMS schedule includes the Ron Bouchard Auto Parts 100 at Claremont Speedway, the prestigious Open Wheel Wednesday 100 at Seekonk Speedway on Wednesday, June 27, the traditional SBM 125 at Star Speedway on Saturday, July 28 and the Haunted Hundred, also at Seekonk on Saturday, October 27.
