Richard and Anne Martin are long time race fans and corporate sponsors at Speedway 660. Their business, Martin’s Home Heating, is the title sponsor for our Sportsman Division. Wade Wilson, Speedway 660 announcer, recently talked with Richard Martin about his interest in racing.

Richard and Anne Martin are members of the Speedway 660 family. They sponsor our Sportsman Division as well as the Martin’s Home Heating 100 which runs this Saturday night.

Wade: Hey Richard, you and Anne are part of the Speedway 660 family and have been hanging around here for years. How did you get involved in racing?

Richard: I started going to the races at the old Brookside Speedway when I was eight years old and that was a long time ago! Anne and I have been travelling to race tracks in the eastern States and Maritimes for the past 30 years.

Wade: I know you like all of the racing here at Speedway 660. But I’ll bet you have a special place in your heart for Sportsman racing. Why is that?

Richard: Sportsman racing is really exciting and it’s where we first got involved as a sponsor. When we started our business in 1996, we became a small sponsor on Bradley Logan’s Sportsman car. From there, we sponsored different cars and I became a crew member on a few different teams.

Wade: You took on sponsorship of the division several years ago.

Richard: We were really happy to take on the role of Sportsman Division sponsor. We feel this is one of the most competitive divisions in the Maritimes. And although the drivers are out there to win or place as high as they can, our sportsman teams always lend each other a helping hand when it’s needed. If someone has a mechanical problem or gets into a scrape on the track, his fellow competitors are there to help put the car back together. And when we have a bigger race, like this weekend, our regular drivers welcome the out of town competition. Our Sportsman teams are top runners here at Speedway 660 and when they visit other tracks in our region.

Wade: This weekend the Martin’s Home Heating Sportsman 100 highlights the action at Speedway 660. It should be a great race.

Richard: Yes, you are right about that. The work and effort our guys put into their cars is tremendous and when you add in some visiting cars to the mix it’s a perfect recipe for a great show for the fans.

Wade: Sponsorship is a big part of this sport. I know Speedway 660 and the Sportsman drivers appreciate your support. What are the benefits for a business to sponsor racing in our area?

Richard: We sponsor racing because we love the sport. We do benefit from our sponsorship because people, who know we sponsor racing, let us know when they call us for a product or a service. We thank all those fans who support our company which enables us to support local racing. The racing family really does support one another and it is a great sport.

Wade: Tell us a little bit about your business and the kind of work you do to keep families warm in the winter and cool in the summer?

Richard: Martin’s Home Heating sells, installs and services oil, wood and electric furnaces. We also install and service boiler systems, Trane heat pumps, Daikin ductless split systems and ventilation systems. We have certified employees to service heating and air conditioning systems year round. And we also provide emergency service, anytime day or night.

Wade: Your family does a lot more than sponsor racing. Anne helps out in the ticket booth on race day and you are always up to something in the pits or around the track.

Richard: Yes Anne and I appreciate the opportunity to be involved in different areas when we can help out. She likes helping out in the office or ticket booth on race day. Sometimes I’ll help a race team that is short staffed. Other times I’ll help out in the tech shed. We also like the public relations side of racing and are always anxious to let folks know that Speedway 660 is the best track and has the best racing in the Maritimes.

Wade: You and Anne set up your travel trailer in the camp ground and have gotten to know all of the race teams and Speedway 660 staff. I know those friendships are a big part of what makes this sport so appealing.

Richard: I think this sport has grown tremendously because of the fact that we do have a great family environment at Speedway 660. Each year there are new families coming to the races and others moving in and setting up camp. Everyone makes the newcomers feel welcome. It really is great fellowship.

Wade: On behalf of Speedway 660’s fans, race teams and staff I want to thank you and Anne for supporting our brand of short-track racing. Martin’s Home Heating and our other sponsors really play a big role in racing.

Richard: We want to thank all of the other sponsors and everyone who volunteers their time on all of our race teams. We appreciate everything that everybody does to make this a great sport. And thank-you Wade for all the work you do to promote racing and all of the sponsors. I hope everyone enjoys another great sportsman race this weekend.