Kevin Bolland
Encyclopedia
Kevin Bolland was born in New Brighton, Pennsylvania
. Kevin works at their family owned business, Bolland Machine located in Chippewa Township, PA. He races the #777 DIRTcar Big Block Modified at dirt track circles in the NorthEast.
, Derby Downs
for the world finals in 1971.
In 1979 at the age of 20, Kevin competed and toured the country with the pro motocross
series. In the spring of 1979 Kevin suffered a serious motorcycle accident requiring 3 surgeries and 17 months in a cast. While recovering Kevin decided to get into some sort of stock car racing, so his father, Don, contacted friends from his drag racing days. They spoke to Darrell Dean and Ernie Toth for whom Don had built big block Chevy race engines; they introduced him to Jim Cole who built chassis's in Oxford, PA. Shortly after, they ended up putting a car together with Jim Cole. The relationship produced an innovative car design, Jim built the chassis, while Don's engine shop, D&D Rebuilding Service of New Brighton, PA, (now Bolland Machine) built the engine package. The cars first race was driven by Danny Johnson, a NY D.I.R.T. track star at Syracuse’s New York State Fairgrounds in October 1981. These events would enable Kevin to make the demanding adjustment from motocross to big block modified dirt racing.
The Bolland family purchased the new “Cole” built chassis and Kevin started racing his own car in the 1982 season as a rookie big block dirt modified driver. This season proved to be a banner year, and as a rookie Kevin won 7 features between Mercer Raceway Park, Lernerville Speedway
, and Sharon Speedway
. He won the track championship at Mercer, won Lernerville’s Invitational Event, and also captured rookie of the year for cavalcade points for western PA.
From that rookie year on, Kevin and the Bolland racing team continued to achieve a venerable reputation for racing and building cars—capturing the 1985 and 2000 Tri-City Speedway
track championships.
In 1991 the Bolland family business was growing and Kevin’s responsibilities outside of racing were demanding more and more of his time. Bob McIltrot approached Kevin early in the year to ask if he would consider driving for his team. The opportunity afforded Kevin the time to practice his craft and perfect his driving skills. He raced for McIItrot through the 1998 season.
In 1999 the Bolland's created Bol-Tech Motorsports, Inc. and purchased a new 1999 Bicknell chassis and put a team together of their own. They assigned crew members to specific jobs and challenged them to excel. Kevin’s father Don was in charge of R&D and engine program. His brother Keith crew chief, and Todd Chamberlain car preparation and chassis stats. Brother Ken and Ron Kosmal in charge of tires. Stephanie Chamberlain was in charge of event statistics. Dave Chamberlain in charge of the car’s appearance. Kevin focused on driving, chassis, suspension, and set up.
Kevin has always credited his accomplishments to team work, doing all necessary homework, and successfully utilizing a limited budget to get the most out of a little. They innovate, focus on the team, the car, finishing races, keeping quality parts and good prevention maintenance. They also have a "don’t follow -– lead" philosophy that won them the 2002 Lernerville Speedway
Track Championship and got them into the winning circle ten times in 2002 (winning 26% of their races) and finishing within the top three 56% of the time.
New Brighton, Pennsylvania
New Brighton is a borough in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States, located along the Beaver River northwest of Pittsburgh. There are deposits of coal and clay in the vicinity. In the past, articles produced here included pottery, bricks, sewer pipe, glass, flour, twine, lead kegs,...
. Kevin works at their family owned business, Bolland Machine located in Chippewa Township, PA. He races the #777 DIRTcar Big Block Modified at dirt track circles in the NorthEast.
Racing career
Kevin Bolland's racing experience dates back to his childhood. Like many drivers, his first influence of racing came from his father Don, who introduced him to racing at an early age. The New Brighton, PA, native spent much of his youth driving and winning soap box derbies, which won him a trip to Akron, OhioAkron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
, Derby Downs
Derby Downs
Derby Downs, in Akron, Ohio, has been the home track of the All American Soap Box Derby since it was built as a Works Progress Administration project in the late 1930s...
for the world finals in 1971.
In 1979 at the age of 20, Kevin competed and toured the country with the pro motocross
Motocross
Motocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
series. In the spring of 1979 Kevin suffered a serious motorcycle accident requiring 3 surgeries and 17 months in a cast. While recovering Kevin decided to get into some sort of stock car racing, so his father, Don, contacted friends from his drag racing days. They spoke to Darrell Dean and Ernie Toth for whom Don had built big block Chevy race engines; they introduced him to Jim Cole who built chassis's in Oxford, PA. Shortly after, they ended up putting a car together with Jim Cole. The relationship produced an innovative car design, Jim built the chassis, while Don's engine shop, D&D Rebuilding Service of New Brighton, PA, (now Bolland Machine) built the engine package. The cars first race was driven by Danny Johnson, a NY D.I.R.T. track star at Syracuse’s New York State Fairgrounds in October 1981. These events would enable Kevin to make the demanding adjustment from motocross to big block modified dirt racing.
The Bolland family purchased the new “Cole” built chassis and Kevin started racing his own car in the 1982 season as a rookie big block dirt modified driver. This season proved to be a banner year, and as a rookie Kevin won 7 features between Mercer Raceway Park, Lernerville Speedway
Lernerville Speedway
Lernerville Speedway is a 4/10 mile dirt oval automobile race track located in Sarver, Pennsylvania, USA. It is currently owned by World Racing Group. Lernerville currently hosts World of Outlaws Sprintcar Series and World of Outlaws Late Model Series events. 2011 marked the 43rd season for the...
, and Sharon Speedway
Sharon Speedway
Sharon Speedway is a 3/8-mile dirt oval race track located in Hartford Township, near Hartford, Ohio and named for the nearby city of Sharon, Pennsylvania. It opened in 1929, making it one of the oldest continuously running dirt ovals in the United States. The track is currently part-owned and...
. He won the track championship at Mercer, won Lernerville’s Invitational Event, and also captured rookie of the year for cavalcade points for western PA.
From that rookie year on, Kevin and the Bolland racing team continued to achieve a venerable reputation for racing and building cars—capturing the 1985 and 2000 Tri-City Speedway
Tri-City Speedway
Tri-City Speedway is a 1/2-mile auto racing oval track located in Oakland Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania, near the city of Franklin to the southwest. It lies even closer to the Borough of Sugarcreek, which lies in between. Also lying at about the same distance as Franklin is Oil City to the...
track championships.
In 1991 the Bolland family business was growing and Kevin’s responsibilities outside of racing were demanding more and more of his time. Bob McIltrot approached Kevin early in the year to ask if he would consider driving for his team. The opportunity afforded Kevin the time to practice his craft and perfect his driving skills. He raced for McIItrot through the 1998 season.
In 1999 the Bolland's created Bol-Tech Motorsports, Inc. and purchased a new 1999 Bicknell chassis and put a team together of their own. They assigned crew members to specific jobs and challenged them to excel. Kevin’s father Don was in charge of R&D and engine program. His brother Keith crew chief, and Todd Chamberlain car preparation and chassis stats. Brother Ken and Ron Kosmal in charge of tires. Stephanie Chamberlain was in charge of event statistics. Dave Chamberlain in charge of the car’s appearance. Kevin focused on driving, chassis, suspension, and set up.
Kevin has always credited his accomplishments to team work, doing all necessary homework, and successfully utilizing a limited budget to get the most out of a little. They innovate, focus on the team, the car, finishing races, keeping quality parts and good prevention maintenance. They also have a "don’t follow -– lead" philosophy that won them the 2002 Lernerville Speedway
Lernerville Speedway
Lernerville Speedway is a 4/10 mile dirt oval automobile race track located in Sarver, Pennsylvania, USA. It is currently owned by World Racing Group. Lernerville currently hosts World of Outlaws Sprintcar Series and World of Outlaws Late Model Series events. 2011 marked the 43rd season for the...
Track Championship and got them into the winning circle ten times in 2002 (winning 26% of their races) and finishing within the top three 56% of the time.
Career highlights
- 2010 Lernerville SpeedwayLernerville SpeedwayLernerville Speedway is a 4/10 mile dirt oval automobile race track located in Sarver, Pennsylvania, USA. It is currently owned by World Racing Group. Lernerville currently hosts World of Outlaws Sprintcar Series and World of Outlaws Late Model Series events. 2011 marked the 43rd season for the...
Track Champion - 2010 Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame's First Motorsports Inductee
- 2009 DIRTcar Northeast Western Regional Points Champion
- 2009 Weekend of May 22–24: 3 Feature Wins in a Row, including two BRP tour races
- 2009 100th Career Win [04.24.09]
- 2008 Tri-City SpeedwayTri-City SpeedwayTri-City Speedway is a 1/2-mile auto racing oval track located in Oakland Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania, near the city of Franklin to the southwest. It lies even closer to the Borough of Sugarcreek, which lies in between. Also lying at about the same distance as Franklin is Oil City to the...
Track Champion - 2008 Lincoln ElectricLincoln ElectricLincoln Electric is a company in Euclid, Ohio, United States that manufactures arc welding equipment and consumables, plasma and oxy-fuel cutting equipment and robotic welding systems. They are a worldwide leader in production of welding products and have 39 manufacturing locations, including...
/Goss Gas Iron Man Champion - 2008 Tri-City SpeedwayTri-City SpeedwayTri-City Speedway is a 1/2-mile auto racing oval track located in Oakland Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania, near the city of Franklin to the southwest. It lies even closer to the Borough of Sugarcreek, which lies in between. Also lying at about the same distance as Franklin is Oil City to the...
Track Record Holder - 18.358 seconds - 2007 Tri-City SpeedwayTri-City SpeedwayTri-City Speedway is a 1/2-mile auto racing oval track located in Oakland Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania, near the city of Franklin to the southwest. It lies even closer to the Borough of Sugarcreek, which lies in between. Also lying at about the same distance as Franklin is Oil City to the...
Track Champion - 2007 Pittsburgh Circle Track Club Champion
- 2006 Lernerville SpeedwayLernerville SpeedwayLernerville Speedway is a 4/10 mile dirt oval automobile race track located in Sarver, Pennsylvania, USA. It is currently owned by World Racing Group. Lernerville currently hosts World of Outlaws Sprintcar Series and World of Outlaws Late Model Series events. 2011 marked the 43rd season for the...
Track Champion - 2006 Tri-City SpeedwayTri-City SpeedwayTri-City Speedway is a 1/2-mile auto racing oval track located in Oakland Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania, near the city of Franklin to the southwest. It lies even closer to the Borough of Sugarcreek, which lies in between. Also lying at about the same distance as Franklin is Oil City to the...
Track Champion - 2006 Pittsburgh Circle Track Club Champion
- 2006 Lincoln ElectricLincoln ElectricLincoln Electric is a company in Euclid, Ohio, United States that manufactures arc welding equipment and consumables, plasma and oxy-fuel cutting equipment and robotic welding systems. They are a worldwide leader in production of welding products and have 39 manufacturing locations, including...
/Goss Gas Iron Man Champion - 2006 Winner Lernerville/Tri-City Speedway Big Block Modified Challenge Series
- 2004 Twin State Auto Racing Club Findlay Sportsmanship Award
- 2003 Lowe's Motor SpeedwayLowe's Motor SpeedwayCharlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
Track Record Holder - 15.642 seconds - 2003 Winner Eckerd 100 Lowe's Motor SpeedwayLowe's Motor SpeedwayCharlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
, Charlotte, North CarolinaCharlotte, North CarolinaCharlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009... - 2002 Lernerville SpeedwayLernerville SpeedwayLernerville Speedway is a 4/10 mile dirt oval automobile race track located in Sarver, Pennsylvania, USA. It is currently owned by World Racing Group. Lernerville currently hosts World of Outlaws Sprintcar Series and World of Outlaws Late Model Series events. 2011 marked the 43rd season for the...
Track Champion - 2000 Tri-City SpeedwayTri-City SpeedwayTri-City Speedway is a 1/2-mile auto racing oval track located in Oakland Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania, near the city of Franklin to the southwest. It lies even closer to the Borough of Sugarcreek, which lies in between. Also lying at about the same distance as Franklin is Oil City to the...
Track Champion - 1985 Tri-City SpeedwayTri-City SpeedwayTri-City Speedway is a 1/2-mile auto racing oval track located in Oakland Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania, near the city of Franklin to the southwest. It lies even closer to the Borough of Sugarcreek, which lies in between. Also lying at about the same distance as Franklin is Oil City to the...
Track Champion - 1982 Mercer Raceway Park Track Champion
- 1982 Western PA, Rookie of the Year with 7 Feature Wins
- 1979 Pro MotocrossMotocrossMotocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
series - 1971 Beaver Falls, PA, Soap Box DerbySoap Box DerbyThe Soap Box Derby is a youth soapbox car racing program which has been run in the United States since 1934. World Championship finals are held each July at Derby Downs in Akron, Ohio...
Champion