ESS: Mike Stelter, Tom Bliss announce partnership

Mike Stelter Aims for Empire Super Sprint Championship; Teams up with Tom Bliss for the 2007 Season.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- He's been a steady fixture on the Empire Super Sprint (ESS) circuit since the mid-90's and Ontario, N.Y.'s Mike Stelter is readying himself for a full out assault on the ESS title for the upcoming season which is sponsored by Jacobs Motorsports.

Teaming up with good friend Tom Bliss, the fan favorite is entering the new year with the most equipment ever in hopes of achieving his goal. While business commitments keep him to part time status the past two seasons, the schedule is set to return to the full tour.

"I just can't wait for the season to start!" exclaimed the driver with seven career ESS victories. "Tommy has come aboard for this year and between us we will have two cars and two motors. Tom will be back behind the wheel at a few shows also, but the goal is to try to win the ESS title. That's been my dream and with some luck I think we have a shot."

Bliss isn't a stranger to sprint cars, he has one career ESS victory, but hasn't drove a sprint car since 1992. In 1994 he was part of the Craig Keel championship team, being the owner of the motor. Since that time Tom has been a fixture in the supermodified scene, owning the car that finished fifth in this year's classic at Oswego Speedway. Tom brings along long time sponsor Jakessite.com, which is a vintage supermodified and sprint car picture site and his famous Bliss Bros. logo.

With his involvement, Stelter will have two Maxim sprinters for his use and the power will once again come from his step father, the legendary Ron Buckner. Many good friends return in a sponsorship roll such as Dave's Body Shop with good friend Huleo, SAVES Auto Body Supply, MRE Videos, VICOMP Graphics and of course, Mike's Drive-In, his self owned stop located on Rt. 104 near Ontario. But, with the grueling ESS tour, space is always available for more to be added.

The ESS veteran would also like to thank his fiance Laura as a 2007 wedding is planned as well as Buckner and his mother Phyllis

Fans can get a glimpse and the new team for the first time at the annual Motorsports Expo in Syracuse, N.Y. held on March 9-11 where his sprinter will be on display as a part of the ESS booth where you could very well see a number and color change. From there it's on to some 30 stops on the ESS tour where the successful sprint car organization is entering its 25th year.

-credit: ess