The founder had zero experience as an auto racing promoter, with no background in sales or marketing.

His breed of race car is perceived primarily as an entry-level division on Saturday nights, often with rules as diverse from track-to-track as the Chevrolets, Volkswagens and Hondas that provide the transportation.

Touring divisions with much larger budgets and fan bases have gone undercarriage-up in this trying economy.

But anyone who believed the North East Mini Stock Tour would be a one-and-done entity was sadly mistaken.

After a promising inaugural season in 2009, the North East Mini Stock Tour picks up the pace with its second 50-lap race of the new campaign Saturday at White Mountain Motorsports Park in North Woodstock, N.H.

“We always get a good crowd and a good car count up there,” said NEMST director Bob Guptill of Mechanic Falls. “I know a few Oxford Wednesday night cars are going up.”

Guptill, 25, raced Wednesday and Saturday nights at Oxford Plains Speedway for nine years before launching the tour.

His rules package was created with an OPS championship series mini stock in mind. The tour cars run with a different tire and header, a less expensive carburetor and different weight restrictions.

Those modifications are designed to open the door to more four-cylinder cars throughout the region. Like most promoters, Guptill has learned that location, location, location and weather, weather, weather are the biggest factors in a successful weekend.

“We only had nine cars for our first race (Canaan, N.H., on May 29), but that was four hours away and rainy,” said Guptill. “We should average 20 this year. More than 30 guys have filled out paperwork and paid the registration fees.”

Guptill admits that he is still gaining experience as a promoter while paying for many expenses out of his own pocket.

This year’s 10-race schedule includes four events in Maine and four in New Hampshire. Unity Raceway hosts an event July 11. Wiscasset’s dates are August 8 and Sept, 5, with Beech Ridge providing the next-to-last tour stop Sept. 12.

White Mountain hosts a second date this summer along with Lee (N.H.) and Thompson (Conn.)

“I originally intended to draw a lot of guys from Oxford,” Guptill said, “but I’m starting to get more guys from Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut.”

Defending champion Emerson Cayer normally competes at Canaan, whose opening-day tour winner, Chris McKinstry, hails from Thetford, Vt.

Longtime OPS competitor Jeff Prindall of Lisbon was a charter member of the traveling circuit. Larry Melcher of Livermore Falls joined the full-time ranks this season.

With Oxford’s weekly mini stock car count dipping below 15 — matching the plight of other tracks throughout the region — Guptill hopes a short series with minimal travel time and a relatively level playing field are an attractive option.

“That’s what we’re trying to do: Bring some cars out of the backyards,” Guptill said.

Sunoco Race Fuels and Northern Race Tires have backed the series. Guptill also recognized local cable television host Steve Perry for his support.

Guptill has made one concession to the demands of running a tour. His days as a promoter/driver are over.

“That’s probably a good thing,” he joked. “Maybe that’s why we don’t have more Oxford guys, because they remember me from there.”

Memorial services for Beech Ridge Motor Speedway champion Harold “Bub” Bilodeau are scheduled for this afternoon.

Visiting hours are 2 to 5 p.m. at Dennett, Craig and Pate Funeral Home at the intersection of Route 202 and Portland Road (across from Hannaford) in Buxton. the funeral service is at 5 p.m., followed by a reception for family and friends at The Roost on Chicopee Road in Buxton.

Bilodeau, 53, of cardiac arrest after the completion of his Pro Series feature last Saturday night. Bilodeau, a 35-year veteran, is survived by his wife Terri, daughters Lori and April, and four grandchildren.

SPEED BUMPS

* Trevor Sanborn has signed on with Richard Moody Racing to chase the Pro All Stars Series championship. Sanborn initially had decided to focus on the full season at Beech Ridge after plans for a full-time PASS ride didn’t materialize in the offseason. He won the first two Pro Series features of the season at his home track and will continue to run his own car there when the PASS schedule permits. PASS is at Speedway 660 in Fredericton, New Brunswick, this weekend.

* Tommy Ricker (Late Model) and Kurt Hewins (Strictly Stock) will chase their third consecutive feature wins on Saturday’s Sun Journal Night at OPS. Qualifying starts at 6:30 p.m.

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