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, Ohio,
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 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 Syracuses
New York State Fairgrounds in October of 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,
Lernerville, and Sharon. He won the track championship
at Mercer, won Lernervilles 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 carscapturing the 1985 and
2000 Tri-City Speedway track championships.
In 1991 the Bolland family
business was growing and Kevins 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.
Kevins 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 cars appearance. Kevin focused
on driving, chassis, suspension, and set up.
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