SUPER DIRT WEEK REPORT 2016

2016_1009ZDW110104 (Medium)

 

 

SUPER DIRT WEEK REPORT  ( 5 to 9 Oct  2016)

SUPER DIRT WEEK is all over for another year, albeit, in a different location.

With demolition planned for the New York State Fairgrounds, we knew that 2015 would be the last race to be held there.

At that time, it was hoped that , this years event, would be at a new purpose built facility at the Central New York Raceway Park, at Brewerton , NY.  Midway through the year, it became evident, that this was not going to happen, and the organizers, The World Racing Group,  had just 70 days to put ‘plan B’ into action.

‘Plan B’ was to cover the asphalt with clay , at the paved ‘Steel Palace’ ,  the name given to the Oswego Speedway NY.

This track is home to Super Modified racing through out the season, so the time window for creating a suitable surface would be limited.

The W.R.G   ( DirtCar)  had a mammoth task ahead of them.

I received my Media Credentials a few weeks before the event, and then went about booking accommodation. Most of the local motels were by now fully booked, or were charging ‘silly prices’, so I opted for a low budget place, a bit further away,  which I’d used in the past.

Here’s a day by day summary of my SUPER DIRT WEEK 2016.

WEDNESDAY  5th October

I left home in Cornwall , Ontario around 9-00 am in the morning, crossing into the USA at my local border point, just a five minute drive from my house.

After a coffee to go at Theresa NY , my first port of call was the ‘sign in’ at Gate # 6 at the Oswego Speedway. One bonus of this new location, is that’s it’s a bit nearer to home than Syracuse, by about 15 minutes.  ( just under three hours of driving)

It was great to see the friendly face of Gina Fernez again, who was up from the W.R.G  head-quarters, in Charlotte, NC to take care of the Media ‘sign in.’  When picking up my photographers vest, I also had the pleasure of meeting new head of Media at the  W.R.G/ DirtCar  , Cristina Cordova.

Once this was done, I had a quick look , (from a distance) of the grounds before heading to the next place on my agenda.

2016_1005ZDW10020 (Medium)

At  12-00 noon a  police escorted convoy of race cars were to parade around the city center of Oswego and I wanted to get some pictures of this. I’d already checked out on ‘google maps’ a good spot to be, so knew exactly where I was going. I wanted to capture them going over the river bridge, and there was a big free parking lot right next to it.

2016_1005ZDW10014 (Medium)

I waited on the approach to the bridge in my lawn chair with other onlookers for the cavalcade to pass.

No sooner had Billy Dunn driven over the bridge, a large Pepsi Cola truck pulled up opposite and blocked my view,  darn it !

2016_1005ZDW10023 (Medium)

After this it was time to head to the Motel Thomas in Camillus, which was quite a distance away. ( 40 minute drive)

Once booked in,  I got my ‘home’ for the next four days in order and got ready for my first race night of SUPER DIRT WEEK.

One of the satelite events was taking place that evening , near to Camillus at the Weedsport Speedway.

Weedsport Speedway were hosting rounds of the DirtCar Series for 358 Modifieds and Sportsman.

I was there around 4-00 pm and soon met up with my photographer friends including Don Simpson, who would be sharing the motel room with me.

As expected , with it being SUPER DIRT WEEK , there was a large group of us with cameras. Most of them were all good friends that I’ve been shooting with for many years, but also a few ‘new kids on the block’  that I’d never seen before.

14641966_559249400942565_1809631751785504651_n

It’s always a fun time with these guys when I shoot in Central NY .

2016_1005ZDW2WEEDa0006 (Medium)

I was out there in the middle, firstly on turn one and two, then on three and four.

2016_1005ZDW2WEED0146 (Medium) 2016_1005ZDW2WEEDa0090 (Medium)

Winner of the 358 race was Erick Rudolph

2016_1005ZDW2WEED0167 (Medium)

Winner of the Sportsman race was  Todd Root

2016_1005ZDW2WEED0099 (Medium)

 

It was after midnight when we’d finished doing  the Victory Lane shots, so was pleased that Motel Thomas was only about 15 minutes away.

THURSDAY  6th October

First stop on Thursday’s agenda was a drive back to the Oswego Speedway  for my first taste of track action, and the Media Luncheon at noon.

2016_1006ZDW30095 (Medium) 2016_1006ZDW30057-001 (Medium)

I decided to shoot a few pics of the time trials that were taking place from the back straight grandstand, rather than get stuck on the infield and missing my 12-00   o’clock appointment.

The luncheon was being held at the Lighthouse Lanes, a bowling alley, just across from the Speedway, so it proved a bit of a problem for parking.

They were using their parking lot as an over-flow for the speedway and were charging $ 20 dollars per day. After explaining I was only there to attend a private function, and would be there for about an hour, they allowed me to park. Others weren’t so lucky.

2016_1006ZDW30018-001 (Medium)

 

As tradition at SUPER DIRT WEEK media luncheons, we were hosted by Shane Andrews and welcomed by Joe Marotta who went on to interview Jeff Hachmann , the DirtCar official responsible for getting SDW 2016 at Oswego put together.

2016_1006ZDW30015-001 (Medium)

W.R.G boss Brian Carter was there and informed the media that following the realization that  the ‘not yet built’ CNY Motor Sports Park at Brewerton, wasn’t  going to happen, they only had 70 days to organize things, and praised Hachmann and his team for achieving it.

He also informed the gathering, that SDW  would be returning to Oswego in 2017.

2016_1006ZDW30021-001 (Medium)

Brian Pokorny was presented with the Buzzie Reutimann award for his services to the sport in regard to the saving of  SDW.

2016_1006ZDW30026 (Medium)

Following the Speeches a lighthearted meet and bowl with the drivers took place, which included Mike Mahaney, Roch Aubin ,Jimmy Phelps and Brad Rouse.

Brain Carter had a go too.

2016_1006ZDW30034 (Medium)

From  Lighthouse Lanes I drove the short distance down the road to the Walmart parking lot, where I’d prearranged to meet my friend Chantal  Lesage who was arriving from Gatineau , Quebec, and wasn’t sure of her way around, and how to find Gate # 6 .

She’d got there earlier than her boy friend, and buddy of mine, Pro Stock driver, Rob Yetman who was coming from Albany.

2016_1006ZDW30038 (Medium)       We met as arranged and I took her up to Gate # 6 where she got her ticket. I hung around for a while with her until she met her friend Sabrina, the girlfriend of another Pro Stock driver, Nick Stone.

Next place on my agenda was the Brewerton Speedway for the second of the satelite events taking place during SDW.

Like Weedsport the night before , they were also hosting DirtCar Series events for 358 Modifieds and Sportsman. This particular race, titled the Hurricane 100 is regarded by many fans as one of the best races during SDW, and is always a full house.

Another good friend of mine, Dawn Kamff , from the Pulaski area, had problems with her car and didn’t want to risk , too much of a drive down to Brewerton, so I arranged to meet her at nearby Mexico (NY) to give her a ride there.

We were there quite early ( about 4-30 pm ) and secured a good place in the parking lot, where we relaxed until our friend Dean Reynolds arrived, and it was time to go in.

I went to do my shooting on the infield, while they watched from the grandstands.

2016_1006ZDW50189 (Medium) 2016_1006ZDW50102 (Medium) 2016_1006ZDW50130 (Medium)

 

Winner of the 358 race was Billy Decker, the ‘hired gun’ in the # 46 car.

2016_1006ZDW40020 (Medium)

I retired from the middle after this and went to join Dawn and Dean, while Brad Rouse  # 18 took the checkers in the Sportsman race.

2016_1006ZDW50034 (Medium)

Once out of the gate, Dawn and I went for a late night supper at a 24 hour diner on I81 at Parish NY, before dropping her off at her car that was parked at Mexico.

I was back at my Motel quite late, but that didn’t matter, as I had no plans for an early start the next day.

FRIDAY   7 October.

There was on-track action planned all day on Friday at Oswego, but the good stuff was happening at night, so I never got there until after lunch.

I found the Yetman team having a barbecue in the pits.

2016_1007ZDW60003 (Medium)

The  afternoon races were short-lived, and were postponed until the evening due to excessive dust and glaring sun.

I killed time in the media center where I met up with my old friend Skip Howe. It was with Skip,  back in 2005 that I made my first and only other trip to the Oswego Speedway. It was paved on this occasion , and we witnessed the Super Modifieds.

After Fridays racing I could claim a new track on my TRACKCHASING  totals.  The Oswego Speedway (Dirt) became track # 226 on my list.

14572226_195479594217656_2673694029454238074_n

Racing  was set to resume at 6-00 pm , so I joined my photographer friends on the middle.

2016_1007ZDW60015 (Medium)

They were all there, and as I waited for the action to begin, I sat with Josee Fortier , Steve Brilliant,  Dan Mailhot and DirtCar official , Francis Potvin.

The Big Blocks, 358’s and Sportsman were all out , on a prepped track surface that provided some great racing.2016_1007ZDW60152 (Medium) 2016_1007ZDW60053 (Medium) 2016_1007ZDW60191 (Medium) 2016_1007ZDW60114 (Medium)

 

Otto Sitterley  # 7 can claim to be the performer of the first roll-over on the Oswego clay.

2016_1007ZDW60124 (Medium)

The first  races of the evening were the Futures races where my buddy Joey Ladouceur from Alexandria, Ontario, won in the 358’s, Matt Farnham in the Sportsman and Max Mc Laughlin in the Big Blocks

2016_1007ZDW60098 (Medium)2016_1007ZDW60063-768x5492016_1007ZDW60143 (Medium)

 

Next up were the twin 20’s for 358’s , which were won by two more of my locals, Billy Dunn and Tim Fuller. (Watertown NY)

2016_1007ZDW60220 (Medium)

While doing the Victory Lane pics , it was great to see Chris Dollack , former DirtCat / WRG   Media boss, back in action doing  V/C duties.

2016_1007ZDW60097 (Medium)

 

By now it was getting late, so I opted to miss the Triple 30’s for the Big Blocks and made my exit in the direction of my Motel.

SATURDAY   8 October

The weather forecast for Saturday was not good , and sure enough, when awoke and looked out the window, it was pouring with rain.

I decided to relax in my room until the rain had eased off.

It rained all morning and there was still a slight drizzle when I left Camillus in the direction of Oswego.

To get to Oswego , I had to pass through Fulton, NY where the evenings World of Outlaw Sprint car race was scheduled, so decided to drop in at the track and check conditions.

This was now about 2.00 pm in the afternoon, and although there was still a bit of light rain, the track looked in pretty good shape.

It was about this time I got a text message from Dawn telling me , the days races at Oswego had been postponed until Sunday, but they were still hoping the evening show at Fulton would  be running.

I decided to do a bit of shopping, and hang around in one of Fulton’s  Dunkin Donuts until I knew what was happening.

I returned to the Speedway at around 3-30 pm and the rain had stopped , there was a line of race car haulers at the pit gate, and things looked good. More and more people started arriving and I became optimistic.

2016_1008ZDW90056 (Medium) 2016_1008ZDW90022 (Medium) 2016_1008ZDW90122 (Medium)

There was lot of waiting around , but I’m glad I did. The show got under way and I was soon out on the middle taking my pics.

2016_1008ZDW90092 (Medium)

As well as the WoO Sprints, the Big Block Mods were there for their ‘win and your in’  qualifier for the next days Bud Light 300 at Oswego.

2016_1008ZDW80104 (Medium) (2)

This was won by Chris Hile.

2016_1008ZDW90121 (Medium)

Once again it was Donny Schatz in Victory Lane for the Sprint Cars adding to his long string of WoO wins.

2016_1008ZDW80125 (Medium) (2)

 

Once Victory Lane pics had been done it was back to the Motel.

SUNDAY 9 October

It had been announced that racing at Oswego would start at 10-00 am in the morning and the missed races from Saturday would be crammed into one full day of racing. The big races however, would be reduced in laps ( the Bud Light 300 became 200)

I was at the track at 10-00 am , and lucky for me, the racing had not yet started. I was able to get out on the infield taking pics, before the action started, I got there just in time to see the Pro Stocks out for Hot Laps.

2016_1009ZDW100127 (Medium) 2016_1009ZDW100015 (Medium) 2016_1009ZDW100041 (Medium) 2016_1009ZDW100012 (Medium)

I met up with  Dan and Josee again and joined them in some personal ‘souvenir’ picture taking in between the races.

2016_1009ZDW100190 (Medium) 2016_1009ZDW100194 (Medium)

2016_1009ZDW100072-768x548One of the first races of the day was the last chance qualifiers, where Mike Mahaney got the win.

2016_1009ZDW100105-768x549

Last Chance winner in the first of the two Sportsman division races, was one of my local racers Jessica Power.

2016_1009ZDW100139 (Medium) 2016_1009ZDW100173 (Medium)

Connor Cleveland won the other

2016_1009ZDW100176 (Medium)

 

When these were over, there  was a break for track preparation and the opening ceremonies for the Bud Light 300 ( now 200) were to start at 2-00 pm.

I chilled out in the Media Center and had a bite to eat at the concessions. Food was good there !

I was back on the middle in good time to get my self a good spot for picture taking.

14643140_1197075233686961_1762868492_n

I chose the front stretch where there was a pick nick table to shoot from ( and sit down for a rest), and get both on track action and the hot pit lane activities.

2016_1009ZDW110017 (Medium)

Opening ceremonies took place and the cars took to the track, for the traditional ‘four wide’ fan appreciation lap.

2016_1009ZDW110104 (Medium)

With Matt Sheppard starting on the front , as expected , he shot into the lead and stayed there for a long time, with Tim McCreadie chasing him.

2016_1009ZDW110150 (Medium)

After  Sheppard pitted with issues unknown to me, McCreadie took control and looked set for the win, but hard charging Stewart Friesen had other ideas.

2016_1009ZDW110197 (Medium)

Between all this , there was plenty of other action going on , and from my  location I caught both Peter Britten and Frank Cozee hitting the wall hard.

2016_1009ZDW110266 (Medium) 2016_1009ZDW110287 (Medium)

 

2016_1009ZDW110292 (Medium)

I was also in a handy place to watch the action taking place in the Hot Pits , on the middle.

2016_1009ZDW110242 (Medium) 2016_1009ZDW110255-001 (Medium)

McCreadie  continued to lead but as the race drew nearer to the finish, a late challenge by Friesen , put him in top spot.

2016_1009ZDW110283 (Medium)

Soon after the lead change, McCreadie went out . Carey Terrance had been chasing the two of them, and he was now in second place.

2016_1009ZDW110279 (Medium)

During the closing laps we had a battle between Terrance and Brett Hearn, with Hearn eventually getting the better.  As the checkers fell it was Friesen, Hearn and Terrance.

2016_1009ZDW100234 (Medium) (Medium)

Again it was Stewart Friesen back in the SUPER DIRT WEEK Victory Lane.

He’s no stranger there , he not only made history  by winning the last ever SUPER DIRT WEEK  at Syracuse’s Moody Mile, he can now claim to have won the first ever one at Oswego.

2016_1009ZDW100253-001 (Medium)

His wife Jessica and young son Parker, were out on the front stretch to join in the celebrations .

2016_1009ZDW100286 (Medium)

Time was now around 6-00 pm on Sunday night and there were still three more big races to go, for the Pro Stocks, 358’s and Sportsman.

After being on the middle for most of the day , I was getting a bit tired , and was tempted to make my exit, but the thought of missing the Pro Stock race and my buddy, Rob Yetman, getting ‘four in a row’ kept me there.

2016_1009ZDW100296-001 (Medium)

A break for track prep followed the Bud Light 300 , so I relaxed and warmed up in the Media Center and attended the post-race winners conference.

Once this was over I returned to the middle for the Pro Stock race which came up next. This sector of SUPER DIRT WEEK usually provides some of the best action, and once again, this is just what happened.

There was a multi-car accident on the front stretch which took out a lot of cars , including my friend Stephane Lebrun  # 6, who injured his wrist.

2016_1009ZDW100340 (Medium)

Another good friend , Robbie Speed # 25 was a bit luckier, and was able to return to the pits for some quick repairs.

2016_1009ZDW100337 (Medium)2016_1009ZDW100342 (Medium)       He returned to the race as an ‘open wheeler’ and still managed to come home fourth.

2016_1009ZDW100315 (Medium)2016_1009ZDW100322 (Medium)

After hanging back for the first few laps Rob Yetman  forged his way to the front and cruised to another SUPER DIRT WEEK victory, making it ‘four in a row’ .

Nick Stone was second and Jim Normolye was third.2016_1009ZDW100364 (Medium) 2016_1009ZDW100394-001 (Medium)

After Rob’s win I went over to the post-race tech area , to watch the car get the OK. and join the team.

2016_1009ZDW100400 (Medium)

As you can imagine, everyone was very happy.

2016_1009ZDW100406 (Medium)

 

It was from the infield I watched the next race, the 100 lap Salute to the Troops for the 358  Modifieds . It was getting too dusty for any decent action shots, so put the camera down for this one.

2016_1007ZDW60132 (Medium)

Tim fuller led from start to finish , making a clean sweep, and becoming the small block champion of SUPER DIRT WEEK 2016

Time was pressing on and with a long journey ahead, I chose to miss the final race of SUPER DIRT WEEK, which was for the Sportsman. I joined the Yetman team back in the pits, as  Chantal would be following me home in her Toyota.

I packed up my equipment in the Media Center and the two of us made our exit.

In our absence Dave Marccuccili took the Sportsman victory.

2016_1005ZDW2WEED0092 (Medium)

After a couple of stops for coffee and gas, we were both back in Canada before mid night.  We said our good bye’s at the Mallory Town Tim Horton’s on Hwy 401 and went our separate ways.

I was back home in Cornwall at about 1-30 am to end yet another memorable SUPER DIRT WEEK

FOOTNOTE.

While I was away at SUPER DIRT WEEK, the Japanese Grand Prix was taking place, so missed my usual live TV viewing . Thanks to mum , an avid fan , back in the UK who sent me the results.

1st Rosberg, 2nd Verstappen, and third Hamilton

 

 

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *