Weekly Report (14 October 2018)

After returning from Super Dirt Week , a day earlier than planned, my first priority after the Thanksgiving holiday, was to get my car into the workshop. While I was down in the USA it had developed a nasty whining noise from the front end,  and it needed to be sorted.

So, first thing on Tuesday (9 Oct) I took it to Seaway GM in Cornwall where many racing friends work , and know that I will be treated good. I arrived about 9-15 am , and by 10-30 am, I was on my way, with the suspected wheel bearing diagnosed and replaced.

I have to compliment Corey Wheeler (a 358 Modified driver) and his staff for the great customer service.

This week I was free from any medical appointments and was ready for the weekend races.

The Brockville Ontario Speedway were staging the 10th edition of the North East Fall Nationals. This year a new title sponsor had come on board, a clothing brand by the name of ‘Loud & Dirty.

The weekend event got under way on Friday night with a Super Dirt Series race for Big Block Modifieds and DirtCar Series races for Sportsman and Pro Stocks, where the 2018 Champions would be decided. Adding to the program , were the Vintage Modifieds.

I arrived nice and early and soon met up with fellow ‘togs’ John Lyng, Don Simpson, Alex Bruce and track photographer Henry Hannewyk.

Joe Grabianowski of DirtCar media was also there with his camera. It was a really cold night .

There were quite a few of us taking pics out on the middle that night all wrapped up warm in the chilling cold. 

 Just before Intermission , Henry had to leave, as he wasn’t feeling very well, and so I was “volunteered” to take charge of Victory Lane duties.

It was Mike Maresca who drew pole position at the redraw.

The first of the big races was the Super Dirt Series race where Erick Rudolph took charge from a very early stage to get a comfortable win.

Following him across the line were Peter Britten and Danny Johnson third.

The ProStock Feature was next where recent Oswego winner Cd Beauchamp  # 88 took the checkers after being chased over the line by Stephane Lebrun # 6.

Pascal Payeur was third.

Jocely Roy # 48 had secured enough points to capture the 2018 DirtCar Pro Stock Championship.

Here he is with his Champions crown.

The Sportsman Feature was up next, and this was won by Martin Pelettier .

 

Kevin Root clinched the 2018 DirtCar Sportsman Series.

The last race of the night was the Vintage Modified Feature.

It was Kenny Polite who got the win in this one.

By now it was after mid night, and I have to say, I was pleased to get in my car and crank the heater up for the journey home.Sunday’s program was due to get underway at 3-00 pm, and I arrived back at the track just as Hot Laps were beginning . Again it was really cold.

 Day two of the ‘Loud& Dirty’ North East Fall Nationals had a 358 Modified DirtCar Series race as the headline event, with support from the ESS Sprint Cars, Mini Stocks and Street Stocks. There were plenty of cars from each of the divisions packed into the pits.

Once again I joined the same bunch of ‘tog’ buddies but minus Henry who was still sick.

There were a few surprises too, Gary Tomkins was driving one of the # 96 Lasalle Team cars, and Matt Sheppard was in the white # 3 car he won at Cornwall in, earlier in the year. Larry Wight was there with his 358 Modified and his Sprint Car.

 

In Henrys absence, I was once again asked by the management if I’d step in to run Victory Lane.

First of the Features was for the Sprint Cars, where Steve Poirier took the honors.

Next was the Ministocks where Joe McNichols was the winner.

The main event was next, the 358 DirtCar Series race,  which turned out to be very interesting with late lap drama, akin to some of the past races witnessed on the Syracuse Moody Mile.  Early leader Matt Sheppard was passed by Erick Rudolph, only to spin himself out while trying to retake the lead.

Throughout the 110 lapper, the attrition rate of tires became a major factor.

Many of the likely winners fell by the wayside. Erick Rudolph looked like making it a weekend double until a tire let go handing it to Matt Williamson.

Williamson was being challenged hard by Steve Bernard but he too also succumbed with a lap to go.

Others also suffered the same fate, but somehow Williamsons tires stayed in tact to the flag, Tim Fuller got was runner up and Larry Wight got third.

Wights third place was enough to clinch this years 358 DirtCar Series.

Final race of the weekend was the Street Stock feature which went to Wade Purchase.

It was all over by about 10-30 and once again, it was a relief to be out of the cold and back in the warmth of my car, heading for home on Hwy 401.