M.I.R and B.O.S Season Openers. (18th May Blog 2023)

 M.I.R and B.O.S  Season Openers.

It’s that time of year, in my part of the world, when a new season of racing bursts into life.

On Friday the 12th of May, it was opening night at my local Mohawk International Raceway.

It’s the nearest track to my house, and located less than a mile away, across the St Lawrence River on the Akwesasne Mohawk Reserve, in Hogansburg , N.Y . If only I could drive across the water , I’d be there in two minutes LOL .

Usually, The drive via the International Bridge, takes about 10 minutes, depending on the border line-ups.

With nothing else to do, I crossed over at 4-00 pm so I  had plenty of time for a snooze in my car before my pit walk about.

One of the first people I met was Perry Francis # 555 who was making a return to the tracks after quite a few years absence.

There were 15 Modifieds in attendance , more than enough to give us some great racing.

As well as the Modifieds, we had Sportsman, Rookie Sportsman , Pro Stocks and Bandits (Mini Stocks) on the menu.

The first feature was for the  Bandits

The Winner was Jake Fountain.

  Next up was the Rookie Sportsman feature, which was won by former Mod Lite racer, Kevin Foster. 

It was then intermission time.

First up , after the break it was the Modified feature

This turned into a great race with Johnathon Ferguson holding off Carey Terrance for his first ever M.I.R Modified feature win.

Next up , it was the Sportsman feature.

Cedric Gauvreau dominated this one, with no serious challengers. 

Before the scheduled Enduro finished off the night, the Pro Stocks took to the track for their feature.

This was won by Ian Brassett after being challenged for much of the race by Stephane Lebrun.

Me, not being a fan of  Enduro’s , meant it was my time to head back home.

Next day , Saturday the 13th of May , it was the turn of the Brockville Ontario Speedway to have their season opener.

As you’d expect I was there nice and early,  and soon caught up with Corey Wheeler who was making his 2023 season debut.

The pits had 19 Modifieds parked up, including a few new faces to the ranks.

The father and son team of Sandy and Gavin McFarland.

As well as Chris Ferguson.

All of which have moved up from Sportsman.

There were a lot of divisions on the program .

Lucky for me,  the stuff I was there to see had their feature’s scheduled first .

At this point I must welcome Adam Correia  as the new B.O.S track photographer.

After many years at the B.O.S , (even longer than me) Henry Hannewyk has decided to retire and this was Adam’s first night under the spot light.

First up was for the Rookie Sportsman, 

 

The winner was Matt Pruner.

The regular Sportsman feature followed.

A lot of action in this one as race leaders Shane Pecore and Bobby Herrington came together.

Herrington recovered to take the win.

The big race of the night, the 30 lapper for the 358 Modifieds, was up next .

This race was an epic, with Ryan Arbuthnot making a last lap pass on Johnathon Ferguson to take the win.

Ryan seems to make a habit of winning the season opener at the B.O.S, I think it’s his third time.

With time getting on , and the main event in the books I made my exit, giving the remaining features a miss.

With no racing  scheduled for Sunday, this ended another weekend at the tracks.

 

 

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