RICK @ the RACES (27/28/29 JULY 2007)

Fri   27 July      Autodrome Edelweiss CANADIAN DIRT SERIES

Sat   28 July      Calabogie Motorsports Circuit

28 July        Brockville Ontario Speedway CANADIAN DIRT SERIES

Sun 29 July      Cornwall Motor Speedway CANADIAN DIRT SERIES

Phew !   There goes another busy weekend safely locked away into my memory vault . Not only did I attend three of the LUCAS OILS CANADIAN DIRT SERIES events, but I also added another new track to my TRACKCHASING totals. (# 166)

Following the rain-postponements at Granby and Drummond, this Friday (27 Jul),  Autodrome Edelweiss became the host of the opening round of the LUCAS OILS CANADIAN DIRT SERIES, and that was my first destination.

A great total of 36 small-block Dirt Modifieds turned up to do battle in the Val De Monts. (The last time I remember seeing a car count that good up there, was a few years back for the 358 SUPER DIRT SERIES)

After four heats of nine cars each, the stage was set for the 100 lap epic. Early leader, was local hero, Pierre Dagenais until mechanical problems handed the lead to Dave Heaslip. Heaslip’s lead was short-lived, as Danny O’Brien took control, and as he moved ahead , looked on course for the checkers. Victory for the Kingston Ont driver, was not to be. With just a few laps remaining, former ,SUPER DIRT SERIES champion, Laurent Ladouceur the current leader in the weekly track points, used his home-track familiarity to edge passed for a win. My UK friends will remember 2001 when Laurent of Alexandria ,Ont. made history, when he traveled to England to be the first ever Canadian representative in the BriSCA F1 World Final at Hednesford Hills Raceway , driving the loaned car of Mark Gilbank .

On Saturday (28 July), I had two tracks planned, my first being the brand new Calabogie Motorsports Park located about an hour west of Ottawa, the Canadian capital .

It was the first ever event open to the public featuring real wheel to wheel racing,  and was organized by the MOTOR SPORT CLUB OF OTTAWA and sanctioned by the CASC.

The track is a 5-05 kilometer roadcourse situated in the beautiful Calabogie Highlands close to the Madawaska River. It reminded me very much of the Circuit Mont Tremblent in Quebec and some of the European circuits.

I arrived at 1-30 pm in time for the remaining qualifying sessions before the racing ‘for real’ started close to 3-00pm.

The first race,  for single seaters , was held during a rain storm ( luckily this type of racing continues in wet weather) while I was sheltering under the hot dog stand by the start/finish line. The rain was short lived and the sun was out again for the second of the 20 minute races, again for single seaters.

By now, I’d found my self a good spot to watch, high up on the banking of ‘Whats Up’ corner where the viewing was excellent.

The third and final race , which I witnessed,  was for Touring Cars, where fans were treated to a great dice for first place between a Porsche and a BMW , with the latter managing to edge past in the closing stages.

I found this new facility very impressive with plenty of potential for greater things.

At about 4-15 pm , I left Calabogie and set off , via Lanark and Perth towards the Brockville Ontario Speedway for part two of the LUCAS OILS CANADIAN DIRT SERIES.

Once again there was a good turn out of cars and after a slight delay due to the late afternoon rain , a large crowd were ready for another epic 100 lapper.

Track favorite, Pat O’Brien, who started towards the rear of the field , after qualifying via the Consi, was about to put on a great display of excellence in driving. Early pace setter was Quebec’s Yan Bussiere, but O’Brien using his skill and track craft gradually worked his way to the front, and with less than ten laps to go, he pounced, and took control for the final dash to the checkers.

It was the second time this month he’d clinched a Brockville 100 lapper after taking a surprise victory in the recent SUPER DIRTCAR SERIES.

Before moving on from Brockville, I have to mention the Steet Stox Feature. Bill Code, a regular there, took a hard fought win, and as he crossed the line , the rear wheel hub of his Chevy Nova sheared off . He had to be towed back to Victory Lane for the photo shoot and presentation !

On Sunday ( 29 July) it was the turn of the Cornwall Motor Speedway for round three of the LUCAS OILS CANADIAN DIRT SERIES.

Again a large assembly of top Modifieds from Ontario , Quebec, and a few from south of the border met to do battle . In the early stages of the big one, it was Danny O’Brien, (Pat’s kid brother) and Victoriaville, Quebec’s Clement Therrien who sparred for top spot.

They dueled for some time, with Clement clinging to the bottom groove while Danny hung round the top. The problem with taking the top is, you can only push your luck so far. An inch or two too high and you go over the lip and out , and that’s what happened to Danny, giving the lead to Therrien . For the second night running Pat O’Brien had the disadvantage of not starting close to the front. Once again he put on a display, showing why many people consider him the top Canadian Modified driver of this present time,  as he worked through the pack. He got passed Therrien and then cruised the last 27 laps , unchallenged to the checkers.

With three rounds completed Laurent Ladouceur leads the LUCAS OILS CANADIAN DIRT SERIES with 274 points with Clement Therrien in 2nd spot with 261 points. Pat O’Brien who was absent from the Edelweiss round is in 9th place with 206 points.  The final rounds are scheduled for Autodrome Drummond on Monday Aug 6 and Autodrome Granby on Tuesday Aug 7.