Fulton SUNY CANTON 200 (3 Oct 2009)

1006oRICK @ the RACES  (3 Oct 2009)

3 Oct      Fulton Speedway NY  (The SUNY CANTON FULTON 200)

I only have one event to report on this week, which is just the way I planned it. This past weekend, like in previous years is the ‘calm before the storm’. This coming Wednesday is the start of SUPER DIRT WEEK 2009 so the traditional 200 lapper at the Fulton Speedway NY on the Saturday before was good enough for me. This year was the 24th staging of this annual event, that was previously known as the VICTORIA 200. Unfortunately the title of this event was passed  to another track a couple of years ago, so it is now simply called the Fulton 200. It’s a shame really, because many of us race fans still think of this as the ‘real’ Victora 200 and carry on calling it that. Why mess with History !

I was up bright and early on Saturday morning for the three hour trip down to Fulton. My buddy Roger Aubin picked me up at 7-00am from my place in Cornwall (Ont) and we traveled down in his Ford Escape. We had a nice easy border crossing at Johnstown/Ogdensburg, with a really pleasant US border guard, Why can’t they all be like that !

By 9-30am we were at the Watertown, New York ‘Friendly’s’ having breakfast. Then after stopping at Walmart in Central Square we were at the track around mid day.

1006aThe parking lot and camping field as expected was full with race fans, many of which were en-route to Syracuse for the start of SUPER DIRT WEEK. Fulton was a weekend event and Friday nights SDS race for SPORTSMAN had been rained out and rescheduled for Sunday.

Over 70 Big Block Modifieds had signed in with some drivers entering two cars.

Starter  Dave Farney at the drivers briefing
Starter Dave Farney at the drivers briefing

There were no other ‘track packing’ divisions on the program, just the Modifieds, so it was a straight 8 heats and 3 Consi’s to decide the line up for the 200 lapper. There were three Canadians competing, and all were from Ontario, Pat O’Brien ( Kingston) Tim Kerr (Picton) and Skip McKenzie ( Ottawa).

1006bAfter weeks of rain the track had took a pounding and was in pretty poor shape. The track crew were continually grooming it, but to no avail. The bumps just didn’t want to go away. They have an impressive arsenal of track preparation equipment at Fulton which includes a couple of International tractor units that have previously done service with track owner John Wight’s Gypsum Express trucking company. They look really cool.
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Prior to the big race the driver introductions took place on the home straight.2009_0903Image0105 (Small)

1006eMy buddy Roger, is a long time fan of New Jersey’s , Billy Pauch and he got to meet his heros son. Billy Pauch Jnr was taking part in the race so Roger wished him luck and shook his hands.

The 200 lapper was split in to two 100 lap segments with a break taken after 100 laps.

1006c 1006d 1006l 2009_0903Image0082 (Small)As cars fell by the wayside we had to endure many cautions. Half way leader was Billy Decker after some early challenges from Brett Hearn and Tim Fuller.

The scheduled 10 minute break, turned out to be a little longer than planned as the track crew once more attempted to create a better surface. On the restart Decker maintained his lead until red flag conditions were needed following a wild flip by Shane Donath in turn three.

1006g 1006h 1006i 1006j 1006kShane was OK and after the wreck was removed, the race got back under way.

Decker continued to dominate, with Jimmy Phelps and Danny Johnson (driving the spare Gary Tomkins car) in hot pursuit. Phelps grabbed the lead at one stage and looked all set to win as he pulled away from Decker .

1006f 1006mThen a late caution closed the field, and Decker charged away from the green flag to regain his lead. This is where he stayed until the checkers, with Phelps on his tail and Johnson not far behind.

1006n 1006pThe Victory Lane presentations were over before 10-45 and we were soon heading back to Canada on Interstate 81. After another easy border crossing, this time at 1000 Islands we were back in Cornwall at 2-15.

Sunday’s Sportsman show at Fulton was won by Ryan Suscice of Ransomville NY with Napanee, Ontario’s Chris Raabe as runner up.