RICK @ the RACES (15/16/17 May 2009)

FRIDAY 15 May      CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY, Ottawa, Ont
SUNDAY 17 May       CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY, Ont

After missing out on many Friday nights of racing because of work commitments, I volunteered to start two hours earlier this week, in an attempt to get finished earlier. My plan didn’t really work ! I eventually ‘got done’ only slightly earlier and never clocked out until 6-45.

I was determined not to be beaten and took off in the direction of Ottawa where I arrived at the Capital City Speedway soon after 8-15.

The heat races were still taking place and I was able to get out on the center to get some photos before intermission.

The Bill of Fare included, 4 for Fun, Mini Stocks, Thunder Cars and Legends. There were no Late Models on the program but an Enduro had been added. Winners were Brian Sehl (4 for Fun),

Doug Mould (Mini Stocks) Chad Windsor (Legend)

Ken Sproule (Thunder Cars) and taking the Enduro honors was Robert Broom. It was great to see Doug Mould in Victory Lane , his wife Anna ‘covers’ for me on CCS photographic duties when I can’t attend.  It was a warm and sunny night.

My Saturday turned out to be much the same way as the previous week. The plan was to attend the season opener at the Brockville Ontario Speedway, but once again Mother Nature had other ideas.

After raining throughout the day it was no surprise when the track answering machine announced the cancellation. I had five other tracks within reach to salvage my day, so began scanning the internet and making phone calls for updates on their status. The ACT Late Model race at Autodrome St Eustache (Que) had been postponed until Sunday as were the Sprint Car races at the Brighton Speedway (Ont). The Airborne Speedway at Plattsburgh (NY) and the season opener at Autodrome Drummond (Que) had both been canceled. The only place that still had hopes of running was the Thunder Alley Speedway at Evans Mills (NY).

I left it as late as I could before leaving home and made another phone call to the track before crossing the border to the USA at Ogdensburg. The news was still positive so continued on my merry way. I then went through a lot of heavy rain and was fearing the worst. Sure enough, on arrival at the track that late storm had caused the inevitable, and the place was almost deserted apart from a handful of staff. It was then a drive back to Long Sault, Ontario for another Saturday at home. On a brighter note … Grolsch was on offer in the stores this week ! so I’d got a good supply of cold ones on standby for my return.

The sun was shining on Sunday, and it was the big one race fans in Eastern Ontario and Quebec had been waiting for, the 2009 opener of the Cornwall Motor Speedway (Ont). Not only was it the season opener, it was also round one in the 2009 LUCAS OILS CANADIAN DIRT SERIES for 358 Modifieds.

I arrived early and as expected there was a large turnout of both race cars and fans. There were 48 Modifieds and over 20 Dirt Pro Stocks which were complimented by a good field of both Rookies and Semi Pro’s.

The 100 lap main event got off to a start with 2008 champion David Hebert of Quebec and New Yorks Dale Planck setting the pace.

The first half of the race was plagued with cautions and a red flag stoppage for a rollover by Brian MacDonald but once things got going, a hard fought race began between Hebert, fellow Quebecer Mario Clair and Kingston , Ontario’s Danny O’Brien.

As the checkers approached it was O’Brien in the place that mattered to take the spoils. I must mention a great piece of driving by second placed Hebert, while challenging for the lead. In hot pursuit , he overcooked it slightly on turn four, did a complete 360 degree turn, put the foot hard on the gas, and quickly rejoined the race in front of third placed Clair. That was spectacular !

The Dirt Pro Stock Feature was won by PJ Peters and the Rookie event by Eli Gilbert.The Semi Pro Feature was held over until next week due to the time factor.

OTHER STUFF

While I was at the Cornwall Motor Speedway on Sunday , I had a good chat with Rookie driver and ‘announcers night mare’ Gerry Ozkachewicz ( we all call him Gerry ‘O’.) He’s seriously thinking of moving up into the DIRT SPORTSMAN division and is on the look out for a suitable used car. His preference is for a BICKNELL, so if anyone can help with info, please let let me know and I’ll pass it on to Gerry

With regard to rain-outs and damp conditions I had a message from my old buddy Colin Herridge in the UK. As regular readers will know, racing is rarely canceled for rain in Europe. The cars are fitted with suitable tires and the drivers do their best to cope , while the hardy fans stand out in the rain and watch. ( yep, I must have been crazy ! ) Colin sent me a video clip he discovered from a wet F1 Stock Car race I attended at the Gruitrode Circuit in Belgium in the early 1980’s. I remember it well, my daughter Carla , was a baby at the time, just a few months old and it was one of her first races overseas .(Her push chair got a bit muddy that day! )

www.listal.com/video/100393693

Another little gem that came from Colin was this clip of film that shows what happens when the pace/safety car gets in the way of a pack of race cars.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYO4yPmf5AI

I also had a message from Kai Goddard from Phoenix AZ informing me of a new project he is involved in. Kai, the son of 1970’s Spedeworth Superstox World Champion has teamed up with Matt Simmons, Bruce Macinnes and Jeff Andretti ( son of Mario) to form the JEFF ANDRETTI COACHING GROUP. They offer a number of services to the ‘would be race driver’ or the everyday driver wanting to upgrade his skills. Check out the website

www.jeffandretticoachinggroup.com