No More FROGTOWN, Now it’s M.I.R (1 May 2008)

05032008cRICK @ the RACES (3 May 2008)

Mohawk International Raceway. (FKA Frogtown Int Speedway)

After last weeks long haul to the Niagara region, I decided to stay local this weekend, but before I continue, I have to mention an item from my previous report.

Soon after sending it out, I had an e-mail message from my daughter Carla who lives in Austin, Texas.

“Dad you’ve spelled Niagara wrong ! ” she said.

Spelling has never been one of my strong points, and I’d put it down as Niagra.

I guess all the junk-mail I receive for Viagra etc , made me do it that way !

Did anyone else notice it ?

“After 20 years the FROG has left the building”. That’s what it says on the website www.mohawkintraceway.com

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So let me explain.

One of the nearest tracks to my home, and a place I’ve regularly visited over the years, has been the Frogtown International Speedway, located at Hogansburg, NY. It is so close to Canada ( just a five minute drive from the Cornwall / Rooseveltown customs point ) that it has been included in this years 358 Modified LUCAS OILS CANADIAN DIRT SERIES.

The track now has a new ownership consortium, and one of their major changes included a new name. From now on ‘The Frog’ is no more ! and it goes under the title of the Mohawk International Raceway.

The weather forecast for the weekend was not good ! and many of the Friday night tracks in the North East canceled early because of rain. Things for Saturday didn’t look much better, but I kept my fingers crossed for the season opener at the ‘new’  M.I.R . My back up plan was the Can Am Speedway at Lafargeville NY.

Things have been busy at work lately, and I was needed to take a trailer to Kingston (Ont) on Saturday morning. As I left Cornwall at 8-00am it was raining miserably and things looked bad. The nearer I got to Kingston ( close to the US border and Lafargeville) the better it got and the sun was shining. At this point I thought I’d be returning in this direction later in the day,  utilizing plan B and going to Can Am.

This was not to be ! When I arrived back in the Cornwall area around lunch time, the rain had stopped and by now it was warm and sunny.

Instead of going home, I crossed the International Bridge straight from work and spent the afternoon in Hogansburg and Massena NY.

On arrival at the track , the first thing I noticed was the development work taking place. I chatted to track manager and announcer Jamie Davis who told me about the exciting new plans in store and the investment that was planned.

05032008bA new building was under construction to house new washrooms and toilets that would also include showers. A new pit lay-out and grandstands were to follow. He had great expectations for the future and even hinted that in 2009 the place could be ready to host a Big Block Modified SDS race.

It was also great to meet up with my buddy, and track photographer Mike Watts, who’s been an expert at the art of ‘clicking’ for many years.05032008g

The track was in excellent condition, following the early morning showers , but more rain was forecast later in the evening. At the pre- race drivers meeting plans were announced to keep the show moving as quickly as possible, to beat the weather.05032008f 05032008e

A prompt 7-00 pm start got things under way where the Bandits (4 cylinder) and the Semi Pro (8 cylinder) heats got done with very few cautions. The 358 Modifieds were next, followed by the ProStocks which went the same way. The only stoppages were for engine blow-ups or one-car spin-outs.

First of the features , was for the Bandits where Track Champion Claudia Tarbell continued where she left off last year by taking the checkers once more.05032008i

The Modified feature was next, and turned out to be a cracker of a race. At the offset it was Carey Tarrance # 66 and Mitch Jock # 14 battling out, until Kyle Jacobs # 37 came on the scene. Jock slipped back as Jacobs moved towards Tarrance’s back bumper. Side by side dueling continued as Brian Macdonald # 151KB joined the battle. As Jock dropped back, the Tarrance and Jacobs ‘express train’ came up behind back marker Tommy Jock Jnr # 31. Jacobs chose the best way around him and took control of the lead. As the white flag came out MacDonald made a challenge on Tarrance, only to have his motor go up in a cloud of smoke. As he gradually came to a halt on the back straight, the checkers and caution were waved as Jacobs took his win.05032008d
Louie Jackson # 18 was virtually unchallenged in his ProStock feature victory with only second place Stephan Lebrun # 6 of Quebec looking capable of catching him.05032008h

The Pro Stocks race was over shortly before 9-00pm and as the final event ( Semi Pro Feature) took to the track a light drizzle started. This was my cue to leave, and head back over the bridge to home. I learned later that the Semi Pro race was completed and won by Harvey Arquette.

It was nice to see a good night of racing, and be home indoors before 10-00am.

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