RICK @ the RACES (13 to 15 July 2012)
13 July Mohawk Raceway (Hogansburg NY)
14 July Airborne Speedway (Plattsburgh NY)
15 July Cornwall Motor Speedway (Ont)
It’s been a hot and humid summer in my part of the world, and the trend continued for this past weekend. On Friday night I was at my local Mohawk International Raceway, just across the International Bridge from my home in Cornwall (Ont). Now that Friday is one of my scheduled days off from work, I can take a leisurely drive over during the afternoon, so I can beat the peak time lineups at the border. I usually cross over about 3-00pm , do a bit of shopping at the Massena , Walmart before grabbing some supper before the races.
Once the racing got under way, I joined Andy Watts on the center to capture the action.
Billy Dunn, who’s been driving the spare Laurent Ladouceur car at the M.I.R this year, scored his third Modified Feature. The Sportsman race was won by Dylan Evoy
and Stephane Lebrun was the Pro Stock winner.
On Saturday , I chose to give the Brockville Ontario Speedway, my regular base, a miss and visit the Airborne Speedway at Plattsburgh. I try to visit all my local Speedways at least once a year, and at this point, I’d not managed to get there. The Patriot Sprints ( which aren’t my favorite touring series ! ) were doing a double appearance at the B.O.S and Cornwall over the weekend, so a trip to the paved Airborne Speedway seemed like a good idea.
My friend, (and Dirt Mod driver) Mike Perrotte is the promoter at Airborne and he always puts on a good show consisting of ‘dirt style’ Modifieds and Sportsman, Late Models as well as the usual 4 and 8 cylinder basic divisions.
Once again, I was able to take a leisurely drive there, and arrived about 4-30 in the afternoon. My HHR was then parked on the center next to , Andy Watt’s Dodge Caravan. Oh Boy ! it was nice to have my car ‘handy’ as I was able to relax with the air conditioning going, until the racing got under way at 6-00pm.
They run a very slick show at Airborne, and by 8-30 pm both the Sportsman and Modified Features had been run. They were won by
The Late Model Feature winner was Robin Wood. I didn’t stay to see the remaining 4 and 8 cylinder Features, and took advantage of an early get away.
By 10-00 pm I’d arrived at the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino in Hogansburg, but not for gambling, it was to sample their ‘Prime Rib Buffet’ . I wasn’t disappointed and after ‘getting my fill’ I was back home in Cornwall at 11-00 pm.
As normal, the first thing I did when I got home was to log on to the internet and check out Face Book. Almost Immediately I noticed some great news from the B.O.S . Actually , I’ve got to admit, it was ‘sweet and sour’ news .
The ‘sweet’ news was that my good friend Tabatha Murphy had won her first ever Sportsman Feature. The ‘sour’ part, was that I missed it ! I’ve known ‘Tabs’ and her dad Ralph for a long time, and they were one of the first race teams to advertize www.rickattheraces.com. on their race car. They’ve been trying so hard for that first win, I would have loved to be there with them. They will just have to do it again next week , especially for !
It was still hot and humid on Sunday as I made the short drive to the Cornwall Motor Speedway, but the weather forecast looked a bit ‘iffy’ . Showers and possible thunderstorms were predicted.
I always arrive early in the afternoon, and spent my time up in the control tower , editing my pictures from the previous days of racing. While there I had Face Book messages from fans in Ottawa, telling me that it was raining in their area. There was no sign of rain in Cornwall so my fingers were kept crossed. We did get a few sprinkles in the late afternoon, but nothing serious.
The show got under way at the regular time of 7-00 pm and as mentioned earlier, the program included the visiting Patriot Sprints.
Everything seemed to be going smoothly but as the Sprints took to the track for their Feature a big black rain cloud could be seen in the distance which looked like it was heading our way.
Thankfully the Sprint Car Feature went quickly and without any major delays, as Brian Howland went on to take the checkers.
As the skies got darker, the Modifieds came out for their Feature, and just like the Sprints, their main event was ran in double quick time.
The 30 lapper provided yet another win for Dale Planck, but just as we were finishing the Victory Lane celebrations, the heavens opened.
With the Pro Stock and Semi Pro Features yet to run, the night came to a premature end. Looking ahead, it’s not long now until the World of Outlaw Sprint Cars make their first ever appearance at the Cornwall Motor Speedway. SUNDAY 29 JULY … BE THERE !