RICK @ the RACES (30 Aug to 1 Sept 2013
30 Aug Mohawk International Raceway (NY)
31 Aug Brockville Ontario Speedway
1 Sept Cornwall Motor Speedway (Ont)
This past weekend was the Labor Day break, which meant ‘final points’ night at all the DIRTCAR sanctioned tracks. My agenda consisted of, my three local tracks, the Mohawk International Raceway, Brockville Ontario Speedway and The Cornwall Motor Speedway.
Once again my racing program got off to a rushed start, after finishing work on Friday night with another crazy 60 hours work week under my belt.
I had just enough time to stop by my house for a quick wash before heading across the International Bridge to the M.I.R in Hogansburg NY. I missed out on the Hot Laps but was on the middle ready to take some pics, before the heat races began.
Even with the extra distance, Frenchies Series races on the program, the M.I.R staff put on another quick ‘no nonsence’ show, that was over by 10-00 pm. Just what I needed, following the busy work week .
Billy Dunn once again made it look easy in the Modified Feature, with another trip to Victory Lane, and also gaining his second consecutive M.I.R championship.
You may recall that one week ago, I reported that the young Mike Maresca got his first ever Sportsman win. Well, he did it all over again, this week and surely must be destined for greater things.
As for the other divisions, Quebecs Jocelyn Roy took the Pro Stock race, Randy Whiting the Bandits and Eric Varin the Mod Lites.
Cornwall driver Corey Wheeler ended the year as the Sportsman Champion.
As mentioned earlier, the racing was over by 10-00 pm and by 10-15 pm I was in the line up at Canada Customs coming back into Cornwall. At this point the heavens opened, and all of a sudden I was in thunderstorm conditions. I guess the swift turn around of races had paid off, and we were lucky to end the season on a dry note.
I took it easy on Saturday morning, relaxing and recovering from my busy work week, before making my planned afternoon drive down to Brockville. Just as I was about to leave home, I had a Face Book message from Cornwall Motor Speedway announcer Hugh Primeau, asking ‘any room for a passenger’ ? Hugh lives close by, so for this week, I had company.
We arrived nice and early and as usual I made my rounds in the pits , talking to friends.
Just like the M.I.R , the program went along quickly with out any major delays.
Going into the night, the Modified points championship was very close, and it was basically down to two drivers. Lee Gill was leading Danny O’Brien by a very slim margin. In the Feature it was O’Brien who took the checkers,
but a third place by Gill was enough to secure the Championship.
The Sportsman feature was won by Chris Herbison, while early season, point scoring victories enabled Shane Pecore, to lock up the championship by taking the green, and coming home fourth. Pascal Racette got the Street Stocks win while young Jasmine David took the checkers in the Rookie Sportsman division.
Although the night was still young, we didn’t stay around to watch the Rookie feature, which was won in our absence by Joe McNichols.
The next day was the end of season spectacular at the Cornwall Motor Speedway with a combined 358 Modified Super Dirt Series and Canadian Nationals race as the headline event. I knew before leaving home that this wouldn’t be an early finish , as there was a lot of racing to do.
I was there around 1-30 pm and as usual , I chilled out in the control tower doing stuff on my lap top, until the pit gates opened. Once the action got under way, I was pretty much stationed on the center for most of the night.
On the one occasion when I did venture away, and moved across to the front stretch grandstand area, I had a really nice surprise. While I was taking pictures of the Modified drivers re-draw, my friend Josee Poisson of BABE DESIGN approached me. 
She then presented me with a beautiful , custom made RICK AT THE RACES jacket. It’s a work of art, and I really appreciate her kindness.
The first feature races of the day were for Ministocks and Semi Pro’s with the respective wins going to Francis Blanchette and Derek Cryderman.
The 125 lap Modified race was next, and included a mandatory front stretch, timed pit stop. This is always a favorite with the fans, me included ! 
After the ten minute pause, the green flag dropped again with Quebecs Steve Bernard taking a commanding lead. He stayed there, to collect the checkers, with Stephane Lafrance in second and David Hebert third.
The other big races of the night, were the Mohawk Race Parts series for Pro Stocks and the Seaway GM Series for Sportsman. Stephane Lemire was the Pro Stock winner 
while Shane Pecore did like wise in the Sportsman.
The various track champions were also crowned that night, Mario Clair (Modifieds) Joey Ladouceur (Sportsman) and Dave Bissonnette ( Pro Stocks) with the series races going to Stephane Lebrun (Mohawk Race Parts) and Michel Desjardins ( Seaway GM).
The racing was over , just past mid night, when the traditional bonfire party got under way. That wasn’t for me this year, I’m afraid, I was just too tired, so headed straight for home.