RICK @ the RACES (30 May to 1 June)
30 May Mohawk International Raceway, NY
31 May Brockville Ontario Speedway
1 June Cornwall Motor Speedway
Following last weeks busy trip to the UK, this past weekend wasn’t any less busy.
After arriving home in Cornwall , Ontario in the early evening of Thursday 29 May, I was scheduled to return back to work at 5-30 am on Friday.
Lucky for me, I had an easy day and was finished work by 4-00 pm.
This meant, there was no rush to get to the races, and my weekend plans revolved around my three local tracks.
After dropping in at my house first, I then took a lazy drive across the International Bridge to Hogansburg , New York, and the Mohawk International Raceway. Although I live in Cornwall Ontario, the M.I.R is slightly nearer to home than the Cornwall Motor Speedway. As ‘the crow flys’ it’s only about a mile or two across the St Lawrence Seaway from my place. The C.M.S is slightly further.
This was M.I.R’s third attempt at running their official season opener, after wet weather had caused the two previous weeks to get cancelled . On this occasion, Mother Nature was behaving herself and conditions were good for a great night of racing.
I had my usual pit walk about before the start and had a good chat with Jordon McCreadie, who quite willingly added two ‘Rick at the Races’ stickers to his car.
Once the racing go started I joined Andy Watts on the middle in a our usual spot on turn four. Big winners of the night were Dylan Evoy in the Sportsman Feature and Danny O’Brien who won the 40 lap Frenchie’s 358 Modified Series race.
It was back to normal on Saturday night with a drive down the 401 to the Brockville Ontario Speedway. I was joined on this trip by Hughie Primeau, the Cornwall Motor Speedway announcer.
I had my pre race pit wander, and chatted amongst friends.
The regular program was complimented with the addition of the Vintage Mods.
In the Modified and Sportsman Features it was a case of deja vu with Danny O’Brien and Dylan Evoy taking the spoils for the second night running. This one was a notable victory for Evoy, as it was his 50th Sportsman win.
On Sunday night I was at the Cornwall Motor Speedway for my second night working for the new owners, the Lavergne family. I’d missed last weeks races, ( that were won by Carey Terrance) as I was in England.
I was there nice and early, and while wandering the pits, I acquired to more pics for the Rick at the Races ‘Pretty Faces’ section on the web site. Thanks to the crew members of Stephane Lafrance and Dave Bissonnette for obliging.
The big races of the night were DIRTCAR Series races for the Pro Stocks and Sportsman.
My buddy Dave Bissonnette ( who snow ploughed my driveway this past winter) was the Pro Stock winner and Martin Pelletier did likewise in the Sportsman. Martin’s girlfriend is another good friend of mine, the former 360 Nitro interviewer Caroline Champigny, who has also appeared in the ‘Pretty Faces’ section.
Stephane Lafrance won the Modified Feature…. so it seems a ‘pretty pit crew’ may help drivers get good results !