RICK @ the RACES (17/18 Oct 2014)
Friday 17 Oct Brockville Ontario Speedway
Saturday 18 Oct Brockville Ontario Speedway
For the past few years, the ‘week after Super Dirt Week’ has meant the 1000 Island RV DIRTCAR North East Fall Nationals, which take place at my local Brockville Ontario Speedway.
Since it’s inception, we’ve never been very lucky with ‘comfortable’ weather, and this year was no exception. Although there was very little rain over the weekend, it was cold and damp. There were a total of three DIRTCAR series races up for grabs over the two days, where the 358 Modifieds and Sportsman Championships would be decided.
Topping the bill on Friday night were the 358 Dirt Modifieds for their DIRTCAR Series round, with Late Models and Street Stocks as the supporting acts.
I was lucky enough to get finished work at a good time, that enabled me to dash down highway 401 and arrive at the track before the start. On arrival I joined my photographer friends Dale Calnan and Don Simpson on turn one and two, while Henry Hannewyk monopolized turn three and four.
As I expected, the Late Models were plagued with cautions, and seemed to drag on for ever, with the eventual winner being Dale Caswell.
The 358 Series event turned out to be a good race with last years winner, Erick Rudolph chasing ‘the Doctor’ Danny Johnson across line, with Mario Clair taking the third spot.
Rudolphs second place was enough to secure the 358 DIRTCAR Championship for the second year running.
The last race on the Friday night show was for Street Stocks, and after getting a few laps in, it started to drizzle. I’d been up since 4-45 am in the morning and had done a days work, so at this point, I decided to make my exit and head back home to Cornwall.
After a good nights sleep in my own bed ( I decided against camping out at the track this year in the HHR) I was ready to drive back down the 401 for Saturdays show.
Saturday was the turn of the Big Block Modifieds and the Sportsman to have their DIRTCAR series races and the Vintage Mods were the supporting bill.
Pre race entertainment was being provided by the band ‘Ambush’ who I’d seen numerous times over the years. They are very good , so I wanted to make sure I was there in time to see them.
Before the racing got underway, there was an on track tribute to our recently departed friend, Craig Revelle. Announcer Tim Baltz did a Eulogy , Pastor Ed said the prayers, while drivers and crew from the pits, stood lined up on turn one and two, to pay their respects. It was very moving sight.
The Big Block race was once again dominated by Danny Johnson, but this time, it was made interesting by the challenge for the lead by local driver Brian McDonald. Billy Decker followed them home to take third place.
The Sportsman race was a close one too, with Shane Pecore taking the checkers from Mike Maresca and Cory Wheeler.
Mathieu Desjardins was the winner of the 2014 DIRTCAR Championship for the Sportsman
I’d been standing around taking pics in the cold and damp for most of the day, so I opted to miss the final race of the day, the Vintage Modified Feature and return home.