RICK @ the RACES (19 to 21 June 2015)
Fri 19 June Mohawk International Raceway. NY
Sat 20 June Brockville Ontario Speedway
After arriving back home in Cornwall, Ont, from my England trip on Thursday (18 June) afternoon, I was ready for a day of work on Friday.
I made a short trip to the Montreal area in the morning and was clocking out at 3-30 pm in the afternoon. I had time to return home and relax for a while, before heading off to the races at my local Mohawk International Raceway.
For some reason there was a longer than usual line up at the border, and instead of the ten to fifteen minute wait, I was delayed for at least half an hour. I missed the hot laps, but not to worry.
Joining the usual program of Modifieds, Sportsman, Bandits and Mod Lites were the Lightening Sprints from Quebec. I joined my buddy, track photographer , Andy Watts on the middle, to snap some pics of the heat race action.
I got plenty of decent shots, to keep me happy, so after intermission, I decided to become a ‘race fan’ for the remaining Features, and watch from the main stand.
The Features went like this.
Matt Zira won yet again in the Bandits, followed by a win by Alex Therrien in the Lightening Sprints.
Joel Hargrave got his first win in the Sportsman.
During the evening, I had the pleasure of Jesse Hudson coming up to chat with me. The young hot shot of the Mod Lite division wanted to say hello, and compliment me on my web site and pics. That was nice, and it’s always great to here that what I do is appreciated. Jesse then went out to win the Feature.
Joel Hearne got his first win in the Novice Sportsman race.
The 30 lap Modified event gave Tim Fuller and end to his drought of wins at the M.I.R.
On Saturday , my photography schedule was a bit different from normal, with a rather unusual assignment. I’ve always said I would never do official wedding pictures but this was a special case.
Suzanne Sauve and Jay Thomas, two friends who I work with at the Cornwall Motor Speedway, were getting married at the track in the afternoon, and had asked me if I would help out.
I arrived at 2-00pm to do the shots of friends and family before the ceremony at 3.00 pm in Victory Lane .
Flanking Victory Lane were the Safety Crew’s truck, they both work on, and the 358 Modified of Brian McDonald.
It was a lovely sunny day, just right for an outside wedding. Amongst the guests, there were familiar faces from the track , including former promoter Ron Morin, and new owners, the Lavergne family.
I had a medical appointment in the city at 4-30 pm so did not stay for the reception party.
Once this was over, I made my usual Saturday evening trip down Highway 401 to the Brockville Ontario Speedway. Even with a later than normal departure, I was still there in good time to stroll around the pits and chat to friends before the races. I also had plenty of time to sit and listen to the pre-race drivers meeting.
Once the racing got under way, I joined fellow photographers Henry Hannewyk and Don Simpson on the middle.
The sunshine that I was thankful for at the wedding in the afternoon continued into the early evening and I got some pretty good shots, from all the divisions.
I came off the middle at the intermission, to attend the Speedway’s Hall of Fame inductions on the front stretch.
Along with my good friend, track starter Gary Vandermeer, it was great to see that my recently departed buddy, Craig Revelle was honored posthumously. His father, Randy, and brother Randy Jr were there to accept the award. Craig would of been really proud to get this well deserved honor.
I watched the Modified and Sportsman Features in one of the corporate booths with new Trophy Girl , Taya Heldens who has replaced my good friend Rosie Estevez for the 2015 season.
The Rookie Feature was up first and won by Jamie Truelove.
The 358 Modifieds followed this and provided fans with yet another new winner for this season. So far, in 2015 every Modified Feature has been someone different, and this week Danny O’brien got his first of the year.
The Sportsman Feature was next and it was the same scenario, with Dylan Evoy making his first visit of the year to the B.O.S Victory Lane.
In recent weeks, I haven’t been up to par, health wise, so once this was over, I made my exit, missing out on the Rookie Sportsman, Vintage Mod and Street Stocks Features.
The good weather we had been enjoying, looked like it was going to be short-lived, with the forecast for Sunday, and the big World of Outlaw Late Model show at the Cornwall Motor Speedway looking doubtful.
I was up early to watch Nico Rosberg win the Austrian Grand Prix for Mercedes on the televised live broadcast. Not long after the seeing the mid morning ( Eastern Time) victory, I received the expected staff message from the Cornwall Motor Speedway, announcing the rain cancellation.
Morning rain and storms predicted for later had caused management to cancel. This proved to be a smart decision as the Cornwall area was under heavy thunderstorm conditions at 8-30 pm.