MALTA MASSIVE and a trip South ( 27th Sept 2024 BLOG)
This weeks Blog begins on Monday the 16th of September.
In the afternoon , I was heading to Montreal Airport to pick up , my long time friend Lynn who was flying in from England.
We have been friends since we were teenagers in the early 1970’s and we still see each other regularly after all this time.
After a slight delay at the airport we were soon heading back to my place in Cornwall..
Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, I was at the Cornwall Hospital for my routine I.V.I.G infusions while Lynn stayed at my house.
On Wednesday evening it was the season finale of the Cornwall Olde Car Club at the RCAFA in Lamoureaux Park.
We both took a ride there in the Thunderbird to join in the fun.
On Thursday , I had more guests arriving from the UK.
My brother Chris and his wife Sue were dropping in.
They had been in Canada for a weeks vacation, cramming in the tourist attractions.
In their Cadillac rental they had already done , Niagara Falls , Algonquin Park, Ottawa, Quebec City and Montreal .
On Thursday they were passing through Cornwall on route from Montreal to the Thousand Islands, and arrived at my house around lunch time.
It was just a ‘flying visit’ , but we had time for a joy ride in the Thunderbird , and a pick nick lunch beside the St Lawrence .
They were on their way again by 4-00 pm , and about fifteen minutes later, Don Simpson arrived.
While Lynn stayed behind, Don and I headed for the Airborne Park Speedway at Plattsburgh , NY .
It was the final points night for the Modified division, and joining the Mods on the program were the usual, Sportsman , Renegades and Mini Stocks.
We arrived just as the pre race drivers meeting was taking place, and we were soon out on the middle taking pics.
As normal, the Modified feature was first , following the intermission.
Early leader was Greg Atkins, but was soon being chased by Chris Raabe.
It wasn’t long before Raabe got passed , with Quebecers Felix Roy and Steve Bernier in hot pursuit .
It was in that order as they crossed the checkers
Mike Mahaney clinched the 2024 track championship
Next up was the Sportsman feature , where once again a long time leader was ‘robbed’ by a late caution.
It’s happened a few times this year at Airborne , where a driver loses out on what looks like a pretty certain win after an incident and a yellow, bunches up the field . Then of course, the restart gives the following cars the chance to ‘attack’ .
It happened to Jamy Begor this time.
He had it in the bag until a yellow flag came out, with a hand full of laps to go , giving the following cars the advantage
Begor’s car was contacted by a challenger , which resulted in both cars returning to the pits.
The winner ended up being Donovan Lussier .
Like most weeks at Airborne, Don and I made our exit before the Renegade and Mini Stock features.
As Lynn was visiting, I had no racing planned for Friday, but we did take the Thunderbird out that night.
We were at the Road Warriers cruise in Cornwall.
On Saturday morning , we were up bright and early for the start of a long road trip.
We crossed the border in Cornwall and were soon heading south after picking up the I 87 at Plattsburgh .
The first part of our trip involved , attending the SUPER DIRTCAR SERIES at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway in Malta NY, but while driving down , we stopped off to check out the Ausable Chasm .
It’s a tourist destination I’ve passed plenty of times but never stopped to take a look.
Once we were finished there we carried on down I 87 to the Red Roof Inn close to Albany Airport.
It’s a short distance passed the Speedway, but the price was right and it would knock a bit of time off the next days drive.
Once checked in, we headed back northbound for the 25 minute drive to Malta.
This was day two of the MASSIVE MALTA weekend.
It was a very warm night and before heading on to the middle to take my pictures , we found a shady spot for some track food.
The fried fish was excellent.
It was a great night of SUPER DIRTCAR SERIES racing that was complimented by Crate Sportsman and Pro Stocks
Demetrios Drellos was the early leader of the big race , but things were soon to change .
A caution bunched up the field and in the closing laps as Drellos slipped back , and a great battle evolved between Matt Sheppard and Mat Williamson.
They traded places a few times but Williamson was at the front when it mattered.
Tim Sears completed the podium.
Once the Victory Lane pics were done , we made our exit as we had a long drive ahead of us the next day.
Part two of our road trip, was a drive down to my daughter Carla’s place in North Carolina.
It was a chance for Lynn to add a few more States to her list as we traveled through NY, Pa, Md, WV , Va and NC.
She was able to take a picture of this familiar sight on I81 in Pa that I have passed on numerous occasions
We left Albany at about 8-00 am and were pulling into Carlas driveway in Willow Springs at 9-00 pm.
We planned to have a few days of relaxing down there.
Lynn has always been a ‘horse’ woman, so it was nice for her to visit Carlas’s horses.
During our travels around the Raleigh area , we discovered a new coffee chain I can add to my favorites.
It’s called Scooters.
On Thursday morning (26th Sept) , it was time to head for home, and we were back in Cornwall around mid night.
Friday was a day to relax and get ready for the oncoming weekend of races.