2017-10-02

Eastern Ontario Legends Series is Ready to Rock Peterborough’s Autumn Colours Classic

Eastern Ontario Legends Series is Ready to Rock Peterborough's Autumn Colours Classic

By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media

 

The 2017 regular season for the Trailers Plus Eastern Ontario Legends Series is about to see its checkered flag as the popular travelling tour heads for the 25thAnniversary edition of the Autumn Colours Classic – October 6th through 8th – to crown its annual champion at Peterborough Speedway.

 

Its been a great year for EOLS drivers and teams. And the excitement continued Saturday, September 23rd at Sunset Speedway, as Kevin Foisy picked-up the main event victory, with Miles Tyson and Matt Haufe following the driver of the #57 machine across the line. Jeff Drimmie – who along with Foisy, Andrew McFadden and Geordie Ledson make up the Eastern Ontario Legends team officials – says everyone will be doing their homework in a quest to add an Autumn Colours Classic win to their resume.

 

"Even with the level of success we've already achieved, this could be our biggest event of the year," Drimmie said. "One driver will be named the Autumn Colours Classic champion, while others throughout the field will have the chance to improve their position in the final 2017-point standings. It's a win-win situation for everyone in the Trailers Plus Eastern Ontario Legends Series."

 

Matt Haufe, who started the year with an impressive 8 race win streak, currently leads the point standings and the Stittsville, Ontario Speedster looks to have a lock on the series championship. In his rear-view mirror, there is an intense battle for position being waged between Adam Cuthbertson, Jamie Riberdy, Wes Cuthbertson, Cole McFadden and Terry McClelland who are battling it out for the next 5 spots in the running order.

 

Haufe readily admits that he'd like to add a second-straight Autumn Colours Classic championship to his resume, but a quick check of the standings heading into the province's premiere auto racing event shows that 45 different Eastern Ontario Legends Series drivers have scored points in at least one feature event this year. The 26 'A' main starters will be chasing a share of a $10,000 race purse. Grand Bend feature winner and Michigan standout Greg Rudzik and 2012 Autumn Colours Thunder Car Champion Smokin' Joe Adams have also confirmed plans to run with the EOLS teams.

 

First action for the Trailers Plus Eastern Ontario Legends at the Autumn Colours Classic is slated for Saturday, October 7th, with the tour's 40 lap regular season finale scheduled for Sunday, October 8th. For details on the Autumn Colours Classic, seewww.peterboroughspeedway.com

 

2017 Trailers Plus Eastern Ontario Legends Series Top 10 Standings

 

#88   Matt Haufe                    1647.0

#79   Adam Cuthbertson       1377.5

#6J   Jamie Riberdy              1284.0

#79   Wes Cuthbertson         1267.0

#20   Cole McFadden           1253.0

#64   Terry McClelland          1202.5

#44   Jeff Drimmie                 1187.0

#22   Rick Eades                   1069.0

#12   Don Arnott                      984.5

#66   Dawson Drimmie            910.5

 

Like the Eastern Ontario Legends Series page on www.facebook.com and look forwww.ontariolegendseries.ca. Learn more about Trailers Plus by visiting www.trailersplus.net. Clarke Motorsports Communications is proud to represent the Trailers Plus Eastern Ontario Legends Series 2017 season.


Photo attachment: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media

 

Kevin Foisy (#57) picked-up the Trailers Plus Eastern Ontario Legends Series win – Saturday, September 23rd – at Sunset Speedway. The series concludes its 2017 season at the Autumn Colours Classic.

 

Prepared by: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media



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Danny Benedict Looks Ahead to Peterborough Speedway’s Autumn Colours Classic

Danny Benedict Looks Ahead to Peterborough Speedway's Autumn Colours Classic

By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media

 

Its been a couple of years since he's been in the starting line-up, but the 25thAnnual edition of Peterborough Speedway's Autumn Colours Classic will mark a new beginning for Danny Benedict. For the first time since 2015; where he finished 3rd in his Mini Stock, the speedster from Orono, Ontario will be back at the season-ending spectacular. He'll make his Late Model debut at the province's premier auto racing event – October 6th through 8th – at Canada's Toughest 3rd of a Mile Paved Oval.

 

Strong runs during his Mini Stock career – including wins in the final regular season events at Kawartha Speedway and the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Oval – earned the Algonquin College graduate the nickname 'The Showstopper'. In the last 2 seasons, Danny Benedict has been a regular in the NASCAR Whelen Racing Series Late Model division at Sunset Speedway, where he finished tied for 10th place in the 2016 standings and was just outside the top 15 during the recently concluded 2017 campaign. Benedict says he's looking forward to making his first ACC start in the Late Model division.

 

"We had a great season with the new car and I can't wait to get back to Peterborough for 'Colours'," the driver, who recently celebrated his 21st birthday said. "I had a decent run going during the Chase show on Canada Day weekend, but got caught-up in someone else's mess. That still gave the team a chance to make some excellent notes on how the car was handling and I think we'll go into the weekend with a strong set-up."

 

The new car Danny Benedict is talking about is a Shaw Chassis that the crew unveiled at Sunset Speedway's season-opener. With a winning pedigree, the driver of the #54 machine knows he has the equipment to be competitive and run with some of the best cars in the field. A fact that was proven – Sunday, September 24th – when the youngster scored an impressive win in the 75 lap Late Model feature at Sunset Speedway's Velocity 250 weekend. Heading into Autumn Colours – with another 75 lapper on the agenda – the victory was a real shot in the arm.

 

"Our team has received help from so many people throughout the season, it would be impossible to name them all," Benedict said. "Being able to win at an event as prestigious as Velocity shows the importance and value of hard work. This sport is all about attitude and everyone on the crew has a high level of confidence as we head to Peterborough on Thanksgiving weekend. We're always ready to go when we get to the track, but now there will be an extra boost all around."

 

The 2017 season for Danny Benedict's #54 Late Model is proudly supported by GTA Race Design, Hoy's Garage, B & W Enterprises, Mark Rainford Auto Sales, Shaw Chassis, Thinkpath Design, Dan McHattie Race Cars, L & H Mobile RV, Baudo Automotive Limited, Mayhew Graphics, Irwin Tax Services and Clarke Motorsports Communications.

 

Photo attachment: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media

 

After scoring the 75 lap Late Model win during Sunset Speedway's Velocity Weekend, Danny Benedict (#54) is ready for the Autumn Colours Classic – October 6thto 8th – at Peterborough Speedway.

 

Prepared by: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media


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Fast Times with Family and Friends at Peterborough Speedway’s Autumn Colours Classic

Fast Times with Family and Friends at Peterborough Speedway's Autumn Colours Classic

By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media

 

The provincial motorsports community is a unique brotherhood. Everyone who takes the green flag wants to win, but unlike the typical stick and ball sports, they're also usually pleased when someone else does. Its almost like the pit area at your hometown raceway is made-up with one, big happy family. With the 25th edition of Peterborough Speedway's Autumn Colours Classic just around the corner, the family attitude is set to continue. 

 

Brothers Cayden and Treyten Lapcevich come from a rich motorsports lineage. At 17 and 13 years of age respectively, they've already taken huge steps toward proving themselves on the race track. Cayden scored a Thunder Car victory at the 2015 Autumn Colours Classic and a year later, claimed the NASCAR Pinty's Series championship. Treyten was a regular on the APC Pro Late Model tour, where he finished 9th in the final point standings and was also named rookie of the year. Jeff Lapcevich – the boy's father – says that while things haven't been confirmed, its likely that Treyton will run the family-owned Thunder Car, while Cayden – who won this year's Pinty's Series finale – will take over the Pro Late Model at Autumn Colours.

 

Peterborough Speedway's 2017 regular season was like a dream come true for Jeremy and Jake Kelly. 30 year-old Jeremy Kelly – who works as an independent filmmaker – scored his second of back-to-back track championship in the Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun division, while Jake – one year his brother's junior – picked-up his first career feature event victory. The Kelly brothers – who always bring a strong contingent of family and friends to the track – will be looking to add an Autumn Colours Classic trophy to their list of impressive statistics.

 

After struggling during the early stages of the recently concluded campaign, Brandon Feeney eventually found his rhythm during the first season of his Thunder Car career and finished 10th in the final standings. The 28 year-old driver from Orono, Ontario will be back for another start in Ontario's premier auto racing event; but his first in the new division. This year, he'll be joined by his father Mike, who'll wheel his son's former 4Fun machine in his first ever Autumn Colours Classic start.

 

The curtain is about to rise on the silver anniversary of the Autumn Colours Classic – presented by Lucas Oil Products – at Peterborough Speedway. Action gets underway Friday, October 6th with the opening round of qualifying for the Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun, Jiffy Lube Mini Stock, Thunder Car, Organics & Glass Late Model, Pro Late Model and OSCAAR Modified divisions. The Mini Stock and Thunder Car Young Guns races – sponsored by APC – will also be part of the first night's program. Pit gates open at 10:00, with the spectator grandstands unlocked at 5:00 and racing getting underway at 6:00.

 

Full schedule details are available anytime, by selecting the 'Autumn Colours' tab atwww.peterboroughspeedway.com, liking the track's page at www.facebook.comor following it on Twitter.


Photo attachment: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media

 

After scoring his first career feature, Jake Kelly (#8) would love to add a Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun Autumn Colours Classic win – October 6th to 8th at Peterborough Speedway – to his 2017 season statistics.

 

With his first start in the Thunder Car field on the horizon, Brandon Feeney (#38) is looking forward to a strong Autumn Colours Classic run – October 6th to 8th– at Peterborough Speedway.

 

Prepared by: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media



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Corliss Crosses Over for Win in 55thVermont Milk Bowl

Corliss Crosses Over for Win in 55thVermont Milk Bowl

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                         TR100117-65


<<ATTACHED IMAGE (IMG_2765.JPG): Barre's Jason Corliss plants a kiss on Miss Vermont Milk Bowl 2017 after taking the win in the 55th running of the famed event. (Alan Ward photo)>>

 

Barre, Vt. – Hometown driver Jason Corliss earned the biggest win of his Thunder Road Late Model career on Sunday, October 1, beating out South Burlington's Trampas Demers to with the 55th Vermont Milk Bowl presented by Northfield Savings Bank. It was the fourth Late Model win of the season and eighth of the young standout's career.

 

Corliss entered the third and final 50-lap segment bringing up the rear of a four-car battle for that saw Barre's Nick Sweet, Colchester's Scott Payea, Demers, and Corliss separated by just four total points. While Sweet fought an ill-handling car and Payea struggled to move through the field, Demers and Corliss sliced through traffic and found themselves sitting fourth and fifth with less than 20 laps to go.

 

With the higher finisher in the final segment in line for the overall win, Corliss went to work on Demers. After stalking him for several laps, Corliss executed a crossover move entering turn one with 12 laps to go, and after battling side-by-side for three circuits, cleared Demers with nine laps remaining.

 

Demers then attempted his own crossover, but Corliss was able to get a drive off the outside line to hold him off and pulled away in the final laps. The race ended with both drivers tied at 13 total points, and Corliss's higher finish in the final segment gave him the Milk Bowl win on a tiebreaker.

 

Payea finished third overall with 16 points after a 10th-place finish in the final segment. Bobby Therrien, Jimmy Hebert, Sweet, Cody Blake, Brooks Clark, Stephen Donahue, and polesitter Marcel J. Gravel completed the top-10.

 

Waterbury Center's Jason Woodard backed up his 2017 Lenny's Shoe & Apparel Flying Tiger Championship with a victory in the Tiger Mini Milk Bowl. After starting on the pole and finishing fifth in Segment 1 on Saturday, Woodard flew through traffic in the 40-lap second segment while top-two Segment 1 finishers Mike Martin and Joel Hodgdon encountered early problems. Woodard ended up second in Segment 2, losing the segment to Grand Isle's Joe Steffen in a photo finish but earning the overall win by one point over Morrisville's Dwayne Lanphear.

 

Craftbury Common's Martin took third in the overall after fighting back for ninth in the segment. Milton's Derrk Calkins won a tiebreaker with Wolcott's Brendan Moodie for fifth. Jaden Perry, Hodgdon, Cameroun Ouellette, Cooper Bouchard, and Tyler Austin rounded out the top-10. Results are unofficial pending further technical inspection.

 

Morrisville's Will Hennequin earned his first win of the season in the Allen Lumber Street Stock Mini Milk Bowl. Hennequin finished fourth in Segment 1 on Saturday and then made quick work of the field on Sunday, getting the jump on Fairfax's Alan Maynard for the Segment 2 lead on a restart with three laps left. He then survived a red flag for Jamie Davis' frontstretch flip to take the segment win and the overall win with five total points.

 

Segment 1 winner Dean Switser Jr. of Lyndonville finished second overall with six points. Lincoln's Garry Bashaw completed the podium. Gary Mullen, Brandon Gray, Issac Spaulding, Stephen Martin, Cooper Bouchard, Logan Powers, and Kelsea Woodard also earned overall top-10 finishes.

 

Lower Waterford's Andy Hill was the victor in the New England Dwarf Car Mini Milk Bowl. Hill win Segment 1 on Saturday and then sliced his way to a third-place finish in Segment 2 for four total points and the overall win. Tommy Smithers beat Jason Wyman for second place on a tiebreaker followed by Dave Gyger and Kevin Wyman.

 

The 2017 Thunder Road racing season has reached its conclusion. Announcements regarding the end-of-season banquet and 2018 racing schedule are expected in the coming weeks.

 

For more information, contact the Thunder Road offices at (802) 244-6963media@thunderroadvt.com, or visit www.thunderroadvt.com.

 

55TH VERMONT MILK BOWL PRESENTED BY NORTHFIELD SAVINGS BANK

UNOFFICIAL RESULTS

 

MILK BOWL STARTING LINE-UP

Pos., Car #, Driver, Hometown, Segment #1, Segment #2, Segment #3, Overall

1. ( 6 ) 66VT Jason Corliss , Barre, VT , 4 , 5 , 4 , 13

2. ( 2 ) 85VT Trampas Demers , S. Burlington, VT , 2 , 6 , 5 , 13

3. ( 5 ) 37VT Scott Payea , Colchester, VT , 5 , 1 , 10 , 16

4. ( 7 ) 5VT Bobby Therrien , Hinesburg, VT , 3 , 13 , 2 , 18

5. ( 8 ) 58VT Jimmy Hebert , Williamstown, VT , 6 , 10 , 11 , 27

6. ( 3 ) 88VT Nick Sweet , Barre, VT , 1 , 4 , 23 , 28

7. ( 10 ) 99VT Cody Blake , Barre, VT , 8 , 16 , 6 , 30

8. ( 16 ) 68VT Brooks Clark , Fayston, VT , 7 , 21 , 7 , 35

9. ( 23 ) 2VT #Stephen Donahue , Graniteville, VT , 16 , 11 , 9 , 36

10. ( 1 ) 86VT Marcel J. Gravel , Wolcott, VT , 9 , 26 , 3 , 38

11. ( 22 ) 27VT Kyle Pembroke , Montpelier, VT , 12 , 15 , 12 , 39

12. ( 17 ) 64VT Christopher Pelkey , Graniteville, VT , 10 , 22 , 8 , 40

13. ( 11 ) 17VT Darrell Morin , Westford, VT , 25 , 2 , 14 , 41

14. ( 19 ) 42VT Matt White , Northfield, VT , 22 , 3 , 16 , 41

15. ( 12 ) 00VT Mike Bailey , S. Barre, VT , 11 , 18 , 13 , 42

16. ( 9 ) 11NY Josh Masterson , Charlotte, VT , 14 , 17 , 15 , 46

17. ( 24 ) 10NH Bryan Mason , Stark, NH , 20 , 7 , 19 , 46

18. ( 4 ) 16VT Scott Dragon , Milton, VT , 26 , 20 , 1 , 47

19. ( 14 ) 40VT Eric Chase , Milton, VT , 15 , 14 , 18 , 47

20. ( 15 ) 10ME Jesse Switser , West Burke, VT , 19 , 9 , 20 , 48

21. ( 13 ) 93CT #Raymond L. Christian lll , Norwich, CT , 13 , 12 , 24 , 49

22. ( 26 ) 48QC Alex Labbe , St-Albert, QC , 17 , 8 , 25 , 50

23. ( 25 ) 38VT Tyler Cahoon , Danville, VT , 18 , 24 , 17 , 59

24. ( 21 ) 1VT Evan Hallstrom , Northfield, VT , 24 , 19 , 21 , 64

25. ( 20 ) 3VT Ricky Roberts , Washington, VT , 23 , 25 , 22 , 70

26. ( 18 ) 41QC Jonathan Bouvrette , Blainville, QC , 21 , 23 , 26 , 70

 

LENNY'S SHOE & APPAREL FLYING TIGERS

Pos., Car #, Driver, Hometown, Segment #1, Segment #2, Overall

1. Jason Woodard ( 68 ) Waterbury Ctr., VT , 5 , 2 , 7

2. Dwayne Lanphear ( 11 ) Morrisville, VT , 3 , 5 , 8

3. Mike Martin ( 01 ) Craftsbury Common, VT , 1 , 9 , 10

4. Derrick Calkins ( 15 ) Danville, VT , 7 , 4 , 11

5. Brendan Moodie ( 94 ) Wolcott, VT , 4 , 7 , 11

6. #Jaden Perry ( 92 ) Hardwick, VT , 6 , 6 , 12

7. Joel Hodgdon ( 36 ) Craftsbury Common, VT , 2 , 10 , 12

8. Cameron Ouellette ( 90 ) Barre, VT , 9 , 8 , 17

9. Cooper Bouchard ( 41 ) Hinesburg, VT , 16 , 3 , 19

10. #Tyler Austin ( 5 ) East Calais, VT , 8 , 14 , 22

11. Brandon Lanphear ( 91 ) Morrisville, VT , 12 , 11 , 23

12. Robert Gordon ( 20 ) Milton, VT , 13 , 13 , 26

13. Mike Billado ( 8 ) Essex, VT , 11 , 15 , 26

14. Joe Steffen ( 00 ) Grand Isle, VT , 27 , 1 , 28

15. Trevor Lyman ( 17 ) Hinesburg, VT , 10 , 23 , 33

16. Chris Chambers ( 14 ) Brookfield, VT , 19 , 16 , 35

17. #Jason Pelkey ( 64 ) Barre, VT , 24 , 12 , 36

18. Colin Cornell ( 54 ) Lyndonville, VT , 17 , 20 , 37

19. Shane Sicard ( 19 ) Barton, VT , 21 , 18 , 39

20. Adam Maynard ( 57 ) Milton, VT , 20 , 19 , 39

21. Clement Despault, Sr. ( 3 ) Waterbury, VT , 15 , 24 , 39

22. Matthew Potter ( 7 ) Marshfield, VT , 14 , 26 , 40

23. Steve Denio ( 27 ) Passumpsic, VT , 22 , 22 , 44

24. Chandler Potter ( 23 ) Marshfield, VT , 29 , 17 , 46

25. Jacob Perry ( 62 ) Hardwick, VT , 25 , 21 , 46

26. Kevin Dodge ( 88 ) Barre, VT , 18 , 28 , 46

27. Eric Johnson ( 66 ) Randolph Ctr., VT , 23 , 25 , 48

28. Brian Delphia ( 25 ) Duxbury, VT , 26 , 28 , 54

29. Eric Messier ( 08 ) Hinesburg, VT , 28 , 27 , 55

 

ALLEN LUMBER STREET STOCKS

Pos., Car #, Driver, Hometown, Segment #1, Segment #2, Overall

1. William Hennequin ( 47 ) Hardwick, VT , 4 , 1 , 5

2. Dean Switser, Jr. ( 45 ) Lyndonville, VT , 1 , 6 , 7

3. Garry Bashaw ( 4 ) Lincoln, VT , 2 , 7 , 9

4. Gary Mullen ( 29 ) Tunbridge, VT , 6 , 4 , 10

5. Brandon Gray ( 00 ) E. Thetford, VT , 3 , 9 , 12

6. Issac Spaulding ( 82 ) Wolcott, VT , 10 , 5 , 15

7. #Stephen Martin ( 01 ) Craftsbury Common, VT , 7 , 10 , 17

8. Cooper Bouchard ( 7 ) Hinesburg, VT , 16 , 2 , 18

9. #Logan Powers ( 31 ) Middlesex, VT , 9 , 11 , 20

10. Kelsea Woodard ( 55 ) Waterbury Ctr., VT , 8 , 12 , 20

11. Jamie Davis ( 43 ) Wolcott, VT , 5 , 17 , 22

12. Bryan P. Wall ( 77 ) E. Kingston, NH , 15 , 8 , 23

13. Alan Maynard ( 10 ) Fairfax, VT , 21 , 3 , 24

14. Tyler Pepin ( 78 ) Barre, VT , 11 , 13 , 24

15. #Kasey Collins ( 98 ) Barre, VT , 14 , 14 , 28

16. Dennis Perry ( 18 ) E. Corinth, VT , 12 , 16 , 28

17. Dylan Laleme ( 14 ) Bethlehem, NH , 13 , 18 , 31

18. Michael Gay ( 3 ) So. Burlington, VT , 19 , 15 , 34

19. Justin Blakely ( 17 ) Graniteville, VT , 18 , 19 , 37

20. Jeff Murray ( 35 ) Georgia, VT , 17 , 20 , 37

21. Tom Campbell ( 85 ) Middlesex, VT , 20 , 20 , 40

22. Steve LaFountain ( 61 ) Barre, VT , 22 , 20 , 42

 

NEW ENGLAND DWARF CARS

Pos., Car #, Driver, Hometown, Segment #1, Segment #2, Overall

1. Andy Hill ( 8 ) Lower Waterford, VT , 1 , 3 , 4

2. Tommy Smithers ( 60 ) Gilmanton, NH , 4 , 2 , 6

3. Jason Wyman ( 88 ) Franconia, NH , 2 , 4 , 6

4. Dave Gyger ( 93NH ) Campton, NH , 3 , 5 , 8

5. Kevin Wyman ( 02 )  9 , 1 , 10

6. Colby Bourgeois ( 93 ) St. Johnsbury, VT , 5 , 6 , 11

7. Jeff Ainsworth ( 41 ) Bethlehem, NH , 7 , 7 , 14

8. Cody Wyman ( 00 ) Bath, NH , 8 , 8 , 16

9. Tim Churchill ( 66 ) Lincoln, NH , 6 , 10 , 16

10. Chad Dufour ( 52 )  11 , 9 , 20

11. Beany O'Hare ( 09 ) Compton, NH , 10 , 12 , 22

12. Ethan Tyrrell ( 23 ) Worcester, VT , 12 , 11 , 23

 

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SÉCURITÉ ET RESPECT FORCENT RAPHAEL LESSARD À SE RETIRER 

À MI-COURSE DU ALL-AMERICAN 400          

 

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, 1er octobre 2017 – Raphaël Lessard, le jeune pilote de St-Joseph-de-Beauce, se voit encore une fois déçu lors du All American 400 sur l'ovale du Fairgrounds Speedway de Nashville malgré d'excellents temps lors des qualifications. Il devait s'illustrer lors d'une course de 400 tours, mais c'est plutôt 216 tours que le pilote du programme de développement Toyota (TRD) a pu compléter. 

 

Raphaël, au volant de la Toyota Camry #99 FRL Express/Toyota-TRD/JBL Audio préparée par David Gilliland Racing n'a pu compléter la course suite à plusieurs ennuis mécaniques et un incident en piste. 

 

La course avait relativement bien débuté alors que Lessard partait de la 11e position. Par contre, c'est très tôt dans la course que Raphaël a subi plusieurs ennuis, rentrant aux puits pendant que l'épreuve était en cours. Faute de chance, Raphaël est passé sur une ligne pleine lors de sa sortie des puits, résultant en un drapeau noir et un autre passage aux puits. C'est alors que le pilote accusait deux tours de retard sur les autres compétiteurs. 

 

Bien qu'il ait été récipiendaire d'un "lucky dog", terme désignant que le pilote est comptabilisé sur le même tour que le meneur suite à un drapeau jaune, Raphaël a dû refaire un arrêt aux puits, toujours sur un drapeau vert, pour réparer le bolide. Perdant un temps précieux, il a pu revenir en piste en arrière du peloton, et accusant plusieurs tours de retard. 

 

Finalement, alors qu'un compétiteur a effectué une sortie de piste, Raphaël a subi des dommages qui l'ont forcé une fois de plus à rentrer aux puits. C'est à ce moment que l'équipe et le pilote ont pris la décision de ne pas retourner en course, par respect pour les autres pilotes en piste, et pour la sécurité du jeune Raphaël. 

 

C'est avec 6 mécaniciens que l'équipe David Gilliland Racing s'est présentée cette fin de semaine. C'est également avec une très grande volonté que tous voulaient voir réussir Raphaël, et malgré le fait que l'auto semblait s'améliorer à la mi-course, un incident de course a forcé la main de l'équipe. Plutôt que de prendre un risque inutile, la décision de ne pas terminer l'épreuve fur prise. 

 

« Je suis très déçue c'est certain, » affirme Raphaël.  « Par contre, je ne peux rien faire d'autre que de tourner la page et me concentrer sur ma prochaine course, le Winchester 400. Il y a 1 mois, je suis arrivé troisième sur le circuit Winchester Speedway, je compte bien renouer avec le succès à ce moment-là. » 

 

Raphaël peut tout de même se consoler par ses temps qu'il a établis tout au long de la fin de semaine. En effet, lors des qualification la majorité des pilotes étaient dans le même centième de seconde. 

 

La prochaine course de Raphaël sera le 8 octobre prochain pour une deuxième épreuve de 400 tours au Winchester Speedway, Indiana, pour le Winchester 400. 


 

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