Linc Brown Worked Through his Checklist During Kawartha Speedway's 2012 Season
By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications The world of motorsports can be a strange mistress. Whether you’re a fan or competitor, it can be hard to shake the passion. It consumes you. A true ‘raceaholic’ knows the only remedy is a trip to your favourite speedway. At the end of the 2008 campaign, Linc Brown stepped away from the weekly wars at Kawartha Speedway but the Colborne, Ontario speedster never lost his infatuation for the sport. The desire never went away. |
During the winter months, Brown went to work to assemble a team and got his McColl Racing Enterprises chassis ready for action. Next, it was time to bring some sponsorship to the program and Kawartha Metals signed-on to support to the #99 Dodge Charger, with additional backing from the WOLF 101.5, Mayhew Graphics, Don Butt Auto Body, Rousseau Automotive Communications and promotional services by Clarke Motorsports Communications. After a successful practice session, Linc Brown was anxious to get back on the racetrack, but the June 1st season opener was postponed by rain. That meant the first event of the year would include a 100 lapper for the NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model runners. “I would have preferred starting the year running a 25 lap regular distance event, but weather changed those plans,” said Brown. “During practice for the June 15th show, the car felt sluggish and we were never really able to source the problem. In our heat race, I hit the throttle on the green flag and there was nothing there. Another driver got into the back of the car and bounced me off the backstretch wall. With the field coming-up behind me, I was lucky that was the only contact, but the track bar broke and we were forced to load-up before completing a lap.” As the year rolled along, Brown’s team battled with an assortment of mechanical issues, but things seemed to turn around Friday, July 6th during the 9th annual running of the Summer Sizzler. Even though their machine sustained some extensive bodywork damage during the 150 lap premiere event, a top 10 finish was a step in the right direction and raised the team’s spirits heading into the middle third of the season. “Putting the new fenders and front-end section on the car meant some extra hours in the garage, but running in the same pack as the leaders was a boost,” said Brown. “The crew works hard in the shop and at the track. We all deserved to have some good luck and running with the leaders during the ‘Sizzler’ gave our program a real boost.” Weather turned-out to be one of the major stories during Kawartha Speedway’s 2012 season, with just 8 of the scheduled 10 events taking the green flag and the year’s final event – originally planned for September 7th – postponed to Friday, September 28th. Along the way, Linc Brown claimed checkered flags in a heat race, semi feature and consolation round. Friday, August 17th was the driver’s best event of the year. It was the second 100 lapper of the campaign and the driver black Dodge was a man on a mission. The car was strong throughout the show and it looked like he’d grab his finest finish of the season. “It was a great feeling,” said Brown. “I was on an emotional high every lap. The car was good and felt great in every corner. I kept pace with the leader and even on the restarts; I was able to maintain my position. With less than 10 laps remaining, the car shut-down coming-off the second turn and I coasted to a stop on the infield escape road. To drop out after such a strong showing hurt, but hearing the positive comments from fans, friends and competitors after the race helped ease the pain.” With a top 10 overall point finish assured, the #99 machine entered the final race of the year in 8th spot, but with the opportunity to finish as high as 6th. On the final circuit of the 25 lap NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model feature, Linc Brown was running a solid 5th, but a tap from the 6th place car stole that position and dropped him back a few more spots in the finishing order. “I guess he just wanted the spot more than I did,” said Brown while reflecting on his 2012 performance. “It would have been great to finish higher in the points – especially since we went into the night just 21 markers out of 6th – but wrapping-up my first year back since 2008 in 7th spot is a solid building block and nothing to be ashamed of.” With Kawartha Speedway’s plans still undecided, it’s likely that Linc Brown will have new racing home for the 2013 season. The team is always interested in hearing from prospective marketing partners for the upcoming campaign. Interested parties can contact the team’s public relations representative at clarkemotorsports@hotmail.com or the driver at vickilinc@xplornet.com for details. Photo attachment: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications Linc Brown wheeled the #99 Kawartha Metals Dodge Charger to a 7th place point finish during Kawartha Speedway’s 2012 season. Prepared by: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications 613.968.6410 / 613.922.0654 |
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