2017-08-28

Sunset Speedway Changes Force OMRS to Reschedule its Season Finale





Sunset Speedway Changes Force OMRS to Reschedule its Season Finale

By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media

 

At the end of July, officials with the Ontario Modifieds Racing Series received correspondence via e-mail and social media from the promotional team at Sunset Speedway, advising that in order to compete at the Fall Velocity event – which was to conclude the 2017 OMRS season – teams would need to convert their equipment to a rules package and tire brand currently in use by a rival open wheeled racing tour.

 

After discussions with its teams, OMRS has made the choice to remove the race date from the schedule and will be advising sponsors and fans of the decision. Rick Warnes – speaking on behalf of the team of Ontario Modifieds Racing Series officials that also includes Randy Hollingsworth and Bill Pickford – says the tour regrets that talks between the track and OMRS were not satisfactory to meet the concerns of Sunset Speedway.

 

"We released our schedule – which included season opening and closing Sunset Speedway dates – at the start of the season," said Warnes. "To change direction at this point of the year wouldn't be fair to our teams, isn't in the best interest of the sport and could technically be construed as a breach of contract. On behalf of all the OMRS teams, we'd like to thank the group at Sunset Speedway for their support over the past couple of seasons and hope we might be able to work together in the future."

 

Warnes continued by saying that the season will now conclude Saturday, September 2nd – as part of the Championship Clash – at Peterborough Speedway. OMRS will wrap-up its 2017 campaign during the final event at Canada's Toughest 3rd of a Mile Paved Oval.

 

"J.P. Josiasse and Dave Sikma have been great friends to our series and were quick to step-up to the plate to accommodate our final event of the year," Warnes added. "Our teams look forward to continuing our partnership with Peterborough Speedway to the crowning of our tour champion, into the 2018 season and beyond."

 

Revised 2017 Ontario Modifieds Racing Series schedule

 

Saturday, May 20th:               Sunset Speedway – Spring Velocity

Main event winner: #41, Duane Cinnamon (1st career win)

Saturday, May 27th:               Peterborough Speedway

Main event winner: #77, Brad Stevenson (1st career win)

 

Saturday, June 10th:              Peterborough Speedway

                                                Test a Mod Day, 11:00 to 2:00

                                                OMRS Racing, 6:00

Main event winner: #52, Mark Gordon (1st career win)

Saturday, June 24th:              Peterborough Speedway

Main event winner: #99, Linc Brown (1stcareer win)

 

Saturday, July 1st:                  Flamboro Speedway – Canada Day Special

Main event winner: #68, Stu Robinson Jr. (1st career win)

Saturday, July 15th:                Peterborough Speedway

Main event winner: #52, Mark Gordon

Saturday, July 22nd:               Peterborough Speedway

Main event winner: #77, Brad Stevenson

 

Saturday, August 5th:             Flamboro Speedway

Main event winner: #4, Connor James (1st career win)

Saturday, August 19th:           Peterborough Speedway

                                                Toonie Admission/Fan Appreciation Night

Main event winner: #63, John Baker Jr.

Saturday, August 26th:           Peterborough Speedway

Main event winner: #63, John Baker Jr.

 

Saturday, September 2nd:      Peterborough Speedway

                                                Championship Clash

 

Fans can find full series details – including up-to-date point standings – at www.facebook.com/OMRS. Clarke Motorsports Communications is proud to represent Ontario Modifieds Racing Series 2017 season.


 

The Ontario Modifieds Racing Series – powered by Torque Builders Inc. – will now conclude its 2017 season as part of the Championship Clash – Saturday, September 2nd – at Peterborough Speedway.

 

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


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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 28.8.17 0 comments

Winding Down the 2017 Regular Season at Peterborough Speedway




Winding Down the 2017 Regular Season at Peterborough Speedway

By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media

 

From a start near the end of May, the 2017 regular season at Canada's Toughest 3rd of a Mile Paved Oval ran its second-to-last show of the year with the home track Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun, Thunder Car and Organics & Glass Late Model divisions; along with the Trailers Plus Eastern Ontario Legends and Ontario Modifieds Racing Series – Saturday, August 26th – at Peterborough Speedway.

 

Keith Parkes and Jassen Whyte brought the Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun teams from the staging area for their 20-lap feature. Parkes got an early jump on the field, as championship contender Sean Kennedy moved into the runner-up position. The pace was slowed with 9 circuits complete for an incident in the second turn. Parkes stayed in front on the restart, with Chris Tubman and Jeremy Kelly looking to take away the position. Another caution flew on lap 18 created a green, white, checkered finish. Rob Crick took the win, over Jeremy Kelly, Shawn Solomon, Steven Finnegan and Jake Kelly. Sean Kennedy was 6thacross the stripe.

 

The Ontario Modifieds Racing Series – powered by Torque Builders Inc. – came to the line with Randy Hollingsworth and Connor James on the front row for their 25 lap 'A' main. James jumped-out to an early lead and Duane Cinnamon was challenging him for the lead when yellow flag flew for a spin entering the second turn. John Baker Jr. slipped into second on the restart and set his sights on the leader, with Brad Stevenson on his back bumper. Baker got by James, coming off the 4th turn with 16 laps on the board. The #63 machine started putting slower traffic a lap down, with 20 laps complete and held-on for his second straight series win. James, Stevenson, Cinnamon and Rick Warnes completed the fast 5.

 

Bryan Mercer and James Horner brought the Organics & Glass Late Model field to the stripe for their 30-lap headline dance. Dan McHattie took over the top spot with 4 laps complete and began lapping backmarkers a lap later. The yellow flag waved on lap 10, with McHattie and Mercer restarting side-by-side. McHattie again had control of the pack and went to Dart Heating & Air Conditioning victory lane over Mercer, Tyler Betts, James Horner and Steve Powell. 

 

With Howie Crowe and Dan Archibald on the front row, the Thunder Car pack hit Canada's Toughest 3rd of a Mile Paved Oval for a 20-lap feature. Archibald made hard contact with the front stretch wall as the field came to the initial green flag and couldn't continue. Crowe kept control of the field, as the pack was racked for a restart, with Anthony DiBello looking to find a way around. Bailey Jacobs climbed into 5thon lap 3 and moved to 4th with 8 complete. A yellow flag for a turn 4 incident on lap 15 slowed the pack and created a 5-lap trophy dash. Crowe held-off a hard-charging Jacobs for the win. Post-race inspection changed the announced finishing order, with Rob Richards, Mark Gordon and Paul Boundy completing the top 5.

 

Adam Cuthbertson and Jamie Riberdy brought the Trailers Plus Eastern Ontario Legends Series to wrap-up the night with a 25-lap feature tilt. Cuthbertson led the early stages, with current point leader Matt Haufe – who had started 6th – gaining ground on the leader, before taking over the top spot with 9 circuits on the board. A 2-car incident in the 4th turn on lap 20 slowed the pace, but couldn't keep Haufe from another feature win. Riberdy, Adam Cuthbertson, Parker Traves and Terry McClelland rounding out the top 5.

 

Heat race wins went to Griffin Powell, Jake Kelly, Jeremy Kelly and Jassen Whyte in the Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun. Brad Stevenson with a pair, John Baker Jr. and Duane Cinnamon took the Ontario Modifieds Racing Series preliminary rounds. Tyler Betts, Dan McHattie, Bryan Mercer and James Horner won the Organics & Glass Late Model qualifiers. Dan Archibald with a pair, Mark Gordon and Kyle Gordon earned the Thunder Car wins. In the Trailers Plus Eastern Ontario Legends, Jamie Riberdy, Matt Haufe and Adam Cuthbertson with a pair had the checkered flags.

 

All main event finishes are unofficial and subject to post-race technical inspection.

 

Bullring bullet points: Peterborough Speedway staff and race teams observed a moment of silence before the start of the program to honour the memory of John Plunkett, who passed away earlier in the week. Mr. Plunkett was one of the original builders of what was then known as Westgate Speedway…Sean Kennedy – a former track champion at Capital City Speedway – made the tow from the Nation's Capital for his first career Late Model start at Peterborough Speedway. The #9 4Fun team – driven by a different Sean Kennedy – shared a social media post, showing a photo of the #14 Late Model and received several 'likes' from friends and fans…Brandie Culfield-Medirous of Etobicoke, Ontario claimed $754.50 as the winner's share of the Millbrook Legion 50/50 draw.

 

The Championship Clash – Saturday, September 2nd – will determine the 2017 champions in the Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun, Jiffy Lube Mini Stock, Trent Lakes Complete Plumbing Renegade Truck, Thunder Car, Organics & Glass Late Model home track divisions; along with the Ontario Modifieds Racing Series, powered by Torque Builders Inc. Pit gates will open at 1:00, with general admission grandstands unlocked at 3:00. The first Great Canadian RV green flag is scheduled for 5:00. 

 

Schedule information and the latest news can always be found by logging onto www.peterboroughspeedway.com, by liking the Peterborough Speedway Facebook page or following the track on Twitter. Fans can also download the free app on their Smartphone.


Photo attachment: Debbie Spence,www.facebook.com/Trackside-Photos-by-Debbie-Spence

 

Rob Crick (#11) took the Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun main event win – Saturday, August 26th – at Peterborough Speedway.

 

John Baker Jr. (#63) picked-up his second-straight Ontario Modifieds Racing Series – powered by Torque Builders Inc. – feature win – Saturday, August 26th – at Peterborough Speedway.

 

Cavan, Ontario's Dan McHattie (#71) added another Organics & Glass Late Model feature win to his 2017 stats – Saturday, August 26th – at Peterborough Speedway.

 

Howie Crowe (#28) led all 20 laps of the Thunder Car feature event – Saturday, August 26th – at Peterborough Speedway.

 

Matt Haufe (#88) continued his strong Eastern Ontario Legends Series season with a main event win – Saturday, August 26th – at Peterborough Speedway.

 

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

              


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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 28.8.17 0 comments

Raabe Wins 6th Event at Airborne





Raabe Wins 6th Event at Airborne


PLATTSBURGH – Alexandria, Ontario native Chris Raabepulled into victory lane for the sixth time on McBride Chevrolet & Subaru "Salute To Our Heroes" night presented by John W. Sheehan & Sons Excavation at Airborne Park Speedway.

​Fellow Ontario competitor Gage Morin started on the pole and led the first 10 laps of the Egglefield Ford Modified feature. On lap-11, Raabe would work underneath Morin and pull out to a comfortable lead.

​Multiple late race restarts tested Raabe, including a lap-27 restart with Mario Clair along side. Raabe used the inside lane in turns one and two to propel his No. 01 machine to victory.

​"I thought the car might've been going away a little bit at the end," Raabe said. "Were looking forward to the 50-lap, $2,000 to win race next weekend."

​Clair crossed the line in second with Morin completing the podium. Mike Perrotte and George Foley completed the top five.

​Unofficially, Chris Raabe has locked up the 2017 DIRTcarModified point championship with his finish Saturday night.

​The Fidelis Care Sportsman 25-lap feature crowned a first-time winner in victory lane. Thomas Cook of Hogansburg made a mid-race pass of Bucko Branham in turn two and never looked back. The win marked the first of his career at Airborne.

​Branham held of a strong late charge from Moïse Pagé to finish in the second spot. Zack Daniels had a season-best fourth place finish, with Codie Aubin rounding out the top five.

​Divisional point leader, Connor Cleveland came into the night with a 46-point lead over five-time defending champion, Nick Heywood. Cleveland finished the night in the seventh position, while Heywood struggled with a fifteenth place finish. Cleveland now unofficially has a 62-point lead and is the 2017 DIRTcar Sportsman champion.

​The Poirier's True Value Renegade division ran a 12-lap feature event, with Alburg, VT. driver, Michael Wright collecting his second win of the season. Point leader Brent Jarvis finished in second after pulling his motor in practice and finishing in time for the feature event. Tylor Terry, Mark Caron and Tyler Irwin completed the top five.

​Kris Clark flexed his muscles atop the Busch Beer Mini-Mod class. Clark collected his seventh checkered flag of the year. Michael Whalen and Dave Demore completed the podium.

​The racing student, Rolland Guay, scored his third win in the Strictly Stock division. Shawn Walker and Nathan Smart finished second and third, respectively.

​Racing action resumes next weekend with the DIRTcarChampionships presented by P.M. Leary Restoration. The Modifieds will run a 50-lap feature for $2,000 to win and $200 to start. For more information visit airborneparkspeedway.com or on Facebook at Airborne Park Speedway. 

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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 28.8.17 0 comments

TOP 10 MALGRÉ UN BRIS MÉCANIQUE POUR RAPHAËL LESSARD LORS DU BATTLE AT BERLIN 251


TOP 10 MALGRÉ UN BRIS MÉCANIQUE POUR RAPHAËL LESSARD LORS DU BATTLE AT BERLIN 251

 

MARNE, Michigan, 26 août 2017 – Raphaël Lessard a connu une excellente course lors du Battle at Berlin 251 à Marne, au Michigan. Fort de sa troisième position d'il y a deux semaines à Flat Rock, il conclut un mois chargé en signant une 10e position difficile au Berlin Raceway lors de cette course de 251 tours. Format que l'on voit de plus en plus en stock-car, cette épreuve était divisée en trois segments ; 100 tours puis une pause de 5 minutes, 100 tours et une autre pause de 5 minutes et finalement 51 tours. 

 

Le pilote du Programme de Développement Toyota (TRD) ne s'est pas laissé abattre par ses problèmes en piste durant la journée. S'élançant de la 20e position pour l'épreuve, déjà au premier tour il reprenait trois positions. Au 5e tour il s'imposait dans le Top 15. Après quelques batailles en piste, notamment avec son coéquipier Chase Purdy chez David Gilliland Racing, Raphaël a atteint la 10e position au 42e tour. Ne régressant jamais, il a terminé la première portion de 100 tours en 8e position. 

 

Les pilotes ayant 5 minutes pour changer les pneus, mettre de l'essence et bricoler sur la voiture, l'équipe a jugé sage de faire des ajustements au niveau de la voiture puisque celle-ci ne se comportait pas au goût du pilote. C'est en 5e position que Raphaël est reparti pour les 100 prochains tours. En effet, les 10 premiers pilotes se voyaient piger leur position de départ pour la deuxième portion de la course. 

 

Ce sont 100 tours bizarres avec 5 neutralisations qu'a connues Raphaël Lessard. Trouvant difficilement une cadence adéquate puisque la course se faisait interrompre régulièrement, le Beauceron a même essuyé une crevaison lors d'une neutralisation. Il était alors 4e, mais a dû prendre la relance en dernière place puisqu'il est entré aux puits pour un changement de pneu. Valsant de la 9e place à la 6e place, le pilote a su profiter de la dernière relance de cette portion de 100 tours pour s'imposer en 5e position lors d'une bataille enflammée parmi le Top 5. 

 

De retour dans les puits durant la pause de 5 minutes avant le dernier sprint, le pilote de la Toyota Camry #99 FRL Express/Toyota-TRD/JBL Audio préparée par David Gilliland Racing n'était toujours pas satisfait de la voiture, l'équipe a donc remis les ajustements du début de la course, et a également mis quatre pneus neufs. 

 

Pour les derniers 51 tours, c'est en 2e position que Lessard s'est élancé. Même concept que plus tôt, ce sont par contre les 5 premiers qui ont pigé leur ordre de départ. Ayant de la difficulté à rester avec les autres pilotes, Raphaël n'a pas eu d'autre choix que de tenter de maintenir la meilleure position possible tout en faisant attention à la voiture. Il termine donc en 10e position après avoir vu de près une place sur le podium. 

 

« La courroie de l'alternateur a brisé au début du 3e segment, sûrement à cause d'un débris. C'est dommage car je me trouvais en 2e place au début de ce dernier segment. À cause de cela, la batterie s'est vidée, ne donnant plus de pouvoir au moteur. Nous avons seulement trouvé le problème une fois la course terminée. La voiture s'est très bien comporté durant les deux premiers segment, mais à la fin je ne pouvais pas me battre avec le peloton en avant. C'est dommage, car j'avais enfin réussi à m'adapter à cette piste qui est vraiment étrange. En effet, le Berlin Raceway est une piste pas comme les autres, où aucun virage n'est pareil. En pratique et en qualification, j'ai eu de la difficulté à m'adapter, mais en course ça a mieux été. J'ai hâte d'aller au Winchester Speedway, car c'est une de mes pistes préférées et on y va pour la victoire! » 

 

Reprenant le volant dès la semaine prochaine, Raphaël se dirigera vers le Winchester Speedwayen vue du Winchester 100, dans la série CRA, en préparation du Winchester 400 qui aura lieu le 4 septembre prochain.


Source: Torchia communications


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