Inside Track Motorsport News - Volume 26, Issue 02

JUL./AUG. 2022 26.02/03 PM #40023793 R09980

CAN $7.95 • USA $7.95

NE W !

A ll-w eat her t r ac t ion & con v enience, 365 days a y ea r

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IN THIS ISSUE

July/August 2022 Volume 26, Issue 02/03

ON THE COVER: Rick Spencer-Walt (main) won the 2022 APC Late Model Series open at Sunset Speedway, while Canadian Tire Motorsport Park kicked off its season with the Victoria Day Speedfest (inset). (Above) 2021 Canada Heads-Up Super Street Champion Ed Szram is back to defend his title.

Photos by Dave Franks (main) and Tim McGill (inset) and Peter Anderson (above)

INSIDE News 20 Motorama Canadian racing on full display at show

INSIDE Features 10 NASCAR Pinty’s Series Treyten Lapcevich wins Sunset opener

22

APC Late Models Spencer-Walt wins season opener

14

NASCAR Pinty’s Series Ed Hakonson Racing family of racers

24

Great Lakes Legends Qwick Wick-sponsored series debuts

30

BEMC Spring Trophy CASC-OR season begins at CTMP

26

Western Rattler 300 Seibert wins at Penticton Speedway

32

Victoria Day Speedfest CTMP begins 2022 major event season

28

East Coast Pro Stock Tour Slaunwhite triumphs at Fleetrite 150

38

Robert Wickens Canadian racing star returns to the cockpit

42

Canada Heads-Up Series Szram returning to defend series crown

40

Ontario Time Attack Motorsport’s best kept secret

44

Canadian Rally Championship Mailloux and Poirier win Perce-Neige

46

Technically Speaking Larry Holt on ‘Porpoising’

INSIDE Opinions 04 The Inside Line Greg MacPherson: Hanging Tough

ALSO Inside 60 Victory Lane Celebrating monthly short track winners

08

Shifting Gears James Neilson: Ricciardo ‘Blues’

66

50

Looking Back Dave Mathers: Scott Wilson Time Machine

52

Tomas Tales Erik Tomas: Let ‘Em All Go!

Short Track ‘Agates’ Opening season results from across Canada

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InsideTrackNews.com 3

I OPINION

THE INSIDE LINE

By Greg MacPherson

W

HANGING TOUGH

hen we last checked in, we were on the edge of kicking off the Canadian racing season and hosting the Motorama Custom Car & Motorsports Expo. Both of those things have now happened and we’re feeling very optimistic about the future.

Following two long years of complete shutdowns, fan-less races and restrictions out the wazoo, the 2022 racing season is now in full swing and it really is feeling like old times out there.

The demand to experience real things again is happening in almost all parts of our lives, and it’s amazing to see how many racing fans and racers can’t wait to get back to the tracks.

At the season-opening NASCAR Pinty’s Series race, in mid-May at Sunset Speedway, for the first time since the fall of 2019 the fans poured onto the front straight for a prerace autograph session.

Something that would have made you gasp or gotten you into trouble the past two summers, felt great and natural again. For the fans, the magic that cements people’s passion for high-speed action is the connection with the racers and teams.

People can watch a race and enjoy it, but if they head home after meeting and chatting with the racers, and then watch a great race, that’s how lifelong fans are made.

I’ve mentioned it before, but the current boost in popularity for Formula One is almost entirely attributable – in my opinion – to the Netflix show throwing open the garage doors and letting fans see that the racers and team bosses are real people.

Without passions and personalities, sports – especially when consumed via a screen – can be nothing more than a forgettable video game. It’s the human emotions that make them something we truly care about, and those connections can be made on a pre-race grid at a Canadian short track the same way they’re forged via a slickly produced streaming series.

To that end, since 1997, Inside Track has attempted to bring racing fans into the places where only those with credentials and access can go.

In this issue, for example, we take a look at the Ed Hakonson Racing team (EHR).

4 Inside Track Motorsport News

If you’ve been to a track so far this season, you’ll know that it feels a lot like the ‘old normal.’

Photo by Greg MacPherson

The operation has been a staple of the NASCAR Pinty’s Series since the series’ inception. A perennial front-running operation that was most successful with Jason Hathaway behind the wheel of the team’s Number 3 car, EHR truly came into the spotlight during the two COVID seasons.

At a time when it was very difficult to field teams in a series that raced in front of entirely or mostly empty grandstands – as mandated by politicians and health officials – EHR fielded approximately a third to a quarter of the series’ cars, at times.

That commitment was critical to the series’ survival. Some teams and their sponsors looked at the numbers and decided they wouldn’t or couldn’t participate. But EHR and several others stuck with the series, and for that reason, the tour likely still exists.

Ask anyone associated with the NPS series and they’ll tell you that things feel pretty good this year. Of course, the fans being back is huge. But the car counts, an inaugural visit to Newfoundland, finally getting to race on the dirt at Ohsweken Speedway, a return of the ‘western swing’ and the Toronto Indy… all point to something going in the right direction.

It must be easier to attract sponsorship for 2022, than it was the past two seasons.

But let’s give credit to those who kept things going – at every track and in every series – when it wasn’t easy and likely didn’t make monetary sense to do so.

In this issue, we take a look at the Ed Hakonson Racing team. Starting with the now retired racer Jason Hathaway, who has transitioned to the role of GM with the organization, and the team’s racers who come from a variety of locations and backgrounds.

There are some great stories there and we’re happy to share them with you.

Getting back to something I mentioned at the start of this piece, we were able to put on the Toronto Motorama show at the end of April. We were relieved, overjoyed and thankful to be able to do so.

Looking ahead to 2023, it’s looking like we’ll be back on our traditional mid-March date, so if all goes according to plan, we’ll see you March 10, 11 & 12 at the International Centre. It’s a date that has worked well for car owners and racers for almost 50 years, and we’re looking forward to having something else return to the old normal.

In other racing notes, the Canadian Racing Guide schedule issue of Inside Track is now available as a digital flipbook. It will be updated throughout the season with schedule changes as well as content updates.

If you’re thinking of heading to a track, be sure to go to tinyurl.com/ITMNCRG2022 to help you make the best choice.

And finally, nominations are now being accepted for the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame. If you think someone should be inducted to The Hall, go to CMHF.ca for information on how you can nominate them. IT

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NASCAR PINTY’S SERIES

Following two pandemic-plagued summers, the 2022 racing season looks set to return to something resembling the ‘old normal.’ For example, the NASCAR Pinty’s Series hasn’t competed in Western Canada since 2019 but will be back in action at Edmonton International Raceway (shown), for the Bayer 300 on Saturday, July 23. From there, the tour will head to Saskatoon’s Sutherland Automotive Speedway for its traditional Wednesday night doubleheader, on July 27. Photo by Perry Nelson

6 Inside Track Motorsport News

InsideTrackNews.com 7

I OPINION

SHIFTING

GEARS

By James Neilson

M

RICCIARDO ‘BLUES’

cLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo is off to a terrible start to the 2022 Formula 1 World Championship. The likeable Aussie, one of the most popular drivers on the grid, is 11th in points after Monaco, with only one points finish this season, a sixth-place result at his home race, the Australian Grand Prix.

Less than one year removed from a victory for McLaren at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix (his only podium with McLaren since signing in 2021), Ricciardo looks lost, barely able to get close to the top ten while his teammate, Lando Norris, has been consistently inside the top half of the grid, even scoring a podium at the 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola.

McLaren has 59 points this season, and Ricciardo has earned less than a quarter of them, and McLaren appears to be unimpressed with the highly paid, eight-time Formula 1 Grand Prix winner.

“I don’t want to get into the contract [details],” said McLaren CEO Brown, as quoted by TheRace.com. “But there are mechanisms in which we are committed to each other and then there are mechanisms in which we are not. I’ve spoken with Daniel about it. We are not getting the results we both hoped for, but we will both continue to push. We’ll just play it…I don’t want to say, ‘one race at a time’ because we are not going to one race at a time, but we’ll just see how things develop, what he wants to do.”

Those are not the type of public comments you want to be hearing from your boss, and to add fuel to the fire, 1997 Formula 1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve had this to say about Ricciardo in a column for Formula1.NL. “Daniel Ricciardo’s time at McLaren is over. CEO Zak Brown is now saying that there are clauses in his contract, and that means that a decision has almost been made. It’s a way to put the pressure on the driver and prepare the media.

“Ultimately, he has been a highly paid driver who has cost the team a lot of money. He doesn’t bring in any points and he doesn’t have the speed the team needs to develop the car. So, he’s just costing them money. It would be cheaper for them to continue paying Ricciardo’s salary, let him sit on the couch at home and put another driver in the car. It’s a harsh reality, but that’s Formula 1.”

Making matters worse for Ricciardo is the fact the Brown has spoken openly of his admiration for American IndyCar star Colton Herta, whose name has been in the Formula 1 rumour mill for a couple of seasons now. And Mexico’s Pato O’Ward signed a deal in the new year that would not only keep the former Indy Light champion at McLaren’s IndyCar team, but also afford the 23-year-old more Formula 1 opportunities.

Australian Oscar Piastri, the 2020 Formula 3 and 2021 Formula 2 champion, is also a name to watch. He is widely regarded as the best young up-and-coming talent in European motorsport and is a reserve for McLaren’s engine supplier, Mercedes. With Lewis Hamilton and George Russell entrenched at Mercedes, the German marque may want to get their prized prospect seat time, which could open the door for Piastri at McLaren given Ricciardo’s struggles.

One thing is for sure, Ricciardo’s mirrors are going to be full, on and off the track. IT 8 Inside Track Motorsport News

Inside Track Communications, Inc. PO Box 370, Brights Grove, ON N0N 1C0 (Administration) 78 Airdrie Road, East York, ON M4G 1M2 (Editorial) 416-962-RACE (7223) • Fax: 416-962-7208 • www.insidetracknews.com EDIT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Greg MacPherson greg@insidetracknews.com

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NASCAR

LAPCEVICH WINS SEASON OPENER AT SUNSET SPEEDWAY

PINTY’S SERIES

(Main) After coming close several times last season, Treyton Lapcevich finally closed the deal to win his first NASCAR Pinty’s Series feature race, on May 14 at Sunset Speedway. (Left) Once out front, Lapcevich held off Raphael Lessard to take the NTN Ultimate Bearing Experience 250.

(Above) Kevin Lacroix once again displayed his mastery of the CTMP road course, this time during the May 22 eBay Motors 200. (Opposite page) Alex Tagliani (2nd / left) scored a solid points finish at CTMP, ahead of Dexter Stacey (3rd / right) who made his first-ever podium appearance in the series. Kevin Lacroix (middle) led 42 of the race’s 57 laps.

Photos by Steve Traczyk, Richard Coburn & Greg MacPherson

10 Inside Track Motorsport News

Story Greg MacPherson, with files from NASCAR ast year’s NASCAR Pinty’s Series (NPS) Rookie of the Year, Treyten Lapcevich, was finally on the receiving end of some good luck with the series. In 2021, despite earning four pole positions, leading a total of 309 laps, and having the car to beat on several occasions – especially during the three-race weekend finale at Delaware – Lapcevich never made the trip to Victory Lane.

But that all changed May 14 at Sunset Speedway when the young, third-generation racer took advantage of the two race leaders getting together, sending them high on the track on the penultimate lap of the NTN Ultimate Bearings Experience 250.

Lapcevich dove hard into the low groove and emerged with the lead, which he held to secure his first career NPS victory. Raphael Lessard, who won both ends of last year’s NPS doubleheader at Sunset, finished second, ahead of 2022 NPS rookie contender Brandon Watson. For much of the race, Marc-Antoine Camirand was dominant, with Lessard and Lapcevich in tow. But a late-race caution bunched the field for a restart. Lessard was eventually able to edge ahead after a side-byside chase.

Another caution setup a NASCAR Overtime restart with Lessard on the inside of the front row, and Camirand immediately to his right.

Not wanting to give up on the win that looked like a sure thing for much of the race, Camirand drove hard into Turn 1, tagging Lessard in the door, sending both high up on the banking.

Of the two, Lessard was able to recover first, but the bobble was enough to let Lapcevich power through, via the low line. If was a popular win for Lapcevich, who has called Sunset his home track for most of his career.

“Those last two laps were wild,” said Lapcevich in Victory Lane.

“Marc got into him in (Turns) 1 and 2, I just had to take advantage and then keep Raphael behind me. It feels great to finally put this RGC Sports / Qwick Wick / FBM No. 20 in Victory Lane. I came close so many times last year, but this one was just meant to be.”

Asked about his winning pass, Lapcevich continued, “Yeah, they got together, and the hole opened up and I took it. After that, I was just keeping Raphael behind me. Great job by everyone at 22 Racing.

They gave me a great car all day long. I was a little loose during the race there. But thankfully, we got a late-race caution.”

Discussing winning a race that he didn’t expect to – on the heels of disappointment after dominant runs last season, Lapcevich said, “Yeah, that’s exactly it. We didn’t have the best car tonight, but we got a little lucky and that’s part of it. It pushes that Delaware weekend off the memory banks. It’s a new year, now.

“It’s great to win here, tonight, in front of these people. I started at Sunset Speedway in the Mini Stock division, so to win my first NASCAR Pinty’s Series race here is definitely a big thing.”

Talking about his great run that resulted in a fourth-place result,

L

Camirand – who led Laps 39 through 203 – said, “The first half of the race was good for us. With 15 or 20 to go, the car started getting loose and Raphael started catching me a little bit. When the yellow came out, I knew I could be in trouble, and he got a good restart.”

“Second place sucks,” Lessard half-joked after the disappointing finish. “The second half of the race, I was just trying to keep the pressure on Camirand because he was the class of the field. At the end, I thought I made a clean pass on him, but he just dive-bombed me hard in Turn 1.”

Watson led a career-high 38 laps but spun on Lap 53 dropping to the back of the field. But the two-time APC champion put on quite a show racing his way back into the top three. Watson’s car seemed to be sliding through the turns, showing off the Stayner, ON native’s aggressiveness and car control. He executed a ‘bump and run’ on Camirand, to nab third in the final moments of the race.

Just five cars finished on the lead lap, with Watson, Camirand and Kevin Lacroix finishing behind Lapcevich and Lessard. Gary Klutt finished sixth followed by Alex Tagliani, J.P. Bergeron, L.P. Dumoulin and Mark Dilley.

LACROIX NUDGES KLUTT TO WIN AT CTMP Story by Davey Segal (NASCAR), with files from Greg MacPherson The final corner at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park delivered yet another fender-banging and memorable finish. This time, Kevin Lacroix put the bumper to Gary Klutt in double overtime, sending the No. 59 into the wall and allowing the No. 74 to claim the May 22 eBay Motors 200 victory, his Pinty’s Series record sixth career win at CTMP and first of the 2022 season.

The race, which started in wet conditions, was part of the Castrol Victoria Day Speedfest at CTMP. And it was reminiscent of what Lacroix has done in prior events at the legendary, 10-turn road course, located an hour northeast of Toronto.

After starting inside the top ten, Lacroix slowly worked his way through the field, eventually taking the lead from Marc-Antoine Camirand on Lap 8.

But two laps later – while lapping Peter Klutt – Lacroix made slight contact with the No. 6, doing a 360-degree spin. Lacroix was able to continue with no damage, and just past the halfway point, he pitted for slick tires. More drivers followed suit, as he charged out to over a ten-second lead. By all appearances, he looked set to win another NPS race at CTMP. But the script changed when a caution with three laps remaining (for Marc-Antione Camirand) re-bunched the field and sent the second consecutive race of the 2022 season into NASCAR Overtime.

Lacroix held serve through the first three corners, until a wreck involving Peter Klutt, L.P. Dumoulin and Ray Junior Courtemanche brought out another caution and brief subsequent red flag.

In the second and final Overtime, Lacroix couldn’t hold off Gary InsideTrackNews.com 11

NASCAR PINTY’S SERIES

Klutt, who got by the No. 74 and took the white flag with one-carlength advantage. But down the Mario Andretti Straightaway, Lacroix closed in.

Entering Turn 8, he was all over Klutt and muscled his way to the inside line on the entry to Turn 10. Klutt’s car went onto the grass, dashing his hopes for a second career win at the track. He would recover for fourth.

Talking about his race strategy and the final lead-change, Lacroix said, “I was keeping the car safe. I didn’t really battle to find the limits of the drying track. Gary had an advantage after battling with other cars all race long.

“I knew it was going to be tough the last two laps. He got by me and the last few corners – it started in 5A – he was all over the place – inside, outside, inside, outside – and I thought, if you don’t know where you’re going, I’m going to Victory Lane. I want to keep it clean but, help me help you. Move out of the way if you can’t win by watching out the windshield.”

With Klutt out of the way, Alex Tagliani assumed second and was pleased with the runner-up result.

“At a point, we started saving our stuff and fuel, which was becoming a concern. Eventually, I pushed a bit harder to try to get to the front. And then when I got to Gary, I knew there was going to be stuff happening up front.

“We were very strong but looking at the point standings and where everyone who is fighting for the championship was finishing, I thought it was just good to get a good points finish and go home.

The 74 (Lacroix) was going to try to do everything to win, and you’re kind of a sitting duck when you’re leading into the last three turns at Mosport.”

Finishing third was Dexter Stacey, who scored his best career finish in the series, in his 62nd start with the tour. At one point, he was a lap down, but finished just behind Lacroix and Tagliani.

“Yeah, we managed to get a lap down,” said Stacey. “The caution came out and we got the ‘Lucky Dog’ and got back onto the lead lap.

PINTY’S RENEWS NPS SPONSORSHIP FOR 5 YEARS With files from NASCAR n mid-April, NASCAR announced a fiveyear extension with Pinty’s Delicious Foods as entitlement sponsor of the NASCAR Pinty’s Series, Canada’s largest national motorsports series. Pinty’s, which took over naming rights of the series in 2016, also remains an Official Partner of NASCAR in Canada.

“Pinty’s has been a tremendous partner as we work together to grow racing in Canada,” said Chad Seigler, NASCAR Vice President, International Business Development. “Their commitment to both the racing industry and the fan experience has elevated the NASCAR Pinty’s Series over the past six years. The future is bright for NASCAR in Canada, and this continued partnership will further increase fan interest and the competition level in Canada’s premier racing series.”

This year marks a decade-long partner-

I

12 Inside Track Motorsport News

Three-time and reigning NPS champ L.P. Dumoulin started on the pole for the eBay Motors 200, based on last season’s points. A strong field of 25 cars took to the wet track at CTMP, for the race. Photo by Steve Traczyk

We didn’t think we were going to catch the field, but another caution came out and it played out in our favour, and we caught up to the leaders for the final restart.”

Asked about earning his first-ever NPS podium finish – in a 25-car field – he continued, “I was excited. We’ve been racing in the Pinty’s Series a long time and finally getting to the podium after so much hard work, it was great.”

The surprise, for Stacey, is that his best finish came at a road course.

“I was surprised that it happened there because I never grew up road racing. I did go karts, like, maybe one or two years, but I wouldn’t really call it road racing. But yeah, that’s neat, especially with it being wet then dry and having no traction for a lot of the race. But it came alive, and we just kept going.”

Klutt recovered to fourth, ahead of L.P. Montour. Treyten Lapcevich, L.P. Dumoulin, Brandon Watson, J.P. Bergeron and Larry Jackson completed the top ten finishers. IT

ship between the two brands, with Pinty’s first entering the sport as a contingency partner in 2012. Throughout its NASCAR partnership, Pinty’s continues to work with several short tracks and race teams across Canada, providing needed resources that help elevate the competition on the track. Pinty’s also has naming rights to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Pinty’s Dirt Race at Bristol.

“We are thrilled to extend our partnership with NASCAR and build on our decade long relationship of Making Great Food Fun,” said Jennifer Booth, Olymel Partnerships Manager. “We look forward to continuing to offer our loyal consumers with more great tasting Pinty’s products and even more entertainment from the best stock car racing in the world.”

The 2022 season is the series’ first ‘traditional’ campaign since 2019, prior to the start of the pandemic. The series will again race at some of the most iconic tracks and high-profile backdrops in Canada, including

Photo by Steve Traczyk

Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP), the streets of Toronto and the historic Grand Prix Trois Rivieres (GP3R).

As well, the series will make its long-anticipated dirt debut at Ohsweken Speedway, a race that was originally announced in ’19, as well as a just-announced trip to Eastbound Speedway as part of the Newfoundland and Labrador’s Come Home 2022 celebration, the series’ first trip to the province.

All NASCAR Pinty’s Series races will air on TSN and RDS in Canada and FloSports in the United States.

Start times and complete broadcast schedules will be released later. IT

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ED HAKONSON

RACING

IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR AT THE LONG-RUNNING NASCAR PINTY’S SERIES TEAM

The Ed Hakonson Racing (EHR) team won the NASCAR Pinty’s FanCave Championship title in 2020, with driver Jason Hathaway (left). He’s transitioned to the role of GM and is now part of an organization fielding four fulltime cars on Canada’s NASCAR circuit. Photos by Greg MacPherson

By Greg MacPherson acing fans love speed and close action. But they also love great stories and personalities. For many, it’s the people – more than the actual on-track happenings – that keep them watching and coming back.

One of the most successful and prominent teams in the NASCAR Pinty’s Series (NPS) is Ed Hakonson Racing (EHR). Also known through the years as Team 3 Red – in a nod to the operation’s long-running flagship No. 3 car – the Stouffville, Ontario-based team is a prominent staple of Canada’s national stock car series.

It’s no overstatement to say that EHR played a key role in helping the tour to survive during the pandemic. The past two seasons were tough on most businesses and people, and the NPS and its teams certainly felt the pain of being forced to shelve many of its traditional races, and put on events in front of empty grandstands.

Despite the challenges, EHR was out in full force wherever the tour competed.

“I feel like we played a big part in keeping it (the series) alive in 2020,” said former racer and now team GM Jason Hathaway. “I think there were between 13 and 15 cars at some races, and we had four in the field. Our efforts – that year especially – helped, along with others who were there and kept the series going.

“A lot of that commitment came from Ed (Hakonson), who’s been involved and a staple with the series for a lot of years. There probably isn’t a week that goes by that someone involved with the series doesn’t call him and chat about where things are going and how to make things better. We’re all constantly thinking about how we can help the series grow.”

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14 Inside Track Motorsport News

Although the pandemic seasons were difficult ones for EHR, there were also some highlights for the organization as Hathaway – a perennial contender for wins and championships during Canada’s NASCAR era – won the 2020 Pinty’s FanCave Championship.

The title wasn’t won following a typical 13-race campaign. Nonetheless, the intense, double-header filled schedule featured many top NPS drivers and teams and is certainly something that Hathaway and EHR can look back upon with pride.

Following that achievement, Hathaway retired from racing and transitioned to the role of General Manager for the operation. For the start of the 2021 season, Calgary’s Brett Taylor moved into the No. 3 car, full-time.

Talking about getting out of the race car and overseeing EHR’s racing operations, Hathaway said, “It’s been a transition, for sure.

Especially with the pandemic causing shortened schedules. And last year’s (2021) schedule was so condensed, it all happened in two months. But we’re back to a full normal schedule again, which is cool.

And we’re going from east to west again and the schedule is spread throughout the whole summer, which is also good.”

Turning to the present and Hathaway’s new role within EHR, he admits to developing a whole new skillset.

“It’s a lot going on with four fulltime teams, but it’s been a good transition. We treat every car like it’s the old No. 3 car when I drove, so everyone’s getting the same equipment and attention. There’s no cutting corners when you’re working hard and trying to impress your customers.”

Looking at the EHR operation for 2022, Calgarian Brett Taylor is racing the full schedule in the team’s No. 3, while the father-andson duo of Wallace and Dexter Stacey are also competing in every event this season. Talented youngster Raphael Lessard will drive the team’s No. 8 car in oval events, and past NPS series racer Ray Junior Courtemanche returns to pilot the No. 8 on road courses.

The busy and diverse operation makes for several interesting storylines coming out of the EHR stable.

In the first two events of the 2022 season, there have already been

A proven NPS race winner, Calgary’s Brett Taylor is chasing wins and podium finishes in the team’s flagship No. 3 car. Photo by Matthew Manor / NASCAR

some highlights for EHR. Lessard – who swept both races in last season’s doubleheader at Sunset Speedway – finished second in this year’s May 14 NPS season opener at the Barrie, Ontario-area oval.

And Dexter Stacey scored his best-ever NPS finish when he came home third in the eBay Motors 200 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP) during the Castrol Victoria Day weekend.

Hathaway credits much of the team’s strength and success to having the same core team members onside for many years.

“For the most part, it’s the same crew that have been with me forever. They’re still battling away, and they like and enjoy what they do.

We’ve also built a bit of a new race shop, which gives us the room to house and work on multiple teams.”

The family component has always been a big part of racing, and Hathaway loves to see the next generation of kids – including his own – becoming engaged in the sport.

“Take a look at the Lapceviches. Cayden was young when he won the championship. Now, he’s a crew chief and his brother Treyten is racing and winning. It’s crazy how quickly they grow up. We’re the same way with all that we’re doing and our son, Hudson, racing gokarts over at Goodwood.

“And of course, my wife Jamie (Hakonson-Hathaway) is the backbone of our team, handling logistics and making sure everything is happening behind the scenes. You can’t imagine what a job it is to make sure everything runs smoothly for an organization of this size. There are a lot of people involved and a lot of things have to be taken care of for everyone to get where they need to be and have everything ready so we can focus on the racing side, and she handles all of that.”

Underscoring the ‘all hands on deck’ nature of the EHR operation, Hathaway noted that Jamie has been part of the racing team since it was formed in 2000, during the CASCAR era, and in addition to her current logistics duties, has been an ‘over the wall’ pit crew member and continues to handle the team’s marketing efforts.

“When it comes to people you can rely upon most, nothing beats family,” Hathaway continued. “We are fortunate to be part of a successful, multi-generational, family run operation. And that close, family atmosphere extends to all our crew guys and our racers and their families.”

BRETT TAYLOR Turning to EHR’s racers, Brett Taylor owns and runs a construction company, in Calgary. His passion for NASCAR draws him to compete in the Pinty’s Series.

“I’ve loved NASCAR my whole life,” said Taylor. “The NASCAR

brand, the NASCAR environment and atmosphere… it represents the pinnacle of the sport and I want to compete at the highest level of motorsports in Canada, racing against the best.

“I met Jason (Hathaway) several years ago and he’s always been very helpful and nice to talk to, and willing to offer advice. And then we kind of just stumbled upon each other in a series of events. At one point, Jason was the only driver on their team, and then I had the opportunity of driving a second car for them, and it all worked out, and here we are.”

There are considerable challenges for a Calgary-based racer to compete full-time in a series whose racers and teams are mostly based in Ontario and Quebec.

“Living in Calgary, it definitely adds another element of difficulty, even with the time change factor,” Taylor continued. “It’s a two-hour difference and I need to factor in my diet and sleep patterns. And then there are the logistics and the extra time and costs associated with so much flying and being away from my family.”

At the track, Taylor’s crew chief is Jason Hathaway, and his car chief is Jeff Thomas.

“The boys spend tons of time at the shop, working on the cars.

And that’s where a lot of our speed does come from because they work tirelessly. Depending on the track we’re heading to next, we’ll talk a lot about strategy and setups. We also watch tapes of our last time at that track to determine how we can improve getting through corners better. We definitely have a lot of that dialogue, in spite of the physical distance.”

Prior to NASCAR, Taylor was involved in karting and raced regularly on the road course in Mission, BC. After that, he started oval racing, in Late Models, in Saskatoon, SK and at EIR (Wetaskiwin, AB).

A former race winner (the 2019 Pinty’s Fall Brawl at Jukasa Motor Speedway), Taylor is intensely competitive and has high expectations for himself.

“We expect to be fighting for wins and podiums at every oval and top-five results at road courses. We really want to get back to Victory Lane, sooner than later. When I won at Jukasa, I expected it…

I just felt it in my bones that I knew I was going to win. You’re only as good as your team but that day, it all came together.”

WALLACE & DEXTER STACEY The father-and-son duo of Wallace and Dexter Stacey combine for one of the most interesting stories in the series. Both are members of the Mohawk Nation, in Kahnawake, Quebec.

When Dexter Stacey first started competing in Canada’s NASCAR series (in 2009), he was just 16 and was – at the time – the young-

Wallace and Dexter Stacey are both doing the full schedule in cars run out of the EHR stable in 2022. Photo by Steve Traczyk

InsideTrackNews.com 15

EHR – NASCAR PINTY’S SERIES est driver ever to race on the tour. Between then and 2013, he took part in 44 Pinty’s Series races, before heading to the US and the NASCAR Xfinity and Truck Series.

Since 2020, Dexter has been back racing in Canada, fulltime, as part of the EHR team. He notched four seventh-place finishes in 2021. And this past May, he broke through with a podium at the CTMP race.

“We’re excited about the podium and working with the EHR team to make the cars quicker every week,” said Dexter, who got his start in racing driving dirt cars and ice racing.”

Asked if he’s a different driver as a result of his Xfinity Series experience, he said, “One hundred percent. The Xfinity racing actually changed how I drive these cars. My understanding of them helped me ‘bigtime.’ I learned a few more tricks on the road courses that I would have never thought of here.”

A highlight of this season, from Dexter’s perspective, is getting to race with and against his father. “Yeah, that’s cool. I’ve raced against him on the dirt, in the past. He used to give me a hard time about my driving (laughs). So, I called him out and he accepted the challenge to race this season.

“We all grew up racing on the reserve and watching NASCAR on TV, so it’s nice to get out there together now. And racing with EHR is the best move I ever did. I put quite a bit of mileage on the car going to the EHR shop, to give a hand and check everything out.”

And when he’s not racing or working on cars, Dexter loves to keep busy outdoors. “Every time I get a chance, I go fishing and traveling.”

As mentioned, Wallace Stacey is making his return to racing after accepting his son’s challenge to join him at EHR. “I started off on dirt, racing Modifieds and other cars at Granby, Drummondville, Brockville, Cornwall and Volusia, about 25 years ago,” said Wallace. “I was a Friday night racer and did it for about six years, with three or four racing with Dexter. I loved it. We also raced on the ice.”

Describing how he ended up in the Pinty’s Series, he laughed, “We had an extra car and Dexter said I should race it. It didn’t take much convincing. We tested at Sunset and CTMP and then raced at both places. I’d never been in a Pinty’s car before that. Let me tell you, Mosport is fast. We had a ball!”

Asked about driving for EHR, Wallace continued, “Awesome.

Awesome. Awesome. They do great work on the cars and I’m always laughing when I’m with Ed (Hakonson). I also think the Pinty’s Series is awesome. We just love it.”

Talented young racer Raphael Lessard looks at every race with EHR as an opportunity to impress and achieve his dreams. Photo by Paolo Pedicelli

16 Inside Track Motorsport News

RAPHAEL LESSARD & RAY JUNIOR COURTEMANCHE Splitting the duties in EHR’s No. 8 car this season are Raphael Lessard and Ray Junior Courtemanche. Both hail from Quebec. Lessard is a young star with aspirations of returning to the NASCAR Truck Series in the future, after further demonstrating his talents on the Pinty’s Series. He’s piloting the No. 8 in the oval events. And Courte- Ray Junior Courtemanche is back racing in the NPS series, after several years away. manche is returning to Photo by Steve Traczyk the NPS circuit to drive the No. 8 on the road courses.

Lessard’s first choice would have been to do the entire NPS schedule, but his racing budget wouldn’t allow it.

“I’m really happy that I got some good sponsors, a good team and I think we’re going to be able to get some more wins in our seven races,” said Lessard. “We had a shot at the win at Sunset. It’s a great team (EHR) and it’s fun to work with them. Jason (Hathaway) has a bunch of experience and wins and he knows what it takes to win.

“They love racing. So that makes it a lot of fun, but I’m really excited to be racing for them this year and just trying to win as much races as possible so I can maybe get full time next year.”

Lessard continued, “My goal is always to go back to United States and hopefully get back there and stay there fulltime. But it just it takes a lot. It takes a lot of good partners, a lot of money to make it happen. I feel like every race in the Pinty’s Series is an opportunity, and I have to perform. We have to perform as a team, the best we possibly can, so next year we can maybe get something. Winning brings opportunities.”

In terms of his other interests, Raphael played a lot of hockey, growing up, and continues to do so during the winters. Currently, when he’s not racing, he enjoys driving a truck, as his father owned a trucking company for a long time. But if all goes according to plan, Raphael will be able to race every week and make a living doing so.

Turning to Ray Junior Courtemanche, he’s excited to be back in the NPS series after several years away from the sport, focussing on his construction business and investment projects, many of them in Mirabel, Quebec. Active on social media and on TV, Courtemanche integrates racing into his efforts to promote his businesses.

“I love challenges and being very busy every day,” he continued.

“Our advertising team takes care of promoting our projects, as well as our NASCAR races, and I work on each of the strategies.”

Concentrating his racing program on the road courses works well for Ray Junior, at this point in his career.

“I prefer driving on road and urban circuits. They have more technical curves, going right and left, so each lap we must constantly change gears and improve our braking.”

Asked what attracted him to work with EHR, Courtemanche said, “Their structure and their professional image, and they always want to improve with each race. The team is strong with the prodigy driver Raphael Lessard. What we want most is to have fun and to please our team members and NASCAR fans.” IT

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I NEWS

MOTORAMA RACING ZONE Canadian Motorsports on Full Display at 2022 Motorama Show Story by J. Wally Nesbitt lthough the “Motorsports Expo” name does not get top billing in the Motorama Show title, the competition aspect of the sport is the basis on what the current incarnation of the Toronto springtime show was built upon.

Resurrected following a 25-month long, pandemic-induced layoff, the Inside Track Racing Zone presented by long-time show supporter Stoneridge Specialty Insurance was a highly anticipated draw for the motorsport fans, all hungry for confirmation of a return to on-track competition.

“We are very excited to be able to do this again, there has been a large motorsport vacuum left by the pandemic. We all feel extremely positive that we have been able to put the frustration of the pandemic behind us and we’re anticipating a near-normal racing season,” said Motorama Promoter Greg MacPherson.

The 2022 edition of the Racing Zone spanned virtually the entire spectrum of Canadian motorsports, from the historic, earliest days of competition to the most up-to-date, technologically advanced racing machinery and products. More than 60 vehicles, ranging from a race-ready, 440cc Pro Sprint Midget to the Nitro-burning ‘Celtic Thunder’ dragster, plus an impressive gaggle of short track stock cars in the driver-entered Racer’s Corral and a large collection of their road racing cousins, provided an eye-opening mobile museum courtesy of local motorsport participants.

Yesterday’s Speedways has been a fixture at the Motorama show since its inception and this year they returned with an impressive display highlighting the earliest days of Southern Ontario stock car racing. Presented by historian and author Rick Sharpless and Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee Dave Franks, the booth featured two legendary race cars, Don Biederman’s Oxford 250-winning Nova and a vintage hobby car raced by Jim Collison.

At the other end of the spectrum, and sitting adjacent to the Yesterday’s Speedways display, was a real-time car build.

On the Thursday move-in day, multi-time Ontario Pro Challenge (OPC) champion Tim Norris and his son Mike rolled in a bare OPC frame. Over the course of the three-day Motorama show, the Norris’, with help from

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20 Inside Track Motorsport News

(Above) NTN Bearings gave showgoers an opportunity to complete NASCAR-style tire changes.

Photo by Poalo Pedicelli

friends and fellow competitors, bolted on parts and pieces, and by the end of the show they pushed out a race ready OPC vehicle.

The Norris Racing effort was not the only hands-on display of the show. Courtesy of NTN Bearings, a mock-up of a stock car allowed show visitors the opportunity to try their hands at a NASCAR-style tire change.

Despite the overlapping of the schedules, a handful of Ontario short tracks returned to the Motorama floor to meet and greet with the fans. Flamboro Speedway was forced to split their staff between opening night activities and the show, and at Motorama they were joined by representatives from Peterborough, Sauble and Full Throttle Motor Speedways.

Also on hand was a cross section of motorsport organizations, including the Canadian Automobile Sport Clubs (CASC), the British Automobile Racing Club and UltraRay Motorsports from the road racing fraternity, the short track Ontario Sportsman Series and the Great Lakes Legends Racing Series, and from the world of drag racing, the Ontario Grudge Wars group.

And the cars weren’t the only stars of the show as NASCAR Pinty’s Series drivers Alex Tagliani and Treyton Lapcevich, along with dirt sprint car sensation D.J. Christie, were in attendance on behalf of Qwick Wick.

Unquestionably a highlight of the Motorama Motorsports Expo is the annual Fast Eddie Night of Champions.

This year, the awards presentations covered the past two seasons, with track and series champions recognized in the stock car, drag racing, and new for 2022, road racing disciplines. So lengthy was the list of winners – 111 in all – that the presentations were separated to allow time for the recipients and fans to come and go before the next crowd came along.

The road racing clan were the first to be greeted on stage with broadcaster and Midget racer Dave Bradley and Darron Baston from Fast Eddie Racewear making the award presentations to the 29 recognized champions. After a short intermission, Bill Richards and Andrew Stirk hosted the presentations for the 41 best of the drag racing crowd, while Bradley and Baston returned in the evening to honour the 41 Ontario short track and stock car champions.

By all appearances and from visitor responses, the 2022 version of the Inside Track Racing Zone presented by Stoneridge Specialty Insurance left little to be desired, but rest assured, the eighth Motorama Custom Car & Motorsports Expo, coming March 10, 11 & 12, 2023, will be even more spectacular. IT

InsideTrackNews.com 21

APC UNITED LATE MODEL

SERIES RICK SPENCER-WALT DOMINANT IN OPENER AT SUNSET SPEEDWAY

(Below) Rick Spencer-Walt was the class of the field in the Dayco 100 APC Series opener. (Opposite page, right) Josh Stade with his newly-unveiled No. 17 Ridgeline Camry. Photos Courtesy of Dave Franks and Reed Public Relations

22 Inside Track Motorsport News

Story by Greg MacPherson he APC Late Model Series opened its 2022 season on May 21 with a race at Sunset Speedway, south of Barrie, ON. The event took place during the track’s traditional Spring Velocity weekend. The win went to Rick Spencer-Walt, who wasn’t quick during practice but posted the fastest lap time (14.103 seconds) of the 27 cars in the pits at Sunset, during qualifying. Following an inversion, Spencer-Walt lined up fourth on the grid for the 100-lap Dayco 100.

He would take the lead just past the one-third point of the race after Jake Sheridan and Kyle Steckly raced side-by-side, out front, in the early going.

But once Spencer-Walt was in the lead, his biggest challenge was negotiating lapped traffic during the extended green flag run.

But in each instance, Spencer-Walt was able to manoeuvre his way through the slower vehicles and pull comfortably away from his pursuers.

A caution flag with 18 laps remaining bunched the field for one final time. The Barrie, Ontario racer was able to successfully pull away from the field and cruised to the checkered flag and the win, 1.65 seconds ahead of Shae Gemmell.

It was Spencer-Walt’s second career APC Series win, the other also

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taking place at Sunset Speedway, a few years ago.

“Before the feature, I didn’t know what we had,” said Spencer-Walt, in Victory Lane. “We were 22nd in practice, struggling with some grip off, and we ran some old tires, but ‘Man, did she come alive!’”

Asked how he turned his day around from being one of the slowest in practice, to timing in fastest during qualifying and winning the race, he continued, “It’s just the crew. They worked their backs off all day on the thing. It’s a well-prepared race car that gets the wins around here. There are a lot of good cars out here and a lot of good guys to battle against.

“It was fun battling (Jake) Sheridan and (Kyle) Steckly early, and with J.R. (Fitzpatrick) at the end. If you can beat J.R., you’re doing something good. I had to one-up him here because he’s probably going to be pretty good at Flamboro (on June 4).”

Shae Gemmell and Danny Benedict finished second and third, respectively. Benedict, very familiar with the Sunset track, climbed from 14th at the initial green flag.

Discussing his runner-up finish, Gemmell said, “This car was on rails. We knew we were going to have a ‘long run’ car and we didn’t have the qualifying speed we wanted. But we were able to have our

best qualifying run here – seventh – and I kind of ‘saved, saved, saved’ until the end there and I got a good run going and picked them off one by one.”

Home track star Benedict also passed a lot of cars en route to the podium in the APC opener.

“We were fastest in practice, and I thought we had a really good car,” Benedict said. “And then we put these feature tires on the stagger just wasn’t even close to what we wanted, and we were just so tight in qualifying.

“Just tried to stay patient and try to work my way through, after falling back a couple spots at the start. I was just really trying to save it, and then we got that long run and I started to make my way towards the front.

“But it’s so hard to time when you get so back. You don’t know where the leader is and the last thing you want to do is get lapped.

So, I think I ‘fired’ just a little too early but still came up through the field and overall, it was a really great day.”

J.R. Fitzpatrick and Josh Stade rounded out the top-five finishers.

Andrew Gresel, Shawn Chenoweth, Tom Gibbons and Kyle Steckly made up the remainder of the top-ten. IT

RIDGELINE LUBRICANTS BACKS JOSH STADE IN APC SERIES In late April, Ridgeline, Parkland Corporation’s quality, high-performance lubricant brand, announced its first-ever entry into the competitive APC Racing Series, by sponsoring driver Josh Stade.

The Ridgeline-sponsored #17 Toyota Camry was unveiled at Truck World 2022, in Toronto. Guests were able to see the brand-new Pro Late Model car, outfitted in sleek, ‘Ridgeline green and charcoal’ scheme. The car will race in one of the most popular and competitive asphalt stock car racing divisions in North America.

“We are excited to officially unveil the Ridgeline-sponsored car,” said Tom McClary, director of Lubricants and Specialty Products at Parkland. “We can’t wait to see Josh compete and win this season in the APC Racing Series and other invitational events.”

Driver Josh Stade and his team use Ridgeline lubricants in their team’s race car hauler, which transports the car to and from the track. Stade will also be using Ridgeline lubricant products in his family-owned truck fleet and heavy equipment applications.

“After 18 seasons of racing, I am the most excited this year to be working with the Ridgeline lubricants team as an ambassador of the Ridgeline brand,” said Stade. IT InsideTrackNews.com 23

I NEWS

GREAT LAKES LEGENDS Qwick Wick-Sponsored Series Holds Inaugural Event at Grand Bend Story by Greg MacPherson he Qwick Wick Great Lakes Legends Series kicked off May 29 at Grand Bend Speedway. The winner of the inaugural event was Kenny McNicol, who pocketed $300 for the victory. McNicol came home in front of Sprint Car regular D.J. Christie and ‘Smokin’ Joe Adams.

The opener was originally scheduled for May 21 at Southern Ontario Motor Speedway (SOMS), in South Buxton, ON, but that was scrubbed due to wet conditions at the dirt oval. The May 29 Grand Bend date came about very quickly and drew ten cars.

The new series will showcase the versatility of the Legends cars, which will be competing on a mix of dirt and asphalt ovals, as well as on the road course at Grand Bend Motorplex, on July 8 during a doubleheader weekend that will also see them take to the paved oval, the following day, at Grand Bend Speedway. In all, the Great Lakes Legends Series is planning on a 9-race schedule with races at SOMS, Grand Bend (Speedway and road course), Humberstone, Full Throttle Motor Speedway, Sunset and Flamboro.

According to series founder Blake Outhouse, he was very pleased with the first race, and he’s excited about the new tour’s inaugural season.

“We expect to have 15 cars when we return to Grand Bend Speedway, which will be a perfect field of cars for that track,” said Outhouse. “Dan Russ’ DRM team has six cars and has a big, NASCAR-style double-decker hauler. We get all the cars and everything we need in that rig.

“And then we have another five guys out of the Belle River area, two guys from Grand Bend. And we’re getting a lot of outside attention, too. One guy called us from Mount Clemens, Michigan, who wants to race on the road course at Grand Bend.”

Outhouse continued, “D.J. Christie had never run a Legend before in his life, coming

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FULL THROTTLE MOTOR SPEEDWAY During the off-season, Paul Trepanier and the team at Full Throttle Motor Speedway were busy completing several major upgrades, in preparation for the start of racing action. The high-banked, quarter-mile asphalt oval on the edge of Varney, Ontario saw new parking pads installed, 24 Inside Track Motorsport News

Kenny McNicol was the first-ever feature for the new Qwick Wick Great Lakes Legends Series, held May 29 at Grand Bend Speedway. Photos Courtesy of Great Lakes Legends Series

from the 360 Nights of Thunder, and he finished second at Grand Bend. And we’ve been talking to Alex Tagliani about racing with us, hopefully this summer.”

The variety of the schedule and knowing that Legends cars are competitive anywhere are attractive features of the series.

“Guys like the fact that we race on asphalt and dirt ovals, as well as on a road course.

We have a fun mix of tracks in the series.

We’re going to have a great summer,” said Outhouse.

ONTARIO SPORTSMAN SERIES The Ontario Sportsman Series (OSS) took to the track for the tour’s first race of the 2022 season on May 21 at Flamboro Speedway. The race was held under threatening conditions, one week after the scheduled season opener was washed out at Full Throttle Motor Speedway.

Looking to get ahead of the impending precipitation, qualifying was cancelled, at as well as new pavement around the pits, kitchen, and racing surface. The track also has a new scoring tower.

The regular Saturday night classes include Junior Late Models, Mini Trucks, Fun Stocks, Mini Stocks, Street Stocks, Thunder Trucks, Late Models, Varney Hot Rods, Ontario Pro Sprints and Crazy Trains. IT

Flamboro, and the starting field lined up behind series veteran Chad McGlynn and Michael Hryniuk Jr. Hryniuk got the early jump and led the field across the line at the end of the first lap. McGlynn proceeded to hound the youngster for the next 35 laps, with the clouds darkening, all the while.

Just past the halfway point of the race, the skies finally opened, ending the scheduled 75-lap event, and handing Michael Hryniuk Jr. and his Hryniuk-Hall Motorsports team their first OSS victory.

McGlynn was running second when the race was called, with Lane Zardo, Cory McCallister and Kevin Trevellin rounding out the top five. The series’ next race is scheduled for June 17 at Delaware Speedway.

In addition to asphalt oval races at Full Throttle Motor Speedway, Peterborough Speedway, Flamboro Speedway and Delaware, the OSS will also make two appearances on the dirt, at Southern Ontario Motor Speedway, on July 9 and September 17. IT

Several areas around the track and pits were paved prior to the season and a new scoreboard was installed. Photo Courtesy FTMS

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I NEWS

WESTERN RATTLER 300 Ryley Seibert Outduels Father, Trevor, at Family-Owned Penticton Speedway Story by Robert K. Rooney he Seibert family’s operation of Penticton Speedway received a big boost on the last weekend in April with the very successful inaugural Western Rattler 300. Ryley Seibert scored the win in dominant fashion with father, Trevor, just a few lengths behind.

With the winner set to receive a cheque for $10,000, the race attracted an excellent field of cars – more than two dozen from Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.

The rulebook was written to try and achieve a performance balance that would allow Super Late Models, Pro Late Models and Limited Late Models to compete on an even playing field. At the finish, the top five would feature cars from all three categories.

In qualifying, the top 22 cars all timed-in within a second of each other, with Wes Mader of Pitt Meadows, BC topping the field and Kelly Admiraal of Edmonton, AB in second. Ryley was sixth, a little shy of his expectations.

“I skipped the first day of practice because I was still building walls and grandstands and stuff,” said Ryley.

The limited number of laps he took before qualifying told him the car was good and he, Matt Shirley and Logan Jewell had some fun trying to top each other’s fast time.

The top 12 qualifiers were locked in with the remainder racing on Saturday in the Baker’s Dozen 100. Quite often a 13-car field running a 100-lap race on a quarter-mile track is a good enough show to be the feature event of the weekend, but it only set the back half of the field for the feature.

WESCAR regular Darrell Horwath took the win, but second-place Mark Berriau of Penticton, BC got most of the news coverage when, on the last lap, his No. 27 rode the top of the wall not once, but twice, and then rolled. Berriau was unhurt but the car was done for the weekend. NASCAR Canada racer Jason White of Vernon, BC was third.

Early into the big race the next day, Seibert found himself third, tracking Matt Stephenson and Nova Scotian Kyle Reid. After 60-odd laps, he had his No. 09 out front and led to the 150-lap break. The break did not go exactly as he had planned.

“There was a rule that Dad made that everyone had to wait for an air horn to start their service on the car,” said Ryley.

The idea was to wait until everyone was

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26 Inside Track Motorsport News

(Above) Western Rattler 300 winner Ryley Seibert. Photo Courtesy of Penticton Speedway

off the track and ready to take tires and fuel.

“My crew, including me, had kind of a brain-waffle, jacking the car up while guys were still filing into the pits. Then they started working on Dad’s car, too, so we both got penalized. We were the only guys who got penalized.”

It being a bit tricky to protest a rule you made yourself, both Seibert machines went to the back of the field.

“Coming from the back at the halfway point was a bit of good fun,” said Ryley, admitting that, at the time, he wasn’t pleased looking forward at 17 other cars. “I kind of had a bit of red mist going on as I came through the field. By lap 200 I took the lead again and brought it home.”

The last hundred laps in the lead weren’t that easy, Ryley recalls, saying that it seemed to take a long time even though there were several long green runs.

“There wasn’t a ton of wrecking or carnage, which speaks volumes to the redesign that Dad did. It’s a very driveable two-, and sometimes three-lane track.”

Adding to Ryley’s anxiety was the knowledge that although Trevor didn’t blaze through the field quite like his son, on the last restart the senior Seibert was third, just

behind Reid. Once the No. 69 was second, a yellow flag was the last thing Ryley wanted to see.

“Dad’s pretty cagey and he’s got some tricks on restarts that I haven’t quite figured out yet.”

The race went uninterrupted to the end, however, and Ryley beat Trevor by 1.8 seconds. Reid was third, Saskatoon driver Matt Shirley was fourth and Horwath finished fifth. Korbin Thomas and Jarrett Bonn were next in line, the last cars on the lead lap.

Ryley says that he and Trevor were joking in the weeks leading up to the 300 that they needed to do well so they could get some of the money back that they had invested. More seriously, the win was very special for Ryley.

“That’s the first Late Model main event win of my career. In all the WESCAR races I’ve done, I’ve been on the podium multiple times with track records and pole positions and heat race wins, but I’ve never had a main event win. It’s eluded me since I started in 2010. Crossing that finish line was partly a sense of relief and another part was unreal excitement that I’d finally pulled it off – my first main event win, and a big one!” IT

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I NEWS

EAST COAST INT’L PRO STOCK TOUR Reigning Champion Craig Slaunwhite Wins Season-Opening Fleetrite 150

er of Porter’s Lake, NS also got a fantastic Stephen Lively of Shubenacadie, NS took start to the 2022 season with a third-place home the Kenny U Pull Hard Charger and the podium finish. Donald Chisholm of AntigonFleet Brake Atlantic Lucky Dog Awards, while ish, NS came home fourth, with 2021 East Naugle won the R&D Performancentre Most Coast International Pro Stock Tour Rookie Laps Led Award. Naugle led 55 laps before of the Year Matt Vaughan of Bedford, NS tangling with Butcher, the ensuing damage rounding out the top five in the Fleetrite 150. eventually taking both teams out of the race.

Atlantic Tiltload Heat Races kicked off the The East Coast Mini Stock Tour kicked off action on the track, with Nicholas Naugle of the racing card and put on a great show for Dartmouth, NS, Slaunwhite and Cole Butcher fans. Andrew Warren of Whites Lake, NS of Hantsport, NS winning their Atlantic Tiltload was first under the checkers, followed by heat races, which Jesse Deveau of Greenwood, NS and Matt set the field for the Watson of Summerside, PEI. IT FOURNIER JOINS OYSTER BED OWNERSHIP GROUP Fleetrite 150.

With Files from Tim Terry harlottetown businessman, Maritime Motorsports Hall of (Above) Craig Slaunwhite won Fame 2021 Inductee and former track champion Kris Fournithe East Coast International er recently purchased the shares in Oyster Bed Speedway, forPro Stock Tour opener at Scotia Speedworld. (Right) Andrew merly owned by Bill Kinney. Fournier joins the Oyster Bed SpeedWarren won the East Coast way family after over three decades of racing throughout the Mini Stock Tour season debut.

Maritimes. A former competitor on the East Coast International Photos Courtesy of the East Coast International Pro Stock and East Coast Pro Stock Tour, Fournier won the Late Model Championship at his Mini Stock Tours home track in 2013 before retiring from full-time competition in 2015. He remains very active in the racing community, including one-off starts in Pro Stock competition with the most recent coming last August with the East Coast International Pro Stock Tour.

“I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to buy into Oyster Bed Speedway,” said Fournier. “I definitely plan to be a hands-on owner, working with our race teams and promotions staff for our great oval on Prince Edward Island. I’m looking forward to being able to contribute to the sport of stock car racing on the Island for many years to come!”

Fournier joins Robbie MacLean, Chris Hucz and Gary Ford, who purchased the track as a group along with Kinney in 2009.

“I’d like to welcome Kris to our group,” said MacLean. “I’ve been friends with Kris for a lot of years and have raced with him as well. He will bring a lot of new ideas to the table. I’m excited to get racing and work with Kris and our group for 2022!” IT

Story Courtesy of East Coast International Pro Stock Tour raig Slaunwhite of Terence Bay, NS resumed his winning ways, taking home the first checkered flag of the season. The 2021 East Coast International Pro Stock Tour Champion raced his way to first in the Fleetrite 150 at Scotia Speedworld.

Ashton Tucker of Lyttleton, NB got a great start to his first regular season on the Series with a second-place finish. Jarrett Butch-

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28 Inside Track Motorsport News

SPRING

TROPHY CASC-OR AND VARAC BEGIN 2022 SEASONS AT CANADIAN TIRE MOTORSPORT PARK

Story by J. Wally Nesbitt he overall sensation was an almost complete return to normal as the CASC-Ontario Region competitors put pandemic restrictions behind them and filled the paddock at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park for the BEMC Spring Trophy Races on May 7-8 for the season-opening race weekend.

A total of 46 GT vehicles set qualifying times, the fields split between GT1, GT2 and GT3/4/5 machinery. Over the course of the weekend, early season teething gremlins forced several teams to head home early in search of answers, but that did nothing to diminish the on-track action.

The numbers in both GT fields were swelled with new entries, some entirely new cars, while others were simply familiar faces in new rides.

In the GT1/2 pack, Roberto Sabato has switched from Porsches to the No. 431 2020 Ford Mustang TA-2 car, while Cotton Mather has parked his Frankenstein-winged truck in favour of the No. 08 Chevrolet Camaro. Tony Martella (No. 124) and Justin Di Benedetto (No. 411) brought their TCR class Audis to the GT battles, while former GT3 class champion Daniel Bois has traded in his tube-frame Ariel Atom for something slightly more substantial, the No. 22 2010 Ford Pickup.

For the Spring Trophy Race weekend, a quartet of Radical SR-3 sports cars were incorporated into the GT3/4/5 field, with veteran Kenny Riedmann (No. 342) demonstrating his prowess, claiming the overall pole position, and sweeping to three consecutive race victories. Also exploring new ground was former F1600 pilot Jack Polito, who was behind the wheel of the family’s No. 46 1966 Ford Shelby Mustang.

Another open-wheel veteran, Kevin Kapelke, has also switched alliances, trading in his F1600 car for the No. 64 1998 Honda Civic.

“We had been considering jumping to a GT car for some time, and when we sold the Van Diemen in the spring of 2021 the search got real,” said the Plattsville, ON resident. “We bought a shell with the cage from a guy in Waterloo and built it up from there.”

Boasting a standard K24 (2.4L) motor from a 2006 TSX Acura, the Civic is now “making about 230 bhp to the wheels.”

However, it is not the power that Kapelke is learning to deal with.

“It took me two full days of testing to get used to the front–wheeldrive,” said Kapelke. “And I don’t think I’m there yet. It’s night and day from the (Formula) 1600.”

Overcoming any doubts he may have of the change of driving style, Kapelke was regularly lapping at the top end of the GT4 times.

“The plan was to run in GT3, but I’m not quite there yet, and neither is

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(Above) James Beaton won twice in the CASC-OR GT1 class. (Below) F1200 Race 1 winner Phil Want. (Opposite page, top) Reg Akers swept the VARAC CL-A class with three wins in his Taurus. (Opposite page) Brian Thomas earned a pair of wins in the VARAC VH-2 class.

Photos by Richard Coburn

30 Inside Track Motorsport News

the car. We’re running close to the limit of GT4, and broke out into GT3 times in the final session.”

Aboard his new ride, Kapelke managed a runner-up finish in the GT4 class in the weekend opener and a third-place finish in Race 2.

Reviewing the weekend GT contests, defending GT1 class champion James Beaton (No. 02 Corvette) set fast time in qualifying, translating that accomplishment into a race win over Sabato and Mark Busscher (No. 84 Camaro). GT2 honours went to the everquick John Hansen aboard his orange No. 30 BMW 328. Beaton doubled down in Race 2, while Daniel Bois earned his debut victory in his GT2 pickup.

The third contest saw only a half-lap of green flag action as two separate incidents, one to retrieve the stricken No. 24 Chevy pickup from the Turn 1 tire wall, led to eight laps run behind the pace car.

Earning the GT1 win at a record slow speed was Mark Busscher, with Bois taking his second win, crossing the stripe in the overall runner-up spot.

In the trio of GT3/4/5 contests, despite high-level intensity throughout the field, two drivers managed to dominate with Matt White (No. 76 Porsche 944) and Joseph Comacchio (No. 155 BMW 325) going home with three victories in the GT4 and GT5 classes, respectively. The GT3 battles were a little more varied with John Dipchand Jr. (No. 27 BMW E30) edging Bruce Wylie (No.67 BMW M3) and Chantel Carter (No. 123 Mazda Miata) for the win in Race 1, a 2.207-second gap blanketing the top three.

Moving up two steps on the podium for the final pair of races, Chantel Carter claimed her first wins of the seasons, besting Wylie in both instances.

For the 2022 BEMC Spring Trophy Races, the open-wheel cars were all run together under one banner, only the F1200 series having enough to race as a pack. Not surprisingly, James Morton (No.11 Gamma) swept top spot in all three races scoring the Formula 4 and overall victories. Defending class champion Paul Subject (No. 77 Formula Libre Mazda) and Jake Cowden (No. 66 F1600 Mygale-Honda) also went home three-for-three over the weekend’s race dates.

However, in what is considered normal for the Formula 1200 cars, positions were exchanged on multiple occasions on every lap, the winners usually decided only after exiting the final corner.

Phil Wang (No. 173 Caracal C) is a multi-time F1200 series champion and a perennial threat to win. This weekend, Wang was only able to notch one victory with newcomer Xavier Lassus (No. 45 BRD) taking the checkered flag in Race 2 and veteran Bill Mitchell (No. 58 BRD) earning the win in the weekend finale.

CASC-OR RESULTS (TOP 3) GT1: Race 1: 1. No. 02 James Beaton, 2. No. 431 Roberto Sabato, 3. No. 84 Mark Busscher // Race 2: 1. No. 02 James Beaton, 2. No. 431 Roberto Sabato, 3. No. 84 Mark Busscher // Race 3: 1. No. 84 Mark Busscher, 2. No. 411 Justin Di Benedetto, 3. No. 125 Dan Corcoran.

GT2: Race 1: 1. No. 30 John Hansen, 2. No. 22 Daniel Bois, 3. No. 124 Tony Martella // Race 2: 1. No. 22 Daniel Bois, 2. No. 471 Huanyu Shi, 3. No. 60 Jonathan Liu // Race 3: 1. No. 22 Daniel Bois, 2. No. 30 John Hansen, 3. No. 307 Joeie Tsang.

GT3: Race 1: 1. No. 27 John Dipchand Jr., 2. No. 67 Bruce Wylie, 3. No. 123 Chantel Carter // Race 2: 1. No. 123 Chantel Carter, 2. No. 67 Bruce Wylie, 3. No. 95 Ian Crerar // Race 3: 1. No. 123 Chantel Carter, 2. No. 67 Bruce Wylie, 3. No. 4 James Maclean.

GT4: Race 1: 1. No. 76 Matt White, 2. No. 64 Kevin Kapelke, 3. No. 213 Steve Barnett // Race 2: 1. No. 76 Matt White, 2. No. 213 Steve Barnett, 3. No. 64 Kevin Kapelke // Race 3: 1. No. 76 Matt White, 2. No. 213 Steve Barnett.

GT5: Race 1: No. 155 Joseph Comacchio, 2. No. 220 Terry Mueller, 3. No. 63 Stephanie Curapov // Race 2: 1. No. 155 Joseph Comacchio, 2. No. 16 Michael Bos, 3. No. 220 Terry Mueller // Race 3: 1. No. 155 Joseph Comacchio, 2. No. 220 Terry Mueller, 3. No. 63 Doug Curapov.

F1200: Race 1: 1. No. 173 Phil Wang, 2. No. 45 Xavier Lassus, 3. No. 12 Daniel Demaras // Race 2: 1. No. 45 Xavier Lassus, 2. No. 49 Nathan Yu. 3. No. 173 Phil Wang // Race 3: 1. No. 58 Bill Mitchell, 2. No. 19 Max Haverkate, 3. No. 45 Xavier Lassus. IT

VARAC KICKS OFF AT BEMC SPRING TROPHY Story by J. Wally Nesbitt he Vintage Automobile Racing Association of Canada (VARAC) opened their 2022 campaign with a rather ‘soft launch’ at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park as 30 vintage racing vehicles spread across the Classic, Vintage Historic and Formula Classic divisions took part in the CASC-Ontario Region BEMC Spring Trophy Races weekend. The usual lineup of VARAC regulars were in attendance for their three, 20-minute sessions, but there were also some new entries filling the grid.

Topping the list had to be the No. 8 1999 Ford Taurus piloted by Reg Akers. Securing the CL-A class and overall Classic pole position, Akers swept to three class victories, in each case, pursued to the checkered flag by the No. 38 Porsche 911 of Robert Offley. While his familiar yellow Corvette awaits a motor rebuild, Del Bruce was able to rely on his backup, the white and black trimmed No. 67 ‘Vette that carried him to a pair of runner-up results.

Also new to the Classic grid was Ted Michalos’s recently acquired No. 11 1987 Mazda RX-7. Sadly, mechanical woes kept the Mazda from seeing much track time.

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VARAC RESULTS (CLASS WINNERS) VARAC CLASSIC: Race 1: CL-A: No. 8 Reg Akers (Ford Taurus) / CL-1: No. 301 Marco Beretta (Porsche 911 SC) / CL-2: No. 71 Andrew Atkins (Ford Mustang) / CL-3: No. 122 Tim Cusimano (Porsche 944) // Race 2: CL-A: No. 8 Reg Akers (Ford Taurus) / CL-1: No. 301 Marco Beretta (Porsche 911 SC) / CL-2: No. 71 Andrew Atkins (Ford Mustang) / CL-3: No. 122 Tim Cusimano (Porsche 944) // Race 3: CL-A: No. 8 Reg Akers (Ford Taurus) / CL-1: No. 301 Marco Beretta (Porsche 911 SC) / CL-2: No. 71 Andrew Atkins (Ford Mustang) / CL-3: No. 41 Tom Bryson.

VARAC VINTAGE HISTORIC: Race 1: VH-2: No. 97 Richard Paterson (Austin Mini) / VH-3: No. 19 Dave Morgan (Austin Cooper-S) / VH-4: No. 58 Gavin Ivory (Porsche 914) // Race 2: VH-2: No. 74 Brian Thomas (Lotus 23b) / VH-3: No. 169 Joe Lightfoot (MG-B) / VH-4: No. 58 Gavin Ivory (Porsche 914) // Race 3: VH-2: No. 74 Brian Thomas (Lotus 23b) / VH-3: 89 Nick Pratt (MG Midget) / VH-4: No. 237 Dave Good (MG-B) VARAC FORMULA CLASSIC: Historic Formula Ford: No. 60 Kevin Young (Crossle 20F (3 wins)) // Formula Junior: No. 948 Doug Elcomb (Dreossi Canada Class (3 wins)). IT

InsideTrackNews.com 31

VICTORIA DAY

SPEEDFEST ‘DERECHO’ PUTS A DAMPER ON OPENING WEEKEND OF THE 2022 CANADIAN TIRE MOTORSPORT PARK SEASON

32 Inside Track Motorsport News

Chan (No. 45) and Sylvain Ouellet (No. 99 Micra) declared winners in the Production and Compact divisions.

Because only two laps were completed under green, no points were awarded for this race.

“That race was a disaster,” said Series Director Dominic St-Jean.

“All our drivers had to sign a ‘Driver’s Conduct’ contract before the start of the season. Obviously it was not clear enough what we were expecting from our drivers. We demand respectful racing. There will be penalties applied at the next race at Calabogie.”

The second of the three scheduled contests were lost due to Saturday’s storm, but on Sunday morning 40 cars answered the call for Round 3.

On a wet racetrack, the SPC organizers opted for a rolling start, the field powering away into Turn 1 with the No. 24 of Marc Heroux slowing to a stop along the front straight as he took the green flag.

Eventually, the double yellows were waved to rescue the stranded Camaro, and the field was back under green on Lap 5.

Expectedly in a field of this size, packs of cars were continually dicing with positions changing virtually every turn and everyone finding someone to race with. At the front of the Super Production class, it was defending series champion Olivier Bedard (No .1) in front with his Xtreme Motorsports teammate Kurt Wittmer (No. 22 Nissan), the two drivers never separated by more SUPER PRODUCTION than a car length throughout CHALLENGE the 15-lap contest. Setting Enthusiastically anticipating the fastest lap of the race the season opening tripleheadIt was a wet and wild 2022 season opener for the Super Production Challenge at the Victoria Day Speedfest at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, leading on the final lap, Bedard took er date on the CTMP circuit, to some hard racing, big wrecks and stern words from series officials, with the checkered flag with a 43 cars set times in the penalties set to be handed out at the next event for the series at Calabogie 3.308-second advantage over 30-minute qualifying session, Motorsports Park. Photos by Tim McGill and Richard Coburn Wittmer. with Olivier Bedard (No. 1 Nis“That was a very intense san 370Z) topping the speed battle. I had Kurt in my mirrors charts in Super Production, the entire race,” said Bedard.

Owen Clarke (No. 55 Toyota “The hardest part was that my GT86) setting fast time of the windshield was completely fogged up. Sometimes I couldn’t even see Production class ranks and Etienne Samson-Lafla (No. 19 Toyota what side of the track I was on. I had to stretch as far as I could and Echo) leading the way in the Compact division. wipe the inside of the windshield on every lap.”

Lining up for the standing start in their Saturday morning season The fight for the top step of the Production class was equally as debut, most of the cars shot away at the drop of the green flag, save intense, with series rookie Joel Watts (No. 17 Honda Civic) locked for the No. 43 BMW of Jacques Gravel, who slowly coasted to a stop firmly onto the back bumper of the No. 86 Honda of Alexandre just past the pit exit ramp. Several corners later a three-car incident Brosseau. The victory was decided only with the checkered flag as involving Mario Charrette (No. 57 Nissan), Christian Raymond (No. Brosseau was proclaimed the winner, his margin of victory a mere 13 Honda Civic), and Owen Clarke resulted in a full-course caution 0.482 seconds over Watts. to retrieve the stricken vehicles and repair the damaged guardrail.

It was an even closer finish in the Compact ranks, as Sylvain OuelCircling behind the pace car until time expired, Jimmy Briere (No. let outlasted race-long pressure from Martin Husar (No. 81 Toyota 12) took the checkered flag at the front of the pack, with Nelson

Story by J. Wally Nesbitt efore May 21, very few people were aware of the meteorological term ‘Derecho.’ However, having endured the ‘long-lived, fast-moving thunderstorm that causes widespread wind damage’ that battered Southern Ontario, including Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, most witnesses hope that this was indeed a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence.

With only minutes of warning, the facility north of Clarington, ON, was deluged by torrential rains while the winds, with gusts approaching 125 km/h, shredded awnings, tossed canopies, uprooted trees and damaged property, including several racing vehicles.

In the aftermath of the vicious storm, several races were postponed or cancelled outright. Late Saturday afternoon the Emzone Radical Canada Cup competitors managed to run a non-points paying contest for the entertainment of the fans, while their FEL Motorsports Sports Car counterparts elected to totally forgo any on-track appearances due to extensive damages to the cars and the haulers. Racing was able to resume on Sunday, with single races completed for the Super Production Challenge, the Nissan Sentra Cup, the Radical Cup Canada tour and the headlining NASCAR Pinty’s Series eBay Motors 200 (see page 10 for the beginning of the NASCAR Pinty’s Series race coverage).

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InsideTrackNews.com 33

VICTORIA DAY SPEEDFEST

Echo) to cross the stripe 0.301 seconds ahead of his rival.

Only two cars were unable to see the checkered flag, with Heroux and Briere the only drivers classified as non-finishers.

NISSAN SENTRA CUP

The opening round for the Nissan Sentra Cup season was a shortened affair as the first three laps of Saturday’s race were run behind the pace car, so that recovery crews could rescue the No. 116 Sentra of Eric Chaput from the Turn 2 tire wall. Going back to green on Lap 4, a three-car train that included Alexandre Fortin (No. 32), Justin Arsenault (No. 36) and the No. 88 of Simon Charbonneau broke away at the front of the field, only to see Charbonneau eliminated from the race due to a front-straight crash. On Lap 6, with the impending storm approaching, the checkered flag was thrown, earning Fortin the first win of the campaign. Series rookie Arsenault secured the runner-up position, finishing just 0.458 seconds behind Fortin, and veteran Normand Boyer (no. 11) completing the podium finishers.

In the Micra Cup division, it was Francois Angers-Routhier (No. 90) edging Raphael St-Pierre (No. 419) by 0.680 seconds for the win.

The second round for the Nissan Sentra Cup took place on Sunday morning under wet race conditions, with Charbonneau jumping out to an early lead over Arsenault and Fortin. The trio were able to distance themselves from the remainder of the field, changing positions on Lap 8 when Arsenault assumed the point just prior to a fullcourse caution. Once back under green, Charbonneau reclaimed top spot, holding on to better Arsenault by 1.274 seconds to claim his first win of the season. Race 1 winner Fortin held on to the leading pair, crossing the stripe 5.111 seconds behind the race winner.

Angers-Routhier went back-to-back in the winner’s column in the Micra division, once again defending his position against race runner-up St-Pierre. Due to many retirements in the Sentra class, Angers-Routhier was credited with a ninth place overall result.

EMZONE RADICAL CUP CANADA

(Top) The opening round of Nissan Sentra Cup season started behind the pace car, and then ended early due to an incoming storm, with Alexandre Fortin (No. 32) winning the abbreviated Race 1. (Middle) Former 1600 standout Jonathan Wollridge made his Radical Cup debut at CTMP and earned the win in Race 2 for the series at the Victoria Day Speedfest.

(Above) Three-time Canadian Pro Sport Bike champion Kenny Riedmann also made his Radical Cup debut and earned an excellent fifth-place finish on Saturday. Photos by Richard Coburn

34 Inside Track Motorsport News

Following the violent thunderstorm that caused damage to several of the Radical Cup Canada cars, a handful of drivers elected to put on a non-points-paying race for the fans. Ten of the teams rolled onto pit lane for the late afternoon contest, led to the green flag by pole-sitter and series rookie Jonathan Woolridge.

“This Radical is so much different than the Formula 1600 car that I am used to,” said Woolridge. “In the 1600, it’s all about mechanical grip, and there is not much of that. With the Radical, it has relatively less horsepower compared to the weight of the car, but the aero effects are unbelievable. I’m new at this and I’m going through (Turns) 1 and 2, flat.”

Building up a 15-second advantage over his rivals, Woolridge encountered a back marker in the hairpin turn and spun his No. 77 SR-3 to avoid contact when the door was slammed shut on his passing attempt. Struggling to re-fire the 1360cc powerplant, Woolridge lost five positions, but put on a remarkable charge, rebounding to earn the runner-up result behind former RCC Champion Matt Graham (No. 31). Defending FEL SportsCar Championship Canada TC Class champion Travis Hill has switched rides, guiding his No. 22 Radical to a third-place finish.

“We are hoping to move into IMSA next year in the LMP3 class,” said Hill, the co-owner of TWOth Autosport. “We’re driving the Radical to study the aerodynamics, something we need to learn to help us in the future. I have to say, I like this car, it rides like a go-kart, it’s fast, it bounces around, it’s very raw. But I sure miss the power

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(Left) The FEL Sportscar Championship suffered the brunt of the ‘Derecho’ induced weather, suffering severe damage to its paddock and cars, but the series feature some notable entrants, including former F1600 star and past TCR class champion Zachary Vanier. Vanier briefly competed in the Multimatic GT4 Mustang last year and returns to the series in the No. 9 Multimatic McLaren 570s. (Above) Former Radical Canada Cup champion Matt Graham earned the win in the series-opening race on Saturday.

Photos by Richard Coburn and Tim McGill

steering that we had in the Audi!”

A wet track contributed to many off-track excursions in the weekend’s second 45-minute race, although the contest went ‘clean-andgreen’ for 25 laps of the CTMP circuit. Taking the lead at the drop of the green, pole-sitter Woolridge found his mirrors filled with Hill’s No.22 machine, the TWOth Autosport car wrestling top spot away as the pair entered Turn 5 on Lap 8. Running in lockstep, the two leaders began encountering backmarkers and on Lap 14, Woolridge managed to work traffic to his advantage, sweeping back into the lead at the end of the long back straight. Woolridge and Hill exchanged positions on two more occasions, with the No. 77 Emzone Radical finally securing top spot with five-to-go, finding the pressure relieved when Hill retired with mechanical issues.

Cruising to the stripe, Woolridge took the checkered flag for his debut series victory.

“Overall, I’m pretty satisfied with our performance, but I have lots of room for improvement,” said Woolridge. “But it’s a good start to the season.”

There were several new faces in the Emzone RCC paddock at the season opener, including one seemingly out-of-place competitor.

Aboard the No. 42 SR-3 was driver Kenny Riedmann, probably better known as the three-time Canadian Pro Sport Bike champion and perennial Canadian Superbike frontrunner. In his Radical Cup Canada debut, Riedmann qualified in eighth place and earned a top-five finish in the Saturday race.

FEL SPORTSCAR CHAMPIONSHIP CANADA

Although the FEL series did not have the opportunity to race on the Speedfest weekend, there was enough activity in the pit area to suggest that this will be a series to watch in 2022.

There were 13 drivers who took times in TCR class qualifying, with 36 Inside Track Motorsport News

series newcomer Jerimy Daniel (No. 10) setting fast time. Former touring car racer Richard Boake has found a seat aboard the No. 84 Betz Pools Audi RS3, while CASC-OR GT standout Demi Chalkias has landed a ride in the No. 54 Audi.

There were even more surprises when exploring the GT4 garages.

Anthony Polito, best known for his ultra-quick VARAC vintage Mustang, has modernized his ride and will compete in the No. 22 Mustang GT4 on the FEL tour this year. Former F1600 standout Alex Ellis has returned to the track aboard the No. 38 SCB Mercedes AMG, teaming with Radical Cup driver Roberto Sabato. Perhaps the biggest surprise of all was to see long time Porsche and Audi racer Marco Cirone take to the track in the No. 81 Mark Motors Mercedes.

“I bumped into Joe Chan one day and he told me that he had this beautiful Mercedes for sale,” said Cirone, a multi-time Porsche GT3 Masters champion. “I guess my emotions got the better of me and I approached the Mark Motors team and suggested we sell the Audi TCR and try GT4 because there are lots of places we can drive it.

And they agreed.

“This car is night-and-day to the Audi. This is a big, heavy car, front-engine and rear-wheel-drive. The Audi was much, much lighter, had a four-cylinder motor and front-wheel-drive. The two cars are totally, totally different to drive.”

Another driver making a switch, sort of, is Zachary Vanier. A standout in F1600 competition, Vanier is a past TCR class champion who broke into the FEL Series with an appearance in the GT4 Multimatic Mustang last year. For 2022 Vanier is back with the Multimatic team, this time at the wheel of the No. 9 McLaren 570s.

“We are all learning about this car as we go,” said Vanier. “It’s bigger than the Mustang, but it handles like a sports car should. I like this car. I think that we proved something when we were able to put it on the GT4 pole our first time out.” IT

WICKENS'

HOMECOMING Story by Jeff Pappone hen the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge hits the track at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park on Canada Day weekend, Canadian Robert Wickens needs a few things to go right in his quest to win again at home.

The Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb Agajanian driver will celebrate Canada’s birthday by racing at home for the first time since the devastating IndyCar accident at Pocono Raceway in August 2018 that left him without full use of his legs.

After inspiring many people with his public journey to recovery, the Guelph, ON native signed a deal to race a hand-controlled Hyundai Elantra N TCR full-time in the 2022 Pilot Challenge with teammate Mark Wilkins, of Toronto, ON. “I knew for myself that I needed to return to racing, either to succeed and get back to doing what I love to do or, in a way, kind of get closure and move on to the next chapter of my life,” said Wickens.

“It’s gone well so far, and I’m now hungrier than ever to get back to those elite levels of motorsport that I was at before my injury. All I needed was someone to believe in me.”

Enter former CART driver Byran Herta, who gave the Canadian a test in May 2021 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Wickens drove the hand-controlled Hyundai Elantra set up for Michael Johnson who is paralyzed from the chest down.

Herta said there had been many occasions throughout his racing career when he wanted to lend a hand to someone facing adversity,

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CANADIAN RACING STAR BACK ON TRACK IN IMSA AND SET FOR CANADIAN RETURN AT CANADIAN TIRE MOTORSPORT PARK but he wasn’t able to do anything. Now, with Wickens, he was.

“Suddenly, there was a situation here where we could help. Robert expressed interest in trying to get back behind the wheel and it just felt like it be great to be part of this with him,” said Herta. “The basic underlying skill that makes him able to drive a race car quickly is still there. He’s just having to adapt and re-learn how to make the car do the things he wants it to.”

While Herta hasn’t tried the hand controls, he’s marvelled at the in-car camera shots of drivers using them.

“It looks busy, doesn’t it? Hands on the wheel, shifting, braking, accelerating, turning and it’s all happening with ten fingers on the steering wheel,” said Herta. “It’s fascinating to watch them do it.”

Although he’s shown incredible pace, Wickens feels a bit frustrated at times because he knows there is more in the car that he can’t extract. The biggest challenge in every race continues to be the hand-controlled braking system on his No. 33 Hyundai Elantra N TCR. Because the strength in a drivers’ legs far outpaces that of their hands, Wickens needs an assist when he grabs the brake lever.

Unfortunately, the hydraulic system that helps get the pressure right also takes away the ability to have a lighter touch with brakes in the way he would with his feet.

“The hardest thing with the hand controls is the finesse braking zones where you just need a little bit of brake, but not much, and with the hand controls I’m having a hard time getting that feel,” said Wickens. “It’s also very difficult for me to apply throttle and brake at

Wickens allowed fans to join him on his courageous recovery the same time if that is what the corner demands.” as he battled to get back onto his feet to dance with Woods at the While he’s hoping it’s not a huge issue by the time he arrives couple’s wedding in September 2019. From there, he continued to in Canada, Wickens also knows there may be several corners at display dogged determination that gained him countless new fans Canadian Tire Motorsport Park that might need a light touch on the and inspired countless more. Although his recovery plateaued and brakes that he may not be able to deliver fully. he’ll need a wheelchair for the foreseeable future, nothing could keep “For Mosport, I don’t know if Turn 1 will be a brake or not in the Wickens from finding a way to race again.

Hyundai Elantra N TCR, but I’m assuming Turn 2 will be and then His road racing veteran teammate Wilkins said that watching Turn 3 again will be a long brake drag in and so will Turn 8,” said Wickens get into the car in the season opener at Daytona and Wickens. “That will be a challenge for the hand controls more from perform to the highest levels despite limited preparation was nothing the finesse standpoint, but I’m hoping to be more homed in on my short of amazing. hand controls by then.”

On top of the braking issue, Wickens also must adapt his driving “I’m mega impressed with Robbie. He brings his ‘A’ game all the style to his new ride after almost 20 years of racing rear-wheel drive time and just really elevates our whole program,” said Wilkins. “He cars. Again here, it’s the little things that need to go right for Wickhopped in the car with very few laps in Daytona – we did a quick ens to squeeze the quickest lap time from his Elantra. test in Palm Beach – but he was up to speed right away despite “I’m still trying to program myself to remember that it’s front using completely different controls and not being particularly familwheel drive,” said Wickens. “So many times this year I’ll get some iar with the car, its setup, or anything to do with the characteristics oversteer – like Turn 1 of front-wheel drive. He did a at Sebring [International fantastic job.”

Raceway in March] – and I’m Although the pair scored a waiting to go on the throttle podium on their debut in Daybecause my brain keeps telling tona, bad luck has followed the me that the rear is sliding and No. 33 ever since. Wickens if I go on throttle it’s going to qualified on the front row at make it worse, but in frontthe second stop in Sebring wheel drive car you want to go and led the race in his stint, on throttle and pull the front only to see a late puncture around.” with Wilkins behind the wheel Wickens, who won the end their chances. In the next 2006 Formula BMW and race at Laguna Seca, Wilkins 2011 Formula Renault 3.5 got hit from behind late in Series championships before the action and they finished a joining the Mercedes squad lap down. Wilkins missed the in Deutsche Tourenwagon Mid-Ohio stop due to a family Masters, last completed hot emergency, but the luck got no laps in Canada during Honda better. That race ended with Indy Toronto weekend in another disappointing finish 2019. Less than a year after after contact and late trouble his accident, Wickens took his dropped the No. 33 from as then fiancé – now spouse – high as second in class to Toronto, ON’s Mark Wilkins (left) and Guelph, ON’s Robert Wickens (right) Karli Woods on several fast 11th at the finish. celebrate their podium finish at Daytona in February. Photos Courtesy of IMSA laps in a modified Acura NSX While he’s immediately at the Exhibition Place street circuit, much to the delight of the fans focused on the Pilot Challenge, Wickens wants to figure out how to in the grandstands. adapt the hand controls to an IndyCar once he gets the system working the way he needs. Although it sounds straightforward, adapting Speaking of Woods, Wickens also needs to produce a continthe system requires a lot more than just swapping in a new steering gency plan for Canada Day weekend, just in case the couple’s baby wheel. As it stands, the bulky underlying system that runs the hand on the way decides to make an early appearance. Although Woods controls takes up space in the Hyundai that simply doesn’t exist in isn’t due for a couple of weeks after the Chevrolet Grand Prix, Wickthe tightly packaged body of an IndyCar. ens hopes the timing doesn’t get moved up unexpectedly. WhethWhile he still dreams of getting back in North America’s top opener he’ll have a car available to drive to Indianapolis or a plane on wheel series, the 33-year-old also knows that time is running out. standby isn’t decided yet, but the possibility exists that Wickens may “At the beginning of the recovery, I always thought that I would not even get to race on the Bowmanville, ON track if things don’t go return and just immediately get back to IndyCar, but it’s a lot more according to plan. complicated than that. I don’t know if that’s ever going to be feasible The fact that Wickens can go racing in Canada again remains and right now the way the IndyCar regulations are it’s just not nothing short of a miracle. When his IndyCar got airborne after conpossible,” said Wickens. “It would be awesome to get back into an tact with another car and slammed into the catch fence at Pocono, IndyCar and go full circle on my return. I want to get back to the elite Wickens suffered extensive injuries, including fractures to his neck level in motorsport, but I also don’t want to make it back when I’m 40 and spine, both legs and hands, an elbow, and four ribs. A spinal because you don’t have that many years there before younger, faster injury left him paralyzed, although he recovered some use of his legs and smarter drivers come in behind you.” IT in rehabilitation.

InsideTrackNews.com 39

TimeAttack MOTORSPORT’S BEST KEPT SECRET

Story by J. Wally Nesbitt t has been said that it is impossible to keep a secret in a racing paddock. What about hiding an entire motorsports discipline? In Canada, Time Attack is celebrated by many but known to only the most devoted of fans.

The premise behind Time Attack is to be an entry-level form of competition where drivers can run their own vehicles under controlled conditions with the overall aim of allowing the drivers to safely push their limits and improve their driving skills. The ultimate in grassroots racing Time Attack is, like its name suggests, a race against the clock with the goal of pursuing that one, perfect lap.

“Time Attack is a competitive track event where a driver can enjoy the thrill of speed and test themselves while not facing the hazards and potential costs of actual wheel-to-wheel racing,” explained Kevin Wong, the CASC-OR Time Attack Director. “It’s one step up from lapping days and in OTA, the drivers can go as fast as they feel comfortable with the end goal of bettering their previous times.

(Above) David T. navigates the CTMP And in the case of the OTA, DDT infield in his 2019 Subaru BRZ. (Below) Brad M. in his 2018 BMW working with our iPAX Scoring M2 leads the lineup to the grid.

System, they are also able to compete against other drivers in class as well.”

The iPAX system takes into consideration a vehicle’s basic performance capabilities as determined by factory specifications and design. Factors such as power-to-weight ratios and the vehicle’s inherent handling capabilities as well as a variety of publicly available track lap times in OEM configurations by various respected publications provide a data-driven platform for ranking all newer vehicles.

Once a base line for points for a specific car make and model is established, modifications (suspension, high performance tires, aerodynamic changes) are taken into account as

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Performance Improvement Points (PIPs), further raising a particular vehicle’s final classing points total.

“That way, if you have a high-performance car with lots of power and specially tuned suspension, you will end up with a high point score and thus should be capable of chasing a very fast lap time,” explained Wong. “If you are running a basic grocery-getter, your points will be lower and subsequently, your perfect lap should theoretically be substantially lower. In order to be successful a driver needs to get as close to that perfect lap as possible.”

Because Time Attack is a true motorsport competition, there are several requirements for the drivers by the sanctioning body.

“We vet everybody who wants to enter an event, and while we are open to novices, we still require that they meet certain thresholds of association, knowledge and capability before they are allowed to compete,” said Wong. “Our drivers must be a member of an affiliated CASC-OR club and have earned a CASC Class-TA licence by attending one of our driving schools or any other qualified High Performance Driving School. This ensures that everyone on track has basic track awareness and has demonstrated a respectable level of track etiquette.”

On a typical race day event, a driver will be allowed a morning of practice lapping sessions before a driver’s meeting sets up the day’s competitive arrangements. After noon, the cars are gridded, fastest to slowest, and sent out on the track with gaps between them in order to ensure a clear track for everyone. The out lap is considered the warm-up lap and is then followed by three laps where the driver is to push as hard as they safely can for their hot laps. All laps throughout the day are recorded by professional MyLaps X2 Timing Hardware by the OTA Timing Team. Normally, three such sessions are available every day for each of the eight eligible classes (Touring A/B, Grand Touring A/B, Super Grand Touring A/B, Modified and Open Modified) with class designations determined by the competitor’s car final classing points.

One particularly appealing aspect of Time Attack is that the competitors can enter almost any roadworthy vehicle, except for Sport Utility Vehicles and any other car that may be susceptible to rollovers. The car must be in good mechanical condition and it is strongly suggested that the vehicle should be equipped with track worthy tires, preferably competition brake pads and fresh fluids, including motor oil and brake fluid.

“On the street, these cars should never get pushed as hard as they will be when on the track,” said Wong. “I won’t say that we abuse our cars in a Time Attack run, but we certainly push them to their limits.”

Dissimilar to the AutoSlalom motorsport cousins due to the fact that Time Attack events are run on established permanent circuits rather than on improvised and changeable parking lot layouts and usually at much higher speeds, in Ontario this year, CASC-OR-sanctioned Ontario Time Attack will see their competitors race at several different venues. Included on the 2022 Ontario calendar are the Driver Development Track and the Grand Prix circuits of Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, two different configurations of Shannonville Motorsports Park, with the schedule completed by two visits to Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, ON. “There is a real challenge to the drivers due to the variety of tracks that we race on,” said Wong. “The DDT track at Mosport (CTMP) is probably the most technically demanding track we run and is biased towards the better handling cars. When we go next door to the main

(Top) Leo Z. flies by in his 2018 BMW M2 on a hot lap during competition.

(Above) Two-time Touring B champion Daniel S., in his 2005 Toyota Echo Hatch, proves that Time Attack is open to all sorts of budgets!

Photos by Anthony Ho, Dimitri Mochkin and Michael Tan

CTMP track, the more power, the better. But you really need to know your limits. With the speeds that we can reach, a mistake could spell big trouble.

“We will go with back-to-back days at Shannonville, running the shorter Pro Track on Saturday while switching to the Long Track on Sunday. On the long track, there are a lot of technical infield sections that put the focus on cornering whereas the Pro Track is highlighted by the two long straights at Shannonville.”

Wong noted the two events at Toronto Motorsports Park are generally the competitor’s favourite stops.

“Most of our drivers started out by doing lapping days to TMP, they know the layout. And it’s a good track, it’s flat with lots of variable turns.”

Michael Kosior is a four-year veteran on the OTA tour and this year is pursuing a driver’s championship in the SGT-A class aboard his 2001 right-hand drive Mitsubishi Lancer.

“The best part of Time Attack is that you can race with very little expense or you can go overboard. I’m kind of in the middle,” joked Kosior. “I’ve installed a roll bar and a digital dash and there are lots of carbon fibre panels in my car. I really haven’t done anything in the way of aero modifications, but I’ve tuned the engine to where it’s now pushing out about 500 bhp. To get the best use of that power, I’ve installed a coil-over shock package and run on Yokohama high performance tires.

“To some, it may seem kind of silly to spend that kind of money just to try and achieve that one, perfect lap, but I’ve been doing this for several years now, and have yet to do it. There are so many variables, that ideal lap is a very hard goal. But I’ll get one someday.”

To discover more about Time Attack, fans are invited to check out the websites, www.ontariotimeattack.ca. in Ontario, www.ascc.ca in the Maritimes, www.cscc.ab.ca in Alberta, or www.caccautosport.org in British Columbia. IT InsideTrackNews.com 41

I NEWS

SUPER STREET CHAMPION ED SZRAM Reigning Canada Heads-Up Class Champion is Ready to Defend his Title Story by J. Wally Nesbitt f you happened to have attended the 2020 Motorama Show and wandered through the Motorsports Expo portion, you probably would have noticed an awe-inspiring Camaro drag racing car. Enjoying a recent re-freshening, Ed Szram’s 1969 Z28 was built upon a Tim McAmis chassis kit and boasted a highly stylized and sleek Joe Van Overbeek Camaro body. The project was completed by a custom paint job courtesy of Jeff Gable, the Mercedes Grey overall colour highlighted with black accent stripes.

“We were quite pleased to be able to unveil the car at Motorama, it was pretty fresh at the time,” said Szram. “And I think a lot of other people liked it too. We won the ‘Best Appearing Drag Car’ and the ‘Best Engineered Drag Car’ awards at that show.”

Szram explained the progression of his Camaro’s build.

“We’ve had the chassis for about ten years, but once we decided to focus on getting it race ready, the entire project, from bare-bones chassis to finished product, took us about four years, and that was with (Crew Chief) Russ Ransome, my dad Gene and my sons Chadwick and Clayton all working on it.”

Unfortunately, the car would remain a show piece until 2021 due to the pandemic lockdown, the newly rebuilt nitrous assisted 692 C.I.D. Big Block Chevy powerplant under the bodywork not getting fired up in anger until the 2021 season- opening round of the Canada Heads-Up (CHU) Racing tour at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga.

Entered in the CHU Super Street Points Championship, Szram set an early high standard for himself, and a dozen class rivals. Taking his Canada Heads-Up series’ debut class win in the second event of the year (the first scheduled race date was rained out), Szram rolled along throughout the remaining three race weekends, setting solid qualifying times (either first or second in every event) and recording five round victories while setting a record for the fastest Nitrous Car (4.305 seconds over an 1/8mile) in Super Street.

His consistent results would eventually lead Szram to the 2021 Super Street Champion over perennial frontrunner Frankie Doldo.

“It was a steep learning curve for sure, going to a small tire class,” admitted the Mount Albert, ON resident. “With the nitrous

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Ed Szram’s 2021 title winning season included five round victories and a record for the fastest Nitrous Car in Super Street with a run of 4.305 seconds over an 1/8-mile. Photos by Blake Farnan

assist, we’re putting about 1,800 horsepower to the tires. It takes a gentle hand to drive it properly.”

The Canada Heads-Up championship crown was the culmination of a 30-year involvement with the sport of drag racing.

“I was always passionate about cars. I bought my first car when I was 15 years old and I’m still working on them in my shop (E.S. Automotive) in Newmarket,” said Szram. “No one else in my family was very interested in the sport part, but drag racing became a passion for me. On the track, I started out bracket racing a 1969 Firebird at Cayuga where we were always competitive. We eventually picked up the chassis we’re running now and ran in the Top ET Sportsman class at Grand Bend.

“We had a couple of mishaps over the years, and we always upgraded our package whenever we had the car apart. The biggest modification came when we pulled the origin-

al 555 (cubic-inch) Chevy motor out of it and fitted in the 692.”

When the Canada Heads-Up Tour was introduced in 2019, it immediately attracted Szram’s attention.

“Coming from Bracket Racing, I was happy to put the shoe polish away, take the numbers off the window, and go strictly heads-up.

We had the car, the crew, and the desire to make the switch, and we have finished top five in each of the three seasons. I think that proves that we made to right decision to run the Canada Heads-Up format.”

Determined to maintain his hold on the Super Street Championship, Szram and his team will once again head the charge at Toronto Motorsports Park with plans to run the entire six-date schedule, a calendar that includes the July 29-31 Smackdown 6 event.

“We’ve got a proven package, and the motor has been freshened,” concluded Szram.

“All we need now is that green light.” IT

I NEWS

DRAGSTRIP MEMORIES

Story and Photos by Greg MacPherson ollowing a pandemic-induced hiatus, the popular Dragstrip Memories show returned to Hamilton, ON’s Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, on April 10.

The event presented a wide assortment of historic drag racing vehicles and memorabilia. The racing machines were interspersed with many of the museum’s incredible planes. Several car clubs also had displays, including the Hamilton-based Road Runners and Rod Masters, as well as the East London Timing Association (ELTA).

Demonstrating that people are keen to get back to doing the things they love, the event drew a huge crowd as evidenced by people parking on the lawn of the museum, as well as on one of the adjacent runways. IT

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I NEWS

RALLYE PERCE-NEIGE Mailloux and Poirier Win 2022 Canadian Rally Championship Opener Story Courtesy Carsrally.ca érome Mailloux and Philippe Poirier drove their Test Racing Subaru to the top step at Rallye Perce-Neige, the opening round of the 2022 Canadian Rally Championship held in Maniwaki, Quebec. Usually taking place on ice and snow-covered roads in February, this year’s event was postponed to April 2. Warm spring conditions meant the teams faced a wide range of thawing road conditions, from hard gravel to deep mud and water crossings.

After extending an early 34-second lead on the hard-packed town stages, Mailloux and Poirier were hoping to rely on that cushion of time through the treacherous deep-forest stages in the afternoon. However, they would not be allowed to relax with a fast group of teams chasing them down. After fending off the competition, they arrived at the end of the shortened event to celebrate the win with their Test Racing team.

The reigning champions, André and René Leblanc, pushed hard to stay within striking distance of Mailloux, and took the lead after a strong performance on the first two stages in the afternoon. However, they admitted their approach through the rough and water-saturated 29km Tortue stage was too cautious, and they dropped back into second.

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(Above) Perce-Neige overall winners Jérome Mailloux and Philippe Poirier. (Below) 2WD class winners Marc-Oliver Leblanc and Marc-Olivier Cavanagh. Photos Courtesy Carsrally.ca

On the last stage of the rally, they were caught by the ruts and sent into the snowbank where they lost nearly nine minutes before being pulled out by Alexandre Moreau, dropping them to fifth overall at the finish.

Local heroes Olivier Martel and Vincent Hubert were consistent all day long, finishing almost every stage in the top four and earning a stage win. The consistency and speed paid off with a second-place overall finish, exceeding their expectations and staking their

claim as a championship contender in 2022.

Marc-Andre Brisebois and Marie-France Desmarais took some time getting up to speed in their brand new wide-body Subaru but ramped up the pace over the course of the 11 stages. The 2021 runners-up have their sights set on the title this year, and started their season with a third place finish.

In two-wheel-drive class, Chris Greenhouse and Ryan Scott got out to an early lead but suffered a driveline failure on the high-speed Blue Sea stage. A frustrated Greenhouse was able to repair the car at service but lost more than 13 minutes to the leaders.

Veteran rally driver Mal Swann and co-driver Timothy Dine powered their turbocharged, rear-wheel drive Volvo into a commanding class lead, only to suffer a heartbreaking electrical failure on the highway just a few kilometres shy of the finish time control.

This promoted a surprised Marc-Oliver Leblanc and Marc-Olivier Cavanagh into the top spot for their maiden National class win.

Greenhouse climbed his way back to second, with the Volkswagen of Hans Larose and Alexandre Pesant rounding out the class podium. IT

AERODYNAMIC

‘PORPOISING’

The aerodynamic phenomenon ‘Porpoising’ gets its name because it resembles the small aquatic mammal entering and exiting the water (above).

Photo Courtesy the Canadian Encyclopedia

I

’ve told a bit of the story of Multimatic Motorsports’ greatest achievement in a previous issue of this esteemed journal; our LMP675 class win at Le Mans in 2000, some say eclipsed by the outright win at the 12 hours of Sebring in 2020, but that wasn’t done with a borrowed engine, stolen gearbox parts and a budget smaller than what Mazda spent in Florida on hospitality. Both were sweet but the former more of a triumph in an underdog overcoming adversity kind of way, although people can always argue that trying to climb Mount Everest in hockey skates is a self-inflicted difficultly that nobody ultimately appreciates or respects. All of that aside, the full story will have to wait for my book, and it shall have a dedicated chapter that ends with the significance of the coffee table in my Canadian house (which isn’t really a house).

But there was an aspect of that first go at Le Mans that introduced me to a vehicle dynamics phenomenon that moved my skill set up yet another rung of the race engineering ladder (the climb is still happening, almost every time I strap on the headset). Multimatic Motorsports started racing in 1992 with a Ford Taurus SHO in the Canadian Firehawk series, moved on to Mustangs that, although having rear spoilers/wings bolted to their trunk lids, were ostensibly road cars with at-track “tuning” limited to messing with the elements that controlled mechanical grip (springs, shocks and anti-roll bars).

But in 1995 we jumped into a program to engineer and build an IMSA GTS car from scratch to continue the development of our engineering capabilities in motorsport, showcase some unique technology (the ‘Suspension Module,’ more on that another time)

46 Inside Track Motorsport News

and move our ever more skilled race team to the next level. And with that move we added an extra dimension to the performance tuning suite…aerodynamics!!

Up until that time all I really knew of the “aero” corner of the motorsport world was what I read in magazines and books, and, of course, what I had learned in Fluid Dynamics at University (yep, air is a fluid). Although my professor was a little difficult to hang onto in most lectures (or was that my issue?), I completely ‘got’ everything after we had slogged through the Navier–Stokes stuff, which is based on non-linear differential equations, that aspect also proving a challenge because our differential equations course was scheduled in the same term as “Fluids” (how the hell was that supposed to work…my buddy Angus struggled with it more than I). That aside, it was when we moved on (and actually back in history) to Newton’s original work that developed a theory for ‘air resistance,’ followed

by Bernoulli’s principle (the really important bit that understandably describes the relationship between pressure, density and velocity in incompressible flow…most relevant to this present dissertation being that if you accelerate flow the pressure drops, it’s why airplanes fly!) and then Euler (from which the Navier-Stokes equations were developed, which closed that loop). I still have my ‘cheat sheets’ from both terms of ‘Fluids’ and they are still helpful…somehow a self-written (in very tiny script) 8.5” x 11” piece of paper (jammed with formula both sides) is way more helpful than the raft of books that I have accumulated over the years (by the way, that one pager was allowed in exams…so it wasn’t really a “cheat” at all).

So having been a true racer since the age of 14 (spectating having started much earlier) all that aerodynamic content was soaked up like crazy, but when we got to building our GTS car, it was all for naught. The rear wing was a rules-specified piece; the section shape, length and location fixed. And the front-end aero design, which needed a great deal of help to balance the rear wing on the new for 1994 Mustang body that Ford Racing had developed for Trans-Am and IMSA GTS, was basically handed to us by Don Haywood, the program manager for all things road racing at the ‘Blue Oval’ during that period. Although I would have liked to develop the front-end aero for our car the reality was the design, we were gifted was way beyond anything I could have come up with. Two years later we did add an aero feature of our own that gave a load of front grip via aerodynamics, or more accurately lift reduction: hood louvres, which created quite a controversy within our class, and kicked-off my first big battle with Dave Watson, the technical brains behind the RVO Camaro that we battled against at the front of the championship in 1997. More was to come when Dave became the Technical Director of GrandAm some years later, proving that you gotta live by the old German adage: “You always meet twice in life.”

I never found out if Don really had permission to give us what he did back in 1995 because it had been developed by Max Jones and his guys at Roush, with only wind tunnel support from Ford. It was the first piece of underfloor aerodynamics that I had directly encountered (many, many years after the Lotus 78 dominated the 1977 Formula 1 World Championship with the entire underbody being used in such a way). It was basically a pair of diffusers on either side of the front ‘splitter’ (which was flat between the wheels) that not only created an acceleration of the flow under the front of the car with an expansion shape but were also slightly twisted to attempt to blow the air out sideways in front of the tires (to clean-up the aero mess that was going on in the wheelhouse). A diffuser uses Bernoulli’s principle of creating low pressure (to ‘suck’ the car down) by implementing a diverging section behind a ‘throat’ to accelerate the air passing under the front of the car. The throat is created by the gap between the front lower edge of the car’s fascia and the ground (the lower the better, unfortunately that is also regulated, but pulling it down with its own aero is self-helping, to a limit. More good stuff is not always better, like when drinking Scotch, explained later) and the expansion is designed into the underfloor behind the leading edge (see Figure 1).

I conceptually got it the minute the drawings arrived and Brad Watson, the brilliant builder of that first Multimatic chassis (and many others), had them ‘wheeled up’ and attached to the front underbody in a matter of days. Although we didn’t have access to a wind tunnel at that time there was no doubt the tweak worked because the car instantly found front grip and we finished on the podium in our very first race at Lime Rock (behind the two factory Brix Oldsmobiles and in front of Johnny O’Connell’s factory Nissan 300ZX). And once we added the louvres in 1997 the only thing that stopped us from winning the championship was the arrival of the new FIA GT1 cars (carbon tubs and bodies that didn’t resemble any road cars that I recognized).

Roll-on Le Mans at the end of April 2000 and there we were with our Lola B2K/40 for prequalifying. Chassis designed and built by Multimatic, body and package by Lola, with suspension being a collaborative effort, our Dynamic Suspension dampers tightly packaged below the aerodynamic driven bodywork (that aspect dictated by Lola’s Technical Director of that time, Frank Dernie). The aero package included a rear diffuser, rear wing and really trick front splitter/

FIGURE 1

(Above) The aggressive front splitter and diffuser of the Ford GT. (Top) Figure 1: A section through the front-end photograph of the Ford GT. Photo Courtesy of Multimatic / Illustration by Larry Holt

diffuser. We had encountered some expected teething problems after an extremely late delivery (the week before prequalifying we got a kit of parts, not a car), the worst being that at our first shakedown the alternator drive belt refused to stay in touch with its pulleys.

That turned into a bit of a science project to fix, with some invaluable help from my great friend, Larry Ferriman, at Litens Automotive (the industry leaders in FEAD tensioner technology).

The car ran pretty well from a reliability perspective at that first weekend at La Sarthe, with most of our effort being directed at getting all three drivers in the show (another story for another day), but this became more challenging when John Graham came in after one lap with his custom fit prescription sports glasses down around his mouth. The car was bouncing so bad on the Mulsanne that John wasn’t the only one with focus issues; Scott and Greg also complained that everything was blurry just because of the high frequency vertical motion from the front of the little Lola. WTF? And WTF did we know about this phenomenon? The answer was nothing, and so we twisted on the front damper knobs a bit, with a slight improvement, but still nothing that could have stopped the three of them pissing blood after a full stint. We really couldn’t set much of a competitive time but got the car and drivers into the show and immediately headed back to England to try and figure out what was going on. As we had the very first car nobody else had run one, so we were fully on our own.

The first thing that I figured we needed to do was get it on the four-post rig and have Dave Williams take a look (for background see my piece on Dave in ITMN 25.08); we hadn’t had time to do that previously because of the alternator drive thrash. And before even rolling it onto the wheel pads DAW just shook his head and made the InsideTrackNews.com 47

statement “you need to run some bump rubbers and packers to stop the front diffuser stalling.” Oh yeah, I thought, the old stalling the diffuser chestnut. I had read about this behaviour and had even spent a lot of time working with bump rubbers and packers, but mostly to keep the cars from bottoming at high speed as the aero load pushed them towards the ground. But other than our GTS car I had only really experienced conventional wing generated downforce, which isn’t so susceptible to ground effect stalling. Dave, being an aircraft man, explained it to me in terms of aeroelasticity, which although not a purist’s view, completely brought it home to me, and it is how I will convey it to you.

There is a whole field of aircraft design focused on the topic of aeroelasticity. This term refers to the interaction of the aerodynamic and stiffness characteristics of an aerodynamic element (e.g., a wing), usually associated with aircraft. A layman’s explanation of the phenomenon goes something like this: Every structure has a level of ‘elastic’ behaviour (the opposite of rigid…most things deflect when you apply a force/load to them, it’s a fact) and the aero force/load generated by an aerodynamic element is highly dependent on its shape and orientation to the air flow…do you see where I’m going with this? If the aero loads create elastic deflection that changes the performance of the aerodynamic element that then increases the aero loads, then bad things can happen, conversely good things can happen as well (downforce increases). Wikipedia gives a great explanation of three aeroelastic bad things (with my editorial comments in brackets): Divergence, where the aerodynamic forces increase the angle of attack of a wing, which further increases the forces (boom, wing failure or a stall); Control Reversal, where control activation produces an opposite aerodynamic moment that reduces, or in extreme cases, reverses the control effectiveness (can be seriously problematic, also “boom,” but has been mitigated with sophisticated controls algorithms which allow non-stable aircraft to be flown…I’m not an advocate, but many are, including DAW); and Flutter, which is the uncontained vibration that can lead to the destruction of an aircraft (not my words, but true, and not fully descriptive of what is actually going on, this is a second order effect where the load increases and decreases in response to the aerodynamic element going into a form of resonance).

It is the last of these that most closely describes what happened to our B2K/40 back in 2000 and ironically it is not something that can be identified on the four-post rig because, although we apply aerodynamic download to the car when testing its dynamic response, that force is fixed and does not dynamically interact with the ride height, and has no real connection to the ground inputs driving the suspension (the primary purpose of the rig); that level of loop closure would blow my, and a lot of other clever people’s, mind.

But, for sure, the phenomenon is something that can be identified in a wind tunnel, and has been, which has pissed off a lot of operators and ended with belt damage that cost a lot of money to fix (experience talking).

The way we solved the problem with the little Lola in the few weeks between the test and the race was to add a bump rubber to significantly pick-up the suspension load (beyond what the spring could produce), creating a non-linear rate so that the more aerodynamic force that was produced, the more spring rate was applied as the front of car got lower, until it was almost solid when the throat became close to stalling the diffuser. The ride height at which this rate change occurred could be tuned with small spacers (‘packers’). If done properly a ‘packer gap’ is left in which the spring works without the bump rubber being in contact which gives a soft rate at low speed resulting 48 Inside Track Motorsport News

FIGURE 2

(Above) The ‘Porpoising’ challenges current Formula 1 teams are facing with their 2022 machines are similar to what Multimatic had to battle with its 2000 Lola B2K/40 Le Mans entry. (Top) Figure 2: How bump rubbers and packers are installed on a spring/damper.

Photo Courtesy of Multimatic / Illustration by Larry Holt

in high lateral grip in the corners but keeps the car off the ground at high speed, the best of both worlds (see Figure 2).

So, what was it we were fixing? ‘Porpoising,’ just like all the clever Formula 1 teams have been dealing with this year since they reintroduced underfloor aerodynamics at the beginning of the season. So not only do you always meet people twice in life, but you also always seem to encounter problems at least twice, if you’re old enough. The mechanism that causes the issue is the underfloor aero generating downforce, as I previously described, by accelerating air through a ‘throat’ using a ‘diffuser.’ As the vehicle speed goes up, the airflow velocity increases under the car, which in turn creates higher and higher downforce, pulling the car further and further down on its suspension (the ‘elastic’ bit, not actual structurally related, but kind of equivalent), and that closes the throat of the diffuser, which accelerates the air flow faster than the car is accelerating (by a good bit) and if the throat (ride height) gets small enough then the velocity ratio exceeds a magic limit and whole thing ‘stalls’ (completely loses its low pressure), and if things get too out of control the front of the car will actually contact the ground and all the downforce instantaneously comes off and it pops up (violently), but then gets immediately pulled down again (unless the driver lifts). If he bravely stays in it, then the data will allow the race engineer to exactly ascertain the natural frequency of the front suspension coupling with the aero in heave.

We had all kinds of road rash on the bottom of the front diffuser that day back in April 2000, it was pinching off the air flow completely and the car was violently jumping up and down in a similar manner to what you can see from the in-car cameras of the new crop of Formula 1 machinery. And that is called Porpoising because apparently it resembles that small aquatic mammal in the way it enters and exits the water while frolicking with its friends. Cute, but the Porpoise actually chooses to do it. IT

I OPINION

LOOKING BACK

By Dave Mathers

SCOTT WILSON AND THE TIME MACHINE

M

ention the name ‘The Time Machine’ around a bunch of old-time racers and someone will surely say, “Scott Wilson.”

Wilson was a dominant force, in the 1960s, when Top Fuel was run every Sunday at St. Thomas Dragway, as well as at Grand Bend and Cayuga. A London, ON native, Wilson started drag racing in the early 1960s with a small block roadster. In 1963, he stepped up and built a Top Fuel dragster with – at first – a Mopar ‘wedge,’ followed by the traditional 392 Hemi.

Wilson laughs recalling there were no mail order speed shops (other than Honest Charley), and that he had to find his own parts. He mentioned once spending a whole day in an Army surplus scrap yard, near Toronto, taking superchargers off tank engines. Wilson operated out of a two-car garage, next to his home on Hamilton Road.

And he always built his own engines. As he got better at it, he began winning races.

In 1966, Wilson decided it would be a good idea to go to the NHRA Nationals in Indianapolis. He bought a brand new 1966 Ford pickup with a 390 cubic inch four-barrel carburetor and put a topper on the box.

He headed out with Ev Rowse, driver of the Rankin Ford ‘Wild Child,’ a 1965 Falcon A/FX that I ended up owning in the 1990s.

Riding with him – in lawn chairs in the pickup box – were Alex Litt, the owner of BS&B Radiator, and Bud Polhill.

Heading into Windsor, ON, a tire blew, and Wilson managed to safely get over onto the shoulder of the 401. The incident raised their heart rates as they were carrying their own nitro fuel. Upon inspection, one pipe of the dual exhaust system that Wilson had installed was too close to the spare tire and it had blown. I was working at Indy, and Litt related the story to me – wide-eyed – telling me just how scared they had all been.

In the summer of 1966, Marvin Richfin of M & H Racing Tires put on a big 32-car Top Fuel show in Hartford, CT. The event drew the best cars east of the Mississippi. Wilson waded through four rounds and made it to the Final, but he’d hurt his motor in the Semi, cracking a cylinder. To ‘kill’ that cylinder, he grounded the spark plug over to the blower.

Everyone noticed what he’d done, includ-

50 Inside Track Motorsport News

(Above) London, ON’s Scott Wilson was a standout Top Fuel drag racer in the 1960s.

Photo Courtesy of Dave Mathers

ing all the speed magazines that were there to cover this big event. Wilson’s rival heard, as well, and figured he had the race won. But the guy counted his chickens too soon and had a slow reaction time. Wilson won the event while sending some very interesting flames out of the one header.

Wilson’s performances were now garnering some attention, including from John ‘Igor’ Phillips, Ford of Canada’s Performance Advisor. Ford had been rebuffed by NASCAR in its attempts to get the new SOHC 427 ‘Cammer’ approved, so they turned their attention to drag racing. They signed several teams in the US, and asked Phillips to recruit a Canadian. Wilson was the logical choice, and a deal was reached.

He got three motors, two of which he built into blown nitro engines. The third motor went to Herbie ‘Go Fast’ Rogers, who had been running an injected nitro small block B/FD in Top Fuel. Herb put the ‘Cammer’ in his car, with injection only, thus becoming an A/FD…and he ran even better.

Ford thought it would be a good idea to get the top Ford Top Fuel teams together in Englishtown, NJ, to ‘share knowledge’ as well as test their combinations. Joining Wilson were ‘Sneaky Pete’ Robinson, Don Prudhomme (in Lou Blaney’s car) and Conrad ‘Connie’

Kalitta. Wilson laughingly recalls that, ‘no information, whatsoever’ was exchanged.

But it was, in fact, a fun day and he got in lots of runs.

However, something good did come out of the test. Wilson was able to make connections with several of the top speed merchants of the day, connections that made his fueler both quicker and faster. And later, it made his oval racing Super Modified a powerhouse.

In the fall of 1967, Ford rented St. Thomas Dragway to introduce its 1968 new model cars and trucks. I made a pass in one of the Cobra Jets, and as I turned onto the return road, I noticed an F250 4x4 stuck in the ditch. I stopped, walked over and it was Wilson. I told him to take the CJ back up and send back the tow truck. As I walked around the front of the truck, I reached down and locked the front hubs. I came up out of the ditch and followed Wilson right back to the lanes. “How did you do that,” he asked.

“Superior driving skills,” I replied. There was much laughter after I showed him the locking hubs.

That same year, Igor and Bob Harvey thought it would be a great idea to have a match race between the two London Ford ‘Cammer’ race cars; Wilson in the ‘Time

Machine’ and Ev Rowse in the ‘Wild Child.’

Well, how are you going to do that?

Rowse started back at the fence, and when he crossed the starting line, Scott would leave. To this day, Rowse still talks about how much the car shook when Wilson blew by him, just before the traps. He said he’d never experienced noise like that in his life.

And the crowd went wild!

In 1968, Wilson was match racing with the ‘Ramchargers’ at Windsor Dragway.

Dan Knapp mentioned he had a “spare” 426 Hemi that Scott should “try.”

Next time back at Windsor, Wilson was running the Hemi with the ‘trick’ headers that Knapp had created. He went 234 mph, but the way the headers were pointed, the flames burned his shoulders and melted his windshield. Wilson told Knapp, who laughed and replied that the same thing had happened to him! With his new connections, Wilson was able to get a ‘trick’ Mallory Supermag, a new Hilborn/Enderle injection with a big pump, and some other goodies that were not available to the public.

After installing the Hemi, he got a call from Ford that they would like to have his digger on display for a week in the showroom at the Central Office Building, in Oakville, ON. Wilson went to the Rankin Ford parts department and got two sets of individual Ford letters and stuck them on the rocker covers. A couple of days later, he got a call from Ford telling him they needed to see him right away.

He figured somebody had spotted the Hemi and headed to Ford figuring he was in trouble. He went into the office and the marketing guy told him, “We have a big problem.”

Wilson figured the jig was up…but nope. The

guy said the Ford logo on the trailer was the wrong shade of blue, but they would pay to have it repainted the right colour. Close call!

Over the years, Wilson had match races at various tracks in both Canada and the US, often coming up against Don Garlits. Several years ago, I ran into Garlits at a National event, and he asked how that “rich kid from London, with the big horsepower” was doing.

In 1969, Wilson slowed the program down a bit and partnered with Wayne ‘Hub’ Huber, who had been partnered with Jack Hyde on the ‘Jack and the Green Stock’ 1966 427/425 Biscayne.

Huber had also worked on the Sandy Elliott Racing Team before he became the High-Performance Advisor at the Central Chev High Performance Center, where I was the salesman. And later, he was the Heavy Truck Service Manager at Motion Lincoln Mercury, my old dealership in London.

In 1970, Phillips wanted to expand the Ford Racing Team and he put both Wilson and Billy Kydd in Cobra Jets. Wilson, like Kydd, found out that he did not have access to the “good parts,” so he changed direction and bought a Super Modified from Bob Seelman. He quickly realized that his big horsepower was too much for that chassis, so he got Kempton Dates to build him a new car and put his motor in it.

We were at Hub’s wedding in 1970, and at our table we had Wilson, Herbie Rogers, ‘Tiny’ Tim Wilkins, Billy Kydd and me, along with our wives. Wilson told a story that I will never forget. He had huge horsepower and qualified up front at the Oswego Classic. On the Sunday morning, he was well rested and ready to go. He saw Baldy Baker walk by, looking hung over, with a three-day beard

and he knew Baldy wouldn’t be a problem.

Five laps in, Wilson said he dove into Corner 1, ‘further than anybody had ever gone,’ and four cars passed him on the outside, including Baker who was smoking a cigarette while resting his arm on the windowsill! He came around the next time and the reader board in Corner 1 said, and I quote, “Scott, this shit’s not for you.” He sorted things out and says he would have won every race because of his power, were it not for a small issue called “corners.”

Wilson eventually decided that Top Fuelers and Super Modifieds weren’t fast enough for him, so he formed Wilson Flying Services, selling and servicing airplanes. He was based both at the London airport and at Daytona Beach, FL. One year, we were at the Speed Weeks Trade Show, in Daytona, and we ran into Wilson, and he invited us over to his winter home in Spruce Creek. He could taxi his plane from the runway right up to his house. A few doors down was NASCAR star Mark Martin. It was awesome.

He retired in 1998 and came back to London where his old crew chief Alex Litt and good friend convinced him to manage his BS&B Rad Shop for seven years.

Wilson and his wife Terry have now been retired for 17 years and live just north of Grand Bend. He has been inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame, the Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame and the London Sports Hall of Fame.

He is the ultimate storyteller, and he can hold the room, He’s 83 but looks 20 years younger and is thinner than he was when he raced. He’s lived a very enjoyable and successful life, doing things that others can only dream about. IT

InsideTrackNews.com 51

I OPINION

TOMAS TALES

By Erik Tomas

LET ‘EM ALL GO!

(Above) The Economaki Library in the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing. (Right) Erik Tomas with Chris Economaki at a past Canadian Motorsports Expo in Toronto. Photos Courtesy of Erik Tomas

C

hris Economaki was considered the Dean of motorsport journalists. He was ‘The Man’ when it came to not only print coverage of our sport, but radio and television coverage as well.

He wrote his first auto racing column when he was only 14 years old and started editing the iconic National Speed Sport News in 1950 before eventually purchasing the paper outright.

His television and radio work for CBS and ABC started back in the 1960s. His face, voice and enthusiasm introduced the sport to generations of fans.

His daughter Corinne took over the operation of National Speed Sport News up to their final edition in March of 2011. Chris departed the planet a short time later in September of 2012 at the age of 92.

Once a year in my Tomas Tales column, as a huge fan of the man, I salute Economaki and the 50 years he published his Editor’s Notebook column, which was a highly entertaining stream of consciousness of racing news items, theories and opinions.

So here we go, Economaki style: It has to be the auto racing story of the year! After having a record-breaking eighth Formula 1 championship stolen from him last season by questionable race direction, Lewis Hamilton should have launched into this season with vengeful fury…Instead, Mer52 Inside Track Motorsport News

cedes gave him an uncompetitive car, and they’re not fixing it…Lewis himself conceded the championship in April…After two seasons of close to zero gate due to COVID-19 restrictions, it’s simply splendid to see the big shows back in business, the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix Montreal in June, and IndyCar’s Honda Indy Toronto in July…

Equally excellent, the regional speed-plants are wide open again across The Raceline Radio Network…Canadian Tire Motorsport Park near Toronto, Merrittville Speedway in Thorold, ON and Ransomville Speedway in Ransomville, NY are all back aboard with advertising campaigns on affiliates co-flagship Sportsnet 590 The FAN Toronto and News Talk 610 CKTB in St. Catharines, Niagara, and Western New York…Thirty years of Raceline Radio allows more than a few predictions in interviews to come to pass…In 1994, just our second season on the air, we asked then IHRA Alcohol FunnyCar champion Todd Paton if nitro drag racing was in the team’s future plans…Fast forward to 2022 and the Patons field the only regularly competing Canadian Top Fuel team…Californian Cameron Ferre took the Paton’s rail to the T/F final at the 4-Wide Nationals at Charlotte at the start of May…Does NASCAR really want us to watch their truck races on television? Why do they make the telecasts so damn close to unwatchable by running

the same promos over and repeatedly at every stop set? No spots. Just promos. The same ones. Ad nauseam. I’ve worn out the mute button on my remote! Can they not be more creative than that? The larcenous price of gasoline at the pumps and the related sky-high price for racing fuel isn’t the only challenge facing race teams. The constipated supply chain means racing tires in most quarters are extremely hard to come by and a lot more expensive. It takes approximately seven gallons of oil to make one tire, and with the skyrocketing price of crude, blamed conveniently on the Russia/Ukraine war, it’s a major assault on the racing budgets!

TALE PIPES Inside The Eastern Museum of Motor Racing in York Springs Pennsylvania, not far from Williams Grove Speedway in the heart of sprint car country, you’ll find The Chris Economaki Library. It’s a room full of Chris’s books, awards, research material and mementos. Economaki was so taken with the museum he left them a sizeable donation in his will. The Eastern Museum of Motor Racing is a must-see if you’re ever in that area of the US. So is nearby Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown PA, a short drive from Gettysburg. It’s a very fast oval well-suited to sprint cars. Its most notable feature is the bright red clay! The iron rich soil produces oxide (rust) that gives the clay the unusual colour. ET/IT

InsideTrackNews.com 53

I NEWS

ON THE COMEBACK Canadian Snowmobile Racing Recovers Story by Ron Rombough or the past two years, motorsports around the world have been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Canadian snowmobile racing has been no exception.

As with most other forms of racing, restrictions have forced events to be rescheduled, restricted, or cancelled altogether.

But things are starting to return to a sense of normalcy, as demonstrated by the Canadian Power Toboggan Championships (CPTC) – the oldest snowmobile race on the planet – being held, in March, in Beausejour, MB. The venue, located just east of Winnipeg, MB saw fewer spectators and competitors than in past years. Gunnar Sterne of the US successfully defended his championship on his Red Bull Skidoo. Unfortunately, two other events usually held in Eastern Canada – each with more than 40 years of history behind them – did not take place and will have to look ahead to next winter to resume their traditions.

The Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt (just south of Montreal, QC) and the Bonnechere Cup (Eganville, ON) both fell victim to the

F

54 Inside Track Motorsport News

pandemic in 2021 and 2022.

The Canadian Snowcross Racing Association (CSRA) lost its last two races of 2020 to COVID, and only managed an abbreviated three-race schedule in 2021. The events took place in Lindsay, ON with no spectators and a limited number of competitors.

But the CSRA put on a full schedule of races, in various locations, this past winter.

Bracebridge, ON racer Taylor McCoy backed up his Pro Open championship from 2021 on his St. Onge Pro Street Powersports Skidoo.

The Ontario Snowmobile Oval Racers (OSOR) completed its 2020 schedule, in Cochrane, ON, just as the lockdowns were being implemented, in mid-March of that year.

Sadly, the entire 2021 racing season was scrubbed as there were no venues willing to host events as the pandemic dragged on.

This past winter, however, an abbreviated schedule included races at Viamede Resort, on Stoney Lake, just north of Peterborough, ON. The season finale once again took place in Cochrane, ON on March 12-13, almost two years to the day from the start of the North American lockdowns.

Drummondville, QC racer Sabrina Blanchet won the featured Super Modified class at the OSOR’s season-ending race in Cochrane, Ontario, in mid-March, to earn the Polar Bear Cup. Photo courtesy Bill Murphy

Sabrina Blanchet made the long drive from Drummondville, QC, and the trip was worthwhile as ‘SuperGirl’ raced her Howard Gifford-built, RM Stator-sponsored Skidoo to an easy green-to-checkered flag victory in the featured Super Modified class. For her efforts and achievements, she was rewarded with the $1,000 first place prize money and the coveted Polar Bear Cup. Next year, there is reason for optimism that the ‘new normal’ will look a lot like the ‘old normal’ for the Canadian snowmobile racing scene. IT

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InsideTrackNews.com 57

WHEEL TECH GROUP: SUPERSPEED FLOFORM RF03RR

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he mission for RF03RR is the most popular model in Superspeed Wheel’s FlowForm Series lineup. The RF03RR is simple, yet complex, and provides an all-in-one wheel that is extremely lightweight, offers great rigidity and excellent big brake clearance while able to cover most of the sport compact applications on the market.

With more than decade of experience in designing and manufacturing aftermarket wheels, Superspeed Wheels aims to apply the latest industry technology, the broadest range of applications, and the best quality to their products.

There’s no compromise. At Superspeed, they’ve put all their knowledge and experience on each different aspect of the business, from engineering, designing, manufacturing and packaging to sales. Superspeed believes they can use their vision to shape the industry.

The RF03RR is available from the Concord, ON-based Wheel Tech Group Inc. Wheel Tech offers a full line of performance aftermarket wheels Superspeed, Blackhorn Off-Road and OEPlus.

For more information on Wheel Tech Group Inc. products, and to find dealers in your area, visit wheeltechgp.com, super-speed.ca, or scan the QR code provided with your smartphone. IT

58 Inside Track Motorsport News

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InsideTrackNews.com 59

PETERBOROUGH SPEEDWAY Brad Lavalle made his first visit of the season to Victory Lane when he earned the checkered flag following the June 4 Bone Stock feature at the high-banked, one-third-mile Peterborough oval. Lavalle started on the front row and led all 20 laps.

PETERBOROUGH SPEEDWAY There was no such thing as ‘new car blues’ for Late Model legend Dan McHattie, on June 4 at Peterborough Speedway. The veteran wheeled the new machine he built during the off-season to Victory Lane at the end of the 25-lap main.

Photo courtesy Melissa Smits / OneNine Marketing

Photo courtesy Melissa Smits / OneNine Marketing

OUTLAW MIDGET SERIES The Outlaw Midget Series was in action at Peterborough Speedway on June 4. Larry Lawson took the early lead, but it was Jessica James who worked her way through the field and took the lead at the hallway mark, before going on to take the checkered flag.

QWICK WICK SUPER STOCKS Also, on the June 4 card at Flamboro Speedway were the Qwick Wick Super Stocks, opening their 2022 season. Defending series champion Lane Zardo qualified fastest of the 18 cars in attendance and came from fifth on the grid to take the victory.

Photo courtesy Melissa Smits / OneNine Marketing

Photo courtesy Peter Anderson

MARITIME STREET STOCK SERIES Michael Cormier (Grand-Barachois, NB) picked up where he left off in 2021 with the Maritime Street Stock Series. The defending champ won the 100-lap feature on June 4 at New Brunswick’s Petty International Raceway. The victory earned Cormier a $4,000 payday.

ONTARIO MODIFIED RACING SERIES Chad Strawn kicked off the 2022 Ontario Modifieds Racing Series season with a checkered flag on May 28 at Peterborough Speedway. Alex Cuzilla hounded Strawn in the late going but settled for second.

Photo courtesy Tanya Everett Photography

Photo courtesy Jim Clarke / Clarke Motorsports Communications

60 Inside Track Motorsport News

500,000 parts at your local pit stop, that’s NAPA know-how.

When you need the right part, right now, your local NAPA Auto Parts has it in stock to get you back in the race in no time.

InsideTrackNews.com 61

ONTARIO PRO CHALLENGE There were two Ontario Pro Challenge features on May 28 at Flamboro Speedway. Tim Norris won the first, while his son, Mike (shown), won the second. In both features, the Norris who didn’t win… finished second.

SUPER DIRTCAR SERIES In addition to his fulltime NASCAR Truck Series program, Busy Canadian racer Stewart Friesen still finds time to race in the Super DIRTcar Series. On May 29, Friesen won the Heroes Remembered 100 at Weedsport (NY) Speedway.

Photo courtesy Derek Smith / RacePulse.com

Photo courtesy DIRTcar / Helen Bruce

SPEEDWAY 660 Dave O’Blenis of Boundary Creek, NB, reached a major career milestone, on May 29, when he won his 100th feature. The feat took place at Speedway 660 in Geary, NB.

MARITIME LEAGUE OF LEGENDS Danny Chisholm (middle) of Canning, NS went to Victory Lane following the season opener for the Maritime League of Legends, held May 29 at Speedway 660 in Geary, NB. Rookie Josh Langille (left) and Owen Mahar (right) were second and third, respectively.

Photo courtesy Tim’s Corner

Photo courtesy Tim’s Corner

SUNSET SPEEDWAY The OSCAAR Hot Rods were in action May 22 at Sunset Speedway.

CMHF member ‘Stompin’ Tom Walters (middle) won the feature, ahead of Bill Zardo Sr. (left), making a rare start just days before he was inducted into the CMHF. Donny Beatty (right) finished third.

DINOSAUR DOWNS SPEEDWAY On May 7, the IMCA Modifieds were in action at Dinosaur Downs Speedway, in Drumheller, Alberta. Roger Bonneville of Strathmore, Alberta – starting his 55th continuous year of racing – won the features on May 7 and 8!

Photo by Dave Franks

Photo courtesy Carol Douglas

62 Inside Track Motorsport News

InsideTrackNews.com 63

MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY Legendary racer Pete Bicknell made the familiar trip to Merrittville Speedway’s Victory Lane following the 35-lap 358 Modified feature race at the Thorold, Ontario dirt oval. The Hall of Fame racer held off Ryan Susice through several late-race restarts.

OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY Justin Mills took the checkered flag at the end of the 25-lap UMP / Canadian Modified feature on June 10 at Ohsweken Speedway. He was chased throughout by former NASCAR star Ken Schrader, who actually held the lead for a brief time.

Photo by Alex & Helen Bruce

Photo by Dale Calnan / Image Factor

OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY DIRTcar star Mat Williamson was in action at Ohsweken Speedway on June 10 and won the 358 Modified feature. The race was part of the track’s Modified Madness night at the track.

GRISDALE TRIPLE CROWN J.R. Fitzpatrick was a last-minute fill-in in the No. 55 for the first round of the Grisdale Triple Crown at Flamboro Speedway on June 11. The veteran racer continued his early-season hot streak by winning the race.

Photo by Dale Calnan / Image Factor

Photo by Peter Anderson

BRIGHTON SPEEDWAY Kyle Sopaz scored his first Late Model feature win of the 2022 season on June 11 at Brighton Speedway. He jumped to the early lead and held off all challengers.

FULL THROTTLE MOTOR SPEEDWAY Miranda Gill (No. 17) swept both Late Model division features at Full Throttle Motor Speedway on June 11. Kevin McMillan finished second to Gill in both races.

Photo by Rod Henderson, CanadianRacer.com

Photo courtesy FTMS

64 Inside Track Motorsport News

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I RESULTS

BROCKVILLE SPEEDWAY May 21, 2022 MODIFIEDS: 1. David Hebert, 2. Ryan Arbuthnot, 3. Kyle Dingwall, 4. Corey Wheeler, Danny O’Brien // HEATS: 1. R. Arbuthnot, 2. M. Clair, 3. G. Lindberg, 4. L. Whitteker, K. Dingwall // FAST Q: C. Terrance- 15.513s.

SPORTSMAN: 1. Jessica Power, 2. Fire Swamp, 3. Gilles Godard, 4. Cedric Gauvreau, 5. Dylan Kirkland // HEATS: 1. S. Charland, 2. W. Racine // FAST Q: S. Charland- 15.161s.

CRATE SPRINTS: 1. Matt Billings, 2. Lee Ladouceur, 3. Darrell Pelletier, 4. Ryan Poole, 5. Brett Stratford // HEATS: 1. N. Sheridan, 2. D. Pelletier, 3. E. Gledhill.

STREET STOCK: 1. Adam Turner, 2. Brock Gregory, 3. Todd Raabe, 4. Doug O’Blenis, 5. Mike Lucas // HEATS: 1. B. Gregory, 2. K. Handley.

VINTAGE: 1. Steve Bilings, 2. Randy Gaudet, 3.

Brandon Gregory, 4. Josh Powers, 5. Gavin Ridell.

50/60: 1. Darrell Wilson, 2. Joey Hilts, 3. Dexter Billings, 4. Audy Bedard, 5. Pete Stapper.

BRIGHTON SPEEDWAY May 28, 2022 CDN MODIFIEDS: 1. No. 53 Wade Purchase, 2.

No. 1 Shawn Gregory, 3. No. 07 Curtis King, 4.

No. 40 Ron Wadforth, 5. No. 32 Doug O’Blenis // HEATS: 1. No. 53 W. Purchase, 2. No. 2 L. Mowat.

LATE MODEL: 1. No. 87 Andrew Hennessy, 2.

No. 57 Charlie Sandercock, 3. No. 11 Kyle Sopaz, 4. No. 55 Brad Rayner, 5. No. 92 Adam Turner // HEATS: 1. No. 92 A. Turner, 2. No. 87 A. Hennessy.

THUNDER STOCK: 1. No. 85 Austin Reid, 2. No. 0 Tyler French, 3. No. 03 Justin Ramsay, 4. No. 17 Jeff Humphry, 5. No. 26 Kraig Handley // HEATS: 1. No. 85 A. Reid, 2. No. 83 A. Massey, 3. No. 1 B. Gregory.

COMP 4: 1. No. 44 Tommy Bailey, 2. No. 43 Devon Kippen, 3. No. 15 Josh Bogaard, 4. No. 33 Adam Milton, 5. No. 19 Shannon White // HEATS: 1. No. 42jr A. Fletcher, 2. No. 44 T. Bailey.

MINI STOCK: 1. No. 12 Caleb Severin, 2. No. 96 Cole Abrams, 3. No. 25 Lawrence Evenden, 4.

No. 7 Anthony Rinaldi, 5. No. 72 Austin Smith // HEATS: 1. No. 12. C. Severin, 2. No. 18 C. Rhodes.

STINGERS: 1. No. 41 Landon Mutch, 2. No. 30 Ryan Hill, 3. No. 26 Chris Sparks, 4. No. 67 Alex Patrick, 5. No. 07 Megan Golden // HEATS: 1.

No. 41 L. Mutch, 2. No. 26 C. Sparks, 3. No. 93 J. Pickell.

CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY May 29, 2022 MODIFIEDS: 1. No. 151 Brian McDonald, 2. No. 124 Luke Whitteker, 3. No. 66x Carey Terrance, 4. No. 47$ Corey Wheeler, 5. No. 18jr Louis Jackson Jr. // HEATS: 1. No. 66x C. Terrance, 2.

No. 44 J. Ferguson, 3. No. M16 G. Morin.

SPORTSMAN: 1. No. 22c Cedric Gauvreau, 2. No. 77e Ryan Stabler, 3. No. 10 Robert Delormier, 4. No. 94 Gabriel Cyr, 5. No. 35r William Racine // HEATS: 1. No. 77e Ryan Stabler, 2. No. 0 S. Pecore, 3. No. 94 G. Cyr, 4. No. 10 R. Delormier.

PRO STOCK: 1. No. 72 Bruno Richard, 2. No. 33 Bruno Cyr, 3. No. 48 Jocelyn Roy, 4. No. 28

66 Inside Track Motorsport News

J.R. Fitzpatrick celebrates his May 28 Flamboro Pro Late Model win with his team and family.

Photo by Derek Smith / racepulse.com

Burton Ward, 5. No. 8 Marc Lalonde // HEATS: 1. No. 48 J. Roy, 2. No. 2x J. Clarke, 3. No. 8 M. Lalonde.

MINI STOCK: 1. No. 49 Alexis Charbonneau, 2. No. 45 Dominic Blais, 3. No. TJ35 Tyler Lamarche, 4.

No. 88c Curtis Lindsay, 5. No. 60 Sylvain Charest // HEATS: 1. No. 25 P. Picard, 2. No. 30 M. Dagenais, 3. No. 88c C. Lindsay.

EMO SPEEDWAY May 28, 2022 MODIFIEDS: 1. No. 88 Tanner Williamson, 2.

No. 99 Brody Strachan, 3. No. 85 Jeff Davis, 4.

No. 50 Brady Caul, 5. No. 4jr Cameron Brown // HEATS: 1. No. 99 B. Strachan, 2. No. 21 M. DePiero.

MIDWEST MODIFIEDS: 1. No. 85 Jamie Davis, 2.

No. 3d Kevin Monteith, 3. No. 16 Garrett Paull, 4. No. 14c Cody Ossachuk, 5. No. 3h Keelan Hall // HEATS: 1. No. 14c C. Ossachuk, 2. No. 4b B. Rehill.

STREET STOCKS: 1. No. 15r Raice Westover, 2.

No. 33 Garett Gamsby, 3. No. 55 Tylar Wilson, 4.

No. 3x Jesse Thompson, 5. No. 57 Darrin Rea // HEAT: No. 55 T. Wilson.

FLAMBORO SPEEDWAY May 21, 2022 ONTARIO SPORTSMAN SERIES: 1. Mike Hryniuk Jr., 2. Chad McGlynn, 3. Lane Zardo, 4. Cory McAllister, 5. Kevin Trevellin.

CANADIAN VINTAGE MODIFIEDS (1): 1. Quinton Murdoch, 2. Mike Podd, 3. Steve Murdoch, 4.

TJ Marshall, 5. Rodney Rutherford // (2): 1. TJ Marshall, 2. Mike Podd, 3. Quinton Murdoch, 4.

Steve Murdoch, 5. Rodney Rutherford.

SUPER STOCK (1): 1. Ray Wilkie, 2. Lane Zardo, 3. Justin Collison, 4. Gerrit Tiemersma, 5. Chase Pinsonneault // (2): 1. Lane Zardo, 2. Chase Pinsonneault, 3. Ray Wilkie, 4. Gerrit Tiemersma, 5. Justin Collison.

MINI STOCK (1): 1. Bobby Mercer, 2. Mike Thomson, 3. Matt Young, 4. Kaitlyn Wallace, 5.

Mike Hooper // (2): 1. Bobby Mercer, 2. Matt Young, 3. Mike Thomson, 4. Kaitlyn Wallace, 5.

Mike Hooper.

PURE STOCK (1): 1. Wayde Thorne, 2. Matt Young, 3. Alex Stewart, 4. Kyle Lucas, 5. Eric Stewart // (2): 1. Reece Bourgeois, 2. Cameron Thomson, 3. Kyle Lucas, 4. Matt Young, 5. Rich VanKleef.

PRO 4 MODS (1): 1. Dan Pettit, 2. Shannon Morris, 3. Mark Lucas, 4. Shean Corey, 5. Robert Mercer // (2): 1/ Dan Pettit, 2. Mark Lucas, 3. Shannon Morris, 4. Robert Mercer, 5. Shean Corey.

May 28, 2022 PRO LATE MODELS (1): 1. No. 84 J.R. Fitzpatrick, 2. No. 17 Josh Stade, 3. No. 27 Kevin Albers, 4. No. 02 Mark Burbridge, 5. No. 86 Billy Schwartzenburg // (2): 1. No. 84 JR Fitzpatrick, 2. No. 22 Kyle Steckly, 3. 17 Josh Stade, 4. No. 13 Shane Maginnis, 5. No. 02 Mark Burbridge.

MINI STOCK (1): 1. No. 81 Samantha Shaw, 2. No. 2 Bobby Mercer, 3. No. 76 Shawn Taylor, 4. No. 18 Cole Quinton, 5. No. 16 Mike Thomson // (2): 1. No. 76 Shawn Taylor, 2. No. 2 Bobby Mercer, 3. No. 18 Cole Quinton, 4. No. 16 Mike Thomson, 5. No. 81 Samantha Shaw.

PURE STOCK (1): 1. No. 78 Jo Lawrence, 2. No. 32 Gillian Hils, 3. No. 10 Courtney Scott, 4. No. 17x Dylan Sharpe, 5. No. 51 Kevin Trevellin // (2): 1. No. 32 Gillian Hils, 2. No. 28x Kris Lawrence, 3. No. 78 Jo Lawrence, 4. No. 17x Dylan Sharpe, 5. No. 6 Wayde Thorne.

CANADIAN VINTAGE MODIFIEDS (1): 1. No. 8 Rick Willigar, 2. No. 15 TJ Marshall, 3. No. 5 Mike Podd, 4. No. 7 Quinton Murdoch, 5. No. 24 Rodney Rutherford // (2): 1. No. 42 Steve Murdoch, 2. No. 24 Rodney Rutherford, 3. No. 5 Mike Todd, 4. No. 15 TJ Marshall, 5. No. 14 Scott Tonelli.

FULL THROTTLE MOTOR SPEEDWAY May 22, 2022 JUNIOR LATE MODEL (1): 1. No. 88 Ryder White,

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CANADA’S BIGGEST DRAG RACE!

JULY 29-31

InsideTrackNews.com 67

I RESULTS 2. No. 7 Laila Walser, 3. No. 37 Del Frieburger, 4.

No. 73 Alyssa Brunette, 5. No. 9 Grayson Masson // (2): 1. No. 88 Ryder White, 2. No. 37 Del Frieburger, 3. No. 7 Laila Walser, 4. No. 23 Brandon MaGee, 5. No. 9 Grayson Masson.

MINI TRUCK (1): 1. No. 15 Kaisha Zimoch, 2. No. 88 Austin Brown, 3. No. 29 Jake Pardy, 4. No. 75 Tim Bourne, 5. No. 42 Zack Quenneville // (2): 1.

No. 15 Kaisha Zimoch, 2. No. 29a Austin Arnel, 3. No. 29 Jake Pardy, 4. No. 20 Mason Collver, 5.

No. 53 Jack Quenneville.

FUN STOCK (1): 1. No. 01 Luke Dippel, 2. No. 2p Michael Peterson, 3. No. 62 Mark Merritt, 4. No. 18 Nathan Dettwiler, 5. No. 78 Richard Geerlinks // (2): 1. No. 62 Mark Merritt, 2. No. 16 Joseph Embros, 3. No. 18 Nathan Dettwiler, 4. No. 2p Michael Peterson, 5. No. 78 Richard Geerlinks.

MINI STOCK (1): 1. No. 18 Isaac Dippel, 2. No. 47 Thomas Wunsch, 3. No. 3 Mitch Wilkin, 4. No. 73 Scott Schleuter, 5. No. 85 Matt Clarke // (2): 1.

No. 47 Thomas Wunsch, 2. No. 3 Mitch Wilkin, 3.

No. 18 Isaac Dippel, 4. No. 85 Matt Clarke, 5. No. 5 Jeremie Duguay.

STREET STOCK (1): 1. No. 78 James Hunt, 2. No. 30 Jim Ferrier, 3. No. 70 Jamie Jarvis, 4. No. 13 Neil Hesch // (2): 1. No. 78 James Hunt, 2. No. 30 Jim Ferrier, 3. No. 70 Jamie Jarvis, 4. No. 13 Neil Hesch.

THUNDER TRUCK (1): 1. No. 94 Mark Dixon, 2.

No. 18 Jason Vale, 3. No. 66 John Green, 4. No. 63 Luke Dippel // (2): 1. No. 94 Mark Dixon, 2.

No. 18 Jason Vale, 3. No. 66 John Green, 4. No. 63 Luke Dippel.

CRAZY TRAINS (1): 1. Ah Dale Yeah, 2. The Fun Starts, 3. The Crayon Crew, 4. Maximum Destruction, 5. The Avengers // (2): 1. The Crayon Crew, 2. Ah Dale Yeah, 3. Maximum Destruction, 4. The Fun Starts, 5. The Avengers.

Bailey, 3. No. 32 Mark Fawcett, 4. No. 47x Kyle Pelrine, 5. No. 28d Donny Lampman // HEATS: 1. No. 32 M. Fawcett, 2. No. 11 G. Teeple, 3. No. 28 J. Lampman.

MOD LITES: 1. No. 16 Brent Begolo, 2. No. 17 Josh Sliter, 3. No. 4 Tyler Winger, 4. No. 07 Chris Watson, 5, No. 7s Dillan Sliter // HEATS: 1. No. 17 J. Sliter, 2. No. 16 B. Begolo.

4 CYLINDERS: 1. No. 10 Jay Moulton, 2. No. 14L John Lubeck, 3. No. 5k Ken Hair, 4. No. 96t Tyler Lafantaisie, 5. No. 71 Austyn Werstroh // B-MAIN: No. 10j J. Hughes // HEATS: 1. No. 5k K. Hair, 2. No. 10 J. Moulton, 3. No. 23 T. DeBoer.

MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY

PETERBOROUGH SPEEDWAY

May 23, 2022 DIRTcar UMP MODIFIEDS: 1. No. 09d Joel Dick, 2.

No. 10 Jake Hooker, 3. No. 53 Wade Purchase, 4. No. 1 Shawn Gregory, 5. No. 07 Curtis King // HEAT: No. 86 D. Smith.

SPORTSMAN: 1. No. 35r Nelson Mason, 2. No. 20 Jay Mallory, 3. No. 53 Darrell Farraway, 4. No. 2k Rob Knapp, 5. No. 15 Adam Leslie // HEATS: 1. No. 09 T. Wright, 2. No. 22 T. Smith, 3. No. 35r N. Mason.

STOCKS: 1. No. 28d Donny Lampman, 2. No. 79 Chris Hale, 3. No. 49 Dave Bailey, 4. No. 96 Steve Smith Sr., 5. No. 108 Zach Bleich // HEATS: 1.

No. 108 Z. Bleich, 2. No. 28d D. Lampman, 3. No. 96 S. Shaw Sr.

May 28, 2022 SUPER STOCK: 1. Mark Gordon, 2. Bailey Jacobs, 3. Paul Boundy, 4. Brandon Feeney, 5. Marlie Owen // HEATS: 1. P. Boundy, 2. B. Jacobs.

ONTARIO MODIFIEDS: 1. Chad Strawn, 2. Alex Cuzzilla, 3. Rob Richards, 4. Tyler Bouillon, 5. Rob Warnes // HEATS: 1. A. Cuzzilla, 2. J. Baker Jr., 3. A. Cuzzilla, 4. C. Strawn.

RENEGADE TRUCKS: 1. Kyle Gordon, 2. Stacey Switzer, 3. Paul Boundy, 4. Bill O’Hara, 5. Kurt Batty // HEATS: 1. K. Gordon (2).

MINI STOCK: 1. Tyler Junkin, 2. Shawn Solomon, 3. Jeremy Kelly, 4. Kevin Strutt, 5. Rob Crick // HEATS: 1. S. Solomon, 2. J. Kelly, 3. S. Solomon, 4. R. Crick.

BONE STOCK: 1. Steve Finnegan, 2. Jake Kelly, 3.

Brad Lavalle, 4. Sean Kennedy, 5. Angelo Novis // HEATS: 1. S. Finnegan, 2. J. Kelly, 3. S. Finnegan, 4. S. Kennedy.

May 28, 2022 MODIFIEDS: 1. No. 6 Mat Williamson, 2. No. 42 Pete Bicknell, 3. No. 37s Gary Lindberg, 4. No. 96 Fred Carleton, 5. No. 12 Chad Chevalier // HEATS: 1. No. 38 S. Wood, 2. No. 96 F. Carleton, 3. No. 37s G. Lindberg.

SPORTSMAN: 1. No. 18r Brad Rouse, 2. No. 7 Cody McPherson, 3. No. 68 Curtis Friesen, 4.

No. 72 James-Michael Friesen, 5. No. 53 Darrell Farraway // HEATS: 1. No. 7 C. McPherson, 2.

No. 74 T. Vanderzanden, 3. No. 72 JM Friesen.

STOCKS: 1. No. 79 Chris Hale, 2. No. 49 Dave

68 Inside Track Motorsport News

Dave Bailey leads the Hoosier Stock points at Merrittville after the May 28 weekend.

Photo by Alex and Helen Bruce

GRAND BEND SPEEDWAY May 28, 2022 JUNIOR SPRINTS: 1. No. 4 Dylan Graham, 2. No. 15 Siobahn Alguire, 3. No. 11 Colin Klumper, 4.

No. 6x Maxwell Lloyd, 5. No. 2 Blake Wilson // HEAT: No. 4 D. Graham.

JUNIOR LATE MODELS: 1. No. 53 Kara Martin, 2. No. 73 Alyssa Brunette, 3. No. 9 Grayson

Masson, 4. No. 77 Eric Lawton, 5. No. 17 Callum Lawton // HEATS: 1. No. 17 C. Lawton, 2. No. 53 K. Martin.

9HP MINI SPRINTS: 1. No. 02 Mike Verboom, 2. No. 77 Austen MacLennan, 3. No. 2x Kaden Patrick, 4. No. 72 Mike Neumeister // HEAT: No. 02 M. Verboom.

MINI TRUCKS: 1. No. 29 Austin Arnel, 2. No. 20 Mason Collver, 3. No. 7 James Relou, 4. No. 15 Kaisha Zimoch, 5. No. 19 Caleb Goertz // HEATS: 1. No. 7 J. Relou, 2. No. 29 A. Arnel.

MINI STOCKS: 1. No. 92 Kyle Neumeister, 2. No. 18 Isaac Dippel, 3. No. 83 Bob Stewart // HEAT: No. 92 K. Neumeister.

GREAT LAKES LEGENDS: 1. No. 5 Kenny McNicol, 2. No. 25 DJ Christie, 3. No. 00 Joe Adams, 4.

No. 67 Cody Byrne, 5. No. 14 Cody Wilds // HEATS: 1. No. 25 DJ Christie, 2. No. 00 Joe Adams.

PETTY INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY May 21, 2022 ATLANTIC MODIFIED TOUR: 1. No. 2w Chris Wilson, 2. No. 91 Braxton Stafford, 3. No. 58 Yves McCray, 4. No. 4 Kevin Bailey, 5. No. 17 Joe Hoyt // HEAT: No. 2w C. Wilson.

LATE MODEL SPORTSMAN: 1. No. 42 Matt Rodgers, 2. No. 3 Justin Beers, 3. No. 48 Courtney O’Blenis, 4. No. 74 Alexandra O’Blenis, 5. No. 85 Kenny MacKenzie Jr. // HEAT: No. 74 A. O’Blenis.

STREET STOCK: 1. No. 85 Kenny MacKenzie Jr., 2. No. 41 Rob Raynes, 3. No. 37 Brayden Tingley, 4. No. 61 Drew Lewis, 5. No. 5 Scott Habkirk // HEAT: No. 85 K. MacKenzie Jr. LEGENDS (1): 1. No. 87 Danny Chisholm, 2. No. 66 Owen Mahar, 3. No. 66m Daryl Mahar, 4.

No. 20 Devin Wadden, 5. No. 07 Kelsey Hann // (2): 1. No. 66 Owen Mahar, 2. No. 87 Danny Chisholm, 3. No. 66m Daryl Mahar, 4. No. 20 Devin Wadden, 5. No. 23 Teegan Dempsey // HEAT: No. 66 O. Mahar.

MINI STOCK (1): 1. No. 69 BJ Gillespie, 2. No. 81 JR Lawson, 3. No. 36 Donnie Pratt, 4. No. 46 Ryan McKnight, 5. No. 10 Patricia Weagle //

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InsideTrackNews.com 69

I RESULTS (2): 1. No. 81 JR Lawson, 2. No. 46 Ryan McKnight, 3. No. 36 Donnie Pratt, 4. No. 10 Patricia Weagle, 5. No. 66 Chris Garnett // HEATS: 1.

No. 15 D. Atyeo, 2. No. 36 D. Pratt.

BANDOLERO BEGINNER: 1. No. 41 Mandi Lee, 2.

No. 83 Hudson Ruff, 3. No. 22 Tylar Dempsey, 4.

No. 86 Marco Doiron // HEAT: No. 41 M. Lee. BANDOLERO OUTLAW: 1. No. 24 Ayden Christensen, 2. No. 00 Caden Tufts, 3. No. 71 Chase McKay, 4. No. 39 Chase Livingston, 5. No. 10 Landon Pierce // HEAT: No. 24 A. Christensen.

WOMEN ON WHEELS: 1. No. 33 Gail Thebeau, 2. No. 88 Paula Evans, 3. No. 2 Ashely Campbell, 4. No. 48c Kara Whitney // HEAT: No. 33 G. Thebeau.

RAD TORQUE SPEEDWAY May 28, 2022 EXTREME SPRINTS: 1: No. 34 Johnny Wiersma, 2. No. 57 Brody Anderson, 3. No. 6 Tom Watts, 4. No. 8 Pierre Guyon, 5. No. 22d Darrell Bellanger // HEATS: 1. No. 34 J. Wiersman, 2. No. 36 C. Goodhope.

LATE MODEL: 1. No. 6t Terry Carter, 2. No. 27 Stu Hayward, 3. No. 55 Mike Tom, 4. No. 34 Don Roberts, 5. No. 4 Jeff Reid // HEATS: 1. No. 55 M. Tom, 2. No. 6t T. Carter.

600 SPRINTS: 1. No. 07 Marc Blanchette, 2. No. 13 Seth Gray, 3. No. 19x Jamie Lee, 4. No. 21 Layne Prusak, 5. No. 79 Jake Lee // HEATS: 1.

No. 21 L. Prusak, 2. No. 07 M. Blanchette.

SUPER STOCKS: 1. No. 71 Jesse Worsfold, 2. No. 67 Matt Martel, 3. No. 62 Frank Curtis, 4. No. 19 Alicia Belliveau, 5. No. 36 Doug Worsfold // HEATS: No. 71 J. Worsfold (2).

MINI STOCKS: 1. No. 2x Austin Ogonoski, 2. No. 3 Brian Campbell, 3. No. 47 Nick Cote, 4. No. 55t Cole Tom, 5. No. 11-? // HEATS: No. 3 B. Campbell (2).

SARATOGA SPEEDWAY May 28, 2022 WINGED SPRINT CARS: 1. No. 12 Ron Larson, 2. No. 48 Stewart Lee, 3. No. 8 Brad Aumen, 4.

No. 22 Richie Larson, 5. No. 5w Jimmy White // HEATS: 1. No. 12 R. Larson, 2. No. 8 B. Aumen.

NON-WINGED SPRINT CARS: 1. No. 46 Mike Schott, 2. No. 71 James Miller, 3. No. 88 Brayden Aumen, 4. No. 16 Rhett Smith, 5. No. 11x Danny Matthews // HEAT: No. 46 M. Schott.

MODIFIEDS: 1. No. 22 Mike Haslam, 2. No. 91 Chris Beaulieu, 3. No. 78 Dave Emmerson, 4. No. 8 Brad Purdey, 5. No. 1 Cayden Smith // HEATS: 1. No. 3 M. Giles, 2. No. 8 B. Purdey.

OTRA: 1. No. 25 George Jenson, 2. No. 41 Jamie Morgan, 3. No. 54 Doug Richens, 4. No. 00 Matt Polley, 5. No. 76 Ken Littleproud // HEAT: No. 54 D. Richens.

SCOTIA SPEEDWORLD May 27, 2022 BANDOLERO: 1. No. 24 Ayden Christensen, 2. No. 71 Chase MacKay, 3. No. 00 Caden Tufts, 4. No. 89 Emily Chisholm, 5. No. 97 Daniel Vandenberg // HEATS: 1. No. 39 C. Livingstone, 2. No. 24 A. Christensen.

BEGINNER BANDOLEROS: 1. No. 5 Ethan Hicken, 2. No. 85 Bella Pashkoski, 3. No. 99 Bristol Mat-

70 Inside Track Motorsport News

Jason Booth won the Bone Stock feature at Sunset on May 28. Photo by Dave Franks thews, 4. No. 44 McKenna Little, 5. No. 27 Hailey Bland // HEAT: No. 27 H. Bland.

THUNDER & LIGHTNING: 1. No. 94 JJ MacPhee, 2. No. 88 Nic Baker, 3. No. 99 Dave Matthews, 4. No. 158 Jamie Dillman, 5. No. 147 Colin Matthews // HEATS: 1. No. 94 JJ MacPhee, 2. No. 158 J. Dillman.

LEGENDS: HEATS: 1. No. 66 O. Mahar, 2. No. 25 G. Gilby.

SPORTSMAN: HEATS: 1. No. 51 D. Dowe, 2. No. 01 J. Livingston.

SPEEDWAY 660 May 29, 2022 MARITIME LEAGUE OF LEGENDS: 1. No. 87 Danny Chisholm, 2. No. 25 Gage Gilby, 3. No. 66 Owen Mahar, 4. No. 18 Josh Langille, 5. No. 0 Tanton Wooldridge.

LATE MODEL SPORTSMAN: 1. No. 48c Courtney O’Blenis, 2. No. 74 Alexandra O’Blenis, 3. No. 10 Brady Creamer, 4. No. 23 Drew Greenlaw, 5. No. 40 Richard Atkinson // HEAT: No. 10 B. Creamer.

STREET STOCK: 1. No. 68 Curtis Collins, 2. No. 54 Rick Cashol, 3. No. 38 Justin Cole, 4. No. 99 Shawn Hislop, 5. No. 16 Jonathan Hanley // HEATS: 1. No. 54 R. Cashol, 2. No. 11 L. McLaughlin.

PRO STOCK: 1. No. 48 Dave O’Blenis, 2. No. 97 Chris Duncan, 3. No. 23 Lonnie Sommerville, 4.

No. 96 Wyatt Alexander, 5. No. 81 Ian Rasmussen // HEAT: No. 23 L. Sommerville.

SHARP SHOOTERS: 1. No. 32 Darren Wilcox, 2.

No. 69 BJ Gillespie, 3. No. 57t Malcolm Suley, 4.

No. 19 Mitchell Harvey, 5. No. 91 Jason Duffield // HEATS: 1. No. 68 R. Bernard, 2. No. 15 D. Atyeo, 3. No. 69 BJ Gillespie.

BANDOLEROS: 1. No. 24 Ayden Christensen, 2.

No. 71 Chase MacKay, 3. No. 27 Hailey Bland, 4.

No. 41 Mandi Lee, 5. No. 83 Hudson Ruff.

SUNSET SPEEDWAY May 28, 2022 LATE MODEL: 1. No. 16 Dustin Mombourquette,

2. No. 49 Miles Tyson, 3. No. 23 Paul Maltese, 4.

No. 9 Daniel Montanari, 5. No. 69 Al Inglis.

SUPER STOCKS: 1. No. 52 Brandon Passer, 2.

No. 07 Dan Archibald, 3. No. 83 Johnny Morrison, 4. No. 17 Gerrit Tiemersma, 5. No. 71 Cory McAllister.

MINI STOCK: 1. No. 8 Matt Boyes, 2. No. 1 Bob Phinnemore, 3. No. 77 John Bird, 4. No. 83 Cameron McGlashan, 5. No. 23d Jason D’Antimo.

BONE STOCK: 1. No. 26 Jason Booth, 2. No. 29 Andrew Shilling, 3. No. 68 Jordan Owen, 4. No. 2 Calvin Reesor, 5. No. 9 Austyn Jennett.

JUNIOR LATE MODEL: 1. No. 88 Ryder White, 2. No. 18 Oliver Ferguson, 3. No. 31 Jake Spencer-Walt, 4. No. 7 Laila Walser, 5. No. 23 Brandon Magee.

SUTHERLAND AUTOMOTIVE SPEEDWAY May 28, 2022 LATE MODELS: 1. No. 12 Matthew Shirley, 2. No. 10 Kevin Dyck, 3. No. 97 Jarred Reddekopp, 4.

No. 20 Aaron Deagnon, 5. No. 84 AJ Morrison // HEATS: 1. No. 12 M. Shirley, 2. No. 38 D. Bone, 3. No. 84 AJ Morrison, 4. No. 10 K. Dyck // FAST Q: No. 55 J. Gaunt- 14.251s.

SPORTSMAN: 1. No. 49 Shantel Kalika, 2. No. 19 Aaron Anderson, 3. No. 51 Sam Howlett, 4. No. 93 Neil Schneider, 5. No. 88 Brad Wrennick // HEAT: No. 19 A. Anderson // QUALIFIER: No. 51 S. Howlett // FAST Q: No. 93 N. Schneider15.781s.

STREET STOCKS: 1. No. 86 Bryan Johnson, 2.

No. 1 Scott Barrand, 3. No. 22 Ryan Fredrickson, 4. No. 18 Mike Rea, 5. No. 81 Kurtis Houben // HEAT: No. 1 S. Barrand // QUALIFIER: No. 86 B. Johnson // FAST Q: No. 18 M. Rea- 16.460s.

MINI STOCKS: 1. No. 17 Dorian Andre, 2. No. 16 Jayden Ewen, 3. No. 8 Braxton Clewes, 4. No. 00 Jaxen Hoare, 5. No. 6 Cody Pitchko // HEAT: No. 17 D. Andre // QUALIFIER: No. 17 D. Andre // FAST Q: No. 17 D. Andre- 17.862s. IT

STREET LEGAL, TRACK READY! There’s one thing that separates first place from the rest of the pack: the finish line.

High-performance, race inspired ADVAN tires give you the drive to win.

The six models in the ADVAN family are born from the same DNA of adrenaline pumping performance to deliver race-ready handling for all driving styles and conditions.

YOKOHAMA.CA

2018-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

PRO-KIT

Special Edition Springs Eibach Special Edition PRO-KIT springs are designed and crafted to retain the look, fit and finish of the factory equipment with the benefit of Eibach’s legendary performance technology. By lowering the centre of gravity, the PRO-KIT increases steering response and improves vehicle dynamics for a sportier, more balanced feel.

Additionally, the reduced height eliminates excessive ground clearance and fender gap giving the Trackhawk the look it deserves.

Stock

Eibach PRO-KIT

Shop online at Eibach.ca

Phone: 1-800-263-8621 Ext. 2321 Email: info@eibachcanada.com