Jim’s Journeys ... By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications
Tuesday, April 14th to Friday, April 17th: Kawartha Speedway Racecar Display Northumberland Mall – Cobourg, Ontario.
Part of what I do as one of the weekly announcers at Kawartha Speedway in Fraserville, Ontario also involves writing press releases, hosting the season-ending awards celebration and representing the track at various shows. Earlier this year, I was at the Canadian Motorsports Expo with ‘the boss’ Derek Lynch. A couple of weeks ago, at the Fast and Furious Show at the Cobourg Arena and most recently, we had cars at Northumberland Mall (along with Brighton Speedway) in Cobourg.
I enjoy the PR aspect of my job. It’s great to be able to talk to people who’ve been to the track and get their thoughts on what we’re doing well and some of the areas where we need to do our homework. The opportunity also exists to introduce some new fans to what we do on a weekly basis. I was told a long time ago that there’s no such thing as a stupid question and while I might not have all the answers, the chance to talk about racing is always fun.
No matter where we’ve had the cars on display, I usually come away with an interesting story or 2. At the mall, it involved a young boy named Luka. He was thrilled to see the racecars and even happier when he got the chance to sit in the #87 thunder car of track champion Willie Reyns. His Mom took a picture of him in the driver’s seat, wearing the seatbelts – and another of him beside the car, holding one of Willie’s many trophies from the 2008 season. I gave him a fridge magnet with Kawartha Speedway’s ’09 schedule, a copy of the latest edition of Inside Track magazine and a sticker his mother said would probably go on his skateboard. Who knows? We might even see the family at the track this season.
Friday, April 17th: Super DIRTcar Sportsman tour – Can Am Speedway – Lafargeville, New York.
Finishing-up early at the mall allowed me to make a run to Can Am for the second event on this year’s DIRTcar sportsman tour. The night was all about quality and quantity, with 61 teams on hand to battle the northern New York State half-mile.
When the checkered flag fell, it was 2008 Mr. DIRTcar sportsman champion Chris Raabe in victory lane. The ‘Teenage Tornado’ led all 30 laps of the show and survived a yellow flag with just 1 circuit remaining to earn his first victory of the year. Brockville Speedway regulars Matt Billings, Luke Whitteker and Adam Turner finished 5th, 18th and 22nd respectively. Dylan Evoy, Dana Aikins, Jessica Power, Rod McDonald and Shane Pecore failed to crack the starting grid.
The track also hosted an open practise session for any drivers or teams who wanted to test and tune their 2009 machines. The combined field of 21 big block and small block modifieds ran a 10 lap ‘dash for cash’. Billy Dunn of Watertown, New York – a Can Am regular – took the win. Defending Brockville Speedway track champion Danny O’Brien was 2nd. Brian McDonald finished 6th in the LaSalle Motorsports #M96 and Tim O’Brien was 12th in his maiden voyage aboard the Jim’s Performance #88. The youngest of the 3 O’Brien brothers took over the ride when Kingston’s Mark Hitchcock retired at the end of the 2008 season.
Picton, Ontario’s Tyler Rand brought-out his 360 sprint car for a few fast laps. Another driver on-hand to shake-down his new piece was Mallorytown, Ontario’s Ryan Poole. Looking for a change in his luck for 2009, Poole’s Bicknell chassis small block now carries the #76 instead of his traditional #00. One of the first things you notice when the Poole Motorsports hauler pulls into the pit area is the term ‘thong patrol’ on the rear door of the trailer. There has to be an interesting story behind that.
Saturday, September 18th: Super DIRTcar tour for 358 modifieds Can Am Speedway – Lafargeville, New York.
Just a little after noon, I set off with a plan to catch the second consecutive night of action at Can Am. It was raining a little all the way, but I’ve driven through worse conditions to get to tracks that were a lot further away so I wasn’t overly concerned. After a quick stop in Gananoque for some 76 cent a litre gas, a coffee and a couple of Tim Horton’s snack wraps I was ready to roll again.
Before leaving the Tim Horton’s parking lot, I tried making a call to my friend Rick Young. I left a message on his voicemail, asking where he was and if he could call me. The fact that he didn’t answer led me to believe he’d already crossed the border and may very well have been at the track. Undaunted, I headed for the highway again. After paying my toll, I started across the first span of the 1000 Islands Bridge.
That was where I encountered a racecar hauler. Problem was – they were going the wrong way. Since I have an unwritten rule that prohibits pouting, whining or complaining about the weather once you get to the track, I decided to stop at one of the gift shops on the other side of the bridge. My goal was to wait...to see if more haulers were coming home or if others were headed to the track. Like waiting for the phone to ring when someone says “I’ll call you right back”, it seemed to take forever. I thought I’d stick it out for a while to avoid a round of immigration interrogation. When a car from Ohio with a vanity licence plate that said ‘RAIN’ pulled into the same parking lot, I saw it as a sign and left for the trip back to Belle-Vegas.
All the way home, the sky looked brighter and brighter. The highway became dry and I had serious thoughts about turning around and heading back to the track. I didn’t – and opted to spend the night on my couch watching hockey instead. A quick peek at some of my Facebook friends indicates I made the right choice. The scheduled Super DIRTcar 358 modified series event was rained-out around 3:00.
Coming up: Sunday, May 3rd, the 2009 Challenge Cup at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park – Elbridge, New York.
In the distance: Brockville Speedway’s 2009 season opener Saturday, May 16th. Kawartha Speedway’s open practise session Friday, May 22nd.
Story and Photo attachments by Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications
#1). Ryan Poole’s 2009 #76 DIRTcar small block modified
#2). After missing the Brockville Speedway street stock track championship by 8 points in 2008, Dana Aikins will campaign a DIRTcar sportsman modified in 2009.
