Jim’s Journeys ... By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications
Chasing racing can be a fun hobby, but it also has its frustrating moments. The early season events are a gamble, a roll of the dice and in many ways a crap-shoot. Last weekend was all the proof you’d need. The Friday, April 17th event at Can Am Speedway saw some huge car counts – including a sportsman field that numbered 62 strong for the year’s second tour event. The next night was to be the small block modified Super DIRTcar Series opener, but Mother Nature threw everyone a curve. Like I said, the early season events can be a crap-shoot.
Friday, April 24th: Can Am Speedway – Lafargeville, New York
With a scheduled break from my paycheque-to-paycheque workday obligations and a beautiful early spring day on the forecast, I made the decision to head back to Can Am for a second consecutive Friday of racing. I announce at Kawartha Speedway in Fraserville, Ontario and we also run Fridays. For that reason, I want to get to the Northern New York half-mile as possible. It was the first ‘regular show’ of the year and the weather made things much too good to pass-up.
Late in the morning, I received an e-mail from my friend Craig Revelle who asked if I’d planned to go to Can Am. Craig looks after web-sites for a number of different drivers and recently launched a very interesting site called www.speedwaynostalgia.com. I’d certainly recommend it for anyone who grew-up with tracks like Kingston Speedway, Brockville, Cornwall, Can Am and others as part of their weekly travels. Craig and I met in Gananoque and he caught a lift to the track with me.
Once again, the sportsman field had some huge numbers. There were more than 40 of the crate engine powered beasts in the pits. With the small block modifieds scheduled to run a series race the next night at Merrittville Speedway, the modified car count was a little slim, but that could also have a lot to do with early season racing. Friday was also the debut of Can Am’s new crate late model division. I can remember far enough back to when late models were a regular fixture at the track, so it’s great to see them back – even though only 2 were in attendance.
Did I mention the perfect weather? It was an ideal night for racing. There aren’t many times I can recall being at a racetrack in late April and spending most of the night walking around in short sleeves. I went to the car as the evening wore on to get a sweatshirt, but ended-up pushing the sleeves up past my elbows. It was simply outstanding. A great night of racing...and no shivering!
Just as hot laps were coming onto the track, I took-up a spot next to track photographer Rebecca Eisele inside turns 3 and 4 to snap some photos of the warm-ups and heat races. Rebecca is part of my Facebook friend list and offered the use of her back-up camera when I expressed concern about the abilities of my little Kodak. She spent most of the night in the infield and got some great shots, while I stayed just long enough to lose the benefit of having the sun light my photos.
For the second time in as many weeks Napanee, Ontario’s Chris Raabe claimed the sportsman modified feature win. He led every lap and survived a late race beating and banging session with Tim Sears Jr. to capture the checkers. Frankie Caprara picked-up the modified main event. Lance Willix was the top finishing small block modified finisher.
Can Am clips: Tim Kerr of Picton, Ontario had his #07 modified in the pits, but the car was plagued by fuel pick-up problems all night. He ran his warm-up session, but couldn’t answer the bell in his heat race or the main event. Kerr has teamed-up with Mike and Lori LaSalle of Spencerville, Ontario and will follow selected big block tour events. He told me he doesn’t know where they’ll race regularly...Fellow Picton runner Adam Turner could only salvage a 25th place finish in the sportsman feature. His Bicknell chassis racer broke a rear bar on the left had side of the car during the pace lap...Bath, Ontario’s Todd Stewart was on hand with his #72 small block. He’d told me earlier in the week that they were looking to put some laps on the car, but would likely run around the back of the field to save their equipment for the next night at Merrittville...Brockville, Ontario’s Matt Billings continued his strong early season efforts. He finished 4th in the sportsman main event. Last week, he was 5th in the 30 lap tour stop. Sandwiched in-between his Can Am starts was a 7th place showing Sunday, April 19th at Cayuga County Fair Speedway in Weedsport, New York.
Coming up: Sunday, May 3rd the 2009 DIRTcar Challenge Cup at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park – Elbridge, New York.
In the distance: Wednesday, May 13th a NASCAR Canadian Tire Series test session at Kawartha Speedway – Fraserville, Ontario. Saturday, May 16th and Sunday, May 17th the 2009 season openers at Brockville Ontario Speedway and Cornwall Motor Speedway.
I wasn’t there, but: For the second week in a row, rain played a role in the outcome of a small block Super DIRTcar Series show. With all the heat races and 1 of the scheduled consolation rounds in the books the skies opened-up and brought the Spring Sizzler 100 at Merrittville Speedway to a halt. The show will be made-up in a 50 lap format Monday, May 18th.
Photo attachments: (by Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications)
#1). Tim Kerr’s pit crew had a long night trying to find a fuel system problem that sidelined the #07 car for everything but the pre-race hot lap session.
#2). Kingston, Ontario’s Tim O’Brien takes a head-first approach to doing some work on his #88 small block racer.
#3). Andy Howard brought out his crate late model for some track time at Can Am. The class will be part of regular racing in 2009 at the Northern New York half-mile.
From Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications
