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Border Patrol – A weekly look at racing from both sides of the 1000 Islands

Craig Revelle – June 27, 2010

As the summer months begin to come around, the racing picks up at many local tracks that go beyond their regular weekly programs. Special mid-week events can keep race teams busy, as well as myself. My racing schedule after last week’s column started on Tuesday, June 22^nd at Brewerton Speedway as the World of Outlaws Late Models concluded their “Great Northern Tour”. The following night, the immaculate Mohawk International Raceway hosted the Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series as well as a Sportsman Mr. DIRTcar Series race. After a short break on Thursday evening, it was back to the regular weekly tracks, Chapman’s Can Am Motorsports Park, Brockville Ontario Speedway, and Cornwall Motor Speedway. Of course, my racing itinerary is dependent on the cooperation of Mother Nature.

On Tuesday night, my destination was going to be Brewerton, New York to see the World of Outlaws Late Model event. Mother Nature, however, had other ideas, as heavy rains forced the Series officials to postpone the event until Tuesday, August 24^th.

The Forecast for Wednesday was much better, with rain not expected until late evening. I traveled to the Mohawk International Raceway, riding with Chris Raabe and the 01 Sportsman team. The Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series was the main attraction, which was won by Jimmy Phelps. Phelps earned the popular win after a late race pass on Matt Sheppard. Billy Decker also slipped past Sheppard to take away the runner up spot. Sheppard was third, Danny Johnson fourth, and Steve Paine was fifth. Just as the Modified feature ended, the skies opened up, and the Sportsman feature was postponed to a date to be announced later.

Friday night was a weekly trip to Chapman’s Can Am Motorsports Park. After a round of warm up laps, the track paid tribute to a lost family member, as the son of track tech inspector Lloyd Larmon passed away a week earlier in a tragic accident. All drivers, and crewmembers in all division came out onto the track to honor Jacob Larmon. It was a very professional and emotional moment for everyone involved with Chapman’s Can Am Motorsports Park. While every car must go through Lloyd Larmon to get their cars approved to race, and there maybe teams or crewmembers that have been on the wrong end of Larmon’s rulings, as a racing community, everyone has stepped up to support Lloyd in this very difficult time. Best wishes go out to the Larmon family.

In the Modifieds, Billy Dunn picked up the popular win over Robby Bellinger, Scott Webb, top Small Block Tim O’Brien and Lance Willix. Dunn powered his Big Block to the lead and lapped up to sixth place before the checkered flag was displayed. With heavy rains early in the week, the track crew did a marvelous job getting the track into shape, producing some very fast racing conditions throughout the evening.

The Sportsman feature had a very special outcome. Dean Patterson, one of the most genuine people to ever strap into a racecar dominated the Sportsman race, picking up his first career win. Patterson races a car painted up in tribute to the victims of the September 11^th, 2001 disaster of the World Trade Center in New York City. Patterson involves himself in many different charities, and it was a well-deserved win. Beth Schneider followed Patterson across the finish line. Josh Van Brocklin was third, Matt Hulsizer was fourth and Brandon Hagan completed the top five.

Lee Gill, winner of the past several races in the Crate Late Model division had a “bounty” on him this week, offering any driver that could win the race a $500 bonus. Charlie Sandercock, of Belleville, Ontario held of a late race challenge from Gill to collect the win, and the extra cash. Gill was second, Chuck Myers, Jordan Keruskie and Mark Webb rounded out the top five positions.

Also winning at Can Am were Mike White in the Street Stocks, JJ Courcy in the IMCA Modifieds, Kevin Smith in the Pure Stock division and Zak Petrie in the 4 cylinder Thunder Cars.

Persistent Saturday rains forced Paul Kirkland and the Brockville Ontario Speedway officials to cancel their racing program for this week. The official decision was release just after 1PM on Saturday afternoon, and the rains continued throughout the afternoon and evening.

Cornwall Speedway was the final stop on my weekend schedule. Danny O’Brien picked up his first of the season at Cornwall with commanding performance. Lee Ladouceur finished second, just in front of his father, Laurent Ladouceur. Kyle Dingwall and Luke Whitteker rounded out the top five. Chris Raabe continued his impressive season with another win, giving him 14 total wins this season. Jeff Phillips, a rookie in the Sportsman class finished second. Chris Herbison, Travis Back and Shane Pecore were the top five finishers. Joey Ladouceur picked up his third Cornwall win of the season in the Pro Stocks, Kevin Fetterly Jr won the Semi Pro feature for the second week in a row, and Ronnie Tyo won the Mini Stock feature.

Next week, Chapman’s Can Am Motorsports Park will host a weekend doubleheader featuring the popular Empire Super Sprints. Friday, July 2^nd will be a $2000 to win event for the Sprints, joined by the Modifieds, SUNY Canton Sportsman, and Crate Late Models. The track will back that up on Saturday night, July 3^rd with a $4000 to win event for the Sprint Cars, the highest ever offered to ESS series. Grandstand Admission is $20 for one night, or $30 for a weekend pass. More information can be found at www.canammotorsports.com

Brockville Speedway will also be in action on Saturday night with a regular show along with the Vintage Modifieds. On Sunday, at Cornwall Motor Speedway, the track will host a special 50-lap event for the Pro Stock division, along with a regular show of Modifieds, Sportsman, and Mini Stocks. The Semi Pro division will have the weekend off.

I hope you have enjoyed my weekly column. Any comments or suggestions can be sent to crevelle@ripnet.com or check out my new website, www.finishlinewebdesign.ca.

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