BUDDIES BLOGS

BUDDIES BLOGS

Border Patrol – A weekly Look At Racing from both sides of the 1000 Islands

Craig Revelle – October 19, 2009

Earlier this season, Paul Kirkland and the staff at the Brockville Ontario Speedway announced that the track would host the first annual DIRTcar Northeast Fall Nationals, an event that would be held in mid October. Many people doubted Kirkland’s efforts, as the weather is very unpredictable, and to ask for two days without rain, or even snow is often hard to find. The day finally arrived, and other than some cool temperatures, the weather remained picture perfect all weekend long.

The Speedway opened up on Friday afternoon, as race fans began setting up camp in the far parking lot, a sight that has never been seen before at the BOS. By Friday evening, race teams also began to arrive, and enjoy the evening, before Saturday afternoon’s show that consisted of Sprint Cars, Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman, and qualifying for the Mr. DIRTcar Small Block Modifieds.

In the Sportsman qualifying, it was 2 time Brockville Speedway track champion, Chris Raabe setting overall fast time out of the 35 cars on hand. Heat race wins went to four different DIRTcar Sportsman tour regulars, all of which have minimal experience at the BOS. B.J. Willard, Jipp Ortiz, Justin Wright, and Ryan Susice were the heat race winners. The two consolation race winners were Mike Mainse, a Brockville regular, and Anthony Stockman, from Watertown, New York.

The 50 lap main event was started with Dillon Sallows leading the way, alongside Dylan Evoy. Evoy led early, showing the way for the first 7 laps before Raabe made his move. Raabe dominated the remaining 43 laps picking up the win, which now puts his season win totals up to 20. A fine mix of Sportsman tour competitors, and Brockville Speedway regulars filled the next 4 spots, as Justin Wright placed second, Matt Billings third, Randy Earl in fourth, and Ryan Susice in fifth. The win for Raabe virtually clinches the 2009 Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman championship, his second consecutive championship season.

Kingston, Ontario’s Pat O’Brien set fast time in DIRTcar Small Block Modified qualifying. O’Brien’s speed of over 94 MPH gave him the Integra Shocks Fast Time award. Yan Bussiere, Pierre Dagenais, Tim O’Brien and Pete Bicknell were the top five. Heat race wins went to Dale Planck, Tim O’Brien, Pierre Dagenais, and Pat O’Brien. Danny O’Brien was the winner of the 15 lap dash, and secured the 21^st starting position for Sunday’s 100 lap event.

The Sprint cars, as always put on a fantastic event, as local race fans came out to watch the Wilson family, from Joyceville, Ontario compete at the final event of the season. Glen Styres, owner of the Ohsweken Speedway won the 25 lap main event, which ended just in time, as the area lost hydro near the conclusion of the program, and nighttime was fast approaching. Steve Poirier finished second, and Jessica Zemken was third. Brian Howland and Jeff Cook rounded out the top five. Rick Wilson finished 6th, and April Wilson finished 24th.

As racing concluded, the Kirkland’s hosted a Fall Fest party, with the band Rock Bottom playing through the cold evening air. A great crowed turned out to catch the band’s performance, and even more surrounded the bon fire as race fans tried to warm themselves up on the crisp fall evening.

On Sunday morning race fans woke up to another sunny, but very cool morning, as everyone prepared for the conclusion of the first annual DIRTcar Northeast Fall Nationals. The main event was the 100 lap feature for the Mr. DIRTcar Small Block Modifieds. Tim O’Brien and Mario Clair paced the field to the green flag, and it was Clair jumping out to the early lead. Clair, from St. Edmond, Quebec led the first 47 laps before being chased down by Mr. DIRTcar 358 Modified championship contender Dale Planck. Clair and Planck battled it out for the remainder of the race with Clair taking the lead for good on lap 78. Clair and Planck crossed the finish line first and second, while David Hebert, driving Mario Clair’s back up car finished in third. Pat O’Brien finished fourth and Yan Bussiere finished in fifth.

Joey Ladouceur picked up the win in the Mr. DIRTcar Pro Stock Series, but it wasn’t enough to capture the championship as Pete Stefanski clinched the series championship with his sixth place finish. Dave Bissonnette, Dion Oakes, Stephane Lebrun and Rob Yetman rounded out the top five.

Reigning back-to-back street stock champion Steve Billings picked up the win in the 40 lap street stock invitational. 34 street stocks signed into the pits, and Billings came out the winner over Brock Cullen, Kevin Fetterly Jr., Jason Fontaine and Craig Handley.

That is all for this week. Any comments and suggestions can be sent to crevelle@ripnet.com

**Photo Attachment: Mario Clair in Victory Lane at Brockville. Rick Young Photo

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