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APOLOGIES
First of all, I must apologize to all those on the mailing list that received multiple deliveries of the last report. For some reason, instead of it being sent only once, some people received it over 20 times. It must have been very annoying for them. I know it would have annoyed me ! I have no idea why this occurred, and I can only guess it was a problem with my internet server.
After this year, I plan to stop sending out these reports on a mailing list basis. Now that www.rickattheraces.com is in operation, where my reports are recorded weekly, there is no reason to do it anymore. I will still continue to send them to the media (and others if specifically requested).
While mentioning the website......
To compliment my report from the BriSCA F1 World Final at Ipswich we've added a link to a BBC video report of the event.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7630286.stm
PLEASE NOTE IMPORTANT MESSAGE
I moved house this weekend and my new e/mail address is
Now on to this weeks report
RICK @ the RACES ( 4 Oct)
FULTON SPEEDWAY (NY)
To say the last few weeks have been a bit hectic, would be an understatement. After returning from a 'four track' racing tour of the UK, I had less than two weeks remaining before the completion date of my house sale. ( I had to be 'out' by Oct 3). On 26/27 Sept , I was at the Capital City , and Brighton Speedways , while under the weather with the Flu , so when Saturday 4 Oct approached , I was quite prepared to take a break. (especially with SUPER DIRT WEEK starting on Wednesday, Oct 8)
Well, the house move went smoother than expected and by the time I was settled in my new home on Friday night I was itching for some action. After making a phone call to my buddy Roger Aubin, plans were made to attend the Fulton Speedway in New York for their Schneider Bothers 200.
We left my new home in Long Sault around 11-30 on Saurday morning and were soon across the border at Ogdensburg heading for Interstate 81. Not long after 3-00pm we had pulled up in the packed parking lot at Fulton.
Fulton Speedway is traditionally the 'kick start' to SUPER DIRT WEEK and their Victoria Weekend has been a favorite with the fans for many years. Even though the “Victoria 200 ' title has now been transferred to another track, most people still consider this event (now called the Schneider Brothers 200 ) to be 'the' Victoria.
On arrival we heard some racing in progress, and soon found out that , Friday nights 'rain delayed' races were taking place. Once these were over, the speedway was emptied of fans, then reopened for Saturdays events. There were over 80 Modifieds in attendance which included all the sports top names. The format for Fulton's big one has changed a bit during the course of time, and for the past couple of years sail panels have been permitted. I'm not a great fan of sail panels, as I think it makes the cars look stupid, but I'll 'put up' with them once in a while. I definitely wouldn't make a habit of watching them.
Saying that, there were some exceptionally smart cars in the pits. Brett Hearn's machine looked stunning, the shape reminded of a hearse. Others looked like Bread Vans !
One of the attractions for many fans this year was the reapearance at Fulton of former 'Victoria' winner Billy Pauch # 1W from Frenchtown, New Jersey.
The actual race turned out to be one of the best 'long hauls' (200 laps) I've ever seen, with the result in doubt right up until the last lap. The first part of the race was dominated by Vermont's Dave Camera # 26 and Paul Kinney # 19K, until Brett Hearn # 20 edged in to the lead on lap 64.
At the 100 lap 'half way stage' the cars all returned to the pits for the mandatory 15 minute break, before returning to the track for part two. As Kinney faded Hearn and Camera continued to battle it out, while Billy Decker # 91, Pat Ward # 42P and Danny Johnson # 121 were moving up. The track had been hard on the cars and many succumbed to front end breakages. Just as Decker was moving closer to the front he too became a casualty.
It wasn't long before the Hearn and Camera duel became a three way fight as Johnson homed in. He'd been using the 'high groove' and it payed off as he managed to pass them both with less than ten laps to go. A couple of late cautions meant it was going to be a green/white checkers finish and the spot light was Johnson and Camera. There was a false start for the first attempt, then as the flag dropped the second time , Camera was slow to get away . The 'Doctor' powered his way to the checkers with Hearn and Ward following him across the line.
The show was over around 10-00pm and we were soon on our way home. The only 'black mark' to the day being the ridiculously long delays we endured at the 1000 Islands border crossing.
PIC 1 Brett Hearn's Hearse
PIC 2 Steve Paine's Bread Van
PIC 3 Vic Coffe's Bread Van
PIC 4 Hot Laps wreck at Fulton
PIC 5 Danny Johnson # 121 at Fulton
PIC 6 Fulton Action
PIC 7 Fulton Action
PIC 8 Fulton Action
PIC 9 Billy Pauch (L) and Danny Johnson (R) at Fulton
PIC 10 Danny Johnson in the Fulton Victory Lane
RACES ATTENDED IN 2008
1 JAN 19 ARENA ESSEX (Thurrock UK)
2 JAN 27 LAC MORIN (Que)
3 JAN 27 ST EULALIE (Que)
4 FEB 16 KAHNAWAKE (Que)
5 FEB 17 CLARENCE CREEK (Ont)
6 FEB 24 BERTRAND FABI CIRCUIT . Sherbrooke, (Que)
7 FEB 24 BEAUHARNOIS , (Que)
8 MAR 21 WILLIAMS GROVE SPEEDWAY (PA)
9 MAR 22 LINCOLN SPEEDWAY (PA)
10 APR 19 CAN AM SPEEDWAY,Lafargeville, (NY)
11 APR 20 CAYUGA COUNTY FAIR SPEEDWAY,Weedsport, (NY)
12 APR 26 MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY (Ont) 358 SUPER DIRTCAR SERIES
13 APR 27 HUMBERSTONE SPEEDWAY, Port Colborne (Ont)
14 MAY 3 MOHAWK INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY , Hogansburg (NY)
15 MAY 9 CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY , OTTAWA (Ont)
16 MAY 10 MOHAWK INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY , Hogansburg (NY)
17 MAY 17 BROCKVILLE ONTARIO SPEEDWAY, (Ont)
18 MAY 18 CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont)
19 MAY 24 MOHAWK INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY , Hogansburg (NY)
20 MAY 25 CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont)
21 MAY 29 CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont) KART TRACK
22 MAY 30 AUTODROME EDELWEISS , Cantley, (Que)
23 MAY 31 BROCKVILLE ONTARIO SPEEDWAY, (Ont)
JUN 1 AUTODROME ST EUSTACHE, (Que) RAINED OUT
24 JUN 6 AUTODROME EDELWEISS Cantley, (Que)
25 JUN 7 FULTON SPEEDWAY (NY) SUPER DIRTCAR SERIES
26 JUN 8 CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont)
27 JUN 11 CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY , Ottawa, (Ont)
28 JUN 21 BROCKVILLE ONTARIO SPEEDWAY (Ont)
29 JUN 22 CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont) WORLD OF OUTLAWS LATE MODELS
30 JUN 28 CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY, Ottawa (Ont) RAINED OUT
31 JUN 28 MOHAWK INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, Hogansburg, (NY)
32 JUN 29 CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont)
33 JUL 3 CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY Ottawa, (Ont)
34 JUL 5 BROCKVILLE ONTARIO SPEEDWAY (Ont)
35 JUL 6 CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont)
36 JUL 9 CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY ,Ottawa (Ont)
37 JUL 10 BROCKVILLE ONTARIO SPEEDWAY (Ont) SUPER DIRTCAR SERIES
38 JUL 12 ICAR CIRCUIT, Mirabel, (Que)
39 JUL 12 AUTODROME DRUMMOND (Que)
JUL 13 CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY(Ont) , RAINED OUT SUPER DIRTCAR SERIES
40 JUL 16 CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY,Ottawa (Ont)
41 JUL 18 BRIGHTON SPEEDWAY (Ont)
42 JUL 19 AUTODROME DRUMMOND (Que)
JUL 20 CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont) RAINED OUT
JUL 23 CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY,Ottawa, (Ont) RAINED OUT
JUL 26 MOWHAWK INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, Hogansburg (NY) RAINED OUT
43 JUL 27 CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont)
44 JUL 30 CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY, Ottawa, (Ont)
45 JUL 31 MOHAWK INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, Hogansburg NY (LUCAS OILS CDS)
46 AUG 1 AUTODROME EDELWEISS, Cantley (Que) (LUCAS OILS CDS)
47 AUG 2 BROCKVILLE ONTARIO SPEEDWAY (Ont) (LUCAS OILS CDS POSTPONED)
48 AUG 3 CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont) (LUCAS OILS CDS)
49 AUG 6 AIRBORNE SPEEDWAY PARK , Plattsburg ( NY)
50 AUG 9 CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY, Ottawa, (Ont) (ACT SERIES RACE)
AUG 10 CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont) RAINED OUT
51 AUG 13 CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY , Ottawa , (Ont)
52 AUG 16 CAN AM SPEEDWAY, Lafargeville, (NY) SUPER DIRTCAR SERIES
53 AUG 17 CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont) SUPER DIRT CAR SERIES
54 AUG 20 CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY Ottawa (Ont)
55 AUG 21 MOHAWK INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY , Hogansburg (NY) 358 SUPER DIRTCAR SERIES
56 AUG 23 BROCKVILLE ONTARIO SPEEDWAY (Ont)
57 AUG 24 CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont)
58 AUG 27 CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY , Ottawa, (Ont)
59 SEP 1 CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont) 358 SUPER DIRTCAR SERIES
SEP 6 CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY, Ottawa, (Ont) ACT SERIES RACE (RAINED OUT)
SEP 6 BROCKVILLE ONTARIO SPEEDWAY (Ont) 358 LUCAS OIL CDN / SUPER DIRTCAR (RAINED OUT)
60 SEP 7 CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont) ENDURO
61 SEP 13 BROCKVILLE ONTARIO SPEEDWAY (Ont) RUN WHAT YA BRUNG
62 SEP 17 ARLINGTON STADIUM , Eastbourne, (UK)
63 SEP 19 SKEGNESS STADIUM, Orby, (UK)
64 SEP 20 FOXHALL STADIUM , Ipswich (UK) BRISCA F1 WORLD FINAL
65 SEP 21 BRAFIELD STADIUM , Northants (UK)
66 SEP 26 CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY, Ottawa, (Ont)
67 SEP 27 BRIGHTON SPEEDWAY, (Ont)
68 OCT 4 FULTON SPEEDWAY (NY)
My RICK @ the RACES race report goes out to a mailing list of about 200 people, which includes, family, friends and acquaintances, I've either met or known during my life in auto racing. Please feel free to pass these on or use on websites etc.
My RICK @ the RACES (RETRO) reports are a little different, as they are an ongoing account of my times spent at the races through the years. Some time in the future, once they have been tidied up and edited, I may look into getting them published. I still have a long way to go before I'm up to the present day, but in the meantime, please contact me for consent before before using ( websites or publications) Thanks Rick
