RICK @ the RACES ( Easter 2009)

At last, after weeks of attending car shows and banquets I got down to some actual racing this weekend even though, unlike the UK, where I spent most of my life the Easter Weekend in North America has few opportunities to go racing. ( I can remember Easter Weekends in the past with four days of racing, Good Friday, Saturday, Easter Sunday and the Holiday Monday). Over here everything seams to shut down on Easter Sunday but on Saturday I had plenty to choose from. I decided to attend the Big Block Modified 'Ice Jam' at the historic Fonda Speedway in New York.

I was joined on this trip by my www.rickattheraces.com webmaster Craig Revelle and Can Am Speedway photographer Rebecca Eisele.

I left my place in Long Sault, Ontario at 8-00am on Saturday morning and picked up Craig, half an hour later at the 730 Truck Stop at Cardinal (Ont) . As it was a holiday weekend we chose to use the quieter Johnstown/Ogdensburg border crossing in preference to the busier 1000 Islands one. This decision pay off, even with an over scrupulous customs officer ! and we were soon heading down route 37 in the direction of Theresa/Lafargeville where we had arranged to meet Rebecca. We arrived in Fonda at lunch time, just right for a meal at the All American Truck Stop that's located close to the track on the opposite side of the Mohawk River. Once fed, we crossed the river bridge to the track that's made famous for it's back straight that runs along the river bank. On the bridge we noticed someone taking photos, it was fellow racing photographer Jerimiah Fish taking panoramic shots of the track. We met up with him later.

Racing was due to start at 4-00pm so we had plenty of time to 'tailgate' and 'talk racing' with other fans before the start. We bumped into many people including track announcer Mike Mallett. Being a season opener with very little else happening over the weekend there was a large turnout of cars and fans. On my pit walk about the car that really caught my attention was the Dover Brake sponsored # 00 of Bobby Varin. It just brought back memories of the Buzzy Reuteman cars that used to bare the same livery.

Sharing the program with the Big Block Mods were the 602 Crate Sportsman division ( best described as low budget Sportsman). Their feature was won by # 28M Jerimiah Munson.

The Modified heats all ran with few cautions and it was Craig Hanson # 20C who lined up on inside pole for the 40 lap Feature. Pat Ward # 42P was on the outside front. At the drop of the green flag Ward charged into a commanding lead which he held to the checkers. Varin who started near the back managed to work his way to second, and maybe with a few more laps could have been in a position to challenge.

Even if the race wasn't the 'most exciting' I've seen, it was great to be back at Fonda. The place is just steeped in history and you can't help love the place. It's a great shame it's no longer DIRTCAR sanctioned and misses out on all the SUPER DIRT SERIES races.

The show was ran in a very proficient way and was all over at a nice sensible time of 6-30pm. After taking 'Victory Lane' shots we were soon on our way and heading North. After a stopping for supper at the Mexico exit on I81 it wasn't long before we were bidding our farewells to Rebecca at Lafargeville. Even though it was late at night, the 1000 Island border crossing could still be busy, so once again we cut across country to the Ogdensburg alternative. Like on the journey down, it payed off, there was no line up and I was back home soon after midnight.

PIC 1   Brett Hearn # 20 races beside the Mohawk River at the Fonda Speedway NY

PIC 2   # 12 Jumpin Jack Johnson, Fonda legend

PIC 3  Gentlemen Start Your Engines for Fondas 40 lapper

PIC 4  # 00 Bobby Varin lines up beside Brett Hearn # 20 at Fonda

PIC 5  Fonda Speedway announcer Mike Mallett

PIC 6  Fonda veteran Dave Lape # 22

PIC 7  First three in Fondas Ice Jam LtoR third Michael Storms, winner Pat Ward and runner up Bobby Varin.

PIC 8  602 Crate Sportsman winner Jerimiah Munson # 28M