2010 LM History
Dirt Racing Here We Come
Leading The Pack At Eldoro…El Paso?
Okay, we know I don’t like the dirt, but actually I am having fun with the on-line Sim Racing at Rolling Thunder Gaming and 3-Unit Racing. Both organizations race as much as 7 nights a week, (perfect) and one of the series is the “358 Mods”, in this pictures. Terry Bauman, a motorcycle racer from Michigan and a very good on-line racer painted this Mod making it look like our #9 from 2009. Terry does an amazing job in the paint shop creating and preparing cars for every series. We will race at least 7 different classes between the two series, but I will be limited to one or two nights a week once real racing starts. All the people I race with are awesome and help me try to learn this craziness. Some of the best racers are the kids, 12 to 15 years old. We should have a late series so they have to be in bed….wait, Nonie would be calling me to get to bed as well so kids and old people are in the same boat….as for 2010 real racing, our two Late Models are at Mike McColls and the CVM heads to Ron Easton this week….Happy New Year to everyone.
What On Earth Is Going On????
41 Years On Paved Tracks Leads To Dirt Win
As most of you know, to pass the time this winter I have increased on line racing to a few nights a week. Recently I started racing on the SIM dirt tracks. On Sunday two weeks ago we finished 2nd and last Thursday 4th on the dirt. Meanwhile on every paved track this season the results have been devasting with DNF’s or results showing us down a few laps. Last Sunday night there were 18 of us racing at West Milton Speedway. Starting 14th we got lucky avoiding some carnage and by lap 49 was running 3rd. The two front cars got wrecked on a restart putting us first. The next 50 laps were wild with David, Paul Howse, Jason Shaw, Jeff Stewart and Scott Lyons on my tail (okay none of them were there…but it felt like it). Incredibly the last few laps I was as nervous as if it was real racing. Most of the on-line racers are from the United States. Iowa, Washington, California, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania to note a few locations. That’s neat to be doing this with people so far away. Anyway the boys are teasing me now saying I should have spent the past 4 decades racing on dirt….based on this picture they may be right.
Doc A True Hall Of Famer…
Arnold “Doc” Roper
On Tuesday February 2nd, our good friend and racing competitor for close to 20 years, lost his courageous battle with cancer. Doc, as he was called by his racing friends, leaves us with many great memories and a racing legacy of caring for every aspect of our sport. Soon after joining the CVM in 1988 he blazed a trail seeking to win the coveted Hobby club Championship. During that journey he provided opportunities for many other racers to drive very fast and competitive cars. He owned as many as 4 cars at one time. Doc was a hard competitor always fighting for every spot on the asphalt, until the drop of the checker. After the race, like many of us, he relived the race bantering with those he had dueled in the very tough feature races. In 1995, the year this picture was taken, Arnold and I made a bet on who would win the most races, the winner getting a night out. We had our best year in 1995 winning 4 features and 11 heats. It was an awesome year for Doc as well, winning a dozen races and finishing 9th in the Overall points chase. If we were playing “pool”, he would’ve smoked me badly. Nonie and I went to dinner with Arnold and Wendy, and he picked up the tab, but he would have win or lose, he was generous and gracious to everyone, and always good to me. Arnold occupied the leadership role as President of the Hobby Club in 1991, bringing us through some very tough times. On opening day in 2004 Doc made history by being the “most senior” Hobby driver, at 60 years old, to win a feature. He won the main event at one of the fastest and hardest tracks to compete, Delaware Speedway. His history making race would last until Ray Hughes made his way into the winners circle one more time at the age of 62′. As a club sponsor, “Oakville Chiropractic Center” and the “Alliance Health Center”, he gave excellent treatment and advice to the racers and their families who suffered from back problems. We joked at times saying he ran into us to get more work, he laughed, but the irony was that he never charged his racing friends for the treatment they received. Doc was a racer, multiple team owner, sponsor, President and negotiator for many years with the CVM. His efforts didn’t go unnoticed, he was inducted into the Hobby Hall Of Fame on November 7th 2009. He was so much fun to be around, always adventurous in all he did. I know you’re without pain now, but I’ll miss you a lot my friend. I thank God that I got to know you and your lovely wife Wendy, and to enjoy you’re beautiful caring ways on and off the track.
Making Progress
Body Gets Fittted
Though it’s only early March, we need to hustle to be ready for practice day. There’s still lots to do in preparation for the coming race season. Our goal is to win the points title at Flamboro Speedway. Our crew have worked hard since Christmas. Once the body is finished the car will go out for paint. Then we head to McColl’s for a day of setting up our suspension. Then Steve Lyons will perform his art work on the car and we’ll be ready in time to do some testing at Flamboro and possibly Delaware. For the first time in the history of Flamboro, Late Models will not be racing on opening day, or the next two weeks following. Flamboro has decided to elimiate the class from it’s early schedule as well as the final few weeks of Flamboro, but we will be there for Octoberfest….once we start on May 15th we’ll run every Saturday night until the 2nd week of September…..we’re excited about the coming season with hopes of running consistent enough to win our first Championship.
Coupe Gets V8
A Dream Come True
After a lenghty effort to get the Crate engine accepted as an alternative engine in the CVM, the members voted to allow the engine at the rules meeting. A few years ago there was strong resistance, but over the past season the members wanting to try the engine grew to being a majority. Our 33 Chev Coupe will run the new engine this season, a 350 cu. in. 350 HP mill. We ran one night in 2009, vowing not to spend another cent in fixing the inline if it blew up. If? That threat was tested on opening night when a rod went through the side of the block about 5 laps into the feature. The threat was fulfilled when the car sat for the balance of the season. Things will change in 2010 with the installation of the much more reliable V8. The Crate engine cost $3900 with tax and the inline is more like $9500 by the time it’s assembled with the best money can burn up. The Crate has a good history showing it will last 3 years. My shrink states, “it’s time to, heal, forgive and move on”. No kidding, instead of recovering engine parts off the race track, we can recover mentally knowing we should be able to compete competitively and not worry about detonating our engine…..Ron Easton of Oakville trailers is redoing our car, he does awesome work, along with fellow racer Steve Trendell. We hope to run the full (what?), somewhat light, CVM schedule in 2010…PS…there is a cardboard cover under the carb, don’t worry.
A Very Loving Crew Member & Friend
Paul Cornwall Crosses The Finish Line
In December of 2009, one of our longest sustaining and most beloved crew members, finished his race on earth. We called him KC, because he was from Kansas City Missouri. Paul Cornwall was like a father to me. He coached, prompted, encouraged and dedicated much of his spare time to help us wherever he could. In a selfish way, we were the winners because he was always so much fun to be around. Paul made us laugh constantly with his stories, especially his comments about various things, racing, work, life, whatever. The way he analyzed situations was brilliant. One night, during the feature, our brake pedal fell off the car, landing on the floor. I didn’t pull over or stop, but naturally slowed down. After the race I managed to get to our pit by coasting and finally shutting the car off about 4 car lengths from where my crew were waiting looking somewhat confused. Motioning to the boys for a push, they came over. Paul asked “what’s wrong”? I handed him the brake pedal, he looked at it in shock and immediately said “man, if this happened once every 7 years, I’d be worried sick come 1992”. We all laughed at that statement including Paul. He was always pumped and had great things to say about our competitors giving Ray Hughes, Bruce Manson, the Jerome’s, the Shaw’s, John Hasselfelt, Charlie Beck Jim Collison and many others, compliments for their great accomplishments and efforts. In 1982, during another feature race at Flamboro, I fought hard to grab the lead only to self spin a few laps later. Paul looked at me and told me not to beat myself up but to remember that for next time. Later on he would contend “the Hobby club is very competitive, it’s not easy for us to win, so when the opportunity comes…be ready”. By the late 80’s we were running very strong and many times he just shook his head after watching some tense and awesome battles in heats and features. He loved racing and praised every racer for putting on great shows. Over the past 7 or 8 years, we didn’t see Paul as much because his time was spent with OJ (“Oswego John” Hajuk), going to dirt races. Paul and John were very close making many dirt specials throughout New York. Paul taught us a lot. To fight for every inch, but do it by the book. To be ready every race because you never knew when the opportunity to win was going to grace your path, and if it did, you better strike. We won our first Championship in 1989 with Paul, Steffon Zoskey and Kevin Cantwell making up our crew. It was so good to win. The victory was achieved by listening to Paul’s wisdom. This picture was taken in 1985. Paul’s son Bill got military leave from his duty on an aircraft carrier to come out and watch us race. The night before the race, Bill, who was a fighter jet mechanic apprentice at the time working on F-15 Eagle’s, helped us make our air breather. Paul was proud of his son’s work and I was excited and called the air box the “F-15 Eagle”. The loss of Paul is sad, but we thank God for bringing him into our lives and want to express our deepest sympathies to Paul’s 3 sons, Bill, Steve and John and their families. We loved your dad and miss him very much.
Pennsyvannia Contest Entry
Larry Yeager Paints #36
Fans and friends have until the end of the week to come up with an idea for our 2010 Late Model paint scheme. Pennsyvannia On-Line racer Larry Yeager created this version for us to consider. Larry is one of 40 different racers I get a chance to compete against from Monday to Sunday nights. Larry is currently leading the Sprint Car series over the Quaker State #36 by a mere 3 points. You can check out the On Line stuff at Rolling Thunder Gaming.com
Michigan Bike Racer Brings New Look
Terry Bauman Entry
Terry Bauman,an avid dirt bike racer from Port Hope Michiagn, not far from Sarnia, has put in his entry for the paint scheme contest that ends this week. Terry is another awesome On-Line racer who paints many car bodies for those who play one, two, or like me 6 days a week. Terry painted all our cars for the six series we’re in, and we’ll use his combination of green and white, on the 358 Mod for our 33 Chev Coupe. There is at least one more entry as of now, and it will be posted on March 19th.
2010 Paint Scheme Contest
Design Our 2010 Paint Scheme And Your Name Goes On Our Car
In the past 5 years racing with the Late Models we have won the Best Appearing Car Award three times. Our 2005, 2008 and 2009 cars were totally different but well done by our painters and sign graphic artists. We decided for 2010, in order to go for a third win in a row, we’d need to change the car paint scheme and try to outdo or match our 2009 car, perhaps the best looking car we’ve ever had….that’s where our fans come in. We are inviting paint randitions until the end of this week and will choose one of the entries as the look for 2010. Some members of Rolling Thunder Racing, where I online race during the week are putting together some of their own ideas and drawings. The winner will have their name put on the car with a credit for creating our new look for 2010. You can send any ideas to gelliot@cogeco.ca. in advance, we appreciate and thank you for your time and effort in creating an idea for our car.
Florida Entry
Tyler Young Randition
Here is the 4th entry for a suggested paint scheme on our 2010 Late Model. Tyler races On-line and lives in Florida. He usually runs at or near the top every week. There are a few more entries coming in, this Sunday night the contest ends. Thanks to Tyler and everyone who has entered so far.
Rob Larkin Paints #36
Rob Larkin Entry
Rob Larkin and I have known each other for a long time. He raced Mini Stox at Flamoro for a few years with his dad Ron Larkin Jr. brother Dave and cousin Mike. Rob is one of the best On-Line racers in Canada and the United States, usually running for the win most nights or very close to it. We may have another entry before Sunday night, that’s when our contest will close. So far we have Steve Lyons, Larry Yeager, Terry Bauman, Tyler Young and now Rob Larkin paint schemes to consider and the bad news for us is they all look great. My wife Nonie, daughter Shirely, crew members Jim, Jason, Rob and grand kids Gehrig and Lauren will help choose the winner.
Southern Ontario Composite
Joel Clancy Entry
Joel runs Mini Trucks at Grand Bend speedway and has been following our racing for a few years both in the Coupe and Late Model. We appreciate the kind words he wrote when he sent us this drawing for the contest. There is still at least one more entry coming, then my family and crew will start the process of trying to pick a winner from all of these entries. Thanks to Joel, Steve, Larry, Tyler, Terry and Rob for the great pictures sent so far.
Hawaii Entry
Dwight York Entry
Wow, from the Pacific ocean, home of ‘Dog The Bounty Hunter’ we get this composite from Dwight York, . Dwight is another On-Line racer who took time to put this drawing together as a potential scheme for our 2010 Late Model. Today is the last day to enter any new ideas, and there is at least one more that will go up late today or early evening. Thanks to Dwight for sending your art work.
Another Michiagan Entry
Terry Bauman Adds 2nd Design
This may be the last entry for our paint scheme contest, this one from Terry Bauman of Michigan. Terry’s first entry was nice but he felt he could make it even better. Tonight is the last night for entries. Thanks to everyone for presenting some very creative designs.
Contest Results In
The Winner Is….We Like Them All
Wow, Ron larkin Junior said he wouldn’t want the job of picking a winner from the 7 entries we had. He was right, there were far too many excellent choices to pick a winner….But!!!…we have decided to take a little from every randition and come up with a new paint scheme for 2010. There is one paint scheme that might be used on our 33 Chev Coupe (later on that). Because these men worked hard on their paint scheme’s we have decided to put all their names on our car under the logo of the On-Line group they’re with, RTR racing and 3-Unit racing. We appreciate the effort put in and will up date the progress and stages of the car as it gets completed. This shot taken at Carisle Customz Collision was before any paint, the next picture will be with the white and green. We hope we made the right decision going to white and green from the “home run” paint job last season. We’re confident both the paint work and lettering will make this car just as good..or here’s a stretch…better than 2009….Steve Lyons from Creative Edge is excited about the challenge. Thanks again to Steve Lyons, Larry Yeager, Terry Bauman, Rob Larkin, Tyler Young, Dwight York and Joel Clancy for your ideas, we truly appreciate them and are honored to add your names on our car.
Looks Like We Did The White Thing
Painting By Carlisle Customz Collision
We decided last year we wanted to change our car for 2010. My crew reminded me that our only two Championships were with white cars, 1989 and 1999. We believe we’re ready to go for our first Late Model title, and white might be the way to go…plus from an appearance point of view, we didn’t want to paint the car the same as 2009, even though it was one of our best paint scehmes ever…41 years ever. Once our contest entries schemes have been added, Steve Lyons will produce another winner with his masterful final touch. We hope to get the car to Steve right after we take #36 for a day at the spa…the McColl Racing Spa, where Mike and his boys will help my crew and I get the most out of our Late Model. Mike and Junior Hanley both are fairly certain we will be competitive and give Paul Howse a run for the title, as well as the other top competiors that bring Late Models to our class…we won’t be competitive with a Super Late Model, but we’re not expecting any this season…we hope. The green should be on the car by Tuesday, we’ll up date the next stage of the new look then.
Shane Howard Magic
Carisle Customz Two Tone Touch
Now that the paint is finished the car will come back to the garage for assembly of the windows, accesories and rear spoiler. We’ll scale it and then take it to Mike McColl’s for his final set up . Once the chassis weight distribution and geometry work is completed Steve Lyons will produce another excellent looking race car with his skill and creativity. We are in good shape to make practice day, and plans are to make a trip to Sunset one night to test there as well. Thanks to boys at Carisle Customz Collision for giving us a beautifully finished Late Model.
Final Assembly Under Way
Crew Get Lots Done
We had a game plan today and stuck by it. Starting at 10:00 we spent a few hours get some paint off the interior and engine area. Jim, Jason, Marty, Rob and Logan were a tremendous help. The boys polished both front and rear windows and then installed them. Under the hood we painted the inside of the fenders and nose cone black, giving it more contrast. Marty also spent some time on our spare car. We’re fixing it by putting new doors, fenders and front nose cone on. It’s possible we may end up putting the 602 Crate engine in it as well, but that depends on whether or not we sell it as is or turn key. If it dosen’t sell by the end of June we could keep it and run some specials by the end of the year for the Limited Lates, but that depends a lot on how the season goes for us….It was an amazing day weather wise, as this spring continues to be the best ever. The awesome weather has helped track management get ready. In the past they’ve had very wet, cold and even snow conditions this time of year not allowing them to do any work preparing the facility. Not so in 2010, the weather has been record setting since early March, and that’s after an incredibly low snow fall for the winter, we used the snow blower once….. We still have some work to do on #36 before we send it to Mike McColl’s and Creative Edge. Rear spoiler, front hood and trunk pin plates, rad shroud, front grille, body braces, tow hook, and go over all the levels before we start the car. We’re not far from being ready and with opening day for us sometime in July, we’ll be ready in lots of time…okay, it’s not July, it’s May 15th, but that’s three weeks later than last year, and the first time ever the track has opened the season without their popular Late Models. I’m sure it’s a financial move, but the owner says it was to give the Late Models a few week ends off. Wow, how about giving us a week in July or August off, that way racers with kids can go away for a week…and racers like me can run Sauble Speeday for their 6th Annual Late Model Open on August 1st. We’re going to Sauble anyway, but not as rested as we would have been had we not ran the night before at Flamboro, and to make sure we’llbe there, it’s a double points night at Flamboro. What’s funny is the Ontario tracks started a new organization so they would work together, it appears not to be the case….our team is in the best shape ever being ready well before Flamboro’s opening day on April 24th, even though we won’t be there, we’ll be ready….special thanks to our guys for getting our car to where it is and to Carlisle Customz Collision for making it look so good.
History Making Day…..Final Set Up
A Serious Step At The Run For The Championship
In the past 4 decades we have always gone over our own car, set it up with the equipment and knowledge we had. In the early 70’s I used an air tank and paint brush to get my car where it needed to be. In the 80’s and 90’s we focused on understanding how the 4 spring set up worked and made notes on nights when we were fast. Usually we had no clue why we were faster than anyone else. For the past 5 seasons in Late Models we had help getting us to the place of being fairly competitive. This year we wanted to do it differnt. Never had I gone to the extent we did on Saturday to have our car completely analyzed front to back. Our crew Jim, Jason and Rob, set the car up the night before, basically using the same numbers we’ve used the past few years. But all of us knew there was more we could do, we missed a few steps a long the way to scaling the car. The goal was to bring the car to Mike McColls and have it scaled, strung and set up like never before. Jim, Rob, Marty, Ken and Linda made the trip. It was a very long but informative day. We had the front end completely out of the car, did some work on both (new) front spindles. The bump steer, akerman, cambre, caster and toe were all set. The rear was squared properly, wheel base, trailing arm angles and center link all adjusted. The shocks were dyno’d and springs rated. The final set up was tweeked by both Mike and his expert employee Robon. Robin was awesome making every adjustment with precision and care. Our crew removed and reinstalled the parts and got to see the importnace of the systems they were using to make the car right. I very much appreciated the dedication of our crew to make this day-long venture, and we all learned from it. We were impressed by Mike’s knowledge of race chassis and the patience to explain things to us in such simple detail. This was the first time ever for us to go to this extent in getting a car set up. Our goal is to win the Championship in 2010 and we already know that at least 5 other teams will be trying to dethrone Paul Howse. Things will be tough this year, but we’re ready, and we’re miles ahead of 2009, in fact we’re miles ahead of any season we prepared to compete in. We often hit the low 15:4’s but on nights we did Jason announced he was in the 3’s. We needed to make some changes to our car, no better way than a day at McColl’s. We’re satisfied all this work will give us a fighting chance….now it’s off to Creative Edge where Steve Lyons will produce another beauty.
Looking Cool With The V8
Heading To MacMaster Pontiac
Chris Brading from MacMaster Pontiac picked up our 33 Chev Coupe shortly after this picture was taken. Chris, Derek and the boys will go over the car completely in hopes of getting it ready for practice day on Saturday, if not we’ll go out another night. The car is basically ready except for a good thorough check over, then paint and then to Steve Lyons for lettering. I am very excited seeing the V8 in this car and can’t wait to drive it. Thanks to Shane for getting the primer on today so Chris could get it to his shop and finalize it for practice…..the Late Model is being lettered at Creative Edge, Steve Lyons salon for making cars look awesome. We’ll pick it up on Friday and post a picture on our site that night. The Late Model will head to Flamboro on Saturday for practice as well and then be parked for 3 weeks because Late Models will not run Flamboro for their opening day, or the next two weeks after that. Things are coming together very well and we’re looking forward to a fun season.
Steve Lyons Comes Through
Next Step…Testing
Steve Lyons had his hands full trying to make our 2010 car match or beat the 2009 paint scheme. We give him a big thumbs up. It’s always a chore to try to out-do each year, and last years car was the best looking car we’ve ever had. Most of our family and friends like the 2010 version, in fact they all do. Some wonder why we changed from the 2009 green and black, voted Best Appearing Car at Flamboro, but that’s what we do, make it different and hopefully as good or better than the year before. I really like this car and with the green interior the contrasting is very good. We’ll have a better gauge on how good it really is once we see it on the track and under the lights….we have a few things left to do before we head to Flamboro for practice day. It’s calling for rain, when have we heard that before?….every week end in 2009!!!. Anyhow, opening day for Late Models is in 4 weeks so we have lots of time to get the bugs out and be ready to go. Thanks to all our crew, to Carlisle Customz Collision, Creatve Edge and our 2010 sponsors for giving us a great car to start this excitinging year. Our goal is to win the track Championship and we’re ready for the challenge.
CVM Makes History
First V8 In CVM
Chris Brading from MacMaster Pontiac and Derrick Mehlenbacher join me in this historic picture as our Coupe makes Tuesday night practice at Flamboro powered by a V8. This is not only a first for the CVM but a long awaited dream for me. Chris supplied the V8 and Derrick will drive the car on May 15th for the CVM season opener at Flamboro Speedway. The Coupe is far from finished and needs some fine tuning to get it to where it needs to be. The chassis will be balanced and some led moved to get the set up closer. We turned some laps in the high 16’s, about 3 to 4 tenths off. There is lots to do to make the car competitive but we’re looking forward to the challenge of competiting with an engine that should last longer than our 2009 engine. During warm ups we were hitting the chip, too soon on the front chute and close to perfect on the back. However, once the car is dialed in better we’ll need to bring the gear down from 588 to possibly 567 for the season opener. Derrick was very excited with the car and wants to get another night of practice in before we send the car to Carlisle Customz Collision for paint, then Creative Edge for lettering…after this test with a car that’s 12 years old, we know each session will be better and we’re convinced the V8 is here to stay.
Getting Dialed In
Three Weeks To Go…We’re Ready
We were surprised at how quick our car was last Saturday. We worked hard over the winter making changes to help us take a serious run at the Flamboro Late Model Championship. The track lifted all the penalties for the cars with struts and coil overs, but then allowed cars without those suspension parts to get a 50 pound weight break. We thought about converting our car but with some advice from a few chassis builders took the weight advantage and focused on making what we have work for us. Once the car was repaired and put on the jig at McColl’s, we returned 3 months later to have it scaled and set up. The results have been most impressive for us, showing up on the stop watch with some very quick lap times. We may not be the fastest in 2010 but we’ll be close. We know winning the title is not based on being the quickest, it’s consistancy that will get us to our goal…but being consistantly fast won’t hurt. We’re sure others will be quick as well, Jason Shaw has already creeped into some time zones not heard of in this class. Our team is confident we’ve got the right set up, and don’t worry, we’re not over-confident…too old for that. We plan on running again this week end to make sure we had the right stop watch last weekend.
Compass Point Church….Youth Group
Stopping By A Race Shop
Ten boys from the Compass Point Church brigade, along with three of their leaders, paid a visit to our race shop to get a close up of the Quaker State race car, and some insight on how race cars are built and set up. The boys listened to a few stories. It was very cold out, and getting colder by the minute. It would have been better for them to listen to a racer with a few years experience, being it was so cold out. I was good and kept it short because I’m also not a big fan of the cold. The boys got in the car for pictures. At the end of the visit they left with our souvenir book and an autographed race picture….we’ll be testing again this Saturday at Flamboro, getting our car fine tuned for the season opener on May 15th.
David’s Team Ready For NASCAR
Delaware Speedway Opener May 7th…37 Team Eager To Battle
After a week at Creative Edge, Steve Lyons sign shop, David and his team showed off their new look for 2010. This week they will finish the Pennzoil car in preparation for the season opener on May 7th at Delaware Speedway. In the past six months major steps were taken by the team to give them a shot at the Delaware NASCAR Championship. Mike McColl was given the green light to update the chassis with a coil over strut suspension and four piston calipers. Two weeks ago David went to Delaware for practice and though it was very cold he was happy with the car. We won’t race with #37 on a regular basis this year. Our focus is on the Flamboro title, however there are a few nights when we’ll battle, twice at Delaware and then again at one of our favourite stops, a place we’ve both had success, Sauble Speedway. Things look promising for the Pennzoil car this season. They have a strong team and now a very good car. Mix those ingredients with one of Ontario’s best short track racers and you have a winning combination. We wish David and his crew a very successful 2010 season.
Practising With Mike Bentley #99
Working Out The Bugs
We made our 4th visit to Flamboro getting our car ready for the 2010 Championship race. Each time out we learn something new, the car gets a little faster. Our biggest issue is bottoming out. The steering rack is pounding the track in turn entry and causing a slight push, not to mention taking some life and shavings off the rack body. In spite of that, it was a successful outing. We were on older tires and hitting the track, combine that with a muggy night and overall we ran some good times. We’re not quite where we want to be, but we’re very close. We have some repairs to do to the carb this week as well as the chassis and we’ll return again next Saturday for what we hope is our final testing…it has to be, we start racing the week after. Thanks to our crew, Jim, Jason, Rob, Marty and Marcello for treating this test like it was race day…….#99 Mike Bentley was out, sporting his new paint scheme. His car looks great. Mike and his dad Dave, one of my toughest rivals in the late 70’s, through to the 90’s with the Hobby cars, have worked hard on their car this winter and hope to improve in 2010, and capture another feature win. Bruce Bennett had his new car out, driven by Junior Farley, another clean looking race car from the Bennett stables.
From Carlisle Customz’ to Creative Edge
Now It’s Up To Steve
Rob, one of our crew members, picked the 33 Chev up from Carlisle Customz after Shane did an awesome job on the prep and finish. The perfect paint job will give Steve Lyons a good base from which to decorate the Coupe with his magic and talent. We’ve asked him to make it look like our Late Model, which by most observers, looks even better than 2009. Steve is excellent at what he does and we can’t wait to see his masterpiece. Oh, by the way, I know I give Steve lots of props, and there’s a reason for it…and the reason isn’t to save money…well, if it was to save money, it hasn’t worked so far…the reason he gets positive comments from me all the time is because of the work he does for us. I am a tough person to do creative stuff for, whether it’s lettering or in a recording studio. I want the best I can get, for my sponsors, fans and our team. Steve listens our wants and suggestions, then goes about making it happen. He never disappoints, and when we pick up the car, it’s even better than we thought it would be, Steve exceeds our expectations, for that he gets tons of positive promotion on this site…….The 33 Chev makes it’s debut next week at Flamboro Speedway with Derrick Mehlenbacher at the wheel….history will be made when this Hobby car shows up for opening day powered by a V8…if we finish the year with the same engine we started, history making will continue. I can’t wait till it’s my turn behind the wheel.
Coupe Gets Final Touch
Looking Like The Late Model
Well, now we’re two for two. We have a V8 in the Coupe and it looks just like our Late Model, thanks to Steve Lyons at Creative Edge. The car will head to Orangeville where Chris, Derrick and the boys will give it a once over, including removing some weight, in preparation for this weekends opening day for both the CVM and Late Models at Flamboro. We are truly thankful to our sponsors who invested into our team, and to those who helped produce two very nice looking race cars. Thanks to Shane Howard at Carlisle Customz Collision and Creative Edge for their excellent work, and to our crew for making the cars run awesome. Good luck to Derrrick and all the CVM boys in the 2010 season….Can’t wait till it’s my turn to drive the Coupe…I know, I said that before…but it has a V8, and that makes me want to get in it even more.
Season Starts May 15th At Flamboro Speedway
Opening Day Feature Win Has Eluded Us For 41 Years
In 41 seasons we have never won the feature on opening night. There was one season we came close. It was 1989, Jason Shaw was leading with 5 to go, we were 2nd and the yellow came out. On the restart coming off four Jason spun around. Thinking the race was mine, I got on the gas only to find myself spinning around from water on the track. We both ended up in the grass in turn four. There has been no time before or since where we had a good chance to win the opening night feature. We’re ready for 2010, and we know anything can happen, and though winning would be nice…no,awesome….our goal is to win the title this year, so our main focus is on consistancy. The Coupe will gets it’s debut at Flamboro as well with Derrick Mehlenbacher at the wheel. It takes team work to keep this journey going for 42 seasons and I’m very thankful for everyone involved, Nonie, our family, our crew, our sponsors, friends, fans and to God for blessing us in so many ways.
Heat Win Opening Night
Good Start For 2010
May 15th was an awesome start for us, winning our first heat, taking 3rd in the next and finishing 2nd in the feature. The car ran well all night. Special thanks to my crew for all their hard work, staying on top of the car. Jim was unable to make the first race and David did a great job filling in as spotter and helping us fine tune our car with some excellent tips. The night was good enough to put us in 2nd place in the Flamboro Speedway points chase, one point behind Jason Shaw, who also had a first and third in the heats but won the feature. He leads us by one point and Kenny Forth is third only one behind. It’s early, but it’s important to get a good start and we did that. Our next race is this Saturday at Flamboro….depending on how we make out Saturday, we may take a trip to the new Sunset Speedway and run with OSCAAR. If nothing else, it will give us an idea of what we need to do to run with them in September, when our points racing is over.
Beautiful Weather & Track Brings Huge Crowd
New Sunset Speedway…Now You’re Talking
This picture doesn’t show the amazing work and effort that went into building the new track, but it does show the response from fans as they get to sit in a new facility and watch great entertainment. Car count was good in all classes and the weather was beautiful on Sunday. The track ran Saturday, Barrie Speedway shut down early from the threat of rain, but Sunset was able to run, collecting some cars from other tracks rained out. The crowd was almost as big on Saturday…..the new Sunset is a beautifully designed race surface with fairly similar corners, a smooth race surface and pit lane, great lighting, lots of advertising, full stands and great announcing. A little more room will be needed in the pits to accomadate the larger trailers and haulers coming to the track. When touring with the CVM, I had two tracks I liked the most, sort of my favourite, Sauble and Sunset, they just seemed more my style of track (but I liked them all). After racing this week end Sunset has rocketted to #1. I can’t go back again until the fall when we’ll race with OSCAAR. Sunday’s results are in Diary of A Season.
OSCAAR Opening Night Sunset Speedway
Pre Race Introduction
This was our first ever race with the Super Late Models from OSCAAR, and our first time on the brand new reconstructed Sunset Speedway. The Supers had us covered, naturally, we were much slower, about 1/2 a second a lap. It was a weird feeling to be so slow, I kept driving my car into the turns hard allowing us to keep up with the back runners, but really I brought a snowball to a nuclear war. We didn’t change very much on the car, the gearing was the same as Flamboro, I thought it may not be enough but I hit the chip a few times, the track is fast, giving us a lot of speed into the corners and through the turns. We had fun, the new track is awesome and the OSCAAR members very friendly. We will race against them again in the fall after our points race is over at Flamboro Speedway. Maybe we can get a few hundred more horsepower by then…..special thanks to Dan Craik for this picture. You can see more of his excellent work at Rob Pooles site www.robpooleracing.com
Grisdale Triple Crown This Staurday
First 75 Lapper Of 2010
This Saturday night Flamboro Speedway will host the first race in the Grisdale Triple Crown. The 75 lap race will hopefully draw some cars from other tracks. Our team ran very well in this mini series in 2009, finishing 3rd behind Jason Shaw and winner Paul Howse. Consistency will determine the outcome, along with some luck and patience. The way things are measuring up so far in 2010, we could see some wild racing and crazy wild action. The usual suspects will play the role in the chase, Paul Howse, Jason Shaw, Kenny Forth and Jeff Stewart. Those four will make things tough for all competitors. However, in spite of the fact his car is off steroids, Shane Maginnis will be doing his own version of “King Of The Hill”. He’ll have to stay off the wall to ‘get er done’, odds are he’ll do that, but the boys are waiting. Meanwhile the much improved Bad Boy Shawn Chenoweth will go for the gold with his fast machine, and go for the throat if you mess with him. Our plan will be the same as every year, run hard, look for a break and take it when it shows up. This should be a very exciting race for the fans….don’t miss it….”car high”.
Quaker State Car Has Fast Time
1st Ever Late Model Pole Winner
For the first time in our 6 year Late Model history we won the pole position in a special race. Our best prior was at Sauble Beach when we qualified 4th in 2008 and 2009. This deal was different because it was the first time ever for Late Model time trials at Flamboro in the tracks 49th season. Those in the know were picking 82, 8, 56, 89 and 03 ahead of us. That’s really not a bad thing. When you’re fast it’s good people are looking somewhere else. The time trial scenario was totally different than any other I’ve seen. There were four people in the tower with stop watches. One was designated the key timer, and the other three were used to make sure the times were accurate, well as accurate as could be using the manual form of timing cars. The most effective way is using transponders and an electric eye, but not having that, the way it was done was the same for all racers. We were very happy after winning the pole. I went to the front chute and threw the dice to determine the invert. After the toss I was starting 8th, but what a night for our team winning this prestigious award…first ever Late Model pole winner…and with that goes the track record for fastest time. We all know with American Racer tires, it takes a few laps to get them hot and turn the fastest times, somewhere in the low 15:3’s, but this whole formula was fair for all and we were ready for the challenge. Thanks to Mike McColl for getting our car set up over the winter, to my crew for keeping the car in good running order and to all our sponsors for supporting us in 2010….it’s so good to be running in our 42nd year and doing things on the track we’ve never done before.
Grisdale Triple Crown
Racing Hard
It was a tough night of competition. There was a good size crowd, and a full field of Late Models. Twenty two cars started, Shawn Chenoweth #89 won the race and held off challenges from various racers throughout the 75 lap event. Shawn raced with us in 2006 but took a few years off to try his skill at Super Late Models. He ran well with the 600 HP boys. Now he’s back and after one race he’s on top of the very prestigious Grisdale Triple Crown. Pictured here is 07 Todd Campbell. He ran very strong in the first GTC race. Todd is one of cleanest drivers in the Late Model series.
Milton Street Fest
Great Day In Milton
Every Saturday a section of downtown Milton is closed for the Farmers Market. However on June 5th Main Street was closed from 7:am until Midnight for the annual Milton Street Fest. It was a beautiful day packed with vendors and Milton residents enjoying the displays, food and music. Our car was at the Knox Presbyterian church for display and support of former CVM racer Glen Colling. Glen and some friends took a missions trip to Burkina Faso. During his visit Glen had a vision of helping these people in Africa with some much needed equipment and tools. Most of their tractors and tools were broken, and tools were the biggest issue. Glen was on hand to speak about his effort. A container is being filled with tools of all kinds to be shipped in late June. The small tool box in front of our car was for donations. A pamphlet entitled “Toonies for Tools” was handed out and people made donations.
Paul Howse Win
Racing With The Best
This was a tough heat for us in a number of ways, one being the hard chargers surrounding the Quaker State Impala. Paul Howse #8, the 2009 track Champion leads us and #82 Jason Shaw the 2008 track Champion. It’s a long season, and with no nights off, double file restarts, and double points nights thrown in. The chase will be a well earned accomplishment for the team that can get it done. My crew have been awesome and though we struggled a little tonight, the car not being quite itself after racing on the wall, we will be ready for next weeks battle with these two Champs and the rest of the boys including Shawn Chenoweth who won his second feature in a row this past Saturday ngiht. The racing has been very exciting in 2010, our next race June 12th with the Vintage Modifieds, green flag drops at 6:30pm
Battle For 4th
Don’t Look In The Mirror
Chris “Pee Wee” Boschler #3 fights a hard battle with Paul and I in the middle stages of the Late Model feature on June 5th. Chris has run every race so far in 2010, bringing his car home in 4th place in the first Grisdale Triple Crown 75 lap race on May 29th. Pee Wee comes to the track in class with our friend Jim Sweers who tows the black #3 in his NASCAR hauler. Next week we hope to have a few more cars and soon our son David may come back to race with us at Flamboro. That would be good giving this class another tough competitor.
Fathers Day…..Crestwicke Baptist Church
Beautiful Day For Dad’s
We were invited in 2009 to bring our car and speak at the Crestwicke Baptist Church in Geulph. The parking lot was full of beautiful classic cars and hot rods. Bruce, Joyce, and Marty, joined Nonie and I to help promote our sport of racing and our sponsors. I was honored to be the speaker for this event. This picture was supplied by Tracey. Her and husband Wayne had their 30 Ford 2 door coach at the show, and were accompanied by Richard and Trish who brought their 57 Chev. In February our family went to Cuba and met the four of them at our resort. We’ve kept in touch and today was our first time together since Cuba. There was a great crowd for the church service. Last year the service was inside but this year it was outside, and it was a great day. I also had the opportunity to talk to former Hobby racers John Jarvis and LeRoy Hillis, and our Late Model friends the Campbell family. Todd said he would be racing this week end at Flamboro. The race report from Saturday night will be up tomorrow.
Stock Car Racing……..This Saturday Night
Fan Appreciation Night This Saturday
Late Model racing resumes this week at Flamboro Speedway. The new format for 2010 of double file restarts, combined with so many fast and talented drivers, has made the Late Model class come alive. Chris Boschler is seen here battling Jason Shaw, with Shawn Chenoweth, us and Kenny Forth a few inches behind. Shawn is leading the points this year and Chris is tied for 4th with Paul Howse. The points race is tight and will more than likely go down to the last night…..this week end is Fan Appreciation Night, giving kids, big and small a chance to get a close up of their favourite car and driver.
Fan Appreciation Night
Rain Almost Spoiled It
All the Flamboro classes came on the track for the Fan Appreciation autograph session. Mini’s, TC’s, F-4’s and Late Models. Shortly into it the rains came, not hard but just enough to ruin the pictures we were signing. Ron and Marty helped keep the pictures dry, and I think most of the fans had a good time getting a close look at the cars……Behind our car is #56 Jeff Stewart. That’s Marty getting his autograph. Jeff won the feature last week, and though he was behind us for the autograph signing, he would end up ahead of us in the feature. Shane Maginnis won the 30 lapper, his second of 2010.
Fan Appreciation Night
Rain Almost Spoiled It
All the Flamboro classes came on the track for the Fan Appreciation autograph session. Mini’s, TC’s, F-4’s and Late Models. Shortly into it the rains came, not hard but just enough to ruin the pictures we were signing. Ron and Marty helped keep the pictures dry, and I think most of the fans had a good time getting a close look at the cars……Behind our car is #56 Jeff Stewart. That’s Marty getting his autograph. Jeff won the feature last week, and though he was behind us for the autograph signing, he would end up ahead of us in the feature. Shane Maginnis won the 30 lapper, his second of 2010.
One That Will Never Be A CVM
Wayne’s Beautiful Ford Coach
On July 1st we had some friends over for a barbque. Pictured here is Wayne and Richard.Wayne and Tracy own this awesome Ford Coach. Richard and Trish have a 57 Chev. We met these people in Cuba and they were in Waterdown for a Classic Car and Hot Rod show at Weeks Hardware. They will be bringing their cars to Flamboro Speedway, with a few more beauties like this pearl painted Ford on August 28th.
Final Laps Of Grisdale Triple Crown
Brad Corcoran #05 Wins 75 Lap Race
In the final laps of the Grisdale Triple Crown these four cars battled for the lead. Shane Maginnis #03 would take the win followed by #05 Brad Corcoran, #89 Shawn Chenoweth and #3 Chris Boschler. Unforunately Shane was disqualified in tech and the win went to Brad. Shawn finished 2nd giving him a one point lead over Brad for the Grisdale Triple Crown championship.
Summer Shootout
Wednesday July 7th
David and I will be running in this special event at Delaware Speedway. It will be fun to be part of one of the biggest media hype races in a long time for Late Models. Our goal is to make the feature and stay out of trouble. It will be interesting to see how well the NASCAR Cup Stars do against some tough Delaware regulars. Qualifying will be the issue for us, but fun is the mandate, and get our sponsors some exposure.
David And Kyle Side By Side
Kyle Busch 51 Wins Delaware Summer Shootout
Kyle Busch came to Delaware and conquered the Canadians with an impressive win in the 50 lap feature. Driving Steve Robblee’s rocket, Mr. Busch waited patiently until just past lap 30 to take the lead and never look back or be challenged. In this photo, David gets to start outside of Kyle in the heat. David was the only person to be on the outside of the Cup star all night. DJ Kennington started inside for the feature. David had a great night turning an 18:818 in time trials and finishing 2nd in this heat, and 9th in the feature. The huge crowd loved the show that included an autograph session.
Danica Who?
Sarah Wins First Career Feature Race
Dave Watson is all smiles standing beside Sarah Miskiewicz, no wonder, his new racing Ace picked up the Mini Stock feature win minutes before this picture was taken. The pits and grand stands were pulling for the rookie as she drove a superb race claiming her first feature victory. Sarah started racing go-karts a few years ago and wanted to take the step up to stock car racing. After a successful run in karts, she ran in the CVM Powder Puff pulling off a win in her first outing. Over this past winter Dave asked me if I thought Sarah might want to drive his Mini Stock. I guessed she would, and after a short call the two negotiated a driving contract for 2010. Sarah took the checker, crossing the finishing line just ahead of Dave’s son Brian. Early in the feature Brian passed Sarah but lost the lead when she fought back a few laps later. Once she regained the lead there was no catching her. Congrats to Sarah and Dave for an exciting win, and no doubt there will be many more to come.
This Is The Closest I’d Get To Kyle Busch
Fan Quiz
One of them qualified 2nd, one of them won the race, one of them did not ask for the others autograph, one of them made more money than the other, one was paid to come and race, one did not have to watch the other race in the Summer Shootout, and finally, one finished 3rd on Saturday night…if you answered Kyle Busch to all but the last quiz you know Kyle very well….but I did appreciate the picture and it will go in my museum….one of these two will never visit the others museum….but I like Kyle he makes racing exciting, and he’s very happy being with me.
I’ve Hugged The One On The Left
Anthony and Danica
After the Canadian Tire series practice in Toronto, Anthony Simone spent a little time talking to Sarah Miskiewicz..I mean Danica Patrick. Anthony was hard luck (not in this picture) he ended up with a DNF in his race but Danica drove her car to a 6th place finish. We ended finished 4th at Flamboro on Saturday night, that report should be up on Diary Of A Season by Tuesday. Danica, Flamboro is located on the 5th concession about 3 miles west of highway 6….ask for the Ironman, or the Iron Maiden.
Trevor Takes On Toronto Indy
Hero’s Honored At NASCAR Race
Trevor Monaghan will drive his Canadian Hero’s sponsored #13 in his most prestigious race ever, this Saturday afternoon in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Toronto Indy. The beautiful #13 is dedicated to the memory of our fallen soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for freedom….the race will be televised live this Saturday. We wish Trevor and his team a very succesful event. God bless our troops.
Shawn Chenoweth #89 Wins Feature
Shawn Increases Points Lead
With the 2010 season past the half way mark, Shawn Chenoweth continued adding to his already awesome first half with another feature win on Saturday night. During the post race interview he admited his car was not the fastest, and that Jason, or Paul would have won the race had they not ran into bad luck. The same was true about our run. We finished 2nd but our car was maybe a top 5 at best. We got a break with the others having bad luck, and we’ll take it. We need to get our car back to where it was a few nights ago, and that won’t be too hard. This Saturday is double points, and though winning the points is almost out of reach now, we still can try to improve our Late Model best with a top 2 or 3 in the standings.
The Blue Angels Go Oval
You Guys Are Nuts
Imagine looking in your mirror and seeing this. Wow, I wouldn’t be able to move over, there would be no place to go. The good news is there was no yellow in this heat race, but some excitement for sure. This week we have double points, not sure why it’s not double features, but it’s an opportunity to gain some ground on two of the cars behind me in this Franks picture. This would be a good finish for this coming week end. Sunday we head to Sauble for their “Beat The Heat” 150 lap Invitational. Did I say 150 laps, in the heat? I need water.
Gene Karley Memorial Remembered
25 Years Ago Today
It was 25 years ago today that racing lost a great friend, Gene Karley. The Hobby club were approached by Mrs. Karley and her children, including racing CVM veteran John Karley, to run a memorial race in honour of Gene. Jim Collison was the first winner of the 7 year memorial. In this picture is Gene’s wife Lillian, and children from left to right Wendy, Matt, Lisa, Donna and John. Gene was an awesome racer, usually #25, in his later years racing, winning many features in his 30 year career that spanned from 1946 to 1976. He passed away July 29th 1985.
Paul McIlroy A Champion On And Off The Track
Racing Family Looses Son
We are saddened and shocked to report the news of Paul McIlroy’s sudden death. The racing family lost a good friend and a very colorful and talented racer. Paul was killed in a single vehicle accident on Wednesday night. Our condolences and prayers go to his parents Mr. and Mrs. McIlroy, wife Tina, their families, and friends. Ken, Paul’s father, was more than a dad to his son, they were best friends. Ken was a champion in his day at Sauble Speedway and passed on his skill and talent to his son. They were proud of each other. Paul visited our pits quite often, as recently as last week end just to say hi and ask how things were going. Paul offered help to many race teams. After taking a break from driving he began crewing for his friend #31 Kevin Gallant. All of us in the racing community will miss Paul very much. It’s almost impossible to think of him not being with us. The impact he’s made will make it as though he has never be gone. Thank you Paul for everything you did, for not being afraid to speak up and always offering to give advice to make us better. We will miss you friend. Paul’s passing must be a reminder to us all, that no matter what happens on the race track, the most important aspect of what we do is the people we race, wreck and rub fenders with every time we go to a race track. My prayer is that God will embrace Paul’s family and friends and help us all to realize how fragile our lives are, but more importantly, how precious we are in Your site Lord.
Crossing The Finish Line
Paul and Chevy
Wednesday afternoon the McIlroy family and friends will gather together for a final farewell to Paul. I find it almost impossible to accept he is no longer with us. I’ve been reading every praise and tribute from his many friends and find the words and accolades comforting, but my true comfort comes from above. The Bible tells us to love one another, to care, forgive and encourage. I put my faith and trust in Jesus Christ, the author of our salvation. Racing is a great sport, it’s exciting, thrilling, we want to be competitive, and most of all we want to win. It’s true God would want us to be competitive, to always try our best, never give up, find the victories at the end of the day even if we didn’t get the checker flag. However, the most important aspect of our racing, the thing God wants us to care about most, is none of these things, it’s the people. We need to love people more than racing, find good in everyone. To show it by the way we race, by how we treat one another and our compassion towards them. Paul was competitive and hard charging when he was in the car. Lately he seemed more laid back, caring about us, putting the racing part of it in perspective, when he came to our pit, it was the people that counted first, then the cars. Oh Paul how I wished I could have talked to you about spiritual things, I just know you would have enjoyed and contributed to the discussions. I will miss you, and though I didn’t get to know you long enough, I’m thankful to God for the time I did. When we leave here, it’s not over, it’s another beginning, the other side is where our Saviour waits, the One who died for us. When I cross over I will run to Jesus, bow to Him and thank Him for all He’s done for me. Then I’ll ask “where are my family and friends”? I believe Jesus will say “don’t worry, they’re with me”. In the battles at the race track, only one person gets the checker flag. In the battle of life, Jesus made it so we all get the checker flag no matter when we finish the race. I’m glad that so many loved Paul, but don’t mourn as those who mourn without hope, may you all be encouraged, “Praise be to God, we have the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”. 1st Corinthians 15:57.
Ed Hennesey My First Hobby Crew Chief
Great Family Man And Friend Dies Too Young
Most racers at some point in their racing career reach a braking point, and in many cases it’s the end, no more racing. We would never have made our 42nd year if it weren’t for some very special people helping us in the early going. There were many that deserve credit for getting us through the early years, perhaps the man having the most influence in the beginning was Ed Hennessey. Nonie and I were living on Jane Street in Toronto in 1971. Ed and Diane Hennessey lived in the same building. They had 3 children, David, Sherri and Johnny. We met just at the transition from Mini Stox to Hobbies. Ed was an incredible help to us, towing us to races and helping get repairs done to our car. When we weren’t racing we played Yatzee’, and he was good at it, but not as good as Diane. We had many great times together. Later on, Ed’s son David would join our David on his crew, and in 2008, our 40th year, Ed’s daughter Sherri was huge in helping Nonie and I get bikes to give away to the kids. In this shot, Ed on the far left poses with another crew member, Bob Kamorowski and I at Flamboro. Ed and his family played a big part during our start with the Hobby’s. On July 26th, the night of our 40th anniversary race at Flamboro, Ed and his family were there to celebrate the night and incredibly the win with us. This past week Ed lost his battle with a lung disease at the age of 66, way too young. Our prayer is that God will comfort Diane, David and Sherri in their time of need. The entire Hennessey family has been so good to us and we say thanks to Ed for being a great friend and having a significant impact on our 42 years of racing, we love you.
Grisdale Race Ends In Hard Crash
Worst Crash Ever
During my 42 years racing the crash we had on Saturday night ranks at the top. It was the worst from a few perspectives. The hardest hit, and the most damage. I’ve rolled over in the Hobby car a few times and some of them were spectaclar. B;owm engines in the Coupe resulted in long slides into the wall at fairly high speed, and on 2 occasions the gas pedal stuck sending my car into the wall head on. Though bad, none of those crashes produced the engergy of the impact on Saturday night. The car was dropped off to Mike McColl’s early Monday morning and we should have it by Wednesday night. Special thanks to all those who came over to see how I was, for those who helped my crew get the car ready to put in the trailer, and to those who offered me their car to drive this coming week end, we are truly thankful to you all. The full story is on our message board, Diary Of A Season 2010.
Iron Workers For Ironman
The Good The Bad and The Ugly
The Good?…the car is ready. The Bad?…It was expensive! The Ugly? There was nothing ugly about the way people treated us from the wreck and the repair. These two, Marty from David’s team. also part of our team when David isn’t racing, and Rob our newest blessing, worked hard all day to get us to where we are now…race ready. Mike McColl’s staff did a fantastic job getting the car new again and doing it in 2 days. We are so thankful to everyone from every aspect of how this went down. My crew and friends are amazing. We will be running in this week ends Memorial race, we need to test first and make sure the engine is okay, it sounds good, and the chassis and all the stuff we worked on is tight and secure. I’m sure it is, but we all want a shake down before running against the very fast Late Model competitors who will be waiting for us on Saturday. Can’t wait…thanks again to everyone who brought much good out of this terrible bad wreck.
Heading To The Race Car Hospital
Stripped And Ready For Mike
We got working on our car right away Sunday. Rob, Troy, Gehrig, Ron, Allen and I pulled the engine and stripped as much of the car as possible, then loaded the beat up chariot to take to Mike McColl. Nonie and I headed out Monday morning at 6:15 in hopes of getting the car back for the week end. We know it will be an expensive hit, but the racing hit was the worst I’ve ever had, putting the damage and repairs on the major end of the scale. My crew and friends have been great helping us try to get ready for this week end. So far so good….PS, the date and time are wrong on this picture (no kidding). I have no idea when that dumb date came on the camera, or what buttons I was pushing to cause it to show the wrong date or even how to change it, it’s all a mystery to me. I need help with this….I need to talk to my grand kids?
Ironman Chariot Ready To Go
Quaker State Team Anxious
In 1996, our 25th season with the CVM, Nonie and I donated an annual trophy called the Ironman Award. It was given to the driver who had 100% attendance, some bad luck but never gave up. We felt that award best described our 28 years racing to that point. We were not dominant on the track, but as long as a race was alive we were going to be in it, beat up or not. If we had a bad wreck we worked hard all week so we wouldn’t miss a night. That’s probably how I got the handle Ironman, although it may have been just on our logevity in racing……It was a busy week and many hands made it possible, starting last week at the track after the crash. During the week Rob, Trou, Marty, Allem, Ron, Gehrig, Bob Pereira, Ken, Linda and Junior Hanley helped me get the car ready for today’s race, and they are responsible as well to keeping us on the track. Tonight is the Memorial Race in recognition of all the racing people who have passed on. This is a great tribute to their legacy and to their families who will attend.
Rob Twitchett #777 Dirt Bomber Ohsweken
Crew Member Races Fridays At Ohsweken Speedway
This picture is from a Friday night race at Ohsweken Speedway. Rob Twitchett, our newest crew member joining with us this year, is the driver of this U-Haul sponsored Dodge Charger….no it’s a 2000 Hyundai Accent. Rob was a big help with getting out car ready for this past week end races. Rob is running in the top 15 in points and had his best feature finish this past Friday night finishing 6th. All of us wish Rob a great 2nd half to his 2010 season.
Memorial Night Flamboro Speedway
Larkin’s Tribute To Paul McIlroy
This past week end Flamboro Speedway held it’s annual Memorial night. Over 150 names are on the huge trophy put up by the track, to recognize and honour all the racers who have passed on. It was a touching night in many ways, seeing the families of loved ones come to participate in the pre race ceremonies. Jay Hughes family had his two classic cars in the parade lap and a burnt out from the 55 Chev sent smoke in the air and applause from the grandstands. Ken McIlroy drove a Late Model #4 in the pace lap prior to the Thunder Car feature, and the car in this picture was provided and painted by the Larkin family in respect and remembrance of their good friend Paul McIlroy. It was an emotional night, especially with so many loved ones attending. Being part of such a big event, remembering so many people in the racing community, makes me glad I know Jesus Christ. With Him there is hope for us and we can safely say “He is not only watching over us, but gave His own life so we could be with Him in Heaven”. Racers all want to win, but the greatest victory we’ll ever have is the one over death. The Bible tells us in 1st Corinthians 15:57 “Praise be to God, we have the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”.
Two In A Row
Time’s Running Out
With three weeks left in the Late Model schedule at Flamboro, our hopes of winning a feature are slim. We had a good car this past week end, thought we had a shot at the win, if not a top 3, but our feature ended in disaster for the second week in a row. We were hit on the straightaway and as this picture shows, ended up in the cement. The impact was nothing compared to the Grisdale race on August 7th, but it showed the same on the stat sheet…..DNF. The broken tie rod and bent steering arm we’re not going to be replaced in the short time we had under the yellow. Our 36 Quaker State team, Jim, Jason, Rob, Marty, Perry, Gord, Gehrig, Lauren, Morgan and fans, are hoping things turn around for us very soon. We’ve had 4 seconds in the features this year, just unable to close the deal. As for points, our goal was to win the Championship. That plan was cancelled for all of us by the #89 in early June. Only Shawn Chenoweth will have an impact on who wins the 2010 Flamboro Late Model championship. It’s his to lose, and only if he lets it. He’s had a dream season. We are a long-shot at finishing in the top 3, Howse and Shaw are pulling away. We must close out the Flamboro season with a win and strong finishes in every race to have a chance at being on the podium at the banquet. That battle begins this week end and we plan to be in the thick of it.
Return To Delaware Speedway…..In The Coupe
CVM Visit Delaware August 20th
Oh to be this young again. It’s true, we can have most anything we want, but we can’t have our youth back. Not to worry, there is an ancient East Coast Maritime secret…just don’t lose it and you’ll be okay. Back in the day, I looked better than my car, not so much now a days as I enter the Jurasic Park journey of my life. I say keep fighting and stay young. Think young, act young, hang around people younger than you (that would be most everybody) and be thankful you are alive and well….tomorrow night I return to Delaware in a Hobby car for the first time in many years. I’ve won two races at Delaware in my 600 years racing, a heat in 1980 and a consi in 1993. I remember the night in 2004 when Doc Roper won the feature at Delaware Speedway, he was 60 years old, and at that time was the oldest driver to ever win a CVM feature. Ray topped that amazing plateau by winning a feature in 2008 at 63 years old making him the most senior racer to capture a feature win in CVM history. I’m 63 (WHAT!!!!!) yes, and even if I win tomorrow night I only tie Ray, but trust me it would be a good thing. I think I’m the oldest guy to slam the wall at high speed and then pay lots of money to get a chance to do it again…I am looking forward to racing with my CVM friends and hope to be competitive on the big half. Saturday it’s back to Flamboro Speedway for Late Model racing. It will be a great week end, but sad for me because all my family are heading to Ohio for a week. Nonie, Shirley, Gehrig and Lauren are going to Cedar Point. If I went they would have tried to get me on that new stupid roller coaster that drops 20 stories in 2 seconds straight down (what-ever) at 120 mph. Maybe someday I will pass up a chance to run a double header week end to go to Ohio….someday….maybe. Hey we can go in the winter.
Delaware Disappointment
Love This Class, Just Need A Good Run
It started out good, that is after unloading the car, and went south from there. The biggest problem was the clutch slipping. The gearing was right, 462 final, but with the clutch not making contact until half way down the track I was doomed. Surprislngly I was able to pass cars inside and outside and did get to 8th. I was alone in the pits until just before the heat started. Marty came in with Dave and Sherri at about 8:15 and Sherri noticed a leak coming from the left front wheel area. It was a blessing because I was just about to go out for the heat and the brake pedal was hard. Minutes later the pedal went to the floor. I missed the heat but thanks to Marty, Dave and Dave Stephens I was able to get ready in time and start last in the feature. Perhaps my car should have visited the advertiser on the sign in this picture before going to the track, although everything was good until we got to the track. Tonight we race the Late Model at Flamboro but it’s calling for rain and if that happens you will find me in my living room watching Bristol…my friends are invited.
Jarvis 19th Annual Cornfest
Race Cars, Hot Rods And Kids
Long time friend and racing peer, Bob Kurtin, was a member of the Jarvis Cornfest committee helping organize and set up the Car & Motorcycle Show at this three day event. Bob asked a few months ago if I would be able to make it. Naturally that depended on how we did the night before at Flamboro. Of course, the fact it rained out at Flamboro was a guarantee we would be there. Rob Twitchett and I arrived at 9:am and spend most of the day with Dave Osborne and his family. They brought the Ohsweken Camaro’s and we parked side by side. There were over 80 cars on display. Had it been a sunny day, the car count would have been much higher. It rained sligtly for 15 minutes, but cleared up and we had a great enjoyable day. Our tent kept us and the Osborne family dry, as well as our race car. This was our 10th show this year, and we have two more this week. On Wednesday I am taking the car to the Life Church Vacation Bible School in Burlington, at a townhouse complex to show kids our car and talk about racing and my faith in Jesus Christ. The focus this week is on Hero’s and bringing a race car to an event like this would mean a lot to the youngsters. We will be on display this Saturday at the Royal Coachman to help raise food for the Flamborough Food Bank.
Food Drive Display The Royal Coachman
Food Banks Getting Help From The Racing Community
We will be on display at the Royal Coachman restaurant this Saturday from 11:30 until 2:30 with David Elliott racing and the Pennzoil #37. Please drop by and bring any food items you wish to give for the Flamborough Food Bank. If you can’t make it to the Royal Coachman, you can bring food items to Flamboro Speedway that night, August 28th. Representatives from Dundas, Flamborough and the Salvation Army food banks will be at the track to collect all the items given by fans, race teams and sponsors. This is an awesokme effort by the racing community to help this service group. Food Banks are low in supplies this time of year and very much appreciate all they can get. Racing starts at 7:pm.
The Road To Recovery
Gehrig A Huge Help
My crew and members from David’s team as well as Ken and Linda Stenhouse, worked over an hour just to get our car in the trailer Saturday night. On Sunday we began the repair process. Rob Twitchett came over, spending 5 hours with us getting the body and bent parts removed. Our grandson Gehrig was a huge help, both Sunday and Saturday night. He seems to prefer (at this point) to work on cars rather than race them. I asked him a few times if he wanted to race the CVM or Late Model and he quickly said “neither, I’ll stick with Go-Karts, and help fix cars”. I’ll have to work on that….We hope to be ready by Thursday and get out for some hot laps early Saturday. We very much appreciate Rob’s dedication, as well as Marty. Yesterday both Dave and Brian Watson were in the garage to weld the front bumper support….PS…the date is wrong on this picture, it’s over a week off, and I haven’t figured how to get it right, not a priority just now.
Boys Cheer During Feature
Wow!…That’s Different
On Labour Day Monday we ran the rain out race from August 21st. These boys held up autographed pictures just as our car went by. They received the pictures during “Meet The Drivers” at intermission. That was really different because most kids wave checker flags. What also was different was our finish, we ended up 3rd, no where near the cement tonight and that was a very good deal for us. The car wasn’t handling very well, we chased it all day, but coming home in 3rd was very much a blessing to us. The boys and their families had a great time. I think the idea of holding up the autograph card was to have the competition look and throw them off, I think it worked. The full story of this night will be on our Diary Of A Season by Tuesday night.
How Many Cars Do You See?????
Photo Finish…Almost
It’s hard to tell, but Jason Shaw #82 is in the high lane on this excellent shot by Dave Franks. Shawn Chenoweth #89 and Jason put on an amazingly display of respect and competition as they drove inches apart for the final 7 laps of the feature on Monday afternoon. The lap prior the cars were dead locked, but this picture shows Shawn won by a few inches, collecting his 4th win of the year and second in a row. Congrats to both drivers for racing so hard and clean and giving the fans a great show.
How Many Cars Do You See?????
Photo Finish…Almost
It’s hard to tell, but Jason Shaw #82 is in the high lane on this excellent shot by Dave Franks. Shawn Chenoweth #89 and Jason put on an amazingly display of respect and competition as they drove inches apart for the final 7 laps of the feature on Monday afternoon. The lap prior the cars were dead locked, but this picture shows Shawn won by a few inches, collecting his 4th win of the year and second in a row. Congrats to both drivers for racing so hard and clean and giving the fans a great show.
Sunset Speedway Invitational September 12th
75 Lap Late Model Open
The features rained out at Flamboro on Saturday night, we’ll run double features next Saturday. Today Jason and I are off to Sunset Speedway (in the rain) for their first Late Model race in quite a few years. Sunset runs a Limited Late Model class, similar to ours except for the engine and rack and pinion. The track has given their LLM drivers a weight break so they car race against the bigger engines. It’s raining now, but promoter Mark Dilley says the rain should be gone by noon and if necessary they will start the show later in the day or early evening. This track is now the best in Ontario for short track racing and I hope that we not only get it in but have a good run. This race report, if we get it in, will be posted Monday night.
John Casale….Get Your Measuring Equipment
Three Wide At Sunset
The new Sunset Speedway is one of the best designed race tracks in Ontario. Flamboro owners are considering redoing their own track by widening the corners. It would be a huge benefit to head north to Stroud Ontario and see the amazing work done at Sunset Speedway, and take along some measuring devices, or those who are going to redo Flamboro and let them see what is needed. Flamboro will celebrate it’s 48th season in 2011 and a great way to bring the track back to it’s past glory would be to provide a racing surface similar (I don’t think you can get it better) than what Sunset has given their race teams. Flamboro was always the talk of Ontario when it came to Saturday night racing. This photo by Perry Van Haaren shows three wide and still lots of room if something goes wrong. The track design allows for two wide racing consistently, and it continues lap after lap. The promoters at Sunset are also enjoying large crowds and full fields in every class.
Ian McIntyre #5 CVM
CVM Race Night A Success For Our Team
Perry Van Haaren got this excellent shot in the heat race with #5 Ian McIntyre and the MacMaster Pontiac Quaker State Coupe. The Hobby club ran their 9th and final race of the season at Flamboro Speedway on Saturday night. This was my last chance to get in the Coupe, and it was a good run, with a 2nd in our heat and third in the 25 lap feature. The main event was filled with excitement, as the championship came down to a battle between Jason Keen and Steve Lyons. Steve Lyons was leading the points by 21, but with the drop night included in the already shortened season, Jason emerged the winner by one point. Congratulations to his team. The race story is on our our message board. Next week end we’re off, unless I can get a ride in something. Hobby’s are done for the year and Late Models are off until October 2nd and 3rd for Octoberfest.
Going Thunder Car ………September 25th
A Ride From Dave Osborne
This has been a different year for my team and I. We prepared and planned for 2010 to take a serious run at the Late Model Championship. The most consistent thing I took a run at was the back straight wall. I have to admit, it can’t be knocked down, maybe with a Bulldozer. We still had a good season in spite of some hard luck. On the bright side we got to run with OSCAAR on May 23rd. We raced the Hobby car three times, picking up a third last Saturday night, and now we get to run in our 4th dividion this season, racing the #0 Thunder Car thanks to Dave Osborne. I’m looking forward to running with the very compeptitve and hard charging TC racers…this Saturday morning we’ll be taking our Late Model to church to be part of a mens breakfast at the Simcoe Gospel Chapel. On Sunday we’ll have it in Hamilton at the train station on James Street for a banquet for Freedom Village. Once again thanks to Dave Osborne and his family for giving me the opportunity to run their Thunder Car this coming Saturday.
Octoberfest…Shhhhh.. The Car Is Resting Just Now
Octoberfest This Week End
This week end racing will finish at Flamboro Speedway with the running of the annual Octoberfest classic. Late Models will qualify through time trials on Saturday night and run Twin 50s’ on Sunday. Saturday will be a very short day for most cars…two laps. We hope we have the fastest time, determined by the Flamboro “Human” Transponders. Any cars not making the top 12 will run a Consi on Sunday, but odds are we may line everyone up by their times for the first 50 lap race. That will depend on how many cars make it, hopefully over 20. The winner of the time trials will toss the dice to determine the invert for the first 50 lapper. It would be great to see someone throw a 12…”box-cars”, it would make the race interestin. The second 50 lap race will be an invert of the finish of the first as long as cars are on the lead lap. We won this event in 2007 and hope to do it this week end, it sure would be a great way to end a frustrating and hard hitting season. Races start at 3pm on Sunday.
Late Model Goes To Church
Car And Crew At Rexdale Alliance Church
On Monday October 4th Gehrig, Rob and I went to Rexdale Alliance Church for a Men’s Ministry supper. Over 90 men and few younger boys, same age as Gehrig, were there as well. This was our 14th event off the race track in 2010. Special thanks to Pastor Wayne Kerr for inviting me to talk about racing and my faith, and to the staff for providing us with an awesome meal. The introduction started with our super wreck at the Grisdale 75 lap event on August 7th. Though the car looked good outside the church, all those who came got a great short video of what can happen very quickly in short track racing……We still have another show for Quaker State at the end of October……Meanwhile we’re getting ready for Autumn Colors this weekend, and so far the weather looks good.
The Longest Race Ever
Mike Bentley #29 Exits Turn Two
What a beautiful day it was at the 18th running of Peterborough Speedway’s Autumn Colors Classic. The Late Models, known as the Pro Late Models in this show, were beyond belief with a record breaking day. This race will go down in the Guiness Book of Records as the longest Late Model race ever. It may also make “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not” records for everything but who won. It was no surprise that Flamboro’s own Shawn Chenoweth won this race by gaining the pole through inversion, but winning the race by not fainting from “restart exhaustion”. A full house was on hand to witness the race that had as many laps run under caution as it did under green. The 110 lap event started around 2:30 and almost lasted until 5pm. It was a marathon of sorts for many teams including ours, as we battled track conditions and some bad luck in our 12th place finish. I was responsible for two cautions, although I got some help for the second. John Casale is hoping he finds favour with the weatherman next week end when we finish 2010 with the running of Flamboro’s fall spectacular, “Octoberfest”. Qaulifying is on Saturday with the features going on Sunday, racing starts at 3pm both days.
Delaware Charger #14 Rick Emery
Fast and Furious
The competition at the Autumn Color’s Classic was stout with many good running cars. One was Delaware Speedway regular, #14 Rick Emery. Rick is a hard clean driver, and so were most who ventured to Peterborough. This excellent photo was taken by Dan Craik. The front of our cars squat very close to the track surface trying to around the ends as fast and smooth as possible. We lost two Flamboro cars to serious wrecks, #29 Mike Bentley and #44 Steve Laking. Hoepfully they can get their cars ready for Octoberfest this week end. It should be fun and right now the weather looks very promising. Qualifying is on Saturday with features running on Sunday. Races start at 3pm both days.
Beating The Best #83 Rob Larkin at Daytona
This Wasn’t Easy…But Lot’s Of Fun…Thearpy For Real Racing Blues
After unloading our Late Model on Monday afternoon and getting it ready to work on for Tuesday and Wednesday I really had nothing much to do Monday night so I thought I would go on line to play with my Canadian and American friends in the truck series with Rolling Thunder Gaming. I ran up to 7 nights a week from November until April at the end of last years racing, but hadn’t raced hardly at all since then. It’s true I missed all the Soaps, weekly TV shows, most of American Idol, all of 24 and most other weekly stupid stuff, tried watching the Leafs but that got depressing, (maybe not this year). At least racing on line was an excellent pass time talking to friends from the four corners of United States and southern Ontario. On line racing is amazing and getting better with graphics and set up of the different race cars and trucks. The drivers are real, the set up and on track skills were real. Drive in too hard and you spin out, hit a car at 190 mile per hour and there’s nothing left of your car. So missing all the TV shows to race on line was a great pass time, and helped the stress of waiting 6 months to race live again….getting in Monday night was lucky. It was the biggest turn out of the year, 37 guys showed up. They had realistic damage on, meaning if you hit something or got hit, your truck isn’t going to handle. I qualified 24th and managed, like at Peterborough, to avoid some big wrecks. Unlike Peterborough, I had no issues with my truck. With 25 to go a huge wreck happened right in front of me and again I got through unscathed. One problem trying to get through a wreck is over steering. Turn too hard left or right, or brake too hard and at 190 mph your truck is going to get loose and probably spin out and usually will end up in the cement…hey just like at 80 mph in real life. The yellow came out and I had moved from 16th to 7th. All the drivers in front of me went in for tires and gas. I didn’t have enough gas but decided to stay out hoping the yellows would help my fuel. The computer (push F3) showed I had enough fuel to go 21 laps, but there were 23 left. I had to gamble that another caution would come out and I’d make it. On the restart I stayed glued to the yellow line. Rob Larkin, the winningest driver in any series we run, was right on my tail. Another yellow came out with 10 to go, and that gave me the fuel break I needed. Rob sent me a message that I was doing great and to keep running the way I was, “don’t mess up”. On the green with 8 to go he got in behind and we went about two laps and another wreck happened. We now had 5 to go. On the final green Rob was still second but blew 2nd gear on the green. Only one car got by and now I was going to be in trouble. The youngster wanted bad to win and with one to go he jumped outside on the back chute. There were 16 to 18 trucks behind me, the group from 2nd to 10th wanting to move. As they went outside Rob followed but then jumped back in behind me and pushed me accross the finish line for my first ever Truck and pavement win (thank you Rob)….this is important because this weekend our team is looking for our first Late Model win in 2 year. We’re ready and looking forward to winning for “real”.
Wreck’toberfest…Twin Demolition Derby’s
No Parking
When you have company your suppose to be good. We had a driver and his family come all the way from Erie Pennsylvania to race with us. After the first feature Bill must have considered calling in the National Guard. The Octoberfest Classic was very similar to Autumn Colors. The only difference was that we got two races to wreck every car. In the first feature Brad Corcoran and Shawn Chenoweth got sideways coming off turn four. They were first and second, meaning the rest of the field was right behind. We were in 4th at the time. Anticipating a serious wreck was on the horizon I tried to get out of the way and soon became the wreck. In this picture, courtesy of Dave Franks, Mark Burbridge, also trying to get out of the way, had no place to go and ended up remodeling the drivers side of our car. We were able to continue and finished the first Demolition Derby in 4th. The second feature was much worse for everyone involved, which was everyone in the race. Mayhem and carnage began up front with the leaders. Paul Howse got loose on the restart and got into race leader Mark Watson resulting in everyone behind getting collected. What a mess. The night was so bad even the hydro couldn’t take it and quit for 20 minutes. Anyway, we managed to get our wounded warrior to a 7th place finish in the second feature putting us 5th overall. Special thanks to my crew and Shane Maginnis for not giving up and getting me back on the track. The full story is on our message board “Diary Of A Season 2010”.
Mayhem On The Restart
The Worst Kind
There is no worse scenario in Late Model racing than a wreck coming off turn four on a restart. Cars are hard on the throttle, bumper to bumper, can’t see too far ahead, no one is expecting this to happen and most of us have no place to go. Paul Howse and Mark Watson tangled on the restart. The resulting crash consumed every car in the top 12. We almost made it through but failed to clear Mark and ended up with a lot of suspension damage. In spite of the bad luck with the wreck, we were incredibly lucky as things would unfold in our favour. I got off the track before the red, had lots of time to fix the car because it took 15 minutes to clear the track. In the pits we were hustling to get back out. Time was slipping away, but then suddenly it was “lights out” as the entire race facility fell into darkness. That break allowed us to change the spindle. No easy task but we worked feverishly, not stopping until time slowly ran out on us. The race restarted while we were finishing the repair. Our hearts sank knowing we tried so hard… but luck went our way once again, with yet another yellow in less than a lap. The toe was way out, but I just wanted to get back on the track and the boys sent me out with a wounded car but without being a lap down. Our team worked hard to make it happen, and with the help of #03 Shane and Terry Maginnis, we not only got out, but finished 5th overall for the day.
Frost Fest…..Next Saturday
Back To Where I Started
Next weekend is the final race of 2010, the annual Frost Fest at Flamboro Speedway. Thunder Cars and Mini Stocks will fill the show. John wanted Late Models, but there’s none left after Octoberfest…maybe three. I wanted to run this show and it looks like I am going to have a ride in a good car. This will be the first time in 42 years that I’ve driven 5 divisions in one year. It won’t be this VW, picture here in the pits at Cayuga Speedway beside #5 the Volkswagon driven by the late Art Bird. This was my second car in 1969. In my first year of racing I wrecked a few Bug’s and bending the entire sub frame floor. It was cheaper to buy a complete car, strip it down, remove the interior and add a roll cage rather than fixing the floor. We had no garage and worked out of Nonie’s parent’s backyard in Toronto. In three years racing Mini Stocks, I tore apart so many V.W.’s in their back yard, my father in law was developing a German accent. What am I driving next week?…It’s a surprise.
Kiwanis Boys & Girls Haunted House
Marty Scares Them With The Coupe
We were invited by the Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club organization to join them for their annual Haunted House event. It runs until Saturday night and we made it out for the Thursday night show from 6 until 9pm. The line up of kids and adults to go through the factory Haunted House lasted until 8:30. Here some kids get a scare when Marty starts up the Coupe. This was our 15th and last show for 2010. We will make our 26th race night this week end in a Mini Stock at Flamboro Speedway. More on that Friday night.
Frost Fest…Closest We Could Get To #36′
Special Thanks To Tim & Donna
I posted on a forum that I wanted to run the Frost Fest in a Mini Stock. I got a private message from Tim Tolton, who wanted to be in the race but had other commitments, and was okay with me driving in this event. My grandson Gehrig and I picked this car up on Friday night. As it works out, Tim’s commitment was Friday night, so he will be at the track to help Gehrig, but still wants me to drive the Twin Mini Stock 30’s, of course we have to qualify first. This will be the 5th division our team has competed in for 2010, a record for me. We ran Late Models, OSCAAR, CVM, a Thunder Car, thanks to Dave Osborne, and now a Mini Stock. I am thankful to Tim for giving me this opportunity. Special thanks also to his wife Donna for making a big Quaker State ‘Q’ for the hood at Black Magic graphics. I am looking forward to the Twin 30’s though it could be very cold..BUT!!!..thanks to Perry Van Haaren we have a heater for the trailer, so we’re good.
Mini Stock Feature
Dave Haggedorn #86 and I Chasin’ #64 Brandon McFerran
It was a wild night and the title of the race kept to it’s name…it was frosty and cold. Maybe if it wasn’t so windy it wouldn’t have been so bad, it was sunny most of the day and the 31 fans had it much worse than those in the pits. In this shot Brandon McFerran leads Dave Haggedorn and I out of turn four. Chasing a car is no big surprise for me, but this was the youngest driver I had ever raced against. Brandon is only 11 years old. He was born when I already was old. He did very well in his race racing against 34 Mini’s. Congrats to Mike Taylor #02 for winning the overall race. Special thanks from our team to Tim Tolton for letting us run his Nissan in this race, we finished 8th overall and had a great time. No more racing for 2010, and no more shows, we will start rebuilding for 2011 very soon and take the early part of the winter off. We’ll keep you posted weekly on our site.
43 Year Racing Career Ends
Smilin’ Ray Crosses Finish Line For The Last Time
It’s hard to believe Ray Hughes won’t be racing a Coupe in 2011, or any year after that. This “Hobby Hall Of Fame” member made that decision earlier in the year, but confirmed it shortly after his 5th place feature finish on Saturday September 18th. “You’ll know when it’s over, you just know inside that you’ve had enough, and it’s time to get out of the car” was Ray’s explanation to me. There’s no room to list his accomplishments, lets just say he has more Championships and wins than any other racer in the history of the Hobby club, Canadian Vintage Modifieds. We plan to add a spot for Ray on the left side of our home page and begin the life long process of uploading pictures and stats of this warrior. Our own history includes many pictures of Ray and I from the early 70’s, up until our farewell tour in 2004. Many are waiting for our Hobby History section to be updated and that is planned for this winter as well. This is a sad time in CVM racing history. But really, when a racer has dedicated as many seasons as Ray Hughes, and decides it’s time to hang up his helmet, all we can do is applaud, give thanks that we got to know him and for some of us, the opportunity to race with him. Ray exemplifies all the facets of a true racer, and leaves an incredible legacy of success and contributions to our sport. There will be a post on our Message Board and we invite everyone to comment, tell a story or just say thanks to this amazing racing legend. Thanks Ray, I will miss racing with you, so glad I was in your last race.
The Story Behind…”36 For Schurr”
Glen Schurr, A Hero And Inspiration
My parents took my sister Bev and I to stock car races when I was 5 years old. The first time I set my eyes on those noisy cars I was hooked. During the early years I had many favorite drivers, no one in particular. Ted Hogan #7 was as popular as any NHL hockey player. Most fans cheered for him. I felt the same as the majority and quite often painted my bike with #7 on it. In my early teens, we would go to the CNE and watch the Super Modifieds and Hobby cars. My cousin Larry always cheered for #110 Jack Greedy, my friend Stewart was a Tammy 10, Harv Lennox fan and I cheered for #36 Glen Schurr. One night, neither Larry or Stewart could go to the races, so I hopped on a street car and headed to the Ex by myself. Even though I sat alone in the grandstands I was among friends of stock car racing, about 10,000 of them. This would be a night to remember for ever, one I would talk about for years. Have you ever been at an exciting event and couldn’t wait to tell everyone about it? Back then there were no cell phones so I had to wait until I got home to phone my cousin and friend. Street cars were so slow and stopped every 100 feet, plus they couldn’t get out and pass anyone if traffic was slow. Why was I in such a hurry to phone them? Because on this night my hero won the hat trick, his heat, semi and feature. There was no doubt after that experience, who my favorite driver was. In 1969 I started racing Mini Stocks. A friend asked what number I was going to be. I said “36, for sure”. We started racing Hobby cars in 1972 and on the hood of the car was “36 for Schurr”. In 1978 Mary Schurr gave me a memorial trophy thanking me for putting her husbands name on my car. In 1989 we won our first ever Hobby Championship and got a beautiful letter and trophy from Rick Schurr on behalf of their family. Glen won the Super Modified Championship in 1966 at Flamboro Speedway. A few years ago Glen’s grandson, Steve Wilkins, came to the track when I was running Hobbies and asked if I was the driver who ran his grandfathers number and name on the hood of my car, I proudly showed him. Steve came again and didn’t realize we moved to Late Models. The question was the same “do you still have “36 for Schurr” on the hood of your race car, and again I showed him the hood. Every racer needs to know how important fans are, and the impact they may have on many individuals. Because of Glen Schurr’s attitude, how he raced and the effect he had on me, was a direct result in me having so much passion for this sport. Over the years it’s taken a long time to get to Champion status, we’ve tasted that joy, but never lost site of the fun and many great memories trying to be a Champion. Perhaps the most important aspect of this journey has been the people we’ve met and the relationships we’ve developed. I thank God for allowing me to race and for the many blessings He’s given over the past six decades. We will start our 43rd season of Stock Car racing in 2011. There are many who’ve encouraged, and kept my racing going over the years, including the dedication from my wife Nonie, and children David and Shirley. Our 38 year, relationship with Quaker State, many good friends and crew members. But, is there one person I would say was inspirational in me getting into this sport? ….yes!….36 for sure….Glen Schurr!
Steve Lyons…”Dancing With The Stars”
Lyons heading south
Steve Lyons is preparing to make his 2nd trip to Sao Paulo Brazil to compete in the Granja Viana 500 one of the most prestigious karting events in the world. Steve will go head to head against some of the top Formula 1, Indy Car, Sports Car and Kart Drivers from around the world. Steve competed back in 2007 in his first Granja 500 and hopes to use his experience to help guide my team to a podium finish. In the past 10 years the event has been dominated by Felipe Massa, Rubens Barrichello and Tony Kanaan. Lyons has been winning kart races in Ontario for 28 years. He has over 14 Championships and better than 150 race wins. In the past several years Steve has run a part time karting schedule while he concentrated on his business and raced his Canadian Vintage Modified winning 4 titles along the way. The 2010 season was no different, starting the year off in Ocala Florida dominating the GX Cup week end in the FWT winning a seat on the MG Tire FWT Team in the Granja 500. Lyons being a long time Birel test driver entered only a few karting events throughout 2010. Doing some R&D work on the new birel chassis, Collison Racing engine packages winning almost every race he entered. Lyons closed out the year in Canada with an almost perfect record guiding his birel chassis to a dominating win in Canada’s biggest 4 cycle event, the WRKC Oktoberfest Grand Prix.
Flamboro Banquet …2010
Three-Peat On “Best Appearing Car” & “Most Sportsmanlike Driver”
The 2010 Flamboro Speedway banquet was Saturday night. Our team was blessed by winnning the Besst APpearing Car for the third straight season, all three of our cars looked completely different. I was also won the Most Sportsmanlike Driver, an award voted on by the drivers. I’ve won it three years out of six in the Late Models, and never won it in 33 straight seasons with the CVM…not sure what that means, but thanks to my peers for chosing me for this award, and to my Lord for giving me a gentle and peaceful heart. I want to thank my crew Jim, Jason, Rob, Marty, Gehrig, Gordon, Morgan, Sarah, Allen and Lauren for making this very tough season a blessing. We ran hard all year, made some improvements that kept us quick most every night. We had too many bad breaks and at least four serious crashes in 2010. Our efforts at Octoberfest proved we still have the fire to not give up, doing whatever it takes to get back in the race. My crew never lost sight of that goal. Though our 4th place finish was disappointing (5th year in a row finishing 4th) we had a great season. We want to thank all our sponsors for supporting us in 2010. They made it possible for us to have a record year running 26 race nights and an additonal 15 shows and displays. I want to thank Nonie for encouraging me and supporting me throughout a difficutl season for us personally. I did my very best to keep away from our home funds to get to the race track. There were times when that wasn’t possible and my gracious wife made sure we got what we needed and I made sure she was paid back. Finally I thank my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for watching over me, blessing me with so many great friends and aquaintances, and allowing me to race in this awesome sport. We give our racing to God as a witness and testimony of His goodness and the only thing we want in return is to be a bright shinning light show love and care for everyone we meet. Next year will be our 43rd season racing and we are already getting our race program geared up for Late Model and CVM racing. Our goal is to win the points Championship in either the Late Models or CVM. It will be a long winter, but we have a lot to do and will take our time making sure we bring our best equipped team for 2011….we will keep this web site updated constantly and hopefull get more years posted on our CVM history section. Thank you for supporting our site by dropping by and checking it out, feel free to make any comments you want on our message board.
APC 300 Star Get’s Face Lift
Soon Heading To A New Home
This famous 1999 Hanley built machine is currently getting a complete going over by yours truly and a few helping hands. Rob, Marty and David have helped with the rebuild. I took ownership of David’s 2006 Flamboro Champion car in the spring of 2009. The car sat all last winter, and this past summer, parked for what could have been the end. The decision was to sell it, but if it didn’t attract an owner, convert it into a Limited Late and maybe run some specials on nights off. The car still has what it takes to get around a race track. Besides winning a Flamboro title with Pete Shepherd Jr. and again in 2006 with David, it ran it’s most exciting race with David driving, at the 2008 Delaware APC 300, finishing 2nd right on the rear bumper of Ron Sheridan. The car is close to being completed now, and another picture will be coming very soon. The former Pennzoil rocket will race in 2011 at Sauble Speedway in the Limited Late Model class. Equipped with a steering box and quick change it fits the Sauble, and most Ontario Limited Late rules. More to come.
Pennzoil Chevy Make Over Complete
Jason Legge’s Sauble Limited Late Model
Heading To It’s New Owner
Jason Legge Limited Late Model
We finally got it done, at least most of the work. Jason and his team will have a short list of things to do but the car is basically ready. We wish Jason and his team the best for 2011 and hope this car brings him the same good results that it did for Pete Shepherd Jr. and David.
Safe And Sound Near Owen Sound
Jason Legge Gets Mail Order Car…We Have An Excellent Journey
Rob and I had a safe trip north delivering the car to Jason Legge, and it was an exciting day. We were lucky the heavy snow storm was three days earlier. This picture shows Jason’s excitement with his new car, okay it wasn’t a mail order, but he trusted my team to put it together as close as we could to race ready. I explained we got it to third base and he and his crew had the rest of the winter and early spring to get it home….get it completed. With the amount of snow they had it looks like the car will be parked until spring or late winter at best, there must have been 8″ on the ground. Rob and I had two occasions on the way home where we were stopped on highway six. Once in Durham, and again in Fergus. It wasn’t for an accident, or needing gas, it was for Saint Nick. The two towns were having their annual Santa Claus parade just when we showed up. At one point we thought of joining the parade with the truck and trailer and then ducking out of town when an opening occurred, but we decided to sit it out and wave to Santa when he went by…in a fire truck in Durham and on a flat bed with reindeer in Fergus. We stopped by the Miskiewciz family home to see the wizard “Sarah the Great”, but she was away, so we had a good visit with mom (Cathy) and her sister Mary. Hey Mary and I go back a long way, and because of me, they are entrenched heavy into racing, first go-karts and now everything else, including marrying race people. It’s all good. Special thanks to Rob for not only joining me but explaining what all the floats meant in the parades….and from our team to Jason Legge, all the best in the 2011 racing season…thanks to Cathy and Mary for great hospitality.
Next!!!
Rebuilding #36
In a battle with cancer, and still undergoing treatment to stop the spread of the disease, Jim let me know he wanted to paint our car for 2011. I was glad and honored that he was willing and it appears very able to get our car in shape for next season. Though a mess after Octoberfest, body wise, the work under the Impala is minimal compared to other years. Jim will replace the rear lower rail at the fuel cell and both front and rear bumpers, and then Rob and I will go at it sometime early in the new year. I want to stop working on the car once Jim is finished with it….Christmas is too important and the car won’t miss me for a few weeks. Once we`re done stripping the car we`ll send it to Carlisle Customz to have the chassis and some panels painted. In this picture Larry, good friend and crew member of Jim, helped remove much of the body. The car was moved from this bay to the steel plate where it will have the bumpers and other small repairs done. Jim plans to have it done by next Wednesday, then he and Trish are on their way south to spend Christmas and the next 3 months taking it easy. More on this as the work gets done.
Getting A Make Over
Back Home
This picture was taken at Jim Sweers place. He finished the car this week, making new bumpers and some minor frame repairs. We have the car home now and will start rebuilding it completely by the first week of January. I’m sure we’ll get some stuff done between Christmas and New Years, but as of today Rob and I are taking the next week and a half off. Our goal is to get this car done by the end of January and then get on the Coupe and our other Late Model. More on Late Model X in the new year.
Merry Christmas
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Our family wants to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and all God’s blessings in the coming year.
Happy New Year
We Wish You All A Very Safe And Prosperous New Year