Phil Lagan Wins First Annual Keg Restaurant Challenge:
Langford BC, Dec. 13th, 2009:
The forecast was for snow with possibilty of rain but the "Winter Hornet Series "presented by Steve Copp Construction were prepared to run for the first Annual Keg Restaurant Challenge with the Quadra St. vs Fort St. Kegs taking on each other along with the regular pros in the Hornet class. Former Late Model driver, Jason Frost, joined in the fun and: "I had fun for the first ninety-nine laps" he said after his car gave up with an over heated engine.
Eighteen cars lined up to start the two hour or two hundred lap event with top drivers, such as Daryl Crocker, Darrell Midgley; the Northern Provincial Pipeline Champion for 2009, along with Rory Smith; from the Stock Car Series; and Phil Lagan who is a regular in the Hornet Car Series.
Kevin Knight, who drives a Demo Truck and an I.M.S. 4 Mini Stock, led the first few laps but surrendered the lead to Cody Aumen followed by Darrel Midgley and Jason Frost after just five laps. Crocker entered the pits after just seven laps with an over heated motor and usually he can be found running in the top positions and a threat to win with this Series. After ten laps, Frost had taken the lead and left Midgley and Aumen the to battle for the second spot. A lot of juggling took place early and Rory Smith moved into the mix battling with Aumen and Midgley by eighteen laps. Smith did get the lead and was in a tight battle with Frost for several laps but by lap thirty-three it was Frost, Midgley, Jordan Schuss, who came over from Vancouver, Lagan, and Smith occupying the top five spots. By lap fifty-six, Lagan moved into the third spot and continued his pursuit of the leaders. One lap later Midgley used an inside move, going through the chicane in turn four, and came out with the lead. Just a few laps later, Frost who had a great run going, entered the pits with over heating problems. This now put Phil Lagan into contention behind the front running Midgley. On several occasions, Lagan tried to get under Midgley for the lead but was not successful. On lap ninety, the red flag came out as the #56 car, with Sam Lagan, went spinning into turn one with a lot of smoke under the hood and into the cab. The driver was not injured but his run was finished.
On the restart it was Midgley still in front with Lagan, Schuss, Knight, and Steve Copp rounding out the top five positions. At the half way point the running order had not changed. At different points of the race, Midgley was able to get a good lead but Lagan was still there and closed up on several occasions. Going through lapped traffic, Midgley had the #91.3 car spin just in front of him but he was able to avoid a collision and maintain the lead. Copp, on lap one thirty-six, was able to get by Knight and was running fourth for several laps. On lap one fifty-one, Midgley got together a bit with a lapped car and that allowed Lagan to take over the lead. Midgley had to enter the pits to have the front bumper removed from under the front wheels of his car but did not loose his place in the running order as it only took a few moments to free up his steering. Copp had to give up his position also with over heating problems after a pretty good run towards the front.
After two hundred gruelling laps it was Phil Lagan coming home with the win followed by Midgley, Schuss, Knight, and Aumen rounding out the top five positions. This marked the second consecutive win for Lagan after winning the last Enduro on November 15th. Jordon comes to Western Speedway with quite a list of accomplishments as he had 5 "A" Main wins, and an"A" Dash win for 2009, an Main win, and a "B" Heat win in 2008, Technical Merit Award in 2007, and 2005 Rob Angus Kart Series Champion driving a 1988 Honda Prelude at Agassiz Speedway. Darrell Midgley chose to pass his second place finish to Schuss with Knight taking the third spot. The next race in the "Winter Series" is to be held on January 10th, again presented by Steve Copp Construction.
