VI RENTALS STOCK CARS, OTRA, SPORTSMAN and DWARF CARS
May 31st, 2008
Three “Clean Sweep” Western Speedway:
Langford, BC, May 31, 2008:
The Island Dwarf Car Series, OTRA, Sportsman Series, and the V.I. Rentals Stock Car Series made up the race program on this night as Dave Wheaton Pontiac Buick displayed their new Circle Track crate engines. They had everything from racing engines to the everyday street car. Drop it in – put on a few wires - and ready to go.
No less than three drivers, out of four classes, raced to “clean sweeps” at Western Speedway Saturday night. On April 12, Dave “The Hammer” Emmerson raced to a clean sweep with the Island Dwarf Cars. Saturday night he duplicated this feat again taking the Trophy Dash, Heat 2, and the Main event. Starting 7th, it took Emmerson only five laps to take over the lead from newcomer James Dor’e. Another driver on the move was Don Bonasky who started 10th and quickly moved through the pack with a brand new #55 car (his old number from the Cassidy days). After suffering one of the worst crashes seen at Western last year, Bonasky passed five cars on the first lap and took over the 4th spot on lap 2. On lap 16, he finally made the pass on Gord Kraus to take over the third position. Even after a caution, with 7 laps left and bunching the field, no one could get by the #10 car of Emmerson’s. He finished first, completing the sweep, followed by Dor’e and Bonasky.
Tyler Clough, driving the #45 Sportsman, and Brandon Carlson, driving the #51 Sportsman, held the front row for the start of the 25-lap Main event. Seven time Western Speedway Champion, Tim Christy, started 3rd for his first appearance of this season. After winning the Trophy Dash and the Heat, Christy took the lead on lap 4 in this Feature event. Both Geoff and Brent Morris were on the move from the rear of the pack racing with Morley Axelson and Clough. Geoff took over the 2nd spot on lap 8 but surrendered that position to brother Brent 4 laps later. Christy took the checkered flag to complete the 2nd sweep of the night followed by Brent and Geoff Morris. Christy, in a post race interview indicated this team may be winding down choosing not to run the Katana Boat Series but will make the Canada 200 in September. They may also run some races South of the border.
Thirty laps would make the distance for a stellar field for the OTRA Series. Bob Martin held the lead for the first 2 laps until George “The Jet” Jenson passed him. Behind him some serious racing was forming with Dennis Morneau, Jessie Dardengo, and Dan Morneau. Starting 6, 7, and 8 respectively, these three drivers moved up to race side by side and bumper to bumper in only 5 laps. On lap 10, Dan and Dennis went three wide with Jenson in an outstanding and daring move and jumped to the lead going through turn 4 and then running side by side. Dan got the edge and went on to the win followed by Dennis and Dardengo. Dan had earlier won the Trophy Dash and the Heat race to complete the 3rd sweep of the night.
The V.I. Rentals Stock Car Series has gotten off to a ruff start in 2008. The Trophy Dash looked as though this would continue on this night as the cars beat on one another with Rory Smith taking the checkered flag. The 1st Heat was also a bit ruff with Kyle Cottam taking the victory. With fifty laps the distance for the Feature how many cars would be left at the finish? Marc Parkinson, driving the #25 car, and Dave Reside had the front row with sixteen more cars, and anxious drivers, lined up behind them. Included in the field was Shane Scott, Mike Dibblee, Brian Clutchey, “The Rocket” Ray Anderosov, Kirk Peacey, and Ryan Wade back in his own #95 car and starting 12th. Rory Smith, having a good start to 2008, grabbed the lead followed by Buck Ford and Parkinson now back to third. Meanwhile Peacey, Dibblee, and Wade were working their way through the traffic and Wade taking the 4th spot on lap 8. On lap 19, Wade moved to the outside of the leader, Smith, and completed the pass. Peacey moved up to the 2nd position on lap 21 pushing Ford, also having a great race, back to 3rd. Back in the field, however the #3 car with Anderosov on the wheel, was working his way into contention. On lap 26th he was running 4th and on lap 32, he passed Ford to take over the 3rd position. Only a couple of minor cautions for spinning cars or breakdowns slowed the field but this race was very entertaining and clean with Wade taking the checkered flag. He was followed by Peacey, who seems to have ironed out the bugs in the #90 car, and Anderosov who is always tuff and never quits.
Next race Western Speedway features the return of the Demo Classes along with the Claimers. In just two weeks it will be the running of the prestigious Strawberry Cup with the WilRoc Sprint cars. It is also the Hall of Fame race and the Jim Haslam Memorial for the OTRA. Mark your calendars for this night.
DWARF CAR CLASS:
Fast Time: #8 Bob Pridge 17.791 (New Track Record)
B DASH: James Dor'e; Shane Kraus; John McNabb; Bob Greenway
A DASH: Dave Emmerson; Bob Pridge; Ike Armitage; Jeremy Stevens
1st HEAT: James Dor'e; Don Banasky; Dave Emmerson; Jim Pridge
2nd HEAT: Dave Emmerson; Bob Pridge; Jeremy Stevens; Don Banasky
MAIN: Dave Emmerson; James Dor'e; Don Banasky; Gord Kraus;Bruce Garside
OLD TIME RACERS CLASS (O.T.R.A.):
Fast Time: #23 Dan Morneau 17.961 (New Track Record)
B DASH: Wayne Herrmann; Bob Marin; James Campbell; Terry Cessford
A DASH: Dan Morneau; Jim Rankin; Denis Morneau; Jesse Dardengo
1st HEAT: Terry Cessford; James Campbell; Dano Ryan; Doug Morton
2nd HEAT: Dan Morneau; Jesse Dardengo; Bob Marin; Jim Rankin
MAIN: Dan Morneau; Denis Morneau; Jesse Dardengo; George Jenson; Jim Rankin
SPORTSMAN CLASS:
Fast Time: #29 Brent Morris 17:694
DASH: Tim Christie; Brent Morris; Morley Axelson; Geoff Morris
1st HEAT: Tim Christie; Brent Morris; Geoff Morris; Tyler Clough
2nd HEAT: Brandon Carlson; Morley Axelson; Geoff Morris; Tim Christie
MAIN: Tim Christie; Brent Morris; Geoff Morris; Morley Axelson; Tyler Clough
STOCK CAR CLASS:
Fast Time: #3 Ray Anderosov 18:733
B DASH: Rory Smith; Dave Reside; Marc Parkinson; Larry Graham
A DASH: Kirk Peacey; Ryan Wade; Ray Anderosov; Brian Clutchey
1st HEAT: Kyle Cottam; Rory Smith; Dan Myers; Jim Steen
2nd HEAT: Shane Scott; Brandon Carlson; Ryan Wade; Ray Anderosov
MAIN: Ryan Wade; Kirk Peacey; Ray Anderosov; Shane Scott; Mike Dibblee
