DEMO CARS, CLAIMERS, DEMO TRUCKS, MINI FIGURE 8’s, MINI VANS and
TOTAL DESTRUCTION DERBY
August 23rd, 2008
By Ken Keating, Illusion Photography
The Demo Cars, Trucks, Mini Vans, Figure 8 Series, and the Claimers returned to Western Speedway Saturday night for a full program of Trophy Dashes, Heat races, Feature events, and an added Total Destruction finale.
Darren Keeler returned to race his brother’s truck in the Demo Truck Trophy dash and that along with the win by Mark in the Heat race coupled with a victory in the Feature event marked a perfect evening with the Keeler brothers. Darren has been busy with personal business but after the run last night said he will be back.
Mike Noyce had a fast car all evening and it showed when he won the Trophy Dash and his Heat race. He was on his way to a clean sweep as he and Brian Wakelin lined up side by side for twenty laps of Feature event racing. It only took Noyce four laps to pass Randy Weibe for the lead from his tenth starting position. Brian Wakelin also followed Noyce through traffic to run third for several laps. He and Ray Wilkinson battled bumper to bumper and side by side for several laps for the second spot. On lap twelve, disaster struck Noyce as his motor blew up ending his night. Up front the battle continued over the last few laps with Wilkinson and Wakelin. Wilkinson held off the charge taking the checkered flag followed by Wakelin and Matt Verhagen. This would mark the first time Wilkinson has ever visited Victory Square.
Smokin Joe Liberatore led almost from start to finish in the Demo Car Heat race. On the last lap, Dean Mackney spun the leader out taking over the lead as they were both in lapped traffic. Joe got straightened around and caught Mackney experiencing the same lapped traffic. Joe seized the opportunity to pass Mackney in turn four and took the checkered flag by just a few feet. Liberatore got out fast and led the first seventeen laps in the Demo Car Feature event staying out of trouble and with little pressure. Meanwhile behind him hits were taking place on every corner and the straight-a-ways. On lap eleven, the veteran and former Champion, Kirk Peacey, was gaining ground on Liberatore. On lap eighteen Peacey spun Joe around and went on to take the checkered flag. Liberatore held on to the second spot followed by Brad Smith.
Glen Percival was on his way to a clean sweep in the Mini Van events as he won the Dash and his Heat race. As the vans entered turn four, Percival got caught in traffic against the wall and newcomer Larry Hansen went by this group and held on for his first checkered flag. Percival finished second followed by Roger Beck. Hansen was ecstatic with his first win as he was interviewed at Victory Square.
J.J.Taylor returned to the Figure 8 class setting a new track record in qualifying. He backed this up by winning the Feature event in this series. During this race, however, the red flag came out as Jon Earl turned up side down on the three and four corners. Track personnel uprighted the car and Earl continued to race. Kyle Ridley placed second with Austin Robertson in third.
Eight cars waited for the drop of the green flag for the Total Destruction event. The last car to move would take away the big trophy presented to the driver that took all the hits but could still move even an inch and for some that would be a struggle. Several cars suffered some big hits crumpling the rear end and bursting some radiators. When the smoke cleared James Young was declared the winner as it was determined that he made the last hit even though the recipient was able to run both cars were locked together by just a chain and lacked enough power to get loose.
The next race, at Western Speedway is the conclusion of the Thursday Night Thunder event for the Hornet Cars and Bumblebee Series. Next Friday and Saturday, Western Speedway presents the Hot August Nights with virtually all the classes running including the lightning quick WilRoc Sprints and the V.I.Rentals Stock Car Series.CLAIMER CLASS:
FAST TIME: #39 Brian Wakelin 20:68
TROPHY DASH:
Michael Noyce; Brian Wakelin; Terry Ross; Paul Verhagen
1ST HEAT:
Randy Wiebe; Derick Michaud; Brandon Giles; Teresa Johnson
2ND HEAT:
Michael Noyce; Chris Broughton; Matt Verhagen; Brian Wakelin
MAIN EVENT:
Ray Wilkinson; Brian Wakelin; Matt Verhagen; Sam Hunt;
Randy Wiebe
DEMO CAR CLASS:
FAST TIME: #15 Brad Smith 20:799
TROPHY DASH:
Doug Richens; Brad Smith; Dennis Head; Keith Hansen
1ST HEAT:
Joe Liberatore; Dean Mackney; Melvin Jeffries; Alex Gwilliam
2ND HEAT:
Keith Hansen; Doug Richens; Kirk Peacey; George Haywood
MAIN EVENT:
Kirk Peacey; Joe Liberatore; Brad Smith; George Haywood;
Mike Makow
DEMO TRUCK CLASS:
FAST TIME: #42 Mark Keeler 20:99
TROPHY DASH:
Darren Keeler; Richard Milne; David Cates; Kevin Knight
HEAT RACE:
Mark Keeler; Mark Lefvabe; Aasen Baker; David Cates
MAIN EVENT:
Mark Keeler; Andy Timms; Mark Lefvabe; Aasen Baker;
Richard Milne
MINI FIGURE 8 CLASS:
FAST TIME: #97 J. J. Taylor 13:86 (New Track Record)
TROPHY DASH:
Kyle Ridley; Shawn Hitchings; J.J. Taylor; Cam Wilkinson
HEAT RACE:
John Earl; Shawn Hitchings; Austin Robertson; J.J. Taylor
MAIN EVENT:
J.J. Taylor; Kyle Ridley; Austin Robertson; Bryce Muir;
Shawn Hitchings
DEMO VAN CLASS:
FAST TIME: #34 Roger Beck 24:674
TROPHY DASH:
Glen Percival; Larry Hansen; Kail Beck; Roger Beck
HEAT RACE:
Glen Percival; Roger Beck; Kail Beck; Gord Percival
MAIN EVENT:
Larry Hansen; Glen Percival; Roger Beck; Kail Beck
TOTAL DESTRUCTION WINNER:
#31 James Young
