CAN-AM DEMO, DEMO CARS, CLAIMERS,
DEMO TRUCKS, MINI FIGURE 8’s
and MINI VANS
September 13th, 2008
By Ken Keating, Illusion Photography
A determined Team Canada won the Demo Team Challenge in front of an almost full house at Western Speedway Saturday night. A full program of Trophy Dashes, Heat races, and Main Events were on the schedule, plus a Total Destruction that was canceled as there were not enough cars to participate. The action, in the other events, was certainly full of hard hitting and at times resembled a total destruction.
Ray Wilkinson took the early lead in a shortened Feature event for the Claimer Series. Wilkinson led for the first five laps until he was caught and passed by a streaking Mike Noyce. Noyce started in the fourteenth spot and once in the lead began to leave everyone else behind as he stretched his lead on every lap. On lap eleven, first time driver Danny Matthews crashed as he exited turn four and as he floated across the track was hit hard by another driver. By this time Noyce also came out of turn four and could not stop in time and crashed as well bringing out a red flag. Extensive damage to Matthews and Noyce’s car ended their night but both drivers were unhurt. On the restart, Wilkinson got the lead and stayed there taking the checkered flag ahead of Eric Fournier and Paul Verhagen.
Gary Williams has driven most everything at Western Speedway including a bus jump not to long ago. Saturday night he tried Figure 8 racing for the first time driving the #66 car. His introduction to this class ended very early as during the heat race he got slammed by a couple of cars on the very first lap and quickly landed on his roof. He re-fired but had to retire and entered the pits. He did get back for Main event action later on. Sean Hitchings continued his winning ways avoiding all the mayhem and won the Figure 8 Feature for his fifth win for 2008.
Aasen Baker took the early lead in Demo Truck action followed by Richard Milne and Mark Keeler who moved from tenth to second on the first lap. Keeler took the lead on lap six and led until he and Dave Cates got their trucks locked together on lap eight. Meanwhile Milne got spun around on the front stretch and got hit hard by points leader Baker who had no where to go. This crash ended both their nights. When the checkered flag waved it was Kevin Knight taking the win followed by Trevor Hardy.
Sixteen cars took the green flag for the Demo Car Feature event. Jeremy Gardener led for the first four laps followed by Jim Young and Bard Smith. Young took over the lead and stayed there until a flat tire forced him to the pits as the laps began to wind down. When the dust settled Gardener went on to the win followed by Doug Richens and Mike Noyce.
Smokin Joe Liberatore has raised thousands of dollars for the Cops for Cancer over the years. Saturday Joe spearheaded another drive with his Annual head shave for this very worthy cause. He was joined in the shaving by a six year old Tyrell who raised over $700.00 himself. Overall, Joe presented a cheque for over $7000.00 to two members of the Police who will be on the bike tour beginning next week. Hats off again to Joe for his undaunting commitment to this great cause.
Dr. Death, Keith Hansen, blew a motor early in the evening forcing a change so that he could enter the Demo Team Challenge as a member of the Canadian squad. Several people added their expertise and the motor change was completed in time for the big race of the night. Seven Canadian cars had to take on eight US cars as only fifteen cars lined up to take the green flag for twenty minutes of total mayhem. Scott Fairhurst had the pole while Terrible Terry Dyke, driving for the US in this event, had the outside position. The hits were plentiful and hard as each side took their turns at hitting the opposition. Doug “The Slug” Richens took the lead on lap three and weaved his way through traffic and crashes as he led throughout the remainder of the twenty minute event. Richens had to enter the pits for a tire change late but still had enough of a lead to take the win completing thirty-one laps. At the end there were four Canadian cars running and no Americans. This win allowed the Canadian squad to recapture the title lost to the Americans in last year’s event. Richens was followed by Hansen, Fairhurst and Randy Makowsky. Several drivers from both teams gathered at Victory Square for a group photo. Many thanks must go to the American crew who made the long haul to Western Speedway for this very popular event.CLAIMER CLASS:
FAST TIME: #67 Sam Hunt 20:914
TROPHY DASH:
Sam Hunt; Dennis Stewart; Paul Verhagen; Danny Matthews
1ST HEAT RACE:
Ray Wilkinson; Derrick Michaud; Eric Fournier; Teresa Johnson
2ND HEAT RACE:
Sam Hunt; Matt Verhagen; Dennis Stewart; Danny Matthews
MAIN EVENT:
Ray Wilkinson; Eric Fournier; Paul Verhagen; Brian Wakelin;
Teresa Johnson
MINI FIGURE 8 CLASS:
FAST TIME: #83 Shawn Hitchings
TROPHY DASH:
Bryce Muir; Shawn Hitchings; Kyle Ridley; Cam Wilkinson
HEAT RACE:
Sean Young; J.J. Taylor; Cam Wilkinson; Austin Robertson
MAIN EVENT:
Shawn Hitchings; Austin Robertson; Jeff Foley; Wayne Jackson;
Bryce Muir
MINI DEMO VAN CLASS:
FAST TIME: #26 Glen Percival
TROPHY DASH:
Kail Beck; Roger Beck; Glen Percival; David Dewitt
HEAT RACE:
Glen Percival; Kail Beck; Larry Hansen; Roger Beck
MAIN EVENT:
Larry Hansen; Roger Beck; Glen Percival; Kail Beck; David Dewitt
DEMO TRUCK CLASS:
FAST TIME: #42 Mark Keeler 20:787
TROPHY DASH:
Mark Keeler; Kevin Knight; Richard Milne; David Cates
HEAT RACE:
Mark Keeler; Ronnie Keifert; Billy Stidson; Kevin Knight
MAIN EVENT:
Kevin Knight; Trevor Hardy; Ronnie Keifert; Richard Milne;
Aasen Baker
DEMO CAR CLASS:
FAST TIME: #81 Robin Trotter 20:940
TROPHY DASH:
Joe Liberatore; Robin Trotter; Doug Richens; Brad Smith
1ST HEAT:
Shawn Hanson; Michael Noyce; Alexander Gwilliam; Mike Makow
2ND HEAT:
Robin Trotter; Doug Richens; Joe Liberatore; Marty Hansen
MAIN EVENT:
Jeremy Gardener; Doug Richens; Michael Noyce; Joe Liberatore;
Jim Young
CAN/AM DEMO CHALLENGE RACE:
Doug Richens (Can,); Keith Hansen (Can.); Scott Fairhursh (Can.); Randy Makowsky (Can.); Butch Sukut (U.S.); Terry Dyke (U.S.);
Brad Fisher (U.S.); Phil King (U.S.); Shawn Hanson (U.S.); Duane Saumer (Can.)
TEAM CANADA WINS THE CAN/AM DEMO CHALLENGE 2008
