DEMO CARS, CLAIMERS, DEMO TRUCKS,
MINI FIGURE 8’s, MINI VANS
CHAMPIONSHIP NIGHT!!
with
TOTAL DESTRUCTION DERBY
and first ever
TRAILER RACE
October 11th, 2008
By Ken Keating, Illusion Photography
Over 2000 hardy race fans braved cool temperatures and a brief, light rain shower, to usher the end of the 2008 race season. Championships would be decided for the Claimer Series, Figure 8s, Demo Trucks, Mini Vans, and Demo Cars. Fans would also be treated to the first ever trailer race where small travel trailers were hooked up to cars and vans with the idea of having the most trailer left at the end. The competition was just as determined to take away as much of your trailer as possible. Dr. Death, Keith Hansen had his hands full pulling a fairly large trailer around the oval with the wheels not turning until it was hammered by Kail Beck knocking what was left in a big pile of rubble in the middle of the track. Hansen not only won the race, but also had the crash of the night as he piled full bore into the pile of trailer sitting just before the entrance to turn one. The result was lots of litter scattered from the starter’s stand to the start line for the drag strip.
Mike Noyce has had a fast car all year with the Claimer Series and last night was no exception. He entered the Feature event fourth in points and a good season considering he had won five Features over the course of 2008. His winning margin was three quarters of a lap over the second place car driven by Brian Wakelin. Wakelin entered the night with the lead in points and with his finish captured the Claimer Championship. Noyce started twelfth and took the lead after just six laps and built the big lead from there. Wakelin finally passed Danny Matthews on lap sixteen to take the second spot with Matthews holding on for third.
Shawn Hitchings led Kyle Ridley in Figure 8 points and had won four Main events over 2008. His lead would not be challenged and he is the Figure 8 Champion for this season.
Glen Percival had the van to beat all year winning three Main events in 2008. His closest competitors were the father and son team of Roger and Kail Beck in second and third respectively. Percival kept his winning streak alive and took the Feature in last night’s competition.
Aasen Baker held the advantage in Demo Truck competition as he lined up for Main event action. He started in the seventh position and took the lead on lap seven and survived a tough affair and took the Feature event along with the Championship for the Demo Trucks.
Brad Smith held a very slim two points over Smokin Joe Liberatore in Demo Car points as they entered the Main event last night. Joe was still in contention even after losing points in the Heat race to the leader. During the Feature things sort of unraveled for the veteran driver as he got spun around several times as Smith continued to stay out of trouble and finish the race. Doug “The Slug” Richens broke an axle and wound up on his roof sitting at the exit of turn two. He was unhurt but his night was finished. Mark Parkinson set fast time of the night and followed up with a “clean sweep” in the Demo Car class winning the Dash, his Heat race and the victory in the Feature event of the night. Parkinson started in the eleventh spot and grabbed the lead on lap fifteen and held on for the last five laps. He was followed by Smith and Psycho Bill Koenders at the checkered flag.
Western Speedway hosted a Total Destruction event as part of the finale for 2008. Several cars entered in a hard hitting event and when the smoke and steam cleared the team owned by Mike Makow was the last car moving and declared the winner.
The very entertaining night came to a close with a very good fireworks show lasting about twenty minutes. Congratulaions to all of the new Champions, although they are unofficial, and to the officials of Western Speedway for another great season of racing for 2008.CLAIMER CLASS:
FAST TIME: #44 Michael Noyce 20:49
TROPHY DASH:
Brian Wakelin; Michael Noyce; Dennis Stewart; Danny Matthews
1ST HEAT RACE:
Erik Fournier; Paul Verhagen; Derrick Michaud; Raymond Wilkins
2ND HEAT RACE:
Brian Wakelin; Michael Noyce; Chris Kocheran; Dennis Stewart
MAIN EVENT:
Michael Noyce; Brian Wakelin; Danny Matthews; Erik Fournier;
Chris Kocheran
DEMO CAR CLASS:
FAST TIME: #15 Marc Parkinson 20:314
TROPHY DASH:
Marc Parkinson; Brad Smith; Bill Koenders; Keith Hanson
1ST HEAT RACE:
Marty Hanson; Dean Mackney; Joe Liberatore; Spencer Nicholes
2ND HEAT RACE:
Marc Parkinson; Keith Hanson; Brad Smith; Bill Koenders
MAIN EVENT:
Marc Parkinson; Brad Smith; Bill Koenders; Keith Hanson;
Mike Makow
DEMO TRUCK CLASS:
FAST TIME: #42 Darren Keeler 20:72
TROPHY DASH:
Richard Milne; Mark Keeler; Billy Stidson; Mark Lefebvre
HEAT RACE:
Mark Keeler; Billy Stidson; Aasen Baker; Ronnie Keifert
MAIN EVENT:
Aasen Baker; Mark Keeler; Paul Stockhorn; Mark Lefebvre;
Richard Milne
MINI FIGURE 8 CLASS:
FAST TIME: #97 J.J. Taylor 14:096
TROPHY DASH:
Kyle Ridley; Jeff Foley; J.J. Taylor; Shawn Hitchings
1ST HEAT RACE:
Sean Young; Cody Young; Wayne Jackson; John Earl
2ND HEAT:
Kyle Ridley; Jeff Foley; Shawn Hitchings; J.J. Taylor
MAIN EVENT:
Jeff Foley; Austin Robertson; Shawn Hitchings; J.J. Taylor;
Cody Young
MINI VAN DEMO CLASS:
FAST TIME: #48 Gord Percival 15:523
TROPHY DASH:
Roger Beck; Larry Hansen; Kail Beck; Gord Percival
HEAT RACE:
Glen Percival; Larry Hansen; Roger Beck; Gord Percival
MAIN EVENT:
Glen Percival; Roger Beck; Kail Beck; Gord Percival
TOTAL DESTRUCTION EVENT:
#92 Mike Makow
TRAILER RACE EVENT:
#45 Keith Hanson
