MILLGROVE, ON – On June 22, the Southern Ontario PRO4 Modifieds were in action at Flamboro Speedway for Race #4 of the 2024 season. It was the annual VIP night for the series’ sponsors, on the BCW Lumber-sponsored tour. On the track, 14 drivers from around Southern Ontario turned up to battle for bragging rights while their sponsors enjoyed the show from the VIP Tower in Flamboro’s Turn 1.
Guests were treated to Strode’s beef, cold beverages and wheel-to-wheel racing action. The evening was also Flamboro’s ‘Meet the Drivers Night’ meaning fans and guests were invited onto the front straight to chat with the drivers, sit in their cars and have pictures taken. A fun time was had by all.
Heading into the evening, Brantford, Ontario’s Robert Mercer led the points with a narrow margin over Shannon Morris and Cliff Hodgekinson. For a while, it looked like rain might threaten the schedule, but it didn’t become an issue.
The first heat race featured a tightly bunched pack until Morris locked it up in Turn 3, causing Mark Lucas to spin, bringing out the caution. Both were able to continue. Several new racers made their debuts with the tour, including Mike Baker (Brantford), Jesse Gibson (Waterloo) and John Held (Hagersville).
The action was very close with Sean Asselin (Oshawa) winning the race ahead of Robert Mercer. Congrats to Asselin for earning his first checkered flag competing in the series.
Lining up for the feature, Asselin and Ken Mercer were on the front row ahead of another dozen drivers all of them ready for action.
Throughout the 20-lap feature, the top-seven spots were constantly changing. With no caution flags displayed, the leaders carved through lapped traffic. With under half a dozen laps remaining, Lucas (No. 63) was on Ken Mercer’s rear bumper and watching for an opening.
Mercer (No. 26) and Lucas battled side-by-side through the final turns, with Mercer nudging ahead at the checkered flag.
The Southern Ontario PRO4 Modifieds awarded prizes to lucky fans at Flamboro. Two people won $50 each courtesy of Knot Too Shabby Bridal, two kids won bikes courtesy of RT Industries and Trusted Auto Kitchener. The club also extends its thanks to Astro Excavating, TEGS Tools, Strodes BBQ & Deli, PENCAR, Tiger Towing, Jack Greedy and Gintec.
