With files from Ken Mercer
Sean Asselin returned from a long racing absence to win the Southern Ontario Modified Association (SOMA) championship in his first season in the series.
The Oshawa, ON driver is no stranger to motorsports, though most of his experience has come in road racing, having previously competed in the Pirelli World Challenge and Canadian Touring Car Championship. Asselin was honoured for his new short track title earlier this month at the SOMA Pro 4 modifieds BCW Lumber Series banquet in Brantford, ON.
Asselin’s car was always perfectly prepared and ready to race this season and race he did. His car handled like it was on rails and, with his exceptional ability to drive, could work every inch of the track. Drivers like Mark Lucas (finished fourth in points), also with years of experience, drove to the limit to stay in the top pack. Cliff Hodgkinson of Kitchener, ON (third in points), known as the ‘Gorilla,’ was always in hot pursuit but didn’t quite make it this year. Defending champion Robert Mercer (runner-up in points) definitely had his hands full trying to catch and get around the sizzling hot Mariah chassis and super tuned 2.3 Ford of Sean Asselin.
In addition to the top points finishers, awards were presented to Kelly Martin for Rookie of the Year and Mark Lucas for Most Sportsmanlike Driver.
Asselin won two features during his championship season, one each at Flamboro Speedway and Grand Bend Speedway. We interviewed Asselin on Inside Track TV:
