MILLGROVE, ON – Southern Ontario Pro 4 Modifieds VIP Night was held at Flamboro Speedway on Saturday, August 9 as a big ‘thank you’ to sponsors and friends. It was also a big hit with the kids. The Turn One Tower at the track housed all the guests, while Brian Wittiveen from Strodes BBQ and Deli in Brantford hosted a beef and chicken BBQ hot off the grill. In all, more than 150 VIP guests and sponsors enjoyed food, giveaways, racing “bling,” and a great night of action.
It was Race #5 in the BCW Lumber Series of Pro 4 Modifieds, with the top five drivers running close in points. With key series and car sponsors fighting for podium finishes, an intense night of racing was expected.
See below for a gallery of images from the event. Photos courtesy of Derek Smith / Racepulse.com (Flamboro) and Amanda Sheppard (Sunset file photos). The story is continued below the gallery. Click on any image to start the slideshow.
Krystal Mercer and Kelly Martin provided gift bags and Pro 4 colouring books for the kids. Kelly, a key partner and sponsor from Trusted Car Care Kitchener, also organized giveaways including a new bike, radio-controlled cars, and plenty of racing swag.
Event co-ordinator Krystal made sure all the guests were well looked after with Strodes food, fine desserts from Our Kitchen Brantford, and lots of cold beverages. Representatives from NAPA Brantford, Pencar Brantford, and Our Kitchen Brantford were all on hand.
Two heats of Pro 4 action set the stage for the 25-lap feature. A large field featured throwback “pavement pounders” of the 1970s, including Brad Maitland in his dark red double-00 Pinto, and Mike Baker with his black and orange Stryker Chassis machine.
Vic DeVries showcased his dark green classic, always a pit favourite, while veteran Shannon Morris methodically worked his Cavalier-style modified toward the front. Cliff Hodgkinson of Baby Gorilla Racing, one of the most experienced Pro 4 drivers with years of racing in Canada and the U.S., claimed third place on VIP Night after a hard-fought battle.
BCW Lumber Series sponsors had strong representation. John Greedy of Jack Greedy Limited in Bolton, a name synonymous with racing for decades, was on hand and warmly greeted by drivers and fans alike. A new sponsor, Sierra Excavating of Bolton, was welcomed by Dominic and his team.
In the 25-lap feature, race director Paul Torkoff stressed the importance of a clean race. Rookie pavement driver Riley Mercer, fresh from dirt sprint racing and sponsored by Jim Bray Associates of Brantford, blew a new race engine early and was sidelined. Mark Lucas (Gintec Shade Systems) drove his sleek black-and-gold #63 Ford to a strong second-place finish, earning the Strodes BBQ VIP Plaque.
The race ran incident-free, with Tiger Towing and Recovery’s wreckers left idle. When the chequered flag waved, it was Robert Mercer of Brantford in the #88 Honda-powered open-wheel modified taking the win, with Lucas and Hodgkinson right on his bumper. Robert brought his car to the VIP Tower afterward, where kids – and kids at heart – climbed in for photos.
Thank you to all our VIPs, sponsors, friends, and families who joined us for a great night with the Southern Ontario Pro 4 Racing Family.
Results: SOMA Pro 4 Modifieds
Heat 1: Riley Mercer, Ken Mercer, John Held, Brad Maitland, Brodie Gibson, Vic Devries, Andrew Snyder, Kelly Martin.
Heat 2: Shannon Morrison, Mark Lucas, Cliff Hodgkinson, Bob Mercer, John Fera, Jesse Gibson, Shean Carey.
Feature: Bob Mercer, Cliff Hodgkinson, Mark Lucas, Shannon Morris, Josh Fera, Shean Carey, Ken Mercer, Riley Mercer, Andrew Snyder, John Held, Brad Maitland, Jesse Gibson, Brodie Gibson.
