BOWMANVILLE, ON- ‘Party Time’ Bryan Sudsbury will make his first Sunset Speedway Late Model appearance of 2015 this Sunday, as the former Peterborough Speedway champion looks to qualify for the second annual 125-lap Canadian Late Model Nationals.
The likeable Peterborough Speedway regular will compete in his hometrack’s ‘Championship Night’ event – before returning to his Hampton, ON raceshop to prepare for the trip to Sunset on Sunday morning.
“I think if we time this just right, we might be able to get about two hours of sleep on Saturday night,” laughs Sudsbury. “It’s going to be a ton of work – but this is the kind of event that if we sat on the sidelines I knew we would regret it”
“So, we’ll do what we have to do to be a part of it. We have a whole off-season to rest, so we’re going to make sure to have this car on-track as much as possible between now and then”
The event will draw Sudsbury outside the confines of his traditional 30-lap Saturday night main events, instead putting his Great Canadian RV-sponsored No. 29 through the rigors of a 125-lap marathon against some of the top teams in the province.
“I’ve never raced a Late Model event longer than 100-laps, so this will be something new for our team,” explains ‘Party Time’.
“Fundamentally, I don’t think the strategy for 125-laps is much different than 100-laps or even 75-laps. It’s all about being responsible, respecting your equipment, respecting the equipment of the guy next to you, and not overdriving your car. Obviously that’s easier said than done. But if we can stick to that plan – and dodge any of the craziness – we should be alright”
The race will pit Sudsbury’s family-run operation against some of the biggest outfits in Ontario Late Model racing. However, the Bowmanville, ON-based hotshoe sees no reason to not be excited for the challenge.
“I don’t see it as intimidating, at all,” insists Sudsbury. “Not for a moment. I’m in this division to test myself, my team and my equipment. Peterborough might have the most underrated roster in the province, but I don’t think it’s a secret that a lot of Ontario’s best are at Sunset”
“My father has told me from our first day in a Kart that you’re only as good as your competition,” adds the young veteran. “So, Sunday we’ll see exactly where we stack up against some of the top guys”
With a roadtrip to Sunset comes an adjustment in driving style, with the freshly repaved 1/3-mile offering a multitude of opportunities to pass and work through the talent-laden field.
“I’m used to running on a tight track with a single groove to work with, so it’s going to be a nice change to get to Sunset and stretch our legs a little bit,” smiles Sudsbury. “I don’t have a lot of laps there, and we’re all aware that that might put us in a bit of a hole early on. We just need to make good use of our practice sessions and catch a feel for what the car is wanting”
“This team is a bunch of animals, man. I could never ask for a harder working group of guys. If there’s a way to wake this car up on Sunday, they will find a way to make it happen. I trust in my team entirely”
“Obviously a strong performance at Sunset would be one of the highlights of our season,” continues Sudsbury.
“Look at their roster. There aren’t many teams on it that aren’t taking their programs seriously. That’s where we want to be. In the same conversation as them. And the only way to get there is to run with – and beat – that level of competition. If we can load up on Sunday night after a top-5 finish, I think I’ll be happy enough to buy a couple rounds for the boys.”
Details for Sunday’s event can be found at www.SunsetSpeedway.ca.
Fans can follow ‘Party Time’ on Twitter @SudsburyRacing or on Facebook via the brand new Bryan Sudsbury Racing page.
Sudsbury’s Port City by McHattie entry carries sponsorship from Deighton Design, Alma Mechanical, Darrel’s Die Casts, RVL Masonry, Deighton, Cochrane Automotive, Brandon’s Landscapes, Great Canadian RV, Flash Fire Coatings, RB Blast Services Inc.and Castrol.
By Spencer Lewis (@itsspencerlewis)
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