BRIGHTON, ON – As the sun shone down upon the Parade of Champions through downtown Brighton, drivers, crews and race fans heralded in a new season of stock car racing at Brighton Speedway. With only $2.00 in hand and a donation to the Brighton Fare Share Food Bank for admission, the grandstands were packed full of eager racing enthusiasts waiting for the first green flag of the 2013 season to fly. New facility upgrades were eagerly met, food service in the concessions and souvenir booth providing new options and great memorabilia.
Brighton Speedways Fab Four Divisions took to the new track surface and the conditions were perfect for opening night as the track was given two thumbs up by all as for many it was their first time on the resurfaced 1/3rd mile clay oval.
The Brighton Automotive Pro Stocks were the first feature of the night and in a big upset at the beginning of the night saw technical difficulties with the #72 Big Smooth Doug Anderson, the returning champion was forced to load his car after hot laps leaving the door wide open.
#2 Leslie Mowat lead the first half of the race and seemed to be in position to take the first feature of the season leading by a full straight away over #23 Rob Perry, Mowat however would get caught up with a lapped car exiting the track and leaving the door wide open for Perry to take the lead going into turn 3. Mowat would recover for second but had nothing for Perry after that while she had her hands full holding off third place runner #83 Jay O’Hara. That’s how they would finish as Perry picked up the first feature of the season followed by Mowat and O’Hara.
The Oilgard Anti Rust Canadian Modified Division was up next and it was 2012 champion #11 Dan Ferguson who jumped out to the early lead. Ferguson would soon be passed on the outside by #19 Zeke McKeown. McKeown would hold down the lead until a lap 20 restart when Kingston native #33 Ryan Scott would pull up alongside McKeown. A series of quick cautions would have the two drivers battle it out on the restarts with great side by side racing until finally Scott would pull away on the outside on lap 22. Lap 23 saw McKeown lose power while racing up the back shoot opening the door for Ferguson to move back into second well #84 Wally Alderdice would pull up third. Scott would hold on the final two circuits to take home the checker flag.
Vanderlaan Building Supplies Pro Late Model Division lined up to for their 30 lap feature and off the initial green it was #25 Greg Belyea taking the early lead followed by #29 Phill Potts. Potts would take over the top spot on lap 7 however 2012 champion #11 Corey Earl was closing in fast. Earl and Potts would battle side by side for a number of laps till Earl was able to assume he lead on lap 18. Earl would open up a three car lead but the action was heated behind him as #97 Dave MacDonald, #57 Charlie Sandercock and #5 Steve Baldwin were all in the mix with Potts for second. MacDonald would take second and Sandercock edged Potts by a bumper coming off the final turn for the final podium spot.
Bill’s Johns Comp 4 Division was the final feature of the night and it didn’t take long for the dynamic duo of #43 Tom Vance and #44 of Bandon Wilke to pick up where they left off last season. Both were competitive from the green flag and they finished one / two respectively. #94 Brady Greer finished third while rookie Josh French finished forth.
Be sure to get your seat early this Saturday as PartSource presents Dollar Dog Night plus all five divisions will be on tap. The Quinte Septic Stingers will hit the track for their inaugural visit in 2013 and ABC Taxi presents race one of the Comp 4 Triple Crown Series. Green flag flies at 7:00pm each and every Saturday night, Front Gates open at 5:30pm and Pit Gates open at 4:00pm. The racing action is underway at Brighton Speedway! Be sure to check www.brightonspeedway.com or visit us on Facebook to see up to date results, points and upcoming information. You can also purchase your tickets for the June 20th Excel Tower 50 World of Outlaw Late Model Series race presented by Campbellford Chrysler, JJ Stewart and Dibbits Excavating. This event is not to be missed if you’re a motorsports fan.
RESULTS: May 4, 2013
Oilgard Canadian Modified: Feature: 1. Ryan Scott (Kingston, ON), 2. Dan Ferguson (Bloomfield, ON), 3. Wally Alderdice (Wooler, ON), 4. Warren Mowat (Trenton, ON), 5. Mike Lucas (Belleville, ON),
Bill’s Johns Comp 4: Feature: 1. Tom Vance (Stockdale, ON), 2. Brandon Wilkie (Trenton, ON), 3. Brady Greer (Wellington, ON), 4. Josh French (Belleville, On), 5. Brandon Gunter (Stockdale, ON),
Brighton Automotive Pro Stock: Feature: 1. Rob Perry (Wooler, ON), 2. Leslie Mowat (Trenton, ON), 3. Jay O’Hara (Brighton, ON), 4. Mitch Rosborough (Picton, ON), 5. Todd MacDonald (Shannonville, ON),
Vanderlaans Building Supplies Pro Late Models: Feature: 1. Corey Earl (Picton, ON), 2. David McDonald (Brighton, ON), 3. Charlie Sandercock (Belleville, ON), 4. Phil Potts (Frankford, On), 5. Steve Baldwin (Trenton, ON)
By: Angie Rinaldi
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