WINNIPEG, MB – JUNE 9, 2012 – Mother Nature dealt a bad hand to the members of the Northern Lightning Sprint Association on Thursday night at Winnipeg’s Red River Co-op Speedway. As the 15 competitors rolled around the 4/10-mile dirt oval under caution, rain began to fall, thus forcing the cancellation of the first NLSA feature of 2012.
In Heat race action, two-time NLSA Champion Roland Bernard served early notice that he is ready to reclaim his title with a convincing performance to win his Heat race. Starting in 6th place, Bernard followed a hard-charging Wally Butler who took an early lead in his 35W sprinter. Half-way into the Heat race, Butler appeared to be quickly pulling away from the pack until his car tagged the front stretch wall, ending his chance for a checkered flag. Bernard took advantage of the miscue, rocketed to the lead and never looked back to win Heat 1.
Polesitter Dylan Sabatini lead all 8 laps of the second Heat race, including holding off a late charge by Amber Balcaen to take the checkered flag in Heat 2. Balcaen’s #10 Lightning Sprint appeared to be closing in for a pass with one lap remaining, but the cunning Sabatini took advantage of a lapped car in Turn 3 to block Amber’s opportunity to steal the win.
A make-up date for the rained out feature will be announced soon.
Northern Lightning Sprint Association
Red River Co-op Speedway, Winnipeg, MB.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Heat 1
1. 2 Roland Bernard
2. 4C Chris Bouwman
3. 27 Chris Unrau
4. 18 Ryan Harms
5. 7 Brent Steg
6. 9 Matt Zaleski
7. 14 Edward Bell
8. 35W Wally Butler
Heat 2
1. 29 Dylan Sabatini
2. 10 Amber Balcaen
3. 31 Frank Elias
4. 1 Chris Sorin
5. 21 Brian Harris
6. 17 Jesse Giesbrecht
7. 43 Robert Livingstone
Starting Lineup for Feature
1. 29 Dylan Sabatini
2. 4C Chris Bouwman
3. 18 Ryan Harms
4. 2 Roland Bernard
5. 1 Chris Sorin
6. 10 Amber Balcaen
7. 27 Chris Unrau
8. 31 Frank Elias
9. 7 Brent Steg
10. 17 Jesse Giesbrecht
11. 9 Matt Zaleski
12. 21 Brian Harris
13. 14 Edward Bell
14. 35W Wally Butler
15. 43 Robert Livingstone
About the Northern Lightning Sprint Association: Created in September of 2008, the Northern Lightning Sprint Association is a rapidly growing organization committed to the creation and maintenance of safe, fast, fun, and affordable open wheel racing. Many of the organization’s members are dedicated to helping charities such as the Children’s Hospital Foundation and Cancer Care of Manitoba. More information can be found at www.nlsprints.com
From Greg Cybulski
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