MILLGROVE, ON – Billy Schwartzenburg and the #86 team headed to Flamboro Speedway on Sunday morning for the annual Frostoberfest invitational event that consisted of three 50-lap features for the pro late models that would mark the end of their 2017 season.
With a brand new set of tires on the car to scuff in for the first feature, Billy went out for the first practice session where the car was wicked fast and handling perfectly as Billy ran his best ever lap times that were three tenths of a second faster than any other pro late model that had arrived for the event. Just as Billy broke the 15 second mark and as he was coming out of turn 4 on his fifth lap, he suddenly slowed down the front stretch and came over the radio to say that something had broken as the car wouldn’t go into gear. Billy coasted back to the pit area and the team quickly went to work looking for the issue. Shortly after putting the #86 up on jack stands, the team found that the main ring and pinion in the rear end had snapped in half ending the night and the season for the #86 team.
Before Billy had a chance to get out of his race suit, his brother Rich called him to ask if he would be interested in driving his #72 mini in the twin 30-lap feature races that were also scheduled that day. Of course Billy said yes and quickly made his way to the tower to say that there was a driver change for the #72. Even though Rich had qualified his car in the 7th position the previous day, Billy would have to start at the back of the field for the feature race because of the driver change.
Starting 31st out of 32 cars, it didn’t take Billy long to move towards the front as he was up to the 18th position before the first caution on lap 5. Despite being folded into the car like a pretzel and having to bend his right leg sideways in order to get to the pedals, just three laps later Billy was knocking on the door of the top-10 in 11th and then as a result of the next caution would restart in 8th. After the last caution on lap 28, Billy made the most of the last two laps by making a few passes to finish an impressive 4th.
For the second feature, Billy started back in the 19th position and like the first feature, he quickly moved up through the field taking over 9th by lap 5, 7th by lap 7 and then 5th by lap 10. After a caution on lap 19, Billy restarted on the inside of the second row in the 3rd position where he battled hard with the #75 over the final laps but he wasn’t able to complete the pass as the two ran side by side over the waning laps with Billy ultimately finishing 3rd. After averaging the finishing order for both features, Billy was awarded 2nd place overall making for a very happy driver and his brother Rich a very happy car owner. Despite not running the pro late model the team had a good time helping out Billy and the #86 of Erik Dalla Reva in Billy’s old car as they dipped their toes back into the mini stock class.
This concludes the 2017 season for Spira Racing and we would like to thank all of our families, friends and sponsors for their support including: Spira Fire Protection, St. Jacobs’ Farmer’s Market, Hy-Grade Steel Roofing System, Lucas Oil Products, Apollo Valves, Cambridge Source For Sports, Dominion Sure Seal, Erb and Erb Insurance Brokers, Fleet Image Inc., Guelph Wish Fund for Children, Gunk Company of Canada, Northern Ice, Nuco, Plasti-Kote, Schwartzenburg Haulage, TSS Top Shops Auto Body Supplies, Victaulic Company of Canada, Vinnie’s Mr. Fixit, Wix Filters and Wolseley Canada.
The team is working on some good things for 2018 and we will keep you informed as they develop over the off season through both our email updates and on our Facebook page at Spira Racing.
Discussion about this post