The Sights and Smells of Racing...in January?!
London, Ontario (January 27, 2009) -
A quick whiff of high-octane racing gasoline exhaust as they were moving race cars out of the Western Fair Agriplex on Sunday evening was enough to get me into a racing frame of mind for a few days. Unfortunately since I'm not one of the fortunate ones taking off to Florida this week for the start of Speedweeks (Glenn Styres is counted in that group), the only racing I'll see for awhile is on my tv, or on YouTube. Of course, the reason race cars invaded the Agriplex this weekend was the CPT Racing Experience, which many agreed proved to be a successful and worthwhile venture for racers and fans alike.
A larger venue than the upstairs hall at the Convention Centre that was used in its first edition last year, the Agriplex seemed to be a good venue for the show...In some circles, the facility's worthiness as an indoor racing venue was also discussed. The ventilation system in the building looks to be more than adequate for such a venture, but a large number of support beams would present a problem.
Sprint Car racing was a big part of the show this year, with no less than 8 full size sprinters on display along with countless Micro and Mini Sprints, a couple of TQ Midgets from the Can-Am series, and the Mark Sammut Supermodified. Sprint Cars on hand included those of Ryan Litt, Keith Dempster, James "PeeWee" Evans, Mike Ferrell, Adam West, Brian Welch, and 2 cars from the Justin Martin camp.
The 2nd Martin car is the former Turford #29, and will be piloted this year by Justin's brother Jason, as Daryl Turford is now out on the road with Sam Hafertepe, Jr. and the World of Outlaws. Tentative plans for the Martins are to run weekly at Ohsweken this season, along with PeeWee Evans who has sold his Super Late Model and will be concentrating on Sprint Cars this year.
Besides the sprint cars, wings also appeared on Supermodifieds, TQ Midgets, and a wide variety of Mini and Micro Sprints. Dirt track racing in general was also well represented at the show by the Dirt Late Model of Kirk Hooker, and the Debbie Brush-owned #92 Late Model piloted by Adam West at a handful of shows last season. Also on display was the DIRT Sportsman Modified of Jay Doerr campaigned at Merrittville last season, and the UMP Modified of Jeff Daniels, who will race weekly at his home track in South Buxton instead of heading out on the road with a sprint car this year.
Some nasty wrecks this past season and a reality check from Mrs. Daniels were convincing factors in that decision, but we still hope to see Jeff back in a sprint car some day, as he was starting to get pretty competitive before the wrecks set him back!
Bob Sanders and Joe Chisolm were both on hand from Race Time Radio, and both said they would like to learn more about dirt racing and promised they will be attending some dirt races this year...I'll be holding them to that! They conducted quite a few interviews at the show, which they are replaying this week and next on the show, which goes live on Mondays, but is also available on demand on their website. Some photos from the show can be found on the Race Time site, as well as on the Canadian Racer website: www.CanadianRacer.com
Other quick hits from the CPT show:
...while chatting with the Sammut team, I spied a Corr/Pak Merchandising sticker on the car. Title sponsor of the Ohsweken Speedway Sprint Car division, Corr/Pak owner and open wheel fan John Brush is also supporting the ISMA point fund this season...
...Also of interest from the Sammut team is news of a new car in the works at the Sammut shop. It won't likely be done and race ready for this season, but with independant front suspension and inboard rear suspension, it is sure to be a beautiful piece...
...Ryan Litt has been pursuing some seat time with some USAC teams lately, but was shocked (as was I) to learn what sort of funding drivers are required to come up with to have a seat with a team like the California-based Western Speed team. Suffice to say, ride-buying is not strictly a problem in the "big leagues"...
...The Ferrell and West teams decided to have a match race on the indoor go-kart track that was set up for the show, but it ended under controversial circumstances. The track staff didn't have much of a sense of humour it seemed, and banned one of the drivers, who shall remain nameless so as not to tarnish his good name. Don't feel too bad guys - I have it on good authority that one of the Race Time Radio guys wrecked one all by himself on Sunday afternoon...
...The '09 Ohsweken Speedway schedule was released just prior to this weekend's show, and it looks like it's going to be a fun sophomore season for me as an announcer at the track. 11 full points-paying nights are on tap for the Corr/Pak Sprints this year, and a partnership with South Buxton Raceway which will see their UMP-sanctioned Modified and Late Model divisions each visit the Speedway should be fun as well...
Until next time, as always you can send questions, comments, and other such messages can be sent to me at tommygoudge@hotmail.com
A larger venue than the upstairs hall at the Convention Centre that was used in its first edition last year, the Agriplex seemed to be a good venue for the show...In some circles, the facility's worthiness as an indoor racing venue was also discussed. The ventilation system in the building looks to be more than adequate for such a venture, but a large number of support beams would present a problem.
Sprint Car racing was a big part of the show this year, with no less than 8 full size sprinters on display along with countless Micro and Mini Sprints, a couple of TQ Midgets from the Can-Am series, and the Mark Sammut Supermodified. Sprint Cars on hand included those of Ryan Litt, Keith Dempster, James "PeeWee" Evans, Mike Ferrell, Adam West, Brian Welch, and 2 cars from the Justin Martin camp.
The 2nd Martin car is the former Turford #29, and will be piloted this year by Justin's brother Jason, as Daryl Turford is now out on the road with Sam Hafertepe, Jr. and the World of Outlaws. Tentative plans for the Martins are to run weekly at Ohsweken this season, along with PeeWee Evans who has sold his Super Late Model and will be concentrating on Sprint Cars this year.
Besides the sprint cars, wings also appeared on Supermodifieds, TQ Midgets, and a wide variety of Mini and Micro Sprints. Dirt track racing in general was also well represented at the show by the Dirt Late Model of Kirk Hooker, and the Debbie Brush-owned #92 Late Model piloted by Adam West at a handful of shows last season. Also on display was the DIRT Sportsman Modified of Jay Doerr campaigned at Merrittville last season, and the UMP Modified of Jeff Daniels, who will race weekly at his home track in South Buxton instead of heading out on the road with a sprint car this year.
Some nasty wrecks this past season and a reality check from Mrs. Daniels were convincing factors in that decision, but we still hope to see Jeff back in a sprint car some day, as he was starting to get pretty competitive before the wrecks set him back!
Bob Sanders and Joe Chisolm were both on hand from Race Time Radio, and both said they would like to learn more about dirt racing and promised they will be attending some dirt races this year...I'll be holding them to that! They conducted quite a few interviews at the show, which they are replaying this week and next on the show, which goes live on Mondays, but is also available on demand on their website. Some photos from the show can be found on the Race Time site, as well as on the Canadian Racer website: www.CanadianRacer.com
Other quick hits from the CPT show:
...while chatting with the Sammut team, I spied a Corr/Pak Merchandising sticker on the car. Title sponsor of the Ohsweken Speedway Sprint Car division, Corr/Pak owner and open wheel fan John Brush is also supporting the ISMA point fund this season...
...Also of interest from the Sammut team is news of a new car in the works at the Sammut shop. It won't likely be done and race ready for this season, but with independant front suspension and inboard rear suspension, it is sure to be a beautiful piece...
...Ryan Litt has been pursuing some seat time with some USAC teams lately, but was shocked (as was I) to learn what sort of funding drivers are required to come up with to have a seat with a team like the California-based Western Speed team. Suffice to say, ride-buying is not strictly a problem in the "big leagues"...
...The Ferrell and West teams decided to have a match race on the indoor go-kart track that was set up for the show, but it ended under controversial circumstances. The track staff didn't have much of a sense of humour it seemed, and banned one of the drivers, who shall remain nameless so as not to tarnish his good name. Don't feel too bad guys - I have it on good authority that one of the Race Time Radio guys wrecked one all by himself on Sunday afternoon...
...The '09 Ohsweken Speedway schedule was released just prior to this weekend's show, and it looks like it's going to be a fun sophomore season for me as an announcer at the track. 11 full points-paying nights are on tap for the Corr/Pak Sprints this year, and a partnership with South Buxton Raceway which will see their UMP-sanctioned Modified and Late Model divisions each visit the Speedway should be fun as well...
Until next time, as always you can send questions, comments, and other such messages can be sent to me at tommygoudge@hotmail.com
posted by Tommy @ 8:50 AM
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