Vous voulez le mieux? Quebec Gets Outlaws!

London, Ontario (November 26, 2009) - Ok so it's likely not an accurate translation, but Johnny Gibson might be taking some French lessons this off-season so he can do his trademark line in Quebec next year...Tuesday, July 27 at Autodrome Drummond is the date announced over the weekend. Drummond will kick off a three-race Canadian swing for the tour, finishing July 30/31 at Ohsweken Speedway.

A renewal for the tour at Edmonton's Castrol Raceway was already announced back in August, making three Canadian provinces on the schedule next year. The Drummond event will mark the tour's first visit to Quebec, but area fans are no strangers to sprint car racing - they pack the joint when ESS comes to town. The World of Outlaws Late Model series has also made successful visits to Drummond over the last few seasons.

Tentative 2010 ISMA dates are now in public view. Quebec fans might see the Supers too, because series officials are looking into a companion event to go with their July 17 date at Airborne Speedway. The Plattsburgh, NY track is located just seventy miles South of Montreal. ISMA will also return to Delaware Speedway for a doubleheader on Civic Holiday weekend for the second year in a row.

Earlier this month we heard about Stevin Goldner moving to Sprints...This week we heard yet another London-area racer is joining the Sprint Car fold in 2010. Wonderland Speedway regular Shane Butler is moving up to the big cars as a teammate to Chris Durand. Both drivers plan to run weekly at Ohsweken as well as on the SOS tour.

After spending their rookie years learning the ropes with older equipment, both Durand and Brockville's Paul Pekkonen are re-arming for 2010. Durand picked up an Eagle courtesy of Tyler Rand, while Pekkonen found an '08 JEI from Pennsylvania.

The Niagara area also has yet another "Modified Refugee" moving to Sprints next year in the form of Fenwick's Chris Steele, who turns 23 on Christmas Day. The veteran of Mod-Lites and 358 Modifieds has aquired a Craig Mintz machine from Ohio and plans to race at Ohsweken in 2010.

Possibly the last Ontario open-wheeler to race outdoors in 2009, Ryan Litt didn't have the results he'd hoped for in a trip down South. Engine troubles derailed a 6th place qualifying effort at Concord, while a one-groove Citrus County track prevented much movement through the pack. Litt now looks forward to next season and the Xtreme Sprint Series. A schedule for the new series is reported to be available by next week's PRI show in Orlando.

A tip of the cap to Mark Sammut for a banner year in 2009. The London driver claimed his first two career ISMA wins this year, along with a MSA/Oswego challenge race. He also got a career best finish in the ISMA season championship by taking the runner-up spot.

Coming from out of town for the CPT Racing Experience at London's Western Fair Agriplex in January? Special racer's rates are available at a couple of hotels...details at the following link: http://www.cptrace.com/accommodations.php.

Next year I'll be "Tweeting" from most races. Follow along at www.Twitter.com/TommyGoudge. Updates to www.TheRaceChasers.com are also in the works this winter...stay tuned.

I'll leave with this question - How come dirt track fans in this province also keep tabs on area pavement racing, while the pavement fans all but ignore dirt tracks? Many from the local tar car set are just hearing the name Steve Arpin for the first time this week, courtesy of Norris McDonald...

Send your thoughts to tommygoudge@hotmail.com