Southern Ontario Sprints: 'Batman' bags win at South Buxton

By Tommy Goudge (May 23, 2009) – Six days ago, Adam West found himself upside down and on fire at the Brighton Speedway.  On Saturday night at South Buxton Raceway, West was in a completely opposite situation – visiting victory lane as the winner of the second round of the Southern Ontario Sprints 2009 tour.

Keith Dempster and West paced the field to the green flag on the front row, and it was Dempster getting the early lead and holding it through the first half of the twenty lap feature.  As lapped traffic began to play a role, West began to close in on the Dempster machine, while Ryan Hunsinger was making gains on both of them.

Just after the halfway signal, Dempster spun into the infield while battling in lapped traffic in turn four to bring out the yellow flag.  The Dempster machine was towed pit side, where he reported brake problems were the issue on this night.  Dempster’s spin left West in the lead with Hunsinger in second, and Justin Martin in third.  When the green flag flew once again, West was able to assert his lead and hold off Hunsinger, who was battling a broken wing slider which caused handling problems on the #77x. 

With fifteen laps in the books, Hunsinger was beginning to put pressure on the West machine when suddenly the “Gunslinger” slowed on the backstretch and came to a rest to bring out the final caution of the evening.  A broken driveline ended Hunsinger’s bid for this first feature win of 2009. 

Once again the race restarted, with Glenn Styres now hot on the heels of West.  Styres tried multiple grooves around the track in an effort to get by West in the closing laps, but could not complete a pass.  West held on for the win, followed by Styres, John Riegling, Martin, and Warren Mahoney.

Heat wins were claimed by Justin Martin and Ryan Hunsinger, while the Dash for Cash found Dick Mahoney victorious. 

Making their first appearances in SOS competition in 2009 were John Watson and John Riegling.  Chris Jones was also on hand, but was not able to compete due to engine problems.  Engine problems the night before also caused Jamie Collard to miss the event, dropping him from his fifth place position in the points as a result.

The SOS tour gets back in action on Saturday, June 6 at the Brighton Speedway, and returns for a second visit to South Buxton on Saturday, August 22.

RACE REPORT - Saturday, May 23, 2009
SOUTHERN ONTARIO SPRINTS 2009 SEASON Event #2
South Buxton Raceway - Merlin, Ontario

ENTRIES
0 Glenn Styres - Ohsweken
1a John Riegling - Chatham
5 Keith Dempster - Alton
7m Justin Martin - Shedden
10 Bob Crawford - Sutton
25 Warren Mahoney - Lefroy
26 John Watson - St. Thomas
30 Adam West - Ridgetown
71 Travis Cunningham - Grimsby
77x Ryan Hunsinger - Brantford
79 Dick Mahoney - Newmarket
84 Tyler Rand - Consecon

HEAT RACE #1
(8 laps)
Finish. Number Name (Starting Position)
1. 7m Justin Martin (2)
2. 1a John Riegling (5)
3. 10 Bob Crawford (3)
4. 0 Glenn Styres (4)
5. 71 Travis Cunningham (6)
6. 79 Dick Mahoney (1)

HEAT RACE #2
(8 laps)
Finish. Number Name (Starting Position)
1. 77x Ryan Hunsinger (4)
2. 5 Keith Dempster (1)
3. 30 Adam West (2)
4. 26 John Watson (5)
5. 25 Warren Mahoney (3)
6. 84 Tyler Rand (6)

'A' FEATURE
(20 laps)
Finish. Number Name (Starting Position)
1. 30 Adam West (2)
2. 0 Glenn Styres (7)
3. 1a John Riegling (6)
4. 7m Justin Martin (3)
5. 25 Warren Mahoney (10)
6. 10 Bob Crawford (4)
7. 71 Travis Cunningham (11)
8. 79 Dick Mahoney (9)
9. 84 Tyler Rand (12)
10. 77x Ryan Hunsinger (5)
11. 5 Keith Dempster (1)
12. 26 John Watson (8)

Lap Leaders: Dempster 1-10, West 11-20
Hard Charger: Styres, W. Mahoney (5 positions each)
Caution Flags: 2 (lap 10, lap 15)

UNOFFICIAL TOP 5 IN POINTS AFTER ROUND #2
Rank. Number Name Total (positions gained/lost)
1. 0 Glenn Styres 334 (--)
2. 25 Warren Mahoney 295 (+4)
3. 7m Justin Martin 292 (+5)
4. 77x Ryan Hunsinger 291 (-2)
t5. 10 Bob Crawford 284 (+2)
t5. 30 Adam West 284 (+7)

NEXT SOS EVENT:
Saturday, June 6, 2009 @ Brighton Speedway - Brighton, Ontario
www.BrightonSpeedway.com // www.SouthernOntarioSprints.com