Words and Photos by Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications
After a regular season with more ups and downs than a rollercoaster at Canada’s Wonderland, Adam Turner is looking forward to his late season travels on the DIRTcar sportsman modified championship series trail. Although winless, his 4 top 5 and 8 top finishes in 11 starts allowed the second generation racer from Picton, Ontario to finish 5th in points at his home track of Brockville Ontario Speedway. In his previous starts on the 2009 Mr. DIRTcar tour, Turner had run well enough to stand in the top 12 in points – allowing him to take advantage of a guaranteed starter provisional if needed.
“So far, we’ve been fortunate enough to make each show based on our on-track performance,” said Turner. The provisional is something nice to be able to fall back on, but we’ve been in the top 10 in points since the opening race at Black Rock. As long as we can race our way into the feature events, it keeps our spirits high.”
Although not as well funded as some of the other teams on the tour, Turner is on his second car of the season. His original piece – a former Sweeteners Plus Bicknell his family-run operation purchased from Billy Dunn – developed an issue with the frame late in the season. The team started to look around for another car to finish-out the year and learned that Billings Motorsports had the car that 16 year-old Matt Billings used during the 2008 season in their shops. A couple of phone calls were exchanged between the teams and the car was soon on its way to Turner’s auto repair facility in Prince Edward County.
“The car was pretty much race ready when we got it,” Turner offered.
“We didn’t have to do much to the outside – the body was in great shape. I called our graphics guy, asked him to make some number decals big enough to cover Matt’s numbers and we were set to go. We kept the Billings Automotive name on the sides – and kept#74 on the back, but added a ‘special thanks’ to it to show how much we appreciate what they did for us.”
Turner says his father gave him some extra time away from his duties at the garage to switch-out a few of the parts and pieces from the old car to the new one, but then it was back on the road. The team is looking forward to closing out the year back at Brockville for the recently announced Northeast Fall Nationals – Saturday and Sunday, October 17th and 18th.
“An event of this stature doesn’t come around everyday, so we’re very excited about it and plan to defend our home turf,” said Turner with his ever-present mischievous grin. “We’ll be there to run the sportsman portion Saturday and have a great time at the party afterward. Then, we’ll become race fans for Sunday’s schedule.”
$25.00 lap sponsorships are currently available for the DIRTcar 358 modified, sportsman and pro stock main events. Fans, businesses and race teams interested in getting involved are encouraged to call the speedway office at 613.348.3998. For full details on the Northeast Fall Nationals, visit www.brockvillespeedway.com.
#1). Adam Turner flashes a wave as he negotiates the first and second turns at Brockville Ontario Speedway.
#2). Late in the 2009 season, Adam Turner acquired a former Matt Billings DIRTcar sportsman machine after his primary car developed a crack in the frame.
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