Flamboro Speedway finale.... not final
HAMILTON, October 26, 2009 – Forget the cooling temperatures and the colour changing leaves, most Canadian stock car fans know that the summer season has come to an end when Flamboro Speedway closes the gates after the Oktoberfest Classic.
The annual grass roots racing festival held at the corner of Brock Road and Concession 5 in Millgrove, attracts fans and competitors from all across the province to take part in what is regularly the last and largest racing event in southwestern Ontario. The classic weekend this year was no exception, with hundreds of drivers competing in an exciting mix of races including two spectacular 50 lap main events for the Grisdale Late Models. After a dismal summer of rain and wet, the blue skies and sunshine of Oktoberfest left fans and drivers wanting more from the 2009 season; And they’re going to get it.
This Sunday for only the third time in the past decade, Flamboro Speedway will host the late season FROST FEST 150. The event will feature one hundred and fifty laps of main event competition, shared between the wild four cylinder racing Mini Stocks and Ontario’s favourite fender banging Thunder Cars. Both classes provided highlight races at the Oktoberfest Classic weekend.
Visiting driver Doug Butler of Holland Landing prevailed over local favourites Dave Bailey, Matt Dean and Willis Mahood in the Mini Stock main event, and the Flamboro drivers will have a second chance to finish their season in the winners circle. The Thunder Car main event continues to raise chatter, after Bright’s Shawn Chenoweth dominated 39 and a half laps of the 40 lap race, only to be spun out by visiting driver Marty Monette in the final turn. As both cars struggled for control to cross the finish line, newly crowned three-time division champion Randy ‘the Rocket’ Rusnell flew on to claim the checkered flag, climb the fence in victory and then celebrate further with a blinding burnout in front of the grandstand.
The newly scheduled Frost Fest was a late addition to the Flamboro Speedway schedule, only announced at the Oktoberfest Classic two weeks ago. No sponsor support had been planned, but since the announcement of the continued racing season a number of community partners have joined the speedway to present the chilly November event. Ray’s Towing of Hamilton and Burlington – who provide auto care and assistance for competitors at the speedway all summer long – have announced their participation; along with The Source For Home Comfort, providers of quality wood and gas fireplace products, from Greensville. Hoosier Racing tires will also be partnering to present the Thunder Car races.
The new sponsor support has allowed the speedway to make available bonus cash prizes to the day’s competitors. Should any one Thunder Car driver win all three of the 30 lap features in one car, he or she would claim an additional $3,000 prize on top of the event’s purse. Similarly, should any one Mini Stock driver win both of the 30 lap features in one car, he or she will claim an additional $1,000 prize on top of the event’s purse.
And in both cases, should no one driver complete this daring feat, then the bonus monies will be shared by the top five overall performers in each division. Fans are welcome to visit the speedway’s website, www.flamborospeedway.itgo.com, for complete event and purse details.
The thunder will roar for a final time – we think – this Sunday, November 1st at Flamboro Speedway. The competitor gates will open at 11am; the spectator grandstand will open at 1pm and the first race of the day is scheduled for a 2pm green flag start.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF WWW.DAVEFRANKSPHOTOS.COM
1) Randy 'the Rocket' Rusnell discusses the last lap turn of affairs that help put him in victory lane at the Oktoberfest Classic.
2) Four cars wide in just three lanes spells trouble for the Mini Stocks at Hamilton's asphalt arena, Flamboro Speedway.
From Joshua Paxton // The Branding Company, for Flamboro Speedway
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