The Winged Warriors Return to Brighton

On a hot and clear night at Brighton Speedway, a capacity crowd, a pit full of drivers and crews were on hand and awed by the fantastic sight of heart stopping, thrilling, edge of your seat racing action presented by Behan Construction of Cobourg.  The Southern Ontario Sprints would return after being Rained out in June and with five divisions taking to the 1/3rd mile clay oval the night was met with great racing action, a couple of roll over’s, a few bumps and a number of happy fans the night was considered a success all around especially by the five winners of the night!

The action started early as Shelby Mills rolled her #78 Stinger car off of corner # 1 in the third heat of the night and then a few heats later when the #73 Gerry Radford from Campbellford rolled a number  of times off turn #3 and ended up under the Lucas Oil Score clock out by the fence.  Both the drivers were checked by the track medical staff and released with no injuries however, were expected to be sore the next day.

After some intermission track work the feature lineup started with the Brighton Automotive Pro Stocks and promised to be exciting with last week’s winner Brandon Gregory (#01) and point leader Doug Anderson (72) starting deep in the field.  For those that were looking for an exciting race they would not be disappointed.  Gary Vandertoorn (#8) took his Camaro to the early lead and looked strong as both Anderson and Gregory came through the field.  Anderson would soon find himself in second and put the heat on Vandertoorn for the lead with constant pressure from the high side.  Both Anderson and Gregory would make their way around Vandertoorn and the battled 3 wide up the back straight!  A few laps later while battling for the lead Gregory would get into Anderson and turn him in turn three prompting officials to black flag him creating mixed reaction and emotion from the crowd.  Anderson was then challenged by Adam Whaley (#12) late in the race but would hold on to take the feature win followed across the line with another win followed by Whaley and Dale Lock (#13) with his first top five of the season.

The Quinte Towing 6 Cylinder Stinger took the green flag for the 12 lap feature and Andy Fletcher (42) used the first corner to rocket past five cars to take the lead and cruise on to the checkered flag followed by Mike Lammle (40) and Jeff Inia (17).

With the Vanderlaan Building Supplies Pro Late Model Division coming up next, the 25 lap feature saw Charlie Sandercock (57) start on the pull after a disappointing Canada Day finish last weekend and was able to hang on to lead the event wire to wire number of caution restarts.  Sandercock was challenged a number of times by runner up Andrew Hennessy (87) and third place finisher Corey Earl (#11), Greg Belyea (#25) after a tough battle coming through the field and Doug Anderson (#20) substituting for the second week in a row finished fifth driving for Terry Hunt.

The crowd was out in full force to see the exciting Southern Ontario Sprints and wouldn’t be disappointed as Rick “the Joyceville Jet” Wilson (#42) and Glenn “the Ohsweken Flyer” Styres (#0) would start on the pole by luck of a redraw.  The two waged there classic battle that they have been fighting here at the Brighton Speedway for 10 years.  However on this night it was the Joyceville Jet that would jump out front and find the line.  Styres would make a couple of attempts but Wilson was on his game.  However coming up through the field was Picton’s  Chris Jones (#11), Jones would methodically pick off the cars one by one till he reached Styres back bumper.  It took him a few laps but he was able get by Styres exiting turn four to set his sights on Wilson but time was running out and with just two laps to go it wasn’t to be as Wilson would take his second win of the season followed by Jones, Styres, Kyle Wilson (#15) and Lee Ladouceur (#51) rounding out the top five.

The last ever of the night was the Bill’s Johns Comp 4 Triple Crown feature presented by Northumberland Tire.  Mark Packer (#66) and Zac McBride (#8) would lead them to the green in a race that started out fast and furious.  McBride would take the lead all the while Warren Mowat (#46) was making his way through the field with Josh Read (#04).  By mid way through the 20 lap event Mowat had made his way around McBride while Read followed close behind.  The race went green to checker without a caution and they would finish Mowat, Read, McBride as the top three.  Read would later be disqualified during post race inspection moving McBride into second and Bob Ackey (#00) into third.

Don’t hesitate to be at the Brighton Speedway on Saturday, July 16th as Freeflow Petroleum presents the Salute to our Canadian Forces.  All CFB Trenton personnel will be admitted free to the grandstand side with proof of admission.  Racing action will begin at 7:00 pm and will host the Late Models, Canadian Modifieds, Comp 4’s, Stingers and the return of Gord’s Water Vantastics. Visit www.brightonspeedway.com for further schedule information or contact the Speedway Office.

Top Five in Each Division

Brighton Automotive Pro Stocks

1.      Doug Anderson (72), 2. Adam Whaley (12), 3. Dale Locke (13), 4. Hector Asmar (18), 5. Art Rodgers (38)

Vanderlaan’s Pro Late Models

1.      Charlie Sandercock (57), 2. Andrew Hennessy (87), 3. Corey Earl (11), 4. Greg Belyea (25), 5. Doug Anderson (20)

Quinte Towing 6 Cylinder Stingers

1.      Andy Fletcher (42), 2. Mike Lammle (40), 3. Jeff Inia (17), 4. Mike Freeman (51), 5. Jorden Pickell (93)

Southern Ontario Sprints

1.      Rick Wilson (42), 2. Chris Jones (11), 3. Glen Styres (0), 4. Kyle Wilson (15), 5. Lee Ladouceur (51)

Bill’s Johns Comp 4 Division

1.      Warren Mowat (46), 2. Zac McBride (8), 3. Bob Ackey (00), 4. Chris Gregory (1), 5. Adam Flieler (11)

Photo Tags

1.      Rick Wilson (42) The Joyceville Jets sets the crowd a buzzing as his wins the Southern Ontario Sprint Feature at Brighton Speedway this past Saturday night.

2.      Charlie Sandercock (57) after a disappointing finish at the Canada Championships the week before, he stayed ahead of the field to take the checkered flag and the Campbellford Chrysler Driver of the Week Honours at Brighton Speedway.