A New Day Dawns at the 20th Annual Autumn Colours Classic

By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications

Weather conditions were about 15 degrees cooler, but the action on the racetrack was just as hot as the second day of the 20th Annual Autumn Colours Classic – presented by Lucas Oil Products – at Peterborough Speedway took the green flag.  As they had Friday, teams in all divisions took to the tricky 1/3rd mile oval for some hot laps before the day’s heat races got underway.

The OSCAAR Super Late Models kicked-off the day’s action with a trio of qualifying events.  The first round belonged to NASCAR Canadian Tire Series standout and part-time Camping World Truck Series runner J.R. Fitzpatrick.  Stayner, Ontario’s Brandon Watson unofficially clinched the 2012 OSCAAR championship by winning the second heat, with Rob Poole claiming round number 3.  The Hurricane Midgets also made their first race appearance of the weekend, with Adam Tyo and Mike Westwood splitting a pair of heat races.

Pro Late Model teams ran their second round of qualifying for Sunday’s 112 lap main event, with a trio of heats.  Brad Corcoran, Brandon Watson and Dwayne Baker took the checkered flags.  While leaving the track after the second Pro Late Model heat, defending Autumn Colours race winner Dan McHattie made contact with the outside retaining wall and damaged the rear clip on his #71 Dodge. The team attempted to make repairs at the track, before taking the car to their shop in nearby Cavan to check things over.

Matt Mulholland, John Baker Jr., Randy Rusnell and Travis Hallyburton secured their feature race starting spots in the 4 Thunder Car qualifying heats.  The day’s qualifying sessions for the OSCAAR Open Wheeled Modifieds went to Gary McLean and Tim Burke.  The Hurricane Midgets were back for a pair of 8 lap heat races to finalize the line-up for their Saturday night main event, with Mike Westwood and Robin McLean taking the wins.  Marvin Freiburger, Jason Parker, Al Inglis and Tom Walters each won a Limited Late Model qualifier, with Daryl Fice, Casey Cavanaugh, Neil Hannah and Warren Paxton taking the Saturday night Mini Stock heats.  Hannah and James Townsend shared a pair of 4 Fun qualifying events.

A 20 lap Hurricane Midget ‘A’ main was the only feature event on the Saturday schedule, as more than 25 of machines took the green flag. After running the first 18 circuits without a yellow flag, the race pace was red flagged when the #51 of Ryan Brown became airborne as he exited the 2nd turn.  After being checked at the scene, Brown was taken back to his pit area by rescue personnel.  With a green, white checkered finish, Mike Westwood picked-up the win.  A.J. Emms, Jamie Bound, Robin McLean and Paul Draganac completed the top 5.

The final OSCAAR Super Late Model preliminary rounds were split into 3 groups, with John Owen, George Wilson and Charlie Gallant taking the checkered flags.  Gallant celebrated his victory with a fist pump as he crossed the line.  Peterborough Speedway was the site of Gallant’s first career OSCAAR main event win, less than a month earlier.

The final order of business on the night was the last chance qualifiers that would complete the starting line-ups.  The Thunder Cars were first for a 20 lapper that would move 4 starters to Sunday afternoon’s feature.  Shawn McGlynn took the win.  Adam Misener claimed the Mini Stock ‘B’ Main, with Tyler Liscum grabbing the Limited Late Model win.

What is your favourite Classic Autumn Colour?:  During the day’s 4th and final Mini Stock heat, guaranteed starter Alex Lees had his car tapped from behind when Ryan Brentnell lost control while running through turns 3 and 4.  Lees’ #07 machine hit the wall head-on and the car was finished for the weekend.  Family members took the driver to the local hospital where he was diagnosed with a concussion and kept overnight for observation...Mother Nature caused a couple of slight delays in the action, but as quickly as the showers arrived, the track was dried and cars were back on the track...The winner’s share of the Shriner’s 50/50 during Saturday’s show was $672.

Sunday is a full day of feature events as the 20th Annual Autumn Colours Classic – presented by Lucas Oil Products – at Peterborough Speedway wraps-up.  Pit gates open at 10:00, with the day’s first green flag at 12:30.  For complete details, see www.peterboroughspeedway.com.

Photo attachment:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

Capital City Speedway regular Todd Musker is looking for a strong run in Sunday’s Thunder Car main event during the 20th Annual Autumn Colours Classic – presented by Lucas Oil Products – at Peterborough Speedway.

Prepared by:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications
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