CLEMENT THERRIEN TAKES BABE DESIGN CONFRONTATION AT EDELWEISS
By: Andre Audette
Edelweiss Speedway played host to the first leg of the Babe Design Canadian DIRT series Tuesday night and dust was on the menu as no less than 32 modifieds aligned on the starting grid a record turnout at the Val des Monts fast clay oval.
It was a classic battle between Victoriaville’s Clement Therrien and Kingston’s Danny O’Brian for most part of the 100 lapper that thrilled the packed house right through the checkered flag. The two drivers exchanged the lead from lap 40 right up to lap 93 when a very aggressive Pierre ‘’The Snake’’ Dagenais took advantage of a restart to slide into second place leaving O’Brian behind his rear bumper in third. The Gatineau driver left from way behind in 30th spot at the drop of the green flag but had the gas pedal on the metal very quickly to find himself in seventh at lap 38 and to finally cross the finish stripe in second behind Therrien.
‘’It’s a great thrill to take part in a race with so many good competitors and big names like all the guys that are here tonight. I am very happy for this big win, it’s a good start in this series and I hope it continues the same way for the rest of the series.’’ said a very happy young chauffeur in the post race interview from the winner’s enclosure. Therrien has only been driving in the modifieds since 2003.
Martin Roy of Napierville was fourth while Yannik Ledoux of Granby rounded out the fast five. Therrien, O’Brian, Roy and sophomore Eric Gauvreau of Chelsea were the qualifying heat winners while Ledoux and Cornwall’s Brian McDonald each took the checkered flag in the Consolation heats.
Eric Gauvreau also won the time trials by stopping the clock at 13.895. Dave ‘’The Slip’’ Heaslip registered the second fastest time with a 14.093 while last year’s winning driver of this competition had a 14.202 as third best. Speaking of Poirier one of the favourites to take this challenge, he retired to pit lane after completing 75 laps due to mechanical problems. 21 race cars completed the 100 lapper.
It was Therrien night at Edelweiss as Williamstown’s Marc Therrien scored a second victory in as many nights and his third of the season in the Pro Stock and for the second time in a row he had to take the measure of defending champion Stephane Lebrun of Gatineau ending second and of Dominic Gauvreau of Val des Monts as third best. Eric Varin was fourth and Claude Rochon rounded out the top five. Lebrun won the qualifying preliminary.
There also was action in the Semi Pros and Bruno Richard registered his third win of the season by putting Serge Lagace’s hope of making three in a row a none deal. Richard Brady had to settle for third money by completing the podium. Also taking home bragging rights were Yan Robertson in fourth and Bryan Rochon completing the fast five. Lagace took the checkered in the qualifying heat.
Next program of exciting races at Edelweiss Speedway is set for this coming Friday night as a full and regular program including a leg of the Wild Thing series in the Semi Pros plus a 50 lapper Mr Radiator in the Pro Stock. The green flag drops at 7:45
Modifieds 100 laps : Clément Therrien, Pierre Dagenais, Danny O’Brian, Martin Roy, Yannick Ledoux, Dave Heaslip, Kayle Robidoux, Alex Fortier, Laurent Ladouceur, Lee Ladouceur, Pat McGrail, Éric Gauvreau, Steve Poirier, Danny Bilodeau, Paul Pekonnen, Simon Marcoux, Sebastien Gougeon, Steve Bernard, Ron Valade, Dan Jalbert Jasmin Leveille, Yan Bussiere, Philippe Landry, Kyle Jacob, Peter Mantha, Mario Clair, Billy Cook, Brian McDonald, Perry Francis, Leon Gonyo.
Pro Stock 20 laps : Marc Therrien, Stephane Lebrun, Dominic Gauvreau, Eric Varin, Claude Rochon.
Semi Pros 15 laps: Bruno Richard, Serge Lagace, Richard Brady, Yan Robertson, Bryan Rochon, John Bedard, Nicolas Gauvreau, Charles Galipeau, Jordan Fleming, Michel Dagenais.