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DAVE HEASLIP IN VICTORY LANE AT EDELWEISS SPEEDWAY










By: Andre Audette





Dave ‘’The Slip’’ Heaslip registered his first win of the young 2005 season before another large crowd of faithful on a Friday night cruise at Edelweiss Speedway.



The veteran Smiths Falls driver who sure knows his way around the Val des Monts fast clay oval did not waste anytime on the GO pedal and soon found himself controlling the 30 lap 358 modified feature by taking the early lead of the 13 car field after only three laps had gone by. Young Lee Ladouceur of Alexandria who sat the whole race at Heaslip’s rear bumper held on to second place leaving behind him his father Laurent Ladouceur as third best. Peter Mantha of Hull was fourth while Denis Gauvreau at his first time in the modifieds rounded out the top five. ‘’The track is in a great shape here tonight and everything went our way’’ said the non voluble Heaslip in the post race interview from the winners enclosure. Mantha and Heaslip were the qualifying heat winners.



In the pro stock, Alexandria’s Marc Therrien had the last say in the rough riding 20 lap feature by taking the checkered flag for the first time this season. Cornwall Motor Speedway promoter Ron Morin ended second while Aylmer’s Michel Dupuis had to settle for third best. Newcomer in the pro stock, Dominic Gauvreau was trying for his second title in a row but had to settle for fourth place while last year’s champion Stephane Lebrun rounded out the fast five. ‘’The track is in excellent shape here tonight and what impressed me was the performance of newcomer Dominic Gauvreau who will be a tough challenger in this class’’ said a happy Therrien from the winners circle. Ron Morin was the winning driver in the qualifying preliminary.



Bruno Richard took a ride in victory lane after scoring his second win of the season leaving Serge Lagace behind him at the finish stripe in second spot while Brian Rochon completed the podium. Richard Brady came in fourth and Martin Laroche completed the big five. Lagace and Rochon each won an end of the qualifiers.



In the four cylinders, the checkered flag was handed to Michel Hamelin for his first win this season. Wakefield’s Ryan Foley ended second and Martin Jacques settled for third best. Carl Soucy of Gatineau and Nico Leblanc also from Gatineau made up the remainder of the fast five. Hamelin and Jacques each took an end of the qualifying heats.



Edelweiss Speedway returns to action next Friday night, June 10 with a full race program along with the popular Enduro feature for eight cylinders and a demolition derby. It will also feature the second leg of the Fondations BRL for modifieds. The green flag drops at 7:45 P.M.





Modifieds : Dave Heaslip, Lee Ladouceur, Laurent Ladouceur, Peter Mantha, Denis Gauvreau, Paul Pekonen, Jeff Ciglich, Éric Gauvreau, Kyle Jacob, Philippe Landry, Billy Cook, Pat Cashman, Pierre Dagenais.



Pro Stock : Marc Thérrien, Ron Morin, Michel Dupuis, Dominic Gauvreau, Stéphane Lebrun, Daniel Leduc, Éric Varin, Claude Rochon, Nicolas Vaillant.



Semi Pros : Bruno Richard, Serge Lagacé, Brian Rochon, Richard Brady, Martin Laroche, Jordan Fleming, Michel Dagenais, John Bédard, Gilles Lessard, Yan Robertson, Charles Galipeau.



4 Cylinders : Michel Hamelin, Ryan Foley, Martin Jacques, Carl Soucy, Nico Leblanc, Erin Joyce, Danny Matt, Danny Larose, Kevin McLelland, Gabriel Mercier, Marc Charbonneau, Pat Legault, Pietro Bellai, Martin Bernard, Yannick Fafard.