VanWinden captures first Sportsman feature in dramatic style at Brockville

BROCKVILLE-Kees VanWinden has been a winner ever since he began his racing career. He started with victories at the Rookie level, then followed that with domination in the Street Stock class. Early last season, he decided the time had come for the challenge of the open wheeled Sportsman division. After more than a year of hard work and hard luck, the Winchester driver captured his first ever 20 lap Sportsman feature on Friday night at Brockville Ontario Speedway.

VanWinden got past Pernie Banks coming off of turn 2 on lap 18 and held off a late challenge from Kyle Dingwall to take that elusive first checkered flag in his new class. VanWinden held back the tears, screaming in the race car as he brought to a stop after capturing the win. Marcel Pecore was third followed by Banks and Jason Riddell.

The track was tacky and very fast on this night which played right into the hands of Steve Paine. Paine captured his 5th win of the year in the 30 lap Modified feature. The Hurricane made some nifty moves early and then survived restart after restart for a relatively convincing triumph over a very game Mike Adderley who was second in a small block. Danny O Brien finished third in front of brother Pat who charged back through the field after spinning early in the race for fourth while Ryan Barlett was fifth.

The most shocked face of the night was Dave Wilgosh. Wilgosh seemed resigned to a third place finish in the 20 lap Street Stock event. However, leader Shane Ray had a tire go down after leading the first 17 laps and second place Robin Perrin's car bogged down with mechanical problems at the same time, handing the lead and then the win to Wilgosh who had put in 40 hours and just under 200 dollars to replace a blown engine in his last appearance. Dave Austin was second in front of points leader Dana Aikens, Bill Code and Adam Turner.

Billy Woodward Jr. got some help as he grabbed the 12 lap Rookie feature. Woodward got the top spot after leader Bob Ray had problems with 3 laps to go. Gerry Oszckiewicz was second followed by Martin Walter, Joe Banks and Brad Kirkland. The Speedway returns to action next Friday night with the return of the Empire Super Sprints as local favourite Rickey Wilson will be gunning for his second straight win at the BOS. Sportsman, Street Stocks and Rookies will also be in action with the green flag to drop at 7:30 pm.

Modifieds 30 laps 1. Steve Paine 2. Mike Adderley 3. Danny O Brien 4. Pat O Brien 5. Ryan Bartlett 6. Yannick Ledoux 7. Jeff Sykes 8. Bryan Rogers 9. John Mulder 10. Tom Jock Jr. 11. Sam Vanderlinden 12. Andy Lloyd 13. Doug Haldane 14. Doug Herbison 15. Jamie Martin DNS Kyle Wilson

Sportsman 20 laps 1. Kees VanWinden 2. Kyle Dingwall 3. Marcel Pecore 4. Pernie Banks 5. Jason Riddell 6. Ryan Poole 7. Philip Vanderlinden 8. Sheldon Hoogwerf 9. Jason Potter 10. Tim Alton 11. Tim VanBrocklin 12. Kurtis Lee DNS Randy Earl

Street Stock 20 laps 1. Dave Wilgosh 2. Dave Austin 3. Dana Aikens 4. Bill Code 5. Adam Turner 6. Jason Powers 7. Wayne Holmes 8. Steve Billings 9. Art Brown 10. Charles Barkley 11. Mario Baptiste 12. Shane Ray 13. Robin Perrin 14. Peter Stapper 15. Jeff Brown 16. Jeff Welch 17. Dave Smith 18. Dave Renaud 19 Jack Code

Rookies 12 laps 1. Billy Woodward Jr. 2. Gerry Oszczkiewicz 3. Martin Walter 4. Joe Banks 5. Brad Kirkland 6. Chris Bakker 7. Adam Trickey 8. Steve Smith 9. Bob Ray 10. Chris Riddell 11. Dave Blue 12. Dave Watchorn 13. Don Hall