Coffey strong in ESS main at Brockville
BROCKVILLE-The Coffey was strong on Friday night at Brockville Ontario Speedway. Billy the Kid Coffey was the winner as the Empire Super Sprints made their return to the fast quarter mile oval.
Coffey started on the outside pole for the 20 lap event and quickly blasted out to a early lead in a race that saw the red flag wave for a couple of rollovers and one scary incident on the front straight. On lap 4 the caution lights came on for a three car incident in turn 1, then two cars slammed into one another on the front straight. The car of Alain Bergeron briefly caught fire and sustained heavy damage. Bergeron exited the machine quickly and track crews quickly doused the flames.
Coffey continued to lead comfortably until getting caught behind a lapped car on lap 15. Burlington, Ontario’s Ryan Coniam got beside the New York pilot briefly just as the caution flew again. That was as close as Coniam as Coffey picked up the win. Lance Yonge, Erin Crocker and Bubby Kerrick rounded out the top 5.
Local favorite Rick Wilson put on quite a show for the fans as he started 23 and moved up as high as 7th with his first run through the field. Wilson spun off the track and went to the back of the pack again. He again powered his way up into the top 5 this time before going off for the final time in the closing laps. The ESS cars were turning laps under 13 seconds around the quarter mile oval.
Lee Gill also used the tacky track to his advantage. The two time track champ blew by Mark Hitchcock on the high side near the half way point and went on to the win in the 30 lap Modified feature. Gill was clocked under 15 seconds in his Bicknell on this night. Hitchcock settled for second in front of Stephane LaFrance, Todd Stewart and Ben Tucker.
Rick Wilson’s fans went home happy on this night after his son Kyle, the Joyceville Cadet came from near the back of the field to take the 20 lap Sportsman feature. Wilson caught Pernie Banks in the final 5 laps and then pulled away from there. Kyle Dingwall was third followed by Tim Van Brocklin and Cole Dingwall.
Kees VanWinden inherited the top spot when Roger Bushey was sent to the back of the pack for his part in an accident involving then leader Dave Austin. VanWinden padded his points lead with another win despite a late and determined charge from Peter Stapper. Dan Foss, Shane Ray and Kurtis Lee were third through fifth respectively.
Rookie honours on this night would go to Rosco Garreau who held off points leader Danielle Legault. Dwayne Emon in his first ever dirt race was third followed by Brad Kirkland and Roch Aubin.
Next week at Brockville Ontario Speedway features a full race program in all four divisions including the Modifieds. The green flag drops at 7:30.
ESS Sprints 20 laps: 1. BILL COFFEY 2. Ryan Coniam 3. Lance Yonge 4. Erin Crocker 5.Bubby Kerrick 6. Mike Lutz 7. Bobby Podolak 8. Mike Woodring 9. Don Sharp Jr. 10. Billy White 11. Rob Dietrick 12. Mike Stelter 13. John Karklin Jr. 14. Ray Preston
Modifieds 30 laps: 1. LEE GILL 2. Mark Hitchcock 3. Stephane LaFrance 4. Todd Stewart 5. Ben Tucker 6. Chris Herbison 7. Ryan Baye 8. Tom Jock Jr. 9. Wayne Side 10. Steve Bilow 11. Randy Gaudet 12. Jeff Ciglich 13. Chico Dingwall 14. Brian Rogers 15. Bill Gill 16. Gus Schmidt 17. George MacIntyre 18. Paul Pekkonen
Sportsman 20 laps: 1. KYLE WILSON 2. Pernie Banks 3. Kyle Dingwall 4. Tim VanBrocklin 5. Cole Dingwall 6. Adam Moore 7. Lance Willix 8. Jason Potter 9. Dave Wilgosh 10. John Mulder 11. Jason Riddell 12. Darren Catallier 13. Tim Alton
Novice 15 laps: 1. KEES VANWINDEN 2. Peter Stapper 3. Dan Foss 4. Shane Ray 5. Kurtis Lee 6. Robin Perrin 7. Dave Austin 8. Ryan Poole 9. Jeff Kemp 10. Art Brown
Rookie 10 laps: 1. ROSCO GARREAU 2. Danielle Legault 3. Dwayne Emon 4. Brad Kirkland 5. Roch Aubin