Racing as it should be Fast & Dirty Saturday Nights 6:30 pm Kidder Rd Bradford VT
For Immediate release 6/06/04
April May Preston at aprilmay@earthlink.net
The Clear Channel Rain Weekly Racing Series’ full card of racing including the Mekkelsen RV 358 Modifieds, Gilmour Ford-Chrysler Sportsman Coupes, H.O. Taylor Chevrolet Pro Streets and the Journal Opinion Fast Fours, plus a Twin State Modified event sponsored by Woodsville Guaranty Savings Bank goes into the record books with some long time favorites returning to victory lane.
It was the full moon curse continuance as the Ridge had its share of strange happenings during the night. In the Journal Opinion Fast Fours it seems that the boys have forgotten where they are supposed to start the race. Once again Promoter/Owner C.V. Elms had to descend from the flag stand to have a discussion with the boys on the proper way to start the race. Finally after several attempts Andy Johnson and Wayland Childs eventually got it right. Tim Martin would be the lucky one tonight as he just sat back and waited while the gents up front tried to figure out how to get things done. Sometimes slow and steady wins the pace as this turned out to be true for Martin with his first win of the season. Following him across the line was Lenny Garduno in second and Jeff Perry in third.
Heat winners: Dean Switser Jr., Tim Martin
Feature Finish: Tim Martin, Lenny Garduno, Jeff Perry, Andy Johnson, Billy Simmons, Wayland Childs, Dan Johnston, Bobby Bell Jr., Steve Bell, Jesse Durkee, Chandra Ryan, Jamie Putnam, Dean Switser Jr., David Stearns, John Dube
The H.O. Taylor Chevrolet Pro Streets are seeing the battle of the century take shape as once again it was the Dan Eastman and Mike Gendron show. While the rest of the pack diced it out for the 3rd place spot it would be all Eastman and Gendron in the front. When the checkers waved on this event Gendron would be the man on top followed by Eastman and Brian Piper. Gendron now leads the battle with 2 wins over Eastman’s 1.
Heat winners: Will Hull, Mike Gendron
Feature Finish: Mike Gendron, Dan Eastman, Brian Piper, Richard Simmons, Ryan Avery, Will Hull, Joe Perreault, Robert Longmoore, Ken Hodge, Mike Greene, Mike McGinley
In the Gilmour Ford Sportsman Coupes one is beginning to wonder if the boys in this and in the Mekkelson RV 358 Modifieds think that because they have one way scanners now and line ups are happening quicker that they can have more cautions. This was yet another caution laden event with James Hanson and Melvin Pierson experiencing the most damage among the 18 strong field of cars. Doug Titus never one to give up and who has been around for a while took advantage of others misfortunes to finish ahead of last weeks point leader Toby Tatro, putting him atop the standings with his fifth place finish. The winner of the night would be Josh Harrington, who let it all hang out earning himself the heat and feature win. Following Harrington to the line would be Matt Ellsworth followed by dad Steve Ellsworth.
Heat winners: Josh Harrington, Steve Ellsworth
Feature finish: Josh Harrington, Matt Ellsworth, Steve Ellsworth, Chris McKinstry, Doug Titus, Tyler Rich, Toby Tatro, Adam Osgood, Bryan King, Melvin Pierson, Ross Dery, Rich Marsha, Kevin Menard, Dean Stockwell, Luc Gilbert, Dale Leroux, James Hanson, Darrell Tucker, Hank LaVanway
As we said before we are beginning to wonder about this division as well, as the Mekkelson RV 358 Modifieds also experienced a caution laden feature. Let’s chalk up the waving of the yellow to the full moon and hope that next week’s show is more promising. Jim Ryan last years triple crown winner, seems to have grown a monkey on his back this year, as he is just not able to catch a break. A glimmer of hope after winning the semi would be quickly dashed as a late race spin would see Ryan finishing in the back of the pack. Another shoe who just can’t seem to get a break is Troy Gray, who after last weeks edge of your seat battle with Dan Douville would get in a jingle and finish last. The man who impressed everyone would be Gene Pierson Jr., in his first outing of 2004 with borrowed racing shoes as he worked his way from the back to finish 2nd behind Dan Douville, another strong finisher would be Carl Murray in third.
Heat winners: Chris Donnelly, Tunk Berry. Semi winner: Jim Ryan
Feature finish: Dan Douville, Gene Pierson, Jr., Carl Murray, Vince Quenneville, Chris Donnelly, Terry Hayes, Adam Pierson, Brian Whittemore, Dick Moses, Blake Shepard, Pete Kimball, Richard Stromberg, Chad Turck, Ben Elder, Brad Phelps, Tunk Berry, Jim Ryan, Troy Gray
The first of the enduro events of the season was on hand with Baxter Doty showing the fans and the competitors that he can still get the job done. In what was a very emotional win, Baxter dedicated this one to his mother and brother. Following Doty to the line was Troy Randall and Kevin Harron.
4 Cylinder Enduro Finish:
Baxter Doty, Charlie Lakin, Troy Randall, Kevin Harron, Eric Ware, Karl Sheldon, Vincenzo D’Auria, David Donlon, Alfred Buick, Mark Harran, David Thompson, Bill Donnelly, Derrick Stearns
This week Saturday June 12th it is Bradford Pratt’s Petroleum night with a full card of racing plus a V-8 Enduro.
Bear Ridge Speedway is located off exit 16 of I91 on to rte 25 west 1 mile to South Road up the hill to Kidder Rd. The green waves every Saturday at 6:30pm
Sister track Canaan Fair Speedway is located on Orange Rd in Canaan NH just 12 short miles from I-89. The green waves every Friday at 7:00pm. The 2004 schedule for the Ridge and Fair are now available on the web site at www.bearridgespeedway.com and www.canaanfairspeedway.com Questions can be sent to aprilmay@earthlink.net.