DAVE CAMARA WAS LUCKY, LAST FRIDAY NIGHT
GRANBY, QuŽ., July 27, 1997 -- American driver, Dave Camara of Poultney, VT, with a little bit of luck, clinched his second victory of the season, last Friday at Autodrome Granby in the 25-lap final in the modified division in front of grandstands jammed with fans gathered to watch the annual visit of the URCÕs sprint cars.
At the green flag, fellow driver Todd Stone of Middlebury, VT, taking avantage of his second place on the grid, took the early lead. Faster than his opponents, Stone who was looking for his first success of the season, was really flying on the speedplant, but unfortunately on lap 16, the motor broke. During that time, Camara who had started 10th, had a chance to take the second spot. He could never catch Stone but his retirement gave him the victory on a silver plate.
Steve Paine, the pointsÕ leader and title holder at Granby, finished second in front of Mike Romano of Johnstown, NY, Bernard Mathieu and Marco Potvin. During the last ten laps, Romano, Plante and Mathieu challenged strongly for the third spot and finally, the American driver had the last word. It was Marco Potvin that made the best comeback after starting 22nd. He passed Plante on the very last lap to take the fifth position.
Earlier in the evening, Mike Romano and David HŽbert were the winners in their respective heats.
Fourth win
In the Sportsman class, Gerry Patenaude drove a strong race to clinch his fourth victory of the season. His victims were Louis Bouthillier, a rookie in that category, and five times champion, Daniel Ruel.
Eleventh at the start, Patenaude started his way in front and with four laps remaining, he started to challenge Bouthillier, who had been the leader since the beginning. ItÕs only on the very last lap that he achieved his goal.
In the Late Models division, Normand Voghell registered his second success of the season by having the best on StŽphane Larivire and StŽphane Messier.
A first win
If the grandstands were packed, last Friday, it was due to the annual visit of the URCÕs sprint cars. Once again the crowd was pleased despite the fact that there were five cautions on the very last laps of this 25-lap final.
Rick Koeing took his first victory of the season in that series. Sean Michael, URCÕs pointsÕ leader and winner at Granby last year, was second followed by Greg Coverdale. Koenig took the lead over Michael with ten laps remaining in that confrontation.
As always, veteran drivers Glenn Fitzcharles and Kramer Williamson, the most well-known drivers at Granby, gave the crowd spectacular moments. Respectively Fourth and fifth in that race, both drivers came in contact just in front of the grandstands with three laps remaining. Fitzcharles found himself on his side and both drivers had to quit with only car damages.
Due to the rain and a few postponed programs in July, promoter Bob Gatien had to make some changes to its calendar. So next Friday, Autodrome Granby will be the site of the championships of ÇMr. ModifiedÈ and ÇMr. SportsmanÈ.