Results from Bear Ridge Speedway.
by April May Preston
BRADFORD, Vt. -- Who would have thought it? NEVER one to quit until after the last possible moment, once again Promoter owner C.V. Elms, found the only spot of sun on the sky and made sure it was shining down on Bear Ridge Speedway Saturday night. With virtually every track in the area canceling due to rain you would have thought that Elms would have pulled the plug as well. But he decided to gamble with Mother Nature and he came up with the Ace in the Hole.
After the heat racers were in the record books, it was decided to put some water on the clay, as conditions were getting a bit dry. Of course as you will, once the water was down, Mother Nature did decide to help out by adding her own layer to the clay surface. With all eyes focused on the skies, crews continued to work the track. Finally Mother Nature conceded and the skies dried, and the cars were asked to hit the track again to help prepare it for racing.
The Journal Opinion Fast Fours were first on the track in what this writer must say, was probably one of the funniest races she has seen. Chandra Ryan and Toby Merchant brought the field of cars to the green with Chandra quickly setting herself in front of the pack. As the cars seemingly everywhere worked their way around the track Chandra continued to set the pace. The fans watched with amazement, as this full field of cars in what looked like would be a caution-laden event went from green to checkers with no cautions. As the track came to the drivers the field starting changing and when all was said and done it was Dean Switzer Jr for the checkers, followed by Jeff Perry, and Andy Johnson.
Heat winners: Andy Johnson and Toby Merchant
Feature Finish: Dean Switzer Jr Jeff Perry, Andy Johnson, Robert Bell, Lenny Garduno, Chris McKinstry, Steve Bell, Wayland Childs, Chandra Ryan, Bobby Bell Jr., Kelly Miller, Kane Pike, Billy Simmons, Tim Murphy, Toby Merchant, David Scott Stearns, Tony Bassett, David Durkee.
Up next were the H.O. Taylor Pro Streets. Rich Glode and Mark White brought the field to the green. Three cautions would slow the pace, but Glode was able to maintain the point from start to finish scoring his first wind of the season. Brian King and points leader Ryan Avery were challenging Glode for the lead with 3 laps to go, when they decided that they both wanted the same piece of real estate. When all was said and done Avery was sent to the pits for rough riding and King had to take up the rear with both finishing deep in the field. Following Glode to the checkers was Mark White and Dan Eastman, with a new engine to replace the one he lost at sister track Canaan Fair Speedway the night before.
Heat winners: Anthony Perkins and Ryan Pierson.
Feature Finish: Richard Glode, Mark White, Dan Eastman, Barry Fraser, Shawn Pallas, Jason Blake, Joe Perreault, Ryan Pierson, Alex Zeller, Bryan King, Will Hall, Anthony Perkins, Richard Ryan, Mike Bussino, Dave Stearns.
The Mekkelsen RV 358 Modifieds took to the track next and put on another great show for the fans. With so much side-by-side racing in every division it truly is hard to just focus on one car as you watch the field. Brad Phelps and Chris Donnelly would set the pace for this event. Five cautions would slow the pace as points leader Jim Ryan worked his way to the front. At the end Ryan found himself with the checkers followed by Brian Whittemore and Danny Douville.
Heat winners: Vince Quenneville and Dan Douville
Feature Finish: Jim Ryan, Brian Whittemore, Danny Douville, Vince Quenneville, Troy Gray, Carl Murray, Gene Pierson, Mike Tinker, Terry Hayes, Brad Phelps, Jack Cook, Chris Donnelly.
Last for the regular divisions were the Gilmour Ford Sportsman. Doug Titus and Paul Towle brought the field to the green for this their 3rd Twin State event. Three cautions marred the show, but did nothing to take away from the quality of the action, as it was easy to see that this was anybody’s game. Adam Pierson was able to work his way to the front but Titus and Towle were not letting him get away without a fight. The three raced virtually bumper to bumper for a good part of the race. As the laps dwindled Steve Ellsworth made his presence known and with a handful of laps was able to pass Towle for 3rd, which is how they finished across the line.
Heat winners: Bob Shepard and Kevin Chaffee. Semi Feature winner Kevin Chaffee.
Feature Finish: Adam Pierson, Doug Titus, Steve Ellsworth, Paul Towle, Bob Shepard, Josh Harrington, Tyler Rich, Richard Simmons, Ryan Dutton, Mike McGinley, Kevin Chaffee, Kevin Menard, Dean Stockwell, Louis Cadwell, James Hanson, Frank Gilmore.
The V-8 Enduros ran back to back this weekend with a Tri Track Event at sister track the fair and regular event at the ridge Roland Bigelow was the man on the move, enjoying victory lane so much the night before, he decided to make it two for two. Following him across the line was Shane Sicard and Chris Spear.
The 4 cylinder Enduros also took to the track, both divisions with very impressive car counts of over 25 cars. At the end it was Randy Henry, Brian Piper and Mike McKinstry.
Next week at the Ridge, June 14th it is A.C. Performance Night with a full card of racing plus a Twin State Modified Event, and V-8 Enduro Tri Track event. ALSO if you are a graduation senior you can get in free with your diploma and identification.
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. For more information including the 2003 schedules you can log on to: www.bearridgespeedway.com. Sister track Canaan Fair Speedway is located on Orange Rd in Canaan NH just 12 short miles from I-89. www.canaanfairspeedway.com any questions can be sent to aprilmay@earthlink.net.