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Last Updated: Jul 19th, 2010 - 00:08:59 |
The 2010 Canadian Speedway Championship looked doomed for cancellation just 2 hours before the event started.
A severe thunderstorm had been hovering around southern Ontario area spread for many miles wide. But with very strong winds prevailing, the storms avoided the Welland Speedway track and the vent formally went full steam ahead!
With a field of 14 riders from Canada and the USA, the night was set to be a good one.
The field of riders listed in finishing order of the night is shown below:
Aaron Hesmer (CDN)
Jeff Orosz (CDN)
Mike Buman (USA)
Chris Hesmer (CDN)
Rob Dixon CDN)
Gary Hesmer (CDN)
Mike Hammond (CDN)
Terry Rideout (CDN)
Glenn Brown (CDN)
John Bennett (CDN)
Doug Beaumont (CDN)
Greg Starcevic (USA)
Mark Engle (USA)
Fred Legault (CDN)
With addition show action including the very welcomed return to the Welland track of the ATV class, the little P50 and the P65 guys, and Simon Bennington's 1000cc Speedway sidecar, the night was set for action.
The night began on a bad note however, local St. Catharines rider and father of professional rider Kyle Legault, Freddie, was involved in a nasty incident in his first race of the night. As he was making a hard passing move on Glenn Brown in turn 3, his chain came of an literally threw him over the handlebars, sliding into the fence, leaving Terry Rideout to superbly lay the bike down to avoid Fred, but the bike careered into the stricken Legault. After a lengthy delay, the reports of an upper left broken arm were confirmed by the ambulance officials, as well as, their concern for the impact from Rideout's bike, which hit him in the back of the head area. They sensibly took their time and he was taken to the local hospital for more treatment.
Most of the heat races were processional due to the mix of the program with upper and lower skilled rider competing together. This all changed as the night entered the final rounds. Ironically the top contenders all met each other later in the program and this led to some get close and fast racing, enjoyed by the large enthusiast crowd.
One of the best heat races was Rob Dixon's closing of the door on Aaron Hesmer in turn 1. His delight of holding the hard charging Hesmer behind him to the line was very evident as he crossed the line to take the checkered flag!
American rider Mike Buman, used the night to gain maximum experience of the clay surface. He was very spectacular in his control of some anxious looking slides as the bike gained unexpected grip as he went passed many riders. A great entertaining display from the very talented young rider!
Terry Rideout had a very up and down night literally, his demise of corner 4 was felt twice and he crashed hard into the safety fence after Mike Hammond went wide, pushing his front wheel into the engine. The crowd cheered him on as he got up and attempted to push the bike over for the important points, but the wheel was too far back and he literally threw the bike down in disgust, once realising that all was in vain! After some frantic work by his fellow riders and pit crew, the front end was straightened and only for him to slide out again on the same corner in the next race. This time he was up and the bike was ok!
The return to the Welland track for Doug Beaumont and Americans Greg Starcevic and Mark Engel saw them a little shaky, but they did a commendable job and their efforts were well appreciated by all involved.
The final race was poised based upon total points tallied, and gate picks were set. Aaron Hesmer, jeff Orosz, Rob Dixon, C.J. Hesmer and Mike Buman lined up to the tapes with much anticipation. From the gate they flew into corner 1 with elbows banging, Aaron Hesmer, C.J. Hesmer and Jeff Orosz were 3 abreast, and something had to give! Orosz slid out into the safety fence and the race was stopped. All five riders were bought back to the line and the second attempt was ready. Again the Hesmer boys and Orosz were neck and neck with Buman and Dixon only inches away. Aaron Hesmer pulled out of turn 2 ahead and never looked back, despite Orosz's last lap pushed, Hesmer crossed the line punching the air and nodding his head to complete the very well deserved crown of 2010 Canadian Speedway Champion!
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