With a large comprehensive field of riders ranging from the P50's to the new Canadian Speedway Champion, a night was set for some great racing.
A superb rider-turnout proved to be the key to the night's success as the dark thick rain clouds hung over the event. With a heavy rainfall just hours before the race, Dave Havill worked hard to get the soggy surface to a suitable riding surface. The expectation of some falls was seen as a few riders slipped away in the corners. Unfortunately, Peter Fornal took a nasty tumble and got his hand caught in the rear wheel and with damage to his middle finger, withdrew from the racing.
Combining the Division 2 and 3 riders always proves to be a great event and this night proved no different. Mark Engel and Bob Mosquera visited from the US and did a great job on the track. Mark also gave Tim Murray some serious challenges throughout the night. Great stuff! Sadly though, the expected racing duel between the retuning "Tiger" Tom Marriott and Graham "Pirate" Wale was not to be, Graham's bike gave up on him and didn't allow for this to happen! Fireman Scott Collier also proved that an 18 year gap can be good for you, as he also proved to be a threat to all the riders.
But it was Terry Rideout who took the checkered flag in the final in the rain. Terry all night showed that he really is going to be a rider who will go somewhere in 2008! The P50's and P75's came to put on a show, they found the wet track in the first few heats something of a surprise, leading to a few unexpected slides. But they once again, gave their hearts and souls for the crowd and to the delight of his parents, Braden Vallee took the checkered flag and received his winning trophy!
The Division 1 racing was great! - close duels between Joe Heye, Fred Legault, Aaron Hesmer, Gary Hesmer, Chris Hesmer, Jeff Orosz and Aaron DeVeau were a delight to see. Jeff Orosz and Gary Hesmer had the most cracking race in their last heat. Gary took the lead and held back a charging Jeff until the very last corner, where Jeff launched himself under Gary taking to the inside line and managed to get passed Gary to take the win by half a bike's length, brilliant!
Aaron Hesmer the new Canadian Speedway Champion, was not on top form and it did show as he was beaten in all but 1 of his heats. He was playing with some new set-ups and with the track surface being wetter than expected, he was unable to get the grip he needed! With the rain coming down, the final few heats and the finals were pushed quickly through and sadly, no walk-outs were permitted. Despite this the Division 1 final was also a cracker!
Gary Hesmer took the gate and flew into turn 1 where Jeff Orosz pushed hard and passed Gary. With Joe Heye and Aaron Hesmer behind him, Jeff placed himself in front of a battling Gary, who was having to defend his own lines from Joe Heye. Joe hooked on lap three and lost ground leaving Gary to try and get Jeff but to no avail.
Jeff Orosz grabbed the win and completed his well deserved lap of honor to the recognition of the cars headlights and horns flashing in the pouring rain! Many thanks to all the riders for a superb show and congratulations to Terry Rideout, Braden Vallee and Jeff Orosz for their great wins!