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The race season is finally underway at tracks all around the Maritimes. Now if only the weatherman would decide to cooperate!!! Last week at Scotia Speedworld, the Pro Stocks kicked it off with a very exciting race. It rained at 5 o'clock, just before the time trials and by 7 o'clock, the temperature had dropped quite a bit, but the show went on. Shawn Turple was the eventual winner but it was Wayne Smith, the Oval Outlaw, that was the class of the field. If not for a failed bleeder valve during a "red flag" on lap 83, he would probably have won, but give Shawn Turple full credit, he drove a smart race and was no slouch either.
Local racer Sandy Livingston Jr. showed up in new colours this year and although running on poor brakes, gave a great account of himself, starting 26th and finishing 14th. A new braking setup is currently being installed and he should run well at Riverside on June 5th when the Prostock Tour takes to the high banks.
The Scotia race was a crash filled affair, as much to due with the weather and temperature conditions as anything. Don't look for this to be a regular occurance though and you can expect some fast times at Riverside.
Elsewhere, Centre for Speed tries for the third time to get their season kicked off this coming Sunday. All classes will be in action and checkered flags are being given away to the younger set at the front gate. It promises to be a good time and rumour has it that the track mascot, Wingnut, will be in attendance.
The big event this weekend takes place at Speedway 660, near Oromocto, New Brunswick. It is a Prostock 100 lapper aptly named the "Best of the Best". The local Pro Stock drivers will be pitting their skills against some New England competitors as well as some of the Pro Stock tour runners. Last year's Pro Stock Tour winner, Shawn Tucker, is sure to be there as will several others. These Pro Stock events at Speedway 660 are always exciting and have had some of the closest finishes in Maritime racing history. Last year Tucker edged out Shawn Turple at the finish line by a mere 4 one hundredth of a second. To the naked eye, that difference is impossible to see.
Events are also taking place at Island Speedway and Raceway Park this weekend as the local drivers battle for wins and points in all classes.
Eventually it had to happen. Lake Doucette Motor Speedway closed its doors a few weeks ago although some of the local drivers in that area are going to try and run for fun. I have seen this tried before and I don't hold out much hope for this to work but I wish them all the luck in this endeavour.
Finally, one more thing is noteworthy this week as Sandy Livingston Jr launched his new website on Thursday. You can check it out at www.sandylivingston.ca if you are interested.
That's all for this week. Gentlemen, (and Ladies), Start Your Engines !!!
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