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Last week's Atlantic Cat at Scotia Speedworld was an exciting affair, to say the least. After several years of this event being dominated by the New England competitors, the Maritime guys came to play this year. Three time MPST champion, John Flemming, who races on the PASS tour this year as well as selected races in the Maritimes, put on a dramatic display, coming from the rear of the pack to challenge for the lead, before settling for third. Marty Prevost, the Halifax "Rocket", impressed all with his run, also coming from back in the pack to finish sixth after running in the top five at one point. Mike MacKenzie, the Forbes Chevrolet veteran, ran most of the race near the top before fading to tenth in the late going. Two other Maritimers, Shawn Turple and Rollie MacDonald, were also having very strong runs, before an accident on lap 116 took both of them out of the race.
Even the winner, Travis Benjamin, has strong Maritime roots, with his mother living on Prince Edward Island. Perennial winner, Ben Rowe, had his usual strong race but in the end had nothing for Benjamin, settling for second in the piece. The race was filled with lots of passing and long green flag runs that kept fans on the edge of their seats most of the way.
This weekend, another very prestigious race is on tap. The 44th annual running of the River Glade International goes Sunday at 3pm at River Glade Speedway. This is the oldest race in Eastern Canada and third oldest in Canada. The race has had several formats over the years, with Modifieds, MASCAR, and now Sportsman cars being the competition class. The list of former winners reads like a "who's who" of Maritime racing and six time winner Frank Fraser has registered to compete again. Fraser's last win was twenty-six years ago, in 1982 and he is in search of his seventh victory to cap off his career.
The race has a different format as well. The race is run in two segments and the distance changes every year. The distance is 100 laps plus one lap for each year it has been run. That makes this one 144 laps, a mighty distance for Sportsman cars. Many of the best Sportsman cars will be competing in this one as many consider this the most coveted victory of the season.
Saturday evening, the spotlight is on Riverside Speedway, as the Maritime Pro Stock Tour invades the high banks for race nine of their eleven race series. This one is also a special event as it has been named the "Scott Kelly Memorial" in honour of the former racer. With the points battle coming down to the wire, this should be a good one. The Highland Sportsman Super Series will provide the support action with the third race in their five race series. This one is a 50 lapper. Unconfirmed rumour has it that Dale Richardson has built a new car to replace the one lost in the fireball accident at Riverside a few weeks ago. Richardson is always a strong competitor and will be missed if he doesn't make it.
Perhaps your taste is a little more extreme. If this is the case, Centre for Speed is the place to be on Friday night or Saturday. The Monster trucks are there for three shows, and if you've never seen them, you're in for a treat. These huge machines make tremendous power and put on a show like no other. Sunday, the PEI modifieds invade the Centre to do battle with the Maritime Sportsman competitors. The Sportsman cars will add slicks and some power modifications for this one.
Well folks, it looks like another fantastic weekend of racing in the Maritimes and the weatherman is calling for good weather as well. Why not get out to a track near you.
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