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Well, it's a wrap. The 2008 race season in the Maritimes is finished, but not without one more great show last weekend. The Atlantic Championships were everything you could hope for, and then some. Right down to the final race on Sunday evening when Fred Broussard of Island Speedway in Cape Breton edged out Speedway 660's Rick Cashol by "paint". I mean it was that close. I have the finish on DVD and on my website but I still can't be sure.
From the opening race on Saturday afternoon, the action was hot and furious, the car counts were huge, and the drivers were giving it their all to bring home the title. Laurie Cormier, racing for the first time in four years, captured the Sportsman prize to start things off, after an epic battle with Brian Gillespie and Aaron Boutlier and then Wayne Smith put the title on the same shelf as his Pro Stock crown after 150 gruelling laps of tremendous racing.
The AOW, Legends and two classes of 4 cylinder machines all claimed titles Sunday afternoon before Broussard's win in the Street Stocks. Good crowds were on hand both days, which augurs well for the future of Centre for Speed. Drivers from all over love to race at the spacious oval and the result is always in doubt right down to the checkered flag. Hats off for a job well done is extended to Tim Wile and his staff for all their hard work.
Looking back on the year brings to mind more excitement than I could mention in one column but Reagan Smith's victory in the IWK 250 stands out in my mind. The NASCAR regular made his second trip to Riverside for the event and got the job done in style. Not only was he a success on the track, but he was very co-operative and accomidating in the pits, treating fans, media and fellow competitors with respect. Not every "big timer" does this, and Reagan Smith stands number 1 along with Johnny Benson in this respect.
Several drivers made comebacks this year and all were successful but non more so than Steve Rodgers. Steve had been a top Sportsman at Speedway 660 until a disease took the sight in one eye. After taking a couple years off to treat this, he returned this year, always competitive, and the victor several times. Steve also added his son to his racing team this summer and the youngster performed well in the 4 cylinders at River Glade.
Local competitor Sandy Livingston Jr battled adversity most of the year, but in the end could look back with pride at what he had accomplished, including a podium finish at Speedway 660. The future looks good for the Springhiller next year.
I could go on and on but Glen Rasmussen has to rank up near the top. The multi time pro Stock champion developed MS and thought his career was over but with encouragement from those around him and treatment, Glen resumed his career late in the year and was a contender every time out.
Thanks go out once again to Darrell Cole and Dave Mathieson, the sports staff at the Amherst Daily News, for all their support this past year and hopefully, when the wheels start to spin in the Spring, I'll be there again to bring it to you. In the meantime, have a great winter, and good health to you all.
Bruce Langille - Gentlemen, Start Your Engines !!!
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