Hey everyone,
While I will continue to post on The Roar of Engines Blog, I have decided to have another blog that will focus on other interests outside of the Emo Speedway and Stock Car Racing in General. Its so I can make this blog more of the niche that is the local market and have those interested in other topics to the other blog. I hope that you will be able to follow both blogs when you have the chance.
Here is the new blog for other topics outside of racing: News Leeks
Here is the latest blog entry: Federal Healthcare Funding to the Provinces
Thanks!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
2012 Silly Season
One of the most exciting times of the year (outside of the racing season) is Silly Season. NASCAR has their own form of the season through www.nascar.com. However, silly season occurs in pretty much every area where there is a race track. There is some very exciting news for silly season throughout the Rainy River District. Below are some of the stories going around:
#20 Dan Hettinga is running full time in 2012 in the Street Stocks. Having taken most of the 2011 season off to prepare for next season, Hettinga is running for a championship. (Probability 90%)
Brody Strachan is planning to run his first year ever in a WISSOTA Midwest Modified. (Possibility 60%)
Jake Rea is rumoured to be racing in the WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds as a rookie. (Possibility 60%)
#09 Steve Nordin is planning to return to racing in 2012, however it is uncertain whether he is running WISSOTA Modified or WISSOTA Midwest Modified. (Possibility 90%)
#95 Matt Mutz is hoping to race more often in 2012 than in 2011 in the WISSOTA Modifieds. (Possibility 60%)
#16 Gavin Paull is considering dwelling in the Midwest Modifieds as well as a Modified in 2012 (Possibility 40%)
Some very interesting developments that may happen in 2012. Obviously, the majority of this is speculation and none of it could happen. But its something to keep all of us interested in who is doing what and how that will play out for the 2012 season.
I want to also wish everyone a VERY Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Expect more racing related blog entries over the coming months!
#20 Dan Hettinga is running full time in 2012 in the Street Stocks. Having taken most of the 2011 season off to prepare for next season, Hettinga is running for a championship. (Probability 90%)
Brody Strachan is planning to run his first year ever in a WISSOTA Midwest Modified. (Possibility 60%)
Jake Rea is rumoured to be racing in the WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds as a rookie. (Possibility 60%)
#09 Steve Nordin is planning to return to racing in 2012, however it is uncertain whether he is running WISSOTA Modified or WISSOTA Midwest Modified. (Possibility 90%)
#95 Matt Mutz is hoping to race more often in 2012 than in 2011 in the WISSOTA Modifieds. (Possibility 60%)
#16 Gavin Paull is considering dwelling in the Midwest Modifieds as well as a Modified in 2012 (Possibility 40%)
Some very interesting developments that may happen in 2012. Obviously, the majority of this is speculation and none of it could happen. But its something to keep all of us interested in who is doing what and how that will play out for the 2012 season.
I want to also wish everyone a VERY Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Expect more racing related blog entries over the coming months!
Monday, August 22, 2011
Current Feature Winners (As of September 10th Races)
2011 Feature Winners (Up to September 10 2011)
WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds
3 - Brady Caul
2 - Tylar Wilson
2 - Chuck Lambert
2 - Christopher Leek
2 - Matt DePiero
2 - John Hettinga
1 - Cody Ossachuk
Street Stocks
3 - Scott Messner
3 - Don Bowman
3 - Jeff Wickstrom
2 - Lindsay Bourre
2 - Ron Westover
1 - Carlee Bosma
WISSOTA Modifieds
10 - Gavin Paull
2 - Ward Imrie
1 - Dwayne Pelepetz
WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds
3 - Brady Caul
2 - Tylar Wilson
2 - Chuck Lambert
2 - Christopher Leek
2 - Matt DePiero
2 - John Hettinga
1 - Cody Ossachuk
Street Stocks
3 - Scott Messner
3 - Don Bowman
3 - Jeff Wickstrom
2 - Lindsay Bourre
2 - Ron Westover
1 - Carlee Bosma
WISSOTA Modifieds
10 - Gavin Paull
2 - Ward Imrie
1 - Dwayne Pelepetz
Thursday, June 23, 2011
June 11th and June 4th Results
Yeah, WAY behind on the posting of results, but I feel it a bit necessary for people to see it separate from speednet. The first five weeks have been completed and we have only raced two. Yep, that's right, we have raced two weeks of a total of five. The month of May was a complete washout with the exception of the practice, which occurred on May 14th. Hopefully, things will bode well for the rest of the year. :)
Here are the results from the two back to back weeks of Racing on June 4th and 11th:
June 11th Feature Results
WISSOTA Modifieds (Show 6 Cars)
1. #16 Gavin Paull (Fort Frances, Ontario)
2. #99 Glen Strachan (Emo, Ontario)
3. #24 Dwayne Pihulak (Crozier, Ontario)
4. #6 Gary Wilson (Devlin, Ontario)
5. #14 Tyler Brown (Rainy River, Ontario)
6. #41 Ron Korpi (Fort Frances, Ontario) (DNF)
WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds (Show 12 Cars)
1. #55 Tylar Wilson (Fort Frances, Ontario)
2. #50 Brady Caul (Fort Frances, Ontario)
3. #17 Christopher Leek (Emo, Ontario)
4. #60X Chuck Lambert (Fort Frances, Ontario)
5. #14C Cody Ossachuk (Rainy River, Ontario)
6. #19 John Hettinga (Emo, Ontario)
7. #06 Mike Wilson (Devlin, Ontario)
8. #33 Kendal Gamsby (Stratton, Ontario)
9. #11 Anthony Visser (Emo, Ontario)
10. #21D Matt DePiero (Fort Frances, Ontario) (DNF)
11. #18D Cody Drennan (Emo, Ontario) (DNF)
12. #29F Ethan Firth (Emo, Ontario) (DQ)
Street Stocks (Show 9 Cars)
1. #500 Ron Westover (Devlin, Ontario)
2. #38 Don Bowman (Bemidji, Minnesota)
3. #25 Richard Visser (Emo, Ontario)
4. #88 Tyler Wickstrom (International Falls, Minnesota)
5. #17 Jeff Wickstrom (International Falls, Minnesota)
6. #21B Carlee Bosma (Emo, Ontario)
7. #44U Nick Leininger (Rainy River, Ontario)
8. #4U Lindsay Bourre (Rainy River, Ontario) (DNF)
9. #08 Trudy Shine (Devlin, Ontario) (DNF)
June 4th Feature Results
WISSOTA Modifieds (Show 8 Cars)
1. #16 Gavin Paull (Fort Frances, Ontario)
2. #6 Gary Wilson (Devlin, Ontario)
3. #99 Glen Strachan (Emo, Ontario)
4. #24 Dwayne Pihulak (Crozier, Ontario)
5. #51 Randy Belluk (Lorette, Manitoba)
6. #14 Tyler Brown (Rainy River, Ontario)
7. #41 Ron Korpi (Fort Frances, Ontario) (DNF)
8. #66X Denny Trimble (Devlin, Ontario) (DNS)
WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds (Show 10 Cars)
1. #60X Chuck Lambert (Fort Frances, Ontario)
2. #11 Anthony Visser (Emo, Ontario)
3. #55 Tylar Wilson (Fort Frances, Ontario)
4. #06 Mike Wilson (Devlin, Ontario)
5. #18D Cody Drennan (Emo, Ontario)
6. #29F Ethan Firth (Emo, Ontario)
7. #14C Cody Ossachuk (Rainy River, Ontario) (DNF)
8. #17 Christopher Leek (Emo, Ontario) (DNF)
9. #50 Brady Caul (Fort Frances, Ontario) (DNF)
10. #21D Matt DePiero (Fort Frances, Ontario) (DNS)
Street Stocks (Show 9 Cars)
1. #38 Don Bowman (Bemidji, Minnesota)
2. #17 Jeff Wickstrom (International Falls, Minnesota)
3. #500 Ron Westiver (Devlin, Ontario)
4. #4U Lindsay Bourre (Rainy River, Ontario)
5. #88 Tyler Wickstrom (International Falls, Minnesota)
6. #5 Wes Morriseau (Barwick, Ontario)
7. #21B Carlee Bosma (Emo, Ontario) (DNF)
8. #25 Richard Visser (Emo, Ontario) (DNF)
9. #44U Nick Leininger (Rainy River, Ontario) (DNS)
Here are the results from the two back to back weeks of Racing on June 4th and 11th:
June 11th Feature Results
WISSOTA Modifieds (Show 6 Cars)
1. #16 Gavin Paull (Fort Frances, Ontario)
2. #99 Glen Strachan (Emo, Ontario)
3. #24 Dwayne Pihulak (Crozier, Ontario)
4. #6 Gary Wilson (Devlin, Ontario)
5. #14 Tyler Brown (Rainy River, Ontario)
6. #41 Ron Korpi (Fort Frances, Ontario) (DNF)
WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds (Show 12 Cars)
1. #55 Tylar Wilson (Fort Frances, Ontario)
2. #50 Brady Caul (Fort Frances, Ontario)
3. #17 Christopher Leek (Emo, Ontario)
4. #60X Chuck Lambert (Fort Frances, Ontario)
5. #14C Cody Ossachuk (Rainy River, Ontario)
6. #19 John Hettinga (Emo, Ontario)
7. #06 Mike Wilson (Devlin, Ontario)
8. #33 Kendal Gamsby (Stratton, Ontario)
9. #11 Anthony Visser (Emo, Ontario)
10. #21D Matt DePiero (Fort Frances, Ontario) (DNF)
11. #18D Cody Drennan (Emo, Ontario) (DNF)
12. #29F Ethan Firth (Emo, Ontario) (DQ)
Street Stocks (Show 9 Cars)
1. #500 Ron Westover (Devlin, Ontario)
2. #38 Don Bowman (Bemidji, Minnesota)
3. #25 Richard Visser (Emo, Ontario)
4. #88 Tyler Wickstrom (International Falls, Minnesota)
5. #17 Jeff Wickstrom (International Falls, Minnesota)
6. #21B Carlee Bosma (Emo, Ontario)
7. #44U Nick Leininger (Rainy River, Ontario)
8. #4U Lindsay Bourre (Rainy River, Ontario) (DNF)
9. #08 Trudy Shine (Devlin, Ontario) (DNF)
June 4th Feature Results
WISSOTA Modifieds (Show 8 Cars)
1. #16 Gavin Paull (Fort Frances, Ontario)
2. #6 Gary Wilson (Devlin, Ontario)
3. #99 Glen Strachan (Emo, Ontario)
4. #24 Dwayne Pihulak (Crozier, Ontario)
5. #51 Randy Belluk (Lorette, Manitoba)
6. #14 Tyler Brown (Rainy River, Ontario)
7. #41 Ron Korpi (Fort Frances, Ontario) (DNF)
8. #66X Denny Trimble (Devlin, Ontario) (DNS)
WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds (Show 10 Cars)
1. #60X Chuck Lambert (Fort Frances, Ontario)
2. #11 Anthony Visser (Emo, Ontario)
3. #55 Tylar Wilson (Fort Frances, Ontario)
4. #06 Mike Wilson (Devlin, Ontario)
5. #18D Cody Drennan (Emo, Ontario)
6. #29F Ethan Firth (Emo, Ontario)
7. #14C Cody Ossachuk (Rainy River, Ontario) (DNF)
8. #17 Christopher Leek (Emo, Ontario) (DNF)
9. #50 Brady Caul (Fort Frances, Ontario) (DNF)
10. #21D Matt DePiero (Fort Frances, Ontario) (DNS)
Street Stocks (Show 9 Cars)
1. #38 Don Bowman (Bemidji, Minnesota)
2. #17 Jeff Wickstrom (International Falls, Minnesota)
3. #500 Ron Westiver (Devlin, Ontario)
4. #4U Lindsay Bourre (Rainy River, Ontario)
5. #88 Tyler Wickstrom (International Falls, Minnesota)
6. #5 Wes Morriseau (Barwick, Ontario)
7. #21B Carlee Bosma (Emo, Ontario) (DNF)
8. #25 Richard Visser (Emo, Ontario) (DNF)
9. #44U Nick Leininger (Rainy River, Ontario) (DNS)
Sunday, May 22, 2011
2011 Street Stock Preview
In 2010, the Street Stocks had some of the highest turn outs in their class in the past five years. There were five different winners with Ron Westover taking the most at seven during the season. Dan Hettinga won his first ever race in 2010, during the Keith McNally Memorial, while Don Bowman and Scott Messner took home three feature wins each. Jeff Wickstrom also returned to victory lane twice. Let’s take a look at what we could expect in 2011:
10. #7 Darien Trimble – Best Finish 3rd, Average finish 8.73 (11 Starts). Trimble returned to racing for the first time in several years donning a black and green street claiming four top 5s and two top 10s. Unfortunately, he was unable to run a full season, but did run the majority of it. He also took one heat win. Hopefully he will return in 2011 and continue to move up the ranks.
9. #5 Wes Morriseau – Best finish 4th, Average finish 8.42 (12 Starts). Morriseau made a nice return in 2010 with an appearance of twelve races. While he did not fair too well overall, he did get one top 5 finish and nine top 10s. He is planned to return in to 2011 although on another limited schedule.
8. #38 Don Bowman – Best finish 1st (3 times), average finish 5.09 (11 starts). Bowman has been a strong runner throughout the past few years. Winning three times in 2010 plus four top 5s and three top 10s, gave him a competitive edge. An unfortunate incident during the season finale was the only real trouble he had. In 2011, he will be returning for a full season and is running to be a strong contender for the championship. Expect to see him win a few races again this season.
7. #69 Terry Martin – Best finish 2nd, average finish 6.69 (13 starts). Martin had a solid season in 2010 with seven top 5s and three top 10s. However, he is not returning in the Street Stock this season and is opting to run in the WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds on a part time basis. But the car may still be making some appearances as his brother Dean will make the trip on a few occasions.
6. #44 Nick Leininger (Rookie) – Best finish 3rd, average finish 7.92 (13 starts). Perhaps the most surprising driver of last season is young Leininger who won two heats races during the season and gained one top 5 finish. He took Rookie of the Year honours and will be back at the track for a close to full season. Don’t be surprised to continue to see improvement in this driver as he may have a serious shot at winning a feature race.
5. #500 Libby Wilson (Rookie) – Best finish 6th, average finish 9.25 (16 Starts). Wilson continues to gain experience in the Street Stocks and 2010 was an excellent start. She was one of four drivers that ran a full season and because of that, it gained her a top five points finish. Even though her average finish was not very high, she finished many of the races she started, giving her valuable knowledge. Expect to see her out every week again in 2011 and perhaps get her first top 5 finish.
4. #20 Daniel Hettinga – Best finish 1st, average finish 5.87 (15 starts). There is plenty to mention about Dan Hettinga who took his first feature win in 2010. During the Emo Fall Fair, in dramatic fashion, Hettinga won the Friday night feature of the class, but forgot to scale, giving the win to Westover. But it seemed inevitable that he would win again as he took honours the following weekend at the Keith McNally Memorial. It was a bittersweet moment for a driver who had his share of ups and downs. He will not be returning for a full season and will run limited shows for 2011.
3. #4U Lindsay Bourre – Best finish 3rd, average finish 6.69 (16 Starts). Bourre has shown her share of improvement through the last year or so with seven top 5s in 2010. Finishing third in points is attributed by a solid attendance record and not giving up even when the going got tough. With a new looking race car rebuilt from the ground up, expect Bourre to continue to improve on her average finishes and possibly a runner up finish sometime in the year.
2. #25 Richard Visser – Best finish 2nd, average finish 4.56 (16 starts). The veteran driver of Visser had a drought in 2010, not winning a race for the first time in several years. But, even after twenty-five years of racing, he is still going strong having finished second in point again in the division. A full record in appearances made him the only matchup to the eventual champion of Westover. Visser will return to the track in his pink #25 once again, continuing his march towards a second championship with a win or two.
1. #15 Ron Westover – Best finish 1st (Seven times) average finish 2.44 (16 starts). Westover claimed his 6th ever championship in 2010 with seven wins and many top five finishes. The experienced driver has raced pretty much every class at the Emo Speedway at some point, and that knowledge has led him to many, many feature wins. If he is able to return to a full season again in 2011, expect several wins and a close battle for the championship between him and Bowman.
Notable Mentions for 2011:
#? Jake Rea – While not confirmed, Rea may be making the move from Go-karts to Street Stock in 2011. Coming from a family of racers at the Emo Speedway, expect some great improvement as the year progresses and potentially take Rookie of the Year when it is all said and done. He is one to watch over the summer months.
#88 Tyler Wickstrom – Tyler is planning to run a full season in 2011 and because of that, he has a great shot at finishing within the top ten in points. It will be a great achievement for the driver who hails from International Falls, Minnesota.
#21B Carlee Bosma – With only a 50% appearance at the track in 2010, Bosma was unable to truly show her improvement until towards the last half of the season. In her eight starts, she managed four top 5s and even took runner up on the last night of racing. It is expected she will run the majority of the season in 2011 and I will give the bold prediction of her taking a win. If not, she will get very, very close.
10. #7 Darien Trimble – Best Finish 3rd, Average finish 8.73 (11 Starts). Trimble returned to racing for the first time in several years donning a black and green street claiming four top 5s and two top 10s. Unfortunately, he was unable to run a full season, but did run the majority of it. He also took one heat win. Hopefully he will return in 2011 and continue to move up the ranks.
9. #5 Wes Morriseau – Best finish 4th, Average finish 8.42 (12 Starts). Morriseau made a nice return in 2010 with an appearance of twelve races. While he did not fair too well overall, he did get one top 5 finish and nine top 10s. He is planned to return in to 2011 although on another limited schedule.
8. #38 Don Bowman – Best finish 1st (3 times), average finish 5.09 (11 starts). Bowman has been a strong runner throughout the past few years. Winning three times in 2010 plus four top 5s and three top 10s, gave him a competitive edge. An unfortunate incident during the season finale was the only real trouble he had. In 2011, he will be returning for a full season and is running to be a strong contender for the championship. Expect to see him win a few races again this season.
7. #69 Terry Martin – Best finish 2nd, average finish 6.69 (13 starts). Martin had a solid season in 2010 with seven top 5s and three top 10s. However, he is not returning in the Street Stock this season and is opting to run in the WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds on a part time basis. But the car may still be making some appearances as his brother Dean will make the trip on a few occasions.
6. #44 Nick Leininger (Rookie) – Best finish 3rd, average finish 7.92 (13 starts). Perhaps the most surprising driver of last season is young Leininger who won two heats races during the season and gained one top 5 finish. He took Rookie of the Year honours and will be back at the track for a close to full season. Don’t be surprised to continue to see improvement in this driver as he may have a serious shot at winning a feature race.
5. #500 Libby Wilson (Rookie) – Best finish 6th, average finish 9.25 (16 Starts). Wilson continues to gain experience in the Street Stocks and 2010 was an excellent start. She was one of four drivers that ran a full season and because of that, it gained her a top five points finish. Even though her average finish was not very high, she finished many of the races she started, giving her valuable knowledge. Expect to see her out every week again in 2011 and perhaps get her first top 5 finish.
4. #20 Daniel Hettinga – Best finish 1st, average finish 5.87 (15 starts). There is plenty to mention about Dan Hettinga who took his first feature win in 2010. During the Emo Fall Fair, in dramatic fashion, Hettinga won the Friday night feature of the class, but forgot to scale, giving the win to Westover. But it seemed inevitable that he would win again as he took honours the following weekend at the Keith McNally Memorial. It was a bittersweet moment for a driver who had his share of ups and downs. He will not be returning for a full season and will run limited shows for 2011.
3. #4U Lindsay Bourre – Best finish 3rd, average finish 6.69 (16 Starts). Bourre has shown her share of improvement through the last year or so with seven top 5s in 2010. Finishing third in points is attributed by a solid attendance record and not giving up even when the going got tough. With a new looking race car rebuilt from the ground up, expect Bourre to continue to improve on her average finishes and possibly a runner up finish sometime in the year.
2. #25 Richard Visser – Best finish 2nd, average finish 4.56 (16 starts). The veteran driver of Visser had a drought in 2010, not winning a race for the first time in several years. But, even after twenty-five years of racing, he is still going strong having finished second in point again in the division. A full record in appearances made him the only matchup to the eventual champion of Westover. Visser will return to the track in his pink #25 once again, continuing his march towards a second championship with a win or two.
1. #15 Ron Westover – Best finish 1st (Seven times) average finish 2.44 (16 starts). Westover claimed his 6th ever championship in 2010 with seven wins and many top five finishes. The experienced driver has raced pretty much every class at the Emo Speedway at some point, and that knowledge has led him to many, many feature wins. If he is able to return to a full season again in 2011, expect several wins and a close battle for the championship between him and Bowman.
Notable Mentions for 2011:
#? Jake Rea – While not confirmed, Rea may be making the move from Go-karts to Street Stock in 2011. Coming from a family of racers at the Emo Speedway, expect some great improvement as the year progresses and potentially take Rookie of the Year when it is all said and done. He is one to watch over the summer months.
#88 Tyler Wickstrom – Tyler is planning to run a full season in 2011 and because of that, he has a great shot at finishing within the top ten in points. It will be a great achievement for the driver who hails from International Falls, Minnesota.
#21B Carlee Bosma – With only a 50% appearance at the track in 2010, Bosma was unable to truly show her improvement until towards the last half of the season. In her eight starts, she managed four top 5s and even took runner up on the last night of racing. It is expected she will run the majority of the season in 2011 and I will give the bold prediction of her taking a win. If not, she will get very, very close.
Monday, May 9, 2011
2011 WISSOTA Modified Preview
The 2010 season in the WISSOTA Modifieds saw nine different winners throughout the season, the most different winners since 2007. This even came off the heels of the lowest average turn out in the Modifieds in about five years. While the low car count has happened in the past, there hadn’t been this many winners in one season with such a count. It was good news for the fans though, who tend to enjoy different winners throughout the year. Let’s take a look at the 2011 potential:
10. #16 Gavin Paull – Best finish 1st (Twice) average finish 4.83 (6 starts). Paull had a banner year with a new car that pulled him to the front not only at Emo Speedway, but at Red River Co-op Speedway in Winnipeg and a few other tracks in the United States. His average finish and two feature wins are a testament to a car that worked well with his driving style. He ran a limited number of shows in 2010 but more than in the previous season of 2009. There is expectation that he will run close to a full season at Emo in 2011 and there is no doubt he will win at least a few races and have a shot at the championship.
9. #12P Dwayne Pelepetz – Best finish 1st, average finish 6.73 (11 Starts). Pelepetz won his first feature event in the WISSOTA Modifieds in a while. He had run fairly limited seasons at the track in the past and this year was no exception. A sore back had him sidelined for several weeks during mid-season. In 2011, Pelepetz will return to the track for close to a full season trying to run for a championship. It is hard to say whether he will get to the winners circle, but he will definitely have a shot to win.
8. #1L Brad Loveday – Best finish 1st (five times), average finish 4.64 (11 Starts). Loveday was a dominate force throughout the year. Untimely accidents led to a few early exits from feature events. However, he took the most feature wins award and had a solid average of a top 5 throughout his starts. In 2011, it is unknown how many races he will run, but expect to see him at the Emo Fall Fair to take a shot at the biggest weekend of the year.
7. #66 Denny Trimble – Best finish 2nd, average finish 6.00 (13 Starts). Trimble had four top 5s in 2010 and eight top 10s. Having missed the first few weeks of racing, he was unable to run for a championship. Hopefully Trimble will return for a full season and take a run at a top 3 in the points and a chance at a win or two.
6. #14 Tyler Brown (Rookie) – Best finish 4th, average finish 7.87 (15 starts). A wedding left Brown with one race short of a full season. But for the rookie, it was a good year overall by finishing in the top 10 in points and getting the seat time he needed. Expect more from the young driver in 2011 as his experience level increases throughout the year.
5. #3 Bill Witherspoon – Best finish 4th, average finish 6.50 (14 Starts). Witherspoon had a rough year in 2010 with mechanical issues and accidents. He even had a shot or two at winning, but transmission problems led to early exits. It is not known if he will race in 2011, but there is hope that he does. He isn’t too far away from his first ever win in the WISSOTA Modifieds.
4. #4U Rick Bourre (Rookie) – Best finish 3rd, average finish 7.94 (Full Season). Bourre was one of two drivers that made it to every race during the 2010 season and it paid off with a fourth place points finish. But it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows as Bourre earned plenty of experienced in his first year in the WISSOTA Modifieds. While he finished the majority of races in 2010, mechanical problems at the fair and early exits during some features had Bourre a little overwhelmed. The good news is that he will return to the class and continue to improve upon his 2010 experience. Expect to see a rejuvenated driver and some real progress.
3. #6 Gary Wilson – Best finish 2nd, average finish 4.93 (14 Starts). A veteran driver, Wilson came oh so close in a couple races for his first Modified win in plenty of years. Having sported a newer car that he bought towards the end of 2009, you could see new life in the classic driver. He had an excellent finishing record, but missing two races kept him out of the hunt for a championship.
2. #41 Ron Korpi – Best finish 3rd, average finish 5.87 (15 starts). Korpi had been in this situation before finishing second in points for the second time in four years. He missed the last race of the year, but the points had already been decided the week before as Glen Strachan pulled off an amazing season. However, the veteran had a solid season with nine top 5s and five top 10s. Expect a full season return from the driver and another top 3 finish in the points.
1. #99 Glen Strachan – Best finish 1st (Three times), average finish 3.44 (Full season). A lot can be said about Strachan in 2010. Coming from a career worst season in 2009 with many mechanical/engine problems and DNFs, there was little good to come from that season. However, 2010 was a complete 360. He took honours as the high point champion for the Emo Fall Fair, the Keith McNally Memorial, the Hard Charger Award, and the point championship. There wasn’t much negativity to go around. Expect a solid return in 2011 and another shot at a points win and several feature wins.
10. #16 Gavin Paull – Best finish 1st (Twice) average finish 4.83 (6 starts). Paull had a banner year with a new car that pulled him to the front not only at Emo Speedway, but at Red River Co-op Speedway in Winnipeg and a few other tracks in the United States. His average finish and two feature wins are a testament to a car that worked well with his driving style. He ran a limited number of shows in 2010 but more than in the previous season of 2009. There is expectation that he will run close to a full season at Emo in 2011 and there is no doubt he will win at least a few races and have a shot at the championship.
9. #12P Dwayne Pelepetz – Best finish 1st, average finish 6.73 (11 Starts). Pelepetz won his first feature event in the WISSOTA Modifieds in a while. He had run fairly limited seasons at the track in the past and this year was no exception. A sore back had him sidelined for several weeks during mid-season. In 2011, Pelepetz will return to the track for close to a full season trying to run for a championship. It is hard to say whether he will get to the winners circle, but he will definitely have a shot to win.
8. #1L Brad Loveday – Best finish 1st (five times), average finish 4.64 (11 Starts). Loveday was a dominate force throughout the year. Untimely accidents led to a few early exits from feature events. However, he took the most feature wins award and had a solid average of a top 5 throughout his starts. In 2011, it is unknown how many races he will run, but expect to see him at the Emo Fall Fair to take a shot at the biggest weekend of the year.
7. #66 Denny Trimble – Best finish 2nd, average finish 6.00 (13 Starts). Trimble had four top 5s in 2010 and eight top 10s. Having missed the first few weeks of racing, he was unable to run for a championship. Hopefully Trimble will return for a full season and take a run at a top 3 in the points and a chance at a win or two.
6. #14 Tyler Brown (Rookie) – Best finish 4th, average finish 7.87 (15 starts). A wedding left Brown with one race short of a full season. But for the rookie, it was a good year overall by finishing in the top 10 in points and getting the seat time he needed. Expect more from the young driver in 2011 as his experience level increases throughout the year.
5. #3 Bill Witherspoon – Best finish 4th, average finish 6.50 (14 Starts). Witherspoon had a rough year in 2010 with mechanical issues and accidents. He even had a shot or two at winning, but transmission problems led to early exits. It is not known if he will race in 2011, but there is hope that he does. He isn’t too far away from his first ever win in the WISSOTA Modifieds.
4. #4U Rick Bourre (Rookie) – Best finish 3rd, average finish 7.94 (Full Season). Bourre was one of two drivers that made it to every race during the 2010 season and it paid off with a fourth place points finish. But it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows as Bourre earned plenty of experienced in his first year in the WISSOTA Modifieds. While he finished the majority of races in 2010, mechanical problems at the fair and early exits during some features had Bourre a little overwhelmed. The good news is that he will return to the class and continue to improve upon his 2010 experience. Expect to see a rejuvenated driver and some real progress.
3. #6 Gary Wilson – Best finish 2nd, average finish 4.93 (14 Starts). A veteran driver, Wilson came oh so close in a couple races for his first Modified win in plenty of years. Having sported a newer car that he bought towards the end of 2009, you could see new life in the classic driver. He had an excellent finishing record, but missing two races kept him out of the hunt for a championship.
2. #41 Ron Korpi – Best finish 3rd, average finish 5.87 (15 starts). Korpi had been in this situation before finishing second in points for the second time in four years. He missed the last race of the year, but the points had already been decided the week before as Glen Strachan pulled off an amazing season. However, the veteran had a solid season with nine top 5s and five top 10s. Expect a full season return from the driver and another top 3 finish in the points.
1. #99 Glen Strachan – Best finish 1st (Three times), average finish 3.44 (Full season). A lot can be said about Strachan in 2010. Coming from a career worst season in 2009 with many mechanical/engine problems and DNFs, there was little good to come from that season. However, 2010 was a complete 360. He took honours as the high point champion for the Emo Fall Fair, the Keith McNally Memorial, the Hard Charger Award, and the point championship. There wasn’t much negativity to go around. Expect a solid return in 2011 and another shot at a points win and several feature wins.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Election Results and NDP Thoughts
The Conservatives got the majority they wanted on Monday, while two parties that have held strong power for at least the last 20 years were decimated in the wake of it all. The Bloc has basically been destroyed, losing 45 seats (except 4 of them) mostly to the NDP. Duceppe lost his seat and quit on National Television, while Liberal leader Ignatieff didn't have the strength to quit on TV that night, but announced his resignation the next morning.
The big winner out of all of this in terms of opposition was Jack Layton and the NDP. 102 seats is quite the accomplishment for a party that had a previous high record of 43 when Ed Broadbent brought the NDP to a more recognizable party in the 1980s. But with this great accomplishment comes greater responsibility. There is a wide range of MPs now in the House of Commons, even one that is only 19 years old. These MPs are going to have to learn a lot very quickly in order to prove themselves in an environment that will rip your throat out whenever you speak a word. Layton and the crew now have the opportunity to prove to Canadians that they truly represent the people of the opposition.
Even though it is a majority government, where the Conservatives can basically do whatever they want, Canadians will be looking at Layton to make sure he does whatever he can to keep Harper in check. It will be integral over the next four years to prove the position he is now as official opposition.
There are two paths the NDP will take in the next four years. They will either prove to be a strong and evolving party that could have a strong shot at becoming the first NDP government in Canada's history, or it could falter and the NDP will return to its humble roots as the third or even fourth party. The key ingredient to stay in their new position is how they deal with the large increase of seats in Quebec.
However it unfolds, the next four years will be interesting. It is going to be four years of the Conservatives getting their agenda accomplished before the next election, the NDP to prove their ability, the Liberals to find a leader that actually touches the hearts of Canadians, and a Bloc that needs to find focus and goals that actually connect with a "new" Quebec.
Oh, and kudos to Elizabeth May for getting the first elected seat for the Green Party in the House of Commons!
The big winner out of all of this in terms of opposition was Jack Layton and the NDP. 102 seats is quite the accomplishment for a party that had a previous high record of 43 when Ed Broadbent brought the NDP to a more recognizable party in the 1980s. But with this great accomplishment comes greater responsibility. There is a wide range of MPs now in the House of Commons, even one that is only 19 years old. These MPs are going to have to learn a lot very quickly in order to prove themselves in an environment that will rip your throat out whenever you speak a word. Layton and the crew now have the opportunity to prove to Canadians that they truly represent the people of the opposition.
Even though it is a majority government, where the Conservatives can basically do whatever they want, Canadians will be looking at Layton to make sure he does whatever he can to keep Harper in check. It will be integral over the next four years to prove the position he is now as official opposition.
There are two paths the NDP will take in the next four years. They will either prove to be a strong and evolving party that could have a strong shot at becoming the first NDP government in Canada's history, or it could falter and the NDP will return to its humble roots as the third or even fourth party. The key ingredient to stay in their new position is how they deal with the large increase of seats in Quebec.
However it unfolds, the next four years will be interesting. It is going to be four years of the Conservatives getting their agenda accomplished before the next election, the NDP to prove their ability, the Liberals to find a leader that actually touches the hearts of Canadians, and a Bloc that needs to find focus and goals that actually connect with a "new" Quebec.
Oh, and kudos to Elizabeth May for getting the first elected seat for the Green Party in the House of Commons!
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