ESMCS begins 2018 season Monday
Action taking place at Oyster Bed Speedway
The Eastern Super Mini Cup Series (ESMCS) is ready to cap the Victoria Day long weekend with their first of seven events on the 2018 calendar.
The season-opening event at Oyster Bed Speedway in Oyster Bed Bridge will go green on Monday at 2 p.m.
Matt Watson of Miscouche drove to the 2017 ESMCS championship on the strength of three feature wins. With Watson making the move to the MJS and Prime Lift East Coast Mini Stock Tour in 2018, the championship is wide open for the taking.
Mark Ferguson of Saint John, N.B., has to be considered as one of the front runners. Ferguson is the only champion of the series registered for 2018 after winning the crown in a shortened 2016 season. Driver No. 41 won the most recent race at Shediac’s Centre For Speed in October, and was a winner at Oyster Bed Speedway last summer en route to a second-place finish in the standings. Racing can be serious when a driver straps in their car, but Ferguson is quick to mention the camaraderie between everyone that is a part of the series. “We have a great group of folks that are associated with the ESMCS,” said Ferguson in looking ahead to Monday’s opener.
“My goal this year is to have another strong season and contend for the championship, but also to keep having fun.
“This is the best group I have raced with in a very long time. Win or lose, it makes our weekends at the track are enjoyable.”
Familiar faces
A number of familiar faces will return to compete with the ESMCS in 2018, including Don Gaudet of Miscouche. Oyster Bed Speedway fan favourite “Old Man” Donnie McNeill and LDR Racing’s Chad Jackson of Montague bring their racing experiences to the tour once again.
The rookie-of-the-year battle will open on Monday as Randy Wilson, in the No. 4 car, races against Jacob Dunlop in the No. 78 entry.
The 2018 Eastern Super Mini Cup Series will see four additional events at Oyster Bed Speedway on June 16, July 7, July 21 and Aug. 25.
The series will also run races in New Brunswick at Shediac’s Centre For Speed on Sept. 29th and at Speedway Miramichi on Oct. 13.