Autumn Colours Classic front row starters set
A new month of action kicked off Saturday with the first event of the 2017 Hot August Nights Racing Series and the Touring Chase for the Colours Pole Qualifier to determine the front row starters for the Autumn Colours Classic, featuring the OSCAAR Super Late Models, Modifieds and Midgets; along with the home track Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun and Jiffy Lube Mini Stock divisions at Peterborough Speedway.
Feature race action got underway with a 20 lapper for the Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun crew, with Keith Parkes and Chris Tubman on the front row. Tubman grabbed an early lead, with Parkes close behind. Sean Kennedy moved into the 3rd spot with 8 laps complete, as the field worked around the Mount Pleasant Rd. oval. The leaders caught the tail-end of the pack with 14 laps complete and Ryan Oosterholt used the opportunity to put his dog into the fight. A lap 17 yellow flag slowed the pace and created a late race showdown. As the checkered flag waved, Sean Kennedy added another win to his 2017 total, with Parkes, Oosterholt, Jeremy Kelly and Tubman following the No. 9 car across the line.
Gil Brooks and James Townsend brought the Jiffy Lube Mini Stock field to the Great Canadian RV green flag. Townsend – last year’s track champion – jumped-out to an early lead and took control of the event, catching the back of the field with just 6 laps on the board. The rest of the top 5 would close ranks as the leader worked through traffic, but Townsend would never relinquish the lead and celebrated his birthday with a trip to the winner’s circle. Noel Snow and Kevin Strutt followed the leader across the line. Other than a yellow flag for debris before a single lapped had been scored, the 20-lap main event ran caution-free.
Gary Elliott and Mark Gordon paced the OSCAAR Modifieds to the line for a 30-lap feature that would determine the front row for the 25th annual Autumn Colours Classic. Elliott took an early lead, but Luke Gignac was looking for his time at the front. After trying to slip past on the bottom, the No. 99 machine headed for the outside line and ran alongside the leader for a few laps, before a lap 13 caution flag. Gignac took the lead on the restart and had builtup a 10-car length advantage. As Gignac was crossing the line for his second main event win of the year, the 2nd and 3rd place running cars came together, giving those spots to John Harper and Chris Milwain. Cory Horner and Dale Reinhart rounded-out the top 5.
The first OSCAAR Midget feature went to Jordan Hanna, over Daniel Hawn, Rob Summers, Adrian Kemps and Cassidy March. Hawn took round #2, with Hanna, James Stanley, March and Summers completing the top 5. Hanna earned the Autumn Colours Classic pole position with Hawn clinching the outside front row position.
OSCAAR Super Late Model teams ran a pair of 35 lappers. Charlie Gallant taking the opening round, over Tyler Hawn, Kelly Balson, Adrian Foster and Dario Caprichio. Balson led from start to finish in the second round, with Hawn, Caprichio, Passer and Glenn Watson finishing the fast 5. Tyler Hawn will start the Autumn Colours Classic OSCAAR feature from the pole position, with Balson on the outside of the front row.
Feature event results are all unofficial, pending post-race inspection.
Heat race wins went to Jake Kelly, Jeremy Kelly with a pair and Sean Kennedy in the Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun, with Chris Milwain, Gary Elliott, Luke Gignac and Cory Horner taking the same honours in OSCAAR Modified qualifying. Jiffy Lube Mini Stock heats went to Noel Snow, James Townsend with a pair and Gil Brooks.
Peterborough Speedway’s 50th Anniversary Season continues Saturday with the return of the Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup Series. The show will also include the home track Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun, Jiffy Lube Mini Stock, Organics & Glass Late Model divisions; with the Ontario Pro Challenge Series. Pit gates open at 2 p.m., with general admission grandstands unlocked at 5 p.m. The first green flag waves at 6 p.m.