Sportsmen series welcomes Blenkhorn as new sponsor

TRURO - For Stewiackebased race car driver Garth Bezanson, June 4 can’t come soon enough.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” he said of the first race in the inaugural season for the Auto World Maritime Allstar Sportsmen Series.

The race will be the R & D Performancecentre 75 and will take place at the Lake Doucette Motor Speedway in Digby. It’s followed by six more races throughout the summer, including three at Riverside International Speedway in James River, Antigonish County (July 22, Aug. 20, and Sept. 10), and one each at the Centre for Speed in Shediac, New Brunswick (July 2), Scotia Speedworld in Halifax (July 16) and Sydney Speedway on Aug. 6.

Bezanson has raced in the mini-stock series in the past and drove in the hot rod vintage series last year. This will be his first season in the highcalibre sportsmen series.

“I figured I might as well make the jump,” he said, adding he became involved in racing following in his brother’s footstep.

“I always built his cars and worked on them,” he said.

Bezanson said his Number 82 car will be sponsored by his own developing business - Hilltop Auto and Custom Works – which is in Stewiacke.

“A little venture I’m starting come the springtime too,” he said, adding Scott Fraser Racing (SFR) is another car sponsor.

“Frank Fraser is helping me. It (the car he’ll race) is one of the cars they built. Frank drives, builds, does it all, and to me, there is no better car out there than a Fraser-built car. I’m just so thankful I lucked into the deal to drive this one.”

SERIES SPONSOR

Truro business Auto World was announced as the series sponsor late last month. Owner Dylan Blenkhorn, one of the most successful and recognizable car racing athletes in the Maritimes, said they’re excited to sponsor the new series.

“It’s good to give back to the racing community that we’ve been a part of for so many years,” he said. “We wish the series and its racers much success.”

Blenkhorn said he has known series owner Craig Mcfetridge for many years.

“I used to drive his race car,” he said. “He had a sportsmen car, same series as this, and I drove for him a few times.”

Blenkhorn said he’ll drive “part-time” in the Pro Stock Tour this season.

“So this (seeing the new series begin) is another thing to look forward to this summer,” he said.

As for how business has been at their Robie Street location, Blenkhorn said it has been stronger than ever.

“Everyone has been run off their feet,” he said. “The car industry never really took a hit with COVID.”

Bezanson said with people like Mcfetridge and Blenkhorn behind the series, it’s starting in a pole position.

“What Craig Mcfetridge has been able to build in such a short time is amazing,” he said. “And having Dylan come on with the tour, I think it’s great. When you think of racing in the Maritimes nowadays, it’s (Cole) Butcher and (Dylan) Blenkhorn. Those are the two guys. It’s only a matter of which one are you going to cheer for.

“Dylan is a smart businessman and one hell of a driver.”

ELEVATING THE CLASS

A release regarding the inaugural season states the goal of the series is to, “enhance the sportsmen class in the region by providing a platform for sportsmen racers to test their talents at different venues and against different drivers throughout the Maritimes.”

Along with the previously mentioned R& D Performance centre, race sponsors include Morse Industrial, Master Group, Robby’s Towing, and NAPA Auto Parts/ Henry’s Auto Pro.

“We’re overwhelmed with the support we’ve received for this series to date,” Mcfetridge said. “From the tracks to the racers to the sponsors and the fans, we’re very grateful. It should be an exciting season.”

For more on the series, visit Maritimeallstars.ca or visit its Facebook page.