Angie Rinaldi

May 12, 2013

Under cloudy skies race teams and fans alike braved the frigid temperatures to cheer on the heroes of the 2013 stock car divisions at Brighton Speedway.  The 1/3^rd mile oval was in prime condition for the night of racing. Five divisions took to the surface plus a special appearance from local Southern Ontario Sprint Drivers who offered a teaser to fans in anticipation of next weekend’s Southern Ontario Sprint Car Season Opener.

 The Apex Best Appearing car in each division took a slightly different twist this year.  Driver’s had an opportunity to make their own selection.  From the driver’s picks, the top five cars in each class were presented to the fans, which in turn made their selections known with loud cheers of appreciation.  The Driver Selection for the Stinger Division was #17 Jeff Inia and the Fan Selection was #24 Bella Costick. The Driver Selection for the Comp 4 Division was #97 Courtney Mastin and the Fan Selection was #94 Brady Greer. The Driver Selection for the Pro Stock Division was #72 Doug Anderson and the Fan Selection was #2 Leslie Mowat. The Driver Selection for the Canadian Modified Division was #77 Jason Curlette and the Fan Selection was #87 Andrew Hennessy. The Driver Selection for the Late Model Division was #49 Jason McCory and the Fan Selection was #77 Caley Weese.

The Quinte Septic Stinger Division made their first appearance of the season on week two and it was Steve Wells who drove his #06 Chevy to victory lane ahead of #44 Mike Brooks and 2012 champion Del MacGregor.

Bill’s Johns Comp 4 Division saw a repeat dash to the checkered by #44 Tom Vance who battled his way to the front from deep in the field for the second week in a row.  Vance was followed up by two rookies #08 Josh French and #7 Brandon Gunter.  The 4 cylinder 15 lap feature was action packed with a strong field of 21 cars taking the initial green flag.

The Oilgard Anti Rust Canadian Modified Division went 25 laps and saw no less than five different leaders throughout the contest.  But it was Kraig Handley taking the lead ahead after a fierce battle with #87 Andrew Hennessy ended with Hennessy suffering Mechanical failures.  Handley would be challenged by a number of other drivers in the closing laps including 2012 champion Dan Ferguson and #19 Zeke McKeown and that’s how the three would cross the line with Handley picking his first win of the season.

A 30 Lap feature for the Vanderlaan Building Supplies Pro Late Models was seemed to struggle from the start to get a flow and rhythm going.  A number of cautions slowed the pace of the race and only seemed to make the drivers more anxious.  When the green flag the racing was happening there were a number of battles for the lead between #12 Kyle Sopaz and #09 Mat Vanderlinden.  Sopaz would end up tangling with lapped traffic and spinning off turn 3.  On the next restart #42 Adam Naylor would now challenge Vanderlinden with the two of them making contact with each other.  Naylor would soon after stop on the racing surface with mechanical woes.  Steve Baldwin, the 2012 most improved driver would be next to mix it up at the front.  Baldwin and Vanderlinden would trade places three times on the final lap and coming to the line for his feature win of his late model career was #5 Steve Baldwin with Vanderlinden hot on his heels and followed by #57 Charlie Sandercock who made his way back through the field after being sent tail on lap 6 for contact with another driver.

The final feature of the night, the Brighton Automotive Pro Stock’s saw #72 the Big Smooth Doug Anderson back in victory lane after a rough start to the season in week one.  Anderson came to from his eighth starting spot to pass Rob Perry on lap 15 of the 20 lap event and took the checkers.  Perry would hold on for second with Percy Walsh following him across the line for third.

The action is only getting started at Brighton Speedway and this weekend we welcome back the Sanderson’s Tire & Automotive Southern Ontario Sprint Cars for their first race in the 2013 season.  Rock 107 and NOCO Fuels present the big winged warriors as well as the 3^rd Annual Chili Contest!  Del “Chili”MacGregor is seeking competition to prove for the third year in a row that his Chili is still number one.  We ask that submissions be delivered to Harry’s Place below the Lucas Oil Top Deck by 6PM on Saturday.  Taste testing will happen until intermission when the winner is declared.   Green flag flies at 7:00pm each and every Saturday night, Front Gates open at 5:30pm and Pit Gates open at 4:00pm.  The racing action is underway at Brighton Speedway! Be sure to check www.brightonspeedway.com or visit us on Facebook to see up to date results, points and upcoming information.   You can also purchase your tickets for the June 20^th Excel Tower 50 World of Outlaw Late Model Series race presented by Campbellford Chrysler, JJ Stewart and Dibbits Excavating.  This event is not to be missed if you’re a motorsports fan.  

Photo Tags

1. #91 Kraig Handley battles with #87 Andrew Hennessy to take the checkered flag in the OilGard AntiRust Canadian Modified Division at Brighton Speedway Saturday Night.

2. A hard charge to the finish line saw #5 Steve Baldwin take his first feature flag on dirt at Brighton Speedway on Saturday night.

Brighton Speedway Feature Results

Bill’s Johns Comp 4 5/11/13

Feature: 1. Tom Vance (Stockdale, ON), 2. Josh French (Belleville, On), 3. Brandon Gunter (Stockdale, ON), 4. Kevin Scott (Trenton, ON), 5. Stephen Giza (Trenton, ON),

Brighton Automotive Pro Stock 5/11/13

Feature:1. Doug Anderson (Trenton, ON), 2. Rob Perry (Wooler, ON), 3. Percy Walsh (Trenton, ON), 4. Mitch Rosborough (Picton, ON), 5. Wade Purchase* (Demorestville, ON),

OilGard Canadian Modified 5/11/13

Feature: 1. Kraig Handley (Picton, ON), 2. Dan Ferguson (Bloomfield, ON), 3. Zeke McKeown (Havelock, ON), 4. Ryan Scott (Kingston, ON), 5. Derrick Greig (Carrying Place, ON),

Quinte Septic Stingers 5/11/13

Feature: 1. Steve Wells (Picton, ON), 2. Mike Brooks, 3. Del MacGregor (Brighton, ON), 4. Joe Grabowski (Brighton, ON), 5. Jorden Pickell (Trenton, ON),

Vanderlaans Pro Late Models 5/11/13

Feature: 1. Steve Baldwin (Trenton, ON), 2. Mat Vanderlinden (Trenton, ON) 3. Charlie Sandercock (Belleville, ON) 4. Phil Potts (Frankford, On) 5. Corey Earl (Picton, ON),

Angie Rinaldi May 5, 2013

As the sun shone down upon the Parade of Champions through downtown Brighton, drivers, crews and race fans heralded in a new season of stock car racing at Brighton Speedway.   With only $2.00 in hand and a donation to the Brighton Fare Share Food Bank for admission, the grandstands were packed full of eager racing enthusiasts waiting for the first green flag of the 2013 season to fly.  New facility upgrades were eagerly met, food service in the concessions and souvenir booth providing new options and great memorabilia. 

Brighton Speedways Fab Four Divisions took to the new track surface and the conditions were perfect for opening night as the track was given two thumbs up by all as for many it was their first time on the resurfaced 1/3^rd mile clay oval. 

The Brighton Automotive Pro Stocks were the first feature of the night and in a big upset at the beginning of the night saw technical difficulties with the #72 Big Smooth Doug Anderson, the returning champion was forced to loaded his car after hot laps leaving the door wide open.  #2 Leslie Mowat lead the first half of the race and seemed to be in position to take the first feature of the season leading by a full straight away over #23 Rob Perry, Mowat however would get caught up with a lapped car exiting the track and leaving the door wide open for Perry to take the lead going into turn 3.  Mowat would recover for second but had nothing for Perry after that while she had her hands full holding off third place runner #83 Jay O’Hara.  That’s how they would finish as Perry picked up the first feature of the season followed by Mowat and O’Hara.

The Oilgard Anti Rust Canadian Modified Division was up next and it was 2012 champion #11 Dan Ferguson who jumped out to the early lead.  Ferguson would soon be passed on the outside by #19 Zeke McKeown.  McKeown would hold down the lead until a lap 20 restart when Kingston native #33 Ryan Scott would pull up alongside McKeown.  A series of quick cautions would have the two drivers battle it out on the restarts with great side by side racing until finally Scott would pull away on the outside on lap 22.  Lap 23 saw McKeown lose power while racing up the back shoot opening the door for Ferguson to move back into second well #84 Wally Alderdice would pull up third.  Scott would hold on the final two circuits to take home the checker flag. 

Vanderlaan Building Supplies Pro Late Model Division lined up to for their 30 lap feature and off the initial green it was #25 Greg Belyea taking the early lead followed by #29 Phill Potts.  Potts would take over the top spot on lap 7 however 2012 champion #11 Corey Earl was closing in fast.  Earl and Potts would battle side by side for a number of laps till earl was able to assume he lead on lap 18.  Earl would open up a three car lead but the action was heated behind him as #97 Dave MacDonald, #57 Charlie Sandercock and #5 Steve Baldwin were all in the mix with Potts for second.  MacDonald would take second and Sandercock edged Potts by a bumper coming off the final turn for the final podium spot.

Bill’s Johns Comp 4 Division was the final feature of the night and it didn’t take long for the dynamic duo of #43 Tom Vance and #44 of Bandon Wilke to pick up where they left off last season.  Both were competitive from the green flag and they finished one / two respectively.  #94 Brady Greer finished third while rookie Josh French fininished forth.

Be sure to get your seat early this Saturday as PartSource presents Dollar Dog Night plus all five divisions will be on tap.  The Quinte Septic Stingers will hit the track for their inaugural visit in 2013 and ABC Taxi presents race one of the Comp 4 Triple Crown Series. Green flag flies at 7:00pm each and every Saturday night, Front Gates open at 5:30pm and Pit Gates open at 4:00pm.  The racing action is underway at Brighton Speedway! Be sure to check www.brightonspeedway.com or visit us on Facebook to see up to date results, points and upcoming information.   You can also purchase your tickets for the June 20^th Excel Tower 50 World of Outlaw Late Model Series race presented by Campbellford Chrysler, JJ Stewart and Dibbits Excavating.  This event is not to be missed if you’re a motorsports fan.  

Results May 4, 2013

Oilgard Canadian Modified

Feature: 1. Ryan Scott (Kingston, ON), 2. Dan Ferguson (Bloomfield, ON), 3. Wally Alderdice (Wooler, ON),  4. Warren Mowat (Trenton, ON), 5. Mike Lucas (Belleville, ON),

Bill’s Johns Comp 4

Feature: 1. Tom Vance (Stockdale, ON), 2. Brandon Wilkie (Trenton, ON), 3. Brady Greer (Wellington, ON), 4. Josh French (Belleville, On),  5. Brandon Gunter (Stockdale, ON),

Brighton Automotive Pro Stock

Feature: 1. Rob Perry (Wooler, ON), 2. Leslie Mowat (Trenton, ON), 3. Jay O’Hara (Brighton, ON), 4. Mitch Rosborough (Picton, ON), 5. Todd MacDonald (Shannonville, ON),

Vanderlaans Building Supplies Pro Late Models 5/04/13

Feature: 1. Corey Earl (Picton, ON), 2. David McDonald (Brighton, ON), 3. Charlie Sandercock (Belleville, ON), 4. Phil Potts (Frankford, On),  5. Steve Baldwin (Trenton, ON),

Photo Tags

1. 1.       #33 Ryan Scott of Kingston lead the OilGard Antirust Canadian Modified Division to the checkered flag during the Monster Energy Season Opener at Brighton Speedway on Saturday night.

1. 2.       Returning Champion of the Vanderlaan Building Supplies Pro Late Model Division, #11 Corey Earl grabbed his first double win of the 2013 season at Brighton Speedway to kick of the new season of stock car racing on the 1/3^rd mile clay oval.

 “There are things we hear and see throughout the year that help us plan every event on the schedule,” said Rinaldi.  “Social media sites like Facebook and Twitter are valuable resources in putting together the racing agenda.  We can also tell what people want to see by looking at what they’re wearing.  If you see a large number of people in t-shirts they’ve picked-up at another track’s special event, then we need to look at doing what we can to bring those series to Brighton Speedway.  Racing fans are very loyal and love seeing big names on the homefront stage.”

 The first special event on the 2013 schedule is the inaugural Brightonappearance for the World of Outlaws Late Model Tour – Thursday, June 20^th.  The Excel Tower Service 50, presented by Dibbits Excavating, Campbellford Chrysler and J.J. Stewart Motors will see the tour’s biggest names like former series champion Tim McCreadie, Rick Eckert, Chub Frank and others tackle Greg Belyea, Caley Weese, Adam Turner and more of the local favourites for a whopping $10,000.00 winner’s payoff.

 “On most tracks, the touring stars might hold an advantage, but the 1/3^rd mile layout here gives our Crate Late Models a fighting chance in the big dance,” said Rinaldi.  “As a promoter, you’re not supposed to have any favourites, but I think it would be great to see one of our regulars take home the big cheque and event trophy.”

 Extra grandstands are being brought in for the Thursday, June 20^th World of Outlaws Late Model event – also featuring the Bill’s Johns Comp 4 and OilGARD Anti Rust Canadian Modified divisions – with advance tickets still available.  Visit www.brightonspeedway.com or call 866.681.1102 for details.

 Saturday Night Scrapbook:  The Southern Ontario Sprint Car Series makes 6 stops at Brighton Speedway – including Saturday and Sunday, August 31^st and September 1^st for the Bellevue Fabricating Labour Day Classic Weekend – in 2013…Pro Late Model teams will fight for a $ 5,000.00 payday in the 3^rd running of the Great Crate Race – presented by McDougall Insurance and Financial – Saturday, September 7^th…The Cool 100.1 Applefest Shootout includes the DIRTcar Sportsman Modifieds Friday, September 20^th and the 100 lap Mr. DIRTcar Championship Trail event for 358 Modifieds Saturday, September 21^st.

 The 2013 campaign takes the green flag – following a parade through the downtown core – Saturday, May 4^th.  Follow Brighton Speedway on Facebook and Twitter and look to www.brightonspeedway.com for the latest news and schedule updates.

Photo attachment:  World of Outlaws Late Model Series archive

Watertown, New York’s Tim McCreadie – a former World of Outlaws Late Model Series champion – will be in the field as the tour rolls into Brighton Speedway for the Excel Tower Service 50 Thursday, June 20^th.

City                          Stockdale                Province       On

Years Racing             1 year

Sponsors             Falcon Environmental Services, Doug’s Auto Glass, Dimitri’s Pizzeria and  Restaurant, P and D North Automotive,                        Stan’s Little Shop of Stitches, Spelmer Chrysler, Cooney Excavating

Race year        2012       Feature wins       2      Qualifier wins       7      Top 5 feature finishes     12

This is the inaugural year for the show and already space has filled up quickly. Included to the exhibitors list are Brighton Speedway, Ohsweken Speedway, Canadian Tire Motorsports Park as well as the OSCAAR Outlaw Super Late Models and Modifieds series and one of their strongest supporters, Knightworks Design.

A good cross section of race cars will be on hand including Amanda Connolly and Kelly Balson who will both have their 2013 stock cars on display and will be helping to promote the upcoming season at Peterborough Speedway. From the OSCAAR ranks, 2012 Super Late Model Champion Brandon Watson will have his #9 on display. Brandon Bullens will be representing the OSCAAR Modifieds.

For dirt track racing fans the #11 Sprint Car of Jamie Turner will be on display along side the Ohsweken Speedway booth. There fans can pick up their 2013 pocket schedules, poster and calendars and learn more about reserved seating for the upcoming Northern Summer Nationals and World of Outlaws Sprint Car events that will feature three-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart.  The #25 DIRTcar Pro Late Model of Greg Belyea will also be on hand to help promote the first ever World of Outlaws Late Model Series event at Brighton Speedway this June.

Also in attendance will be ImageFactor.ca Motorsport Designs & Photos. The designers and operators of www.OntarioOval.com will have a booth featuring all of their design services available to the motorsports market including websites, autograph cards and many other promotional products. They will be a part of the ‘dirt section’ of the show and will be announcing some new and exciting news to the Ontario dirt scene during the weekend.

The Fast & Furious Motorsports Show runs from 10am to 7pm on Saturday, April 6^th and from 10am to 4pm on Sunday, April 7^th. Admission is just $5 per person while children 12 and under are free. There will be plenty of things to see for all motorsports enthusiasts from stock cars to motorcycles and everything in between. For directions and exhibitor information visit www.durhamfastandfurious.com.

STOP BY THE BRIGHTON SPEEDWAY DISPLAY TO PURCHASE YYOUR TICKETS TO THE JUNE 20TH WoO LATE MODEL EVENT AND SAVE THE ADMINISTRATION FEES!

It all starts on Saturday, May 4^th when the stars and cars of the upcoming season at Brighton Speedway will hit the streets of downtown Brighton for the Parade of Champions in support of the Brighton Fare Share Food Bank.  The Parade of Stock Cars will begin at 3:00 PM and the cars will head right from the streets to the DIRT for the Monster Energy Drinks Season Opener where admission is just $2.00 in exchange for a donation to the food bank.

The month of May will also see the first visit of the Sanderson’s Tire and Automotive Southern Ontario Sprint Cars on the Victoria Day long weekend, Saturday May 18^th.  This event will mark the season opener for the SOS , the beginning of the 18^th season for Ontario’s fastest oval racers.  The SOS  will visit Brighton Speedway a total of 6 times in 2013; May 18^th, June 8^th, July 12^th, August 10^th and then they will return for the 11^th running of the Labour Day Classic Weekend where they will battle for two days, Saturday, August 31^st and Sunday, September 1^st to settle the SOS points Championship.

The Month of June will be highlighted with visits from the Eastern Ontario Vintage Stock Car Club on June 1^st, the Southern Ontario Sprints and the first appearance by the Workman Auto Repair School Bus races.  June will also see the first Hotch’s Auto Parts Enduro with the annual Father’s Day 100 lap Endurance race.  The event that has everyone talking for 2013 is the World of Outlaw Late Models as they make their first visit to Brighton Speedway in what is sure to be a historic event.  Tickets for this event are already on sale and have been selling at a rapid pace for this sure to be a sellout event.  June will close out with our midseason Canada Day Championships on Saturday June 29^th featuring time trials, extra distance races for all classes and a huge fireworks display presented by Mystical Distributing.

Just as the weather heats up in July so will the racing with once again visits from the Eastern Ontario Vintage Stock Car Club and Southern Ontario Sprints.  July 6^th also marks the first appearance of Brighton Speedway’s ever popular Gord’s Water Vantastics, minivan races!  Saturday July 27^th heralds the return of the Adecco Summer Smash Monster Truck Show featuring Aftershock and Krazy Train!  Last year the two trucks thrilled fans and had them standing on their feet as they smashed and crashed their way all over the speedway.

August is when the racing gets serious and the point’s championship battles are in full swing.  Contenders will start to emerge from the pack and racing becomes intense.   Sprint Cars and Vantastics both have events in August as well as the debut of the BSP Kart Klub.  The BSP Kart Klub will be putting on a demonstration on Saturday, August 24^th demonstrating to fans, drivers and kids what they can look forward to on Thursday nights in 2014.  The Canadian National Autism Foundation “Kids Race” will take place on Saturday August 17^th raising funds and awareness for Autism.

September is traditionally a huge month of racing at Brighton Speedway with must see racing events and that doesn’t change in 2013.  The month actually starts on August 31^st with night one of the 11^th annual Bellevue Fabrication Labour Day Classic weekend.  SOS Sprint Cars highlight the Saturday night events.  Sunday at 1pm is the annual Labour Day Tail Gate party with race car show and shine, Back Yard Bouncers fun for kids, lawn mower tractor pulls and many more fun events.  At 6pm on Labour Day Sunday the 1/3^rd mile oval will come to life again for night two and the SOS Points Championship race.  Also Sunday night it is the topless around the oval night for the Vanderlaan’s Building Supplies Late Models and a Special Topless Dash for the Sprint Cars at the end of the night.  The night will be topped off by a huge Mystical Distributing fireworks show!

The action doesn’t stop after Labour Day as we come right back the next week Saturday, September 7^th with the John’s Equipment Danny Reid Memorial for Modifieds and the 3^rd Annual McDougall Insurance and Financial $5,000.00 to win Great Crate Race which will once again be part of the Go Nuclear Late Model Series. Last year both events drew record car counts on the rain date Sunday so this season we will be looking to increase those numbers again.  The future of Brighton Speedway hits the track again Saturday, September 14^th as the kids of the BSP Kart Klub come out for the second time as well the Gord’s Water Vantastics.

Returning again in 2013 is the 9^th Annual Cool 100 Applefest Shootout Weekend on Friday, September 20^th and Saturday, September 21^st.  The event draws racers in all divisions from all over Ontario, Quebec and upstate New York.  Friday will feature a 35 lap DIRTcar Sportsman Tour Race with the Ford Dingwall Memorial Vintage Car Race.   Saturday will mark the return of the mighty 358 DIRTcar Modifieds in a 100 Lap Shootout DIRTcar 358 Modified Series Race.  Saturday will also host the return of the Mod Lites to Brighton Speedway after taking 2012 off.  This year’s event is the TUSA Canadian Nationals event which is expected to see drivers from Ontario, Quebec, New York, and maybe even as far away as Ohio and Delaware.  Saturday night is also the final event in the Brighton Speedway / Merrittville Speedway Duel in the Dirt which pits the best Street Stock Drivers from both sides of the province against each other in a season long championship that will see a winner crowned.   This is one of the biggest racing events in Ontario and is a must see weekend with record car counts in pretty much every style of race car on DIRT with none stop action all weekend long.

The season will again close out with the annual Eve of Destruction Sunday, September 28^th.  The event has grown in the past few years and this season will host the 2^nd event for the 2013 Workman Auto Repair Bus Races along with the Hotch’s Auto Parts Monster Enduro, the Trailer Race made famous on the Rick Mercer show, The Gauntlet, The Brighton Recycling Demo Derby and much more.  Promoter Mark Rinaldi has a saying that he used when describing these events “We are going to wreck stuff all day long” and it has surely stood up true in the first three running’s of these events.

“We are excited to present such an action packed and well-rounded entertaining schedule for our fans and drivers” says Rinaldi “2013 is shaping up to be the biggest year yet and we can’t wait to get started”.   The complete schedule of events can be found at www.brightonspeedway.com or can be picked up in person from local merchants or at one of the many upcoming cars shows.  Brighton Speedway will be attending the Frontenac Mall Show in Kingston from March 21^st through March 23^rd.  From there we head to the Bowmanville Fast and Furious Show on April 5^th through April 7^th.  The Quinte Mall Display will begin on Monday, April 15^th through Sunday, April 21^st.

City                        Carrying Place        Province       On

Years Racing              8 years: Canadian Modified (3), Pure Stock  (3) , Pro Stock (1), Comp 4 (1)

Sponsors                     Cormier’s Auto Recycling, Momma’s Diner, Tri-County Plastics. A.C.   Grinding

Pit Crew                      Willard, Peter, Jason, Ron, Leslie, Darlene, Patsy

Career Highlights      Pure Stock champion 2009; Comp 4 champion 2011, Faster lap 2003

Goals                         Defend Title

Race year        2012       Feature wins      1      Top 5 feature finishes       5         Season finish     15th

Race year        2011       Feature wins     6     Top 5 feature finishes       15

Race year        2011       Feature wins                Top 5 feature finishes         2

Race year        2012       Feature wins                 Top 5 feature finishes        4