From Spira Racing – Both Sunset & Flamboro Speedways cancelled Saturdays events due to rain, however Sunset rescheduled theirs for the following day, so the team spent some time cleaning up the shop and taking pictures of Rick Schwartzenburg’s car that they have been working on for the last 6 weeks. Rick’s car will be featured at the Hope and the City event that will be taking place in Guelph on May 15th, at the Italian Canadian Club. For more information on the event, to purchase tickets or to make a donation, copy and past the following into your browser. http://convio.cancer.ca/site/Calendar?id=106501&view=Detail
Sunshine greeted the three car team as Samantha, Billy and Jake arrived at Sunset Speedway for the 35 lap invitational and opening event of the season at the speedway. Scott remained behind as he was attending his grandfather, Merv Colling’s 75th birthday that the team was also to attend, however had to miss due to the rescheduled race. On behalf of the entire Spira Race Team and our families, we wish Merv a very happy 75th and wish that we could have attended this milestone in his life.
All three cars had three practice sessions and minor adjustments were made throughout with Jake in the #88 having the most serious issue with a push condition in the centre of the corners. There were three heat races dividing up the over 38 cars in attendance and all three team cars were in the same heat with Billy starting 2nd, Samantha 4th, and Jake in 6th. The top seven cars would qualify for the feature and the balance would run in a last chance race to complete the starting order of the field. Billy and Samantha dropped back a position each to finish 3rd and 5th, while Jake remained in 6th seeing all three Lucas Oil sponsored cars qualifying into the main event.
Billy lined up the #86 to start 8th in the feature, followed by Samantha in 13th and Jake in 16th. There was only one caution on the 3rd lap and then it went caution free to the checkered flag. All three cars finished without a scratch, Billy crossed the line in a side by side battle and was scored 7th, followed by Samantha, who had a great race, gaining 5 positions and finished 9th. Jake only lost one position throughout the feature and finished 17th, while driving a car that picked up a bad push in the centre of the corners. Overall, it was a great day despite the very cold temperature that kept the surprisingly large crowd, many drivers and their teams bundled up in their winter clothing with most huddling under blankets.
Next up for the Spira Team will see all four team cars at Sunset Speedway on Saturday May 10th. Pit gates open at 1:00pm and racing is scheduled to begin at 5:00pm.
