Billy and Jake headed to Kawartha Speedway after a late night of getting the cars ready for the larger half mile track for the Mini Stock Nationals that were part of the OSCAAR Summer Rush Super Late Model event. Both Billy and Jake would take their maiden voyage at the much larger track with 33 cars that arrived to compete for the $500.00 first place purse.
The format for starting positions in the 30 lap feature was based on two heat races for each car and points were received for passing cars throughout each race. Billy and Jake dialed in their cars throughout the practice sessions where the team took lap times on the many cars from across the province to see how they stacked up in comparison with Billy two or three tenths off the fast pace that was shared by at least half a dozen cars. Despite Billy being able to roll through the corners quicker than most, the competition would catch up to him with more horsepower down the straightaways to regain their positions. There were many cars from Capital City and Peterborough Speedways as well as the long distance award going to a racer that arrived from Sault Ste. Marie.
Billy and Jake lined up in the same heat race, with Jake starting 5th and Billy at the back in 11th. Billy gained six positions as he finished 5th and Jake lost just as many to finish 11th. The second heat race was a reverse starting order of the first and Billy started on the pole with Jake 7th. Billy was doing very well maintaining the lead until the #35 came roaring through the field to move by Billy like he was standing still and took over the lead for the win putting Billy 2nd as Jake lost only one position and finished 8th. It was obvious that 12 year old Jake was getting comfortable running the much higher speeds at the larger track as he was holding his own with the seasoned veterans from across the province.
Based on the passing for points system, Billy would start the feature 9th, with Jake near the back of the 33 car field in 28th. At the half way point, it was no surprise to anyone that the #35 was well ahead of the field as the seasoned late model driver that dropped back to the mini stock division had taken the previous night of points racing at sunset Speedway off to work on the gearing and motor requirements of the larger track. Billy had moved up just one position into 8th and it was obvious that the top dozen cars would not exchange many positions throughout the 30 lap feature as they were on a pretty even pace despite the #35 running away from the field. Jake had made his way up to 17th throughout the final half of the race by passing 11 cars, however through the final laps, he would lose three of those positions to finish a very respectable 20th in his first run at the speedway. Although Billy did exchange positions with the #49x multiple times for 8th and 9th, it was the #49x that had the horsepower down the straightaways that would ultimately take the position to put Billy 9th and finish where he started.
Next up for the Spira Team will see Billy head into another double weekend as he starts off at Delaware Speedway on Friday June 6th for the Open 4 Cylinder Championship before heading to Sauble Speedway the following day. Jake and Samantha will be returning to Sunset Speedway on Saturday June 7th as Scott returns to Flamboro Speedway to build on his win from last week.
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RT @OnPitRoad_: Spira Racing Update From June 1, 2014 http://t.co/d8y4NhyZm1