ST: RUTHERFORD CALLS HIS SHOT AS FLAMBORO SEASON GETS UNDERWAY

By Randy Spencer – When you pull on your helmet and strap yourself in, there is one thing all racers have in common. They’re out there to win and everyone feels they will come home with the checkered flag. But Rodney Rutherford made it known that he was going to win the first Flamboro Speedway Enduro of the new season. After coming in second and fourth in the two enduros last year, Rutherford was on a mission for the top prize this time around. Thirty three cars signed in for the 200 lap enduro event as Flamboro Speedway kicked off its 55th season.

Starter Doug MacLean dropped the green and the season was underway. It was a mad dash as the cars began a sprint for the front. Joe DeBoer and Rob Hoskins shared the lead over the first five laps. Mini Stock veteran Mark DaSilva soon made his way to the front and by lap 10 he began to put some room between himself and the rest of the pack. At one point DaSilva led the pack by a half track and eventually began lapping traffic. DaSilva seemed to be the early favorite as he pulled away. However by lap 44 the 01 car started to slow down the back stretch and he pulled to the infield. The 05 car of Pete Reid now was the leader…a position he would keep for the next 80+ laps.

But it wasn’t out for a leisurely drive however. Lapped traffic made it difficult for Reid as well as the aforementioned Rodney Rutherford. The 38 car was glued to bumper of the 05 car and on several occasions made a strong push to steal the lead. But Reid wouldn’t back down and this perhaps was the most exciting part of the entire race day. By lap 80, Reid and Rutherford were the last two remaining cars on the lead lap. They continued to battle hard and by the half way point they were hard at it and half the original starting field had retired for the day.

By lap 127 Rutherford made his move on Reid and took the lead. Rutherford got out to a bit of a lead but Reid and the 87 of Shone Evans were knocking on the 38’s back door. Evans came out of no where and like a rocket was past Rutherford on lap 147. He would hold the lead for six short laps until Reid once again made his way to the front. By lap 157 Reid had a fifteen car length lead. The 81 of Karl Sault, 87 of Shone Evans and 4J of Josh Shantz were right there on Reid’s bumper battling for the lead. Not to be out done however, Rutherford managed to some how find his way back into the mix. Reid was in the lead and Rutherford made his way to the back bumper once again with 25 laps remaining. Reid led for 28 laps but seemed to lose some steam and Rutherford got by with just 20 laps remaining. As the checkered flag flew, Rutherford crossed the line with a fist pump out the window and finally got that elusive enduro win. Pete Reid came in secnd followed by Karl Sault, Shone Evans and Josh Shantz. The 20 lap Figure eight race had just four cars remaining and as the checkers flew on that one the 53 of Chris Rivers came home first followed close in second  by the 6 car of Madeline Mayhew. Congratulations to all the competitors on a great race day!! If this is any indication of the season to come at Flamboro Speedway, it will be a memorable and exciting one for sure.

Make plans to join us for the regular season opening night, this Saturday April 30th at Bennett Chevrolet Flamboro Speedway. Pits open at4pm, Front gates at 5pm and the first green flag flies at 7pm. The Ray’s Towing & Recovery Thunder Cars are joined by the Klotz Auto Repair & Engine Machine Shop Mini Stocks, the Bomb Energy Drink Pro 4 Modifieds and the Pure Stocks. There will also be the ever popular King of the Hill Spectator races at the intermission as well as a Demolition Derby at the end of the race program. In 2 weeks on May 7th, the Grisdale Late Models make their 2016 season debut.

Please keep up to date with all the happenings at the track including the schedule, point standings, rosters and more on the website,www.flamborospeedway.ca

Also follow us on twitter, @flamborospdwy

Photos by Derek Smith of www.racepulse.com

#38 – Rodney Rutherford
#05 – Pete Reid
#81 – KarlSault
#87 – Shone Evans
#4J – Josh Shantz
#0 – Aaron Turley
#71 – Brad Webb
#42L – Leo Labarbera
#43 – Brian Watson
#32 – Gillian Hils
#024 – Bryan Bateson
#06 – Craig Cole
#42 – Joe DeBoer
#30 – Robert Downey
#327 – Trevor Farrington
#93 – Peter Vyn
#14 – Nathan Antsey
#7 – Matt Young
#4 – Jason Coutu
#28 – Mike Jennings
#66 – Benjamin Hage
#37H- Rob Hoskins
#21 – Leandra Urbanek
#16 – Justin Haanstra

#01 – Mark DaSilva
#26 – Tim Nuell
#88 – Blair Mayhew
#24 – Tyler Mayhew
#13 – Bobby Tolton
#49 – Scott McGregor
#15 – Cory Janssens
#53 – Chris Rivers
#317 – Adam Golan

1st – #53 Chris Rivers
2nd – #6 Madeline Mayhew