Norris Family, Wilkie and Thomson Play Sweeper at Flamboro Speedway

MILLGROVE, Ontario --- The rain may have delayed the show slightly at Flamboro Speedway, but it did not damper the racing that witnessed by the fans in attendance on Saturday night.

Ontario Pro Challenge

Tim Norris led all 25 laps en route to winning the first feature in front of his son Mike Norris, Travis Majuery, Byran Stevanus, and Emma Norris. Ty Riopelle was sixth ahead of Jay Linde, Tenli Pepin, and Sterling Hattin. Ethan Fleet failed to finish, while Mike O’Connell did not take the green flag.

Mike Norris took the lead in the second race to score the win, as the Norris family swept the podium with Tim and Emma following. Bryan Stevanus and Ty Riopelle completed the top-five ahead of Travis Majuery. Sterling Hattin and Tenli Pepin failed finish, while Ethan Fleet, Mike O’Connell, and Jay Linde did not take the green flag.

Pro Late Models

Billy Schwartzenburg returned to victory lane in the first feature, pacing all 30 laps in front of rookie Spira Racing teammate Cole Quinton. Tyler Di Venanzo scored a career-best third ahead of Kevin Albers and Jake Gilbert. J.R. Fitzpatrick was sixth, followed by Billy Zardo, Ty Cavallin, Bill Pearsall, and David Gallinger. Logan White failed to finish.

J.R. Fitzpatrick wasn’t about to spend the night with a checkered flag in hand, leading all the laps in the second race in front of Ty Cavallin, Jake Gilbert, Cole Quinton, and Logan White. Bill Pearsall was sixth ahead of Kevin Albers, David Gallinger, Billy Schwartzenburg, and Billy Zardo. Tyler Di Venanzo did not take the green flag.

Super Stocks

Roy Wilkie took the lead on Lap 6 to win the first Super Stock feature in front of Nick Troback, Kelsey Lamont, Cole Borrows. The finishing order repeated itself for the second 15-lap affair, with Wilkie securing the top spot on Lap 5 this time around.

Mini Stocks

Mike Thomson led all 20 laps en route to winning the first feature ahead of Shawn Taylor, Mike Gilmour, Dale Millard, and Tyler Lewis. Kaitlyn Wallace looked to find consistency with a sixth in front of Michael Kenny, Mike Hooper, Mark Grieve, and Nikki King.

Mike Thomson went for the daily double once again this season, taking the lead with four laps to go to win, followed by Shawn Taylor, Tyler Lewis, Dale Millard, and Mike Gilmour. Kaitlyn Wallace was sixth once again, ahead of Mike Hooper, Mark Grieve, and Nikki King. Michael Kenny failed to finish following an incident in the opening laps.

Pure Stocks

Cam Thomson put himself out front with seven laps to go to win the first feature, following a battle with Brady Cox. Phil Givens completed the podium in front of Jordan Willms and Spencer Riddell. Alex Stewart put together one of his best runs of 2023 in sixth ahead of Mark Allan, Chase Mitchell, Chris Pendlebury, and Leo Labarbera. Chance Rogers was 11th, followed by Jeff Kells, Nicole Givens, and Owen Booker. Teagan Ellis failed to finish.

Taking advantage of the invert, Jordan Willms took the lead on Lap 4 and did not look back en route to his first win of the season in front of Phil Givens, Leo Labarbera, Brady Cox, and Spencer Riddell. Chase Mitchell put together a season-best sixth ahead of Alex Stewart, Chance Rogers, Mark Allan, and Owen Booker. Nicole Givens was 11th, while Cam Thomson and Chris Pendlebury failed to finish. Teagan Ellis and Jeff Kells did not take the green flag.

Thanks to Derek Smith (http://www.racepulse.com), Peter Anderson (pandersonphotos@gmail.com), and Zoompics.com for their images of the racing action each week.

Thanks to Ingrid Hartman for filming each week. Be sure to check out her videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/petalpower51/videos.

The next event at Flamboro Speedway is taking place on Saturday, July 1 with the Ontario Modified Racing Series in attendance, as Chad Strawn looks to make it two wins in a row. Of course, there are also conversations about the Mini Stock and Bone Stock invitationals that will be taking place, paying out $500 with 40-laps the distance. They will be joined by Canadian Vintage Modifieds, Super Stocks, and Southern Ontario Modified Association.

Be sure to keep up with the latest by checking out Flamboro Speedway’s website at http://www.flamborospeedway.ca. You can also keep up via your favorite social networking website by following the speedway on Twitter at https://twitter.com/FlamboroSpdwy and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/flamborospeedway. Fans are encouraged to like the speedway’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Flamboro-Speedway-Authorized-Page-102328664646735/.

Race Report By: Ashley McCubbin

Jeff Blackburn Finds Victory Lane in Flamboro Speedway Season Opener

MILLGROVE, Ontario --- From great battles on the track, to some wild incidents that may have taken your breath away, there was a bit of everything at Flamboro Speedway for the opening night of the 2023 season.

As it has become customary over the past couple years, the Qwick Wick T.Q. Can-Am Midgets were on-hand to kick off their campaign.

2021 series champion Jeff Blackburn won the first heat ahead of Andrew Whelan, Jr Farrelly, James Stanley, Mike Westwood, Bob Bailey, and Jody Bound, with Sherri Hogan failing to finish.

Defending titlist Cory Whittam was victorious in the second qualifier followed by Daniel Hawn, Dominique Smith, David Miller, Jaden Riddell, Robert Pollillo, and Paul Jorgensen.

The heat victory saw Blackburn start mid-pack, but that did not slow him down on route to victory. He wasted no time breaking into the top-five, doing so with just six laps on the board. He continued to work his way forward, taking the lead on Lap 10. He then led the rest of the way to win in front of Daniel Hawn, David Miller, James Stanley, and Jr Farrelly. Bob Bailey put together one of his most impressive runs in sixth, followed by Jody Bound.

Unfortunately, several drivers ran into issues throughout the event. Mike Westwood was the first to not finish due to a mechanical failure in the closing stages. Andrew Whelan went for a wild ride, tipping his car off following contact off of turn four with the outside wall. Cory Whittam, Jaden Riddell, and Sherri Hogan also did not go un-scaved, with continuous incidents taking out competitors. Robert Pollillo perhaps scared the fans the most, making contact with the turn four wall, before flipping over a couple times. Dominique Smith, Paul Jorgensen, and Craig Pitchell also did not take the checkered flag.

Thankfully, despite the multiple incidents throughout, all drivers were okay and able to walk away.

Feature Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F591pbpSH8s

Pro Late Models

The team of J.R. Fitzpatrick and Chris Howse proved to be dangerous for the competition last season, as evident by the pair winning a Grisdale Triple Crown Championship together. They have now decided to chase a track title, and it started off in the best way possible.

The 2022 APC Auto Parts United Late Model Series Champion led flag-to-flag en route to victory, in front of Blair Wickett, Rick Spencer-Walt, Kevin Albers, and TY Cavallin. Billy Schwartzenburg made his way forward a couple positions to place sixth, followed by Rick Burbridge, Cole Quinton, Shawn Chenoweth, and Logan White. David Gallinger rounded out the field

The invert for the second feature played into Shawn Chenoweth’s hands, as he led all 30 laps en route to victory ahead of Rick Burbridge, J.R. Fitzpatrick, Kevin Albers, and Blair Wickett. The second feature saw Rick Spencer-Walt struggle a little to make his way through traffic to place sixth, followed by Billy Schwartzenburg, Ty Cavallin, Cole Quinton, and Logan White. David Gallinger rounded out the field.

Second Feature Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dqN7MP7R08

Ontario Pro Challenge Series

The father-son duo dominated the headlines last year as fans watched Mike and Tim Norris duke it out for the championship. It may be new season, same verse if the first race of the year is any indication.

Mike Norris beat his father Tim to win the first feature, taking the lead with eight laps to go en route to victory. Bryan Stevanus was third, with Ethan Fleet and Nolan Quinton rounding out the top-five. Emma Norris continued to show progress in her ability with a sixth, followed by Travis Majeury, Mike O’Connell, Sterling Hattin, and Jay Linde. Ty Riopelle and Tenli Pepin rounded out the field.

Tim Norris kept it in the family, though, holding the lead from Lap 8 on to pick up a checkered flag of his own. Mike Norris was second in front of Travis Majuery, Bryan Stevanus, and Emma Norris. Ethan Fleet kept the momentum rolling with a sixth, followed by Mike O’Connell, Sterling Hattin, Jay Linde, and Ty Riopelle. Nolan Quinton was 11th, while Tenli Pepin failed to finish.

Second Feature Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2Rf549M470

Pure Stocks

It seems no matter the track they attend, BT Racing has proven to be a threat for the victory. They followed up their top-five’s on Friday night at Delaware Speedway with Wayde Thorne winning the first feature on Saturday night.

The veteran battled his way to the front after starting eighth, breaking into the top-five with 10 laps on the board, before taking the lead with two laps to go for the checkered flag. David Rockwood showed his veteran knowledge for a second in front of Cameron Thomson, Andy Wheller, and Mike Etsel. Spencer Riddell’s return to the division continued with a sixth, ahead of Leo Labarbera, Brady Cox, Chance Rogers, and Mark Allan.

Austin Ellis began his full-time campaign at Flamboro in 11th, followed by Paul Huskins, Rodney Rutherford, Teegan Ellis, Dan Cormier, Reece Bourgeois, Alex Stewart, Brian Gamble, Jordan Fidler, and Nicole Givens. Daphne Sullivan failed to take the green flag.

The second feature is what dreams are made of, or storybooks for that matter. For the first time in five years, Andy Wheller got to hear the cheers of the fans in feature victory lane with a victory to call his own. The veteran wasted no time getting to the front, dominating the 20-lap affair. Spencer Riddell put together one of his most impressive runs with a runner-up, followed by Leo Labarbera, Austin Ellis, and Teegan Ellis. Wayde Thorne drove through the field to place sixth ahead of Brady Cox, Cameron Thomson, Nicole Givens, and Reece Bourgeois.

Mark Allan was 11th in front of Chance Rogers, Dan Cormier, Mike Etsell, Paul Huskins, Daphne Sullivan, Jordan Fidler and Owen Booker. A pair of incidents saw Alex Stewart and David Rockwood fail to finish the event. Rodney Rutherford did not take the green flag.

First Feature Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-Sk0_rWQhA

Second Feature Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iykR7RA3Sc

Thanks to Derek Smith (http://www.racepulse.com), Peter Anderson (pandersonphotos@gmail.com), and Zoompics.com for their images of the racing action each week.

Thanks to Ingrid Hartman for filming each week. Be sure to check out her videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/petalpower51/videos.

The next event at Flamboro Speedway is taking place on Saturday, May 20, sponsored by Klotz Auto Repair & Engine Machine Shop. It will showcase the season opener for the Canadian Vintage Modifieds, with their Hank Frank Memorial. The action will also include the Super Stocks, Mini Stocks, Pure Stocks, SOMA Modifieds, and Spectactor Drags. The pit gates will open at 4pm, followed by the front gate at 5pm, with racing kicking off at 6pm.

It will be a busy weekend, as the track celebrates Victoria Day weekend in style with the Spring Fever 150 Enduro set for Monday, May 22. The Mini Stocks and Pure Stocks will also be on-hand for special features. The pit gates will open at noon, followed by the front gate at 3pm, with racing kicking off at 4pm.

Be sure to keep up with the latest by checking out Flamboro Speedway’s website at http://www.flamborospeedway.ca. You can also keep up via your favorite social networking website by following the speedway on Twitter at https://twitter.com/FlamboroSpdwy and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/flamborospeedway. Fans are encouraged to like the speedway’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Flamboro-Speedway-Authorized-Page-102328664646735/.

Race Report By: Ashley McCubbin

2021 Flamboro Speedway Pure Stocks Rundown

MILLGROVE, Ontario --- With the 2022 campaign in the books, Flamboro Speedway is getting ready for their next big event, which is the 2021 / 2022 Banquet. Held Rockton Agricultural Society @ the Rockton Fairgrounds (812 Old Highway 8, Rockton, ON L0R 1X0), the event will celebrate the accomplishments of Flamboro Speedway’s drivers from both the 2021 season and 2022 season.

The night will feature laughs, jokes, award presentations, and a dinner beginning at 5:30 pm sharp with cocktails at 4pm. Those looking to attend the event are welcome to contact John Casale at 905-659-3042 to purchase your tickets.

As we prepare for the banquet, let’s take a glance back at the success our drivers have had the past two seasons in each of our divisions, beginning with the Pure Stocks.

11. Dale Lucas

A veteran of the division, Dale Lucas put together a consistent season racing against his son Kyle Lucas. Although he was unable to reach victory lane as he would’ve hoped, he scored seven top-10 finishes, including a season-best fifth on August 21, 2021.

10. Alex Stewart

A rookie in the division, Alex Stewart showed he was very capable of becoming a contender in season’s to come. He showed improvement on a weekly basis despite battling some issues, ultimately scoring a pair of top-10’s with a season-best ninth on August 7, 2021.

9. Spencer Riddell

Another newer face in the division, Spencer Riddell struggled the first couple weeks, but was able to find his groove and move up the running order as the year went on. He scored seven top-10’s, including a season-best sixth on two occasions.

8. Rick VanKleef

With family racing, it only made sense for Rick VanKleef to join them behind the wheel – but it did not start out as he would have hoped. After scoring nine straight finishes outside of the top-10 to kick off 2021, he turned it around with three top-10’s including a fourth on August 21.

7. Megan Mitchell / Chase Mitchell

The Mitchell siblings decided to follow in their family’s footsteps, and take a shot of racing of their own by sharing an entry for their debut season. Megan showed a lot of progress throughout the year with three top-10’s, including her own moment of glory on July 31. Starting on the pole, she led all 30 laps en route to scoring her first career feature victory. Chase, meanwhile, showed speed of his own with six top-10’s, including a fourth on July 3.

6. Leo Labarbera / Mark Thorne

Both Leo Labarbera and Mark Thorne are no strangers to the Pure Stock division, and that showed in 2021 when they shared a ride together in impressive style. Labarbera backed up his previous division title with eight top-10’s, including a pair of top-five’s. Thorne equaled those numbers in the events he competed in, with seven top-10’s, including three top-five’s.

5. Kyle Lucas

A threat to win races on a weekly basis, Kyle Lucas ran up front on a weekly basis for an average finish of 5.88235. Although unable to reach victory lane, he scored 10 top-five’s and 17 top-10’s in 2021.

4. Scott Tonelli

A newer face to racing, Scott Tonelli proved he could get the job done despite being surrounded by years of experience on-track. He also failed to reach victory lane, but should not hang his head on the year put together with four top-five’s and 15 top-10’s.

3. Matt Langford / Kris Lawrence

Whenever a BT Racing member pulls into a race track, you immediately have to consider them a threat for victory. That was no different when everyone saw Matt Langford and Kris Lawrence competing in 2021. Lawrence found himself climbing the fence on two occasions with a pair of victories, alongside six top-five’s and seven top-10’s for an average finish of 4.5. Langford held his own, scoring five top-five’s and seven top-10’s.

2. Reece Bourgeois

After her racing career started with a significant accident, Reece Bourgeois has not slowed down ever since, putting together a breakout campaign in 2021 that put everyone on notice for seasons to come. She led the field throughout the feature on July 31 for her first career feature victory, followed by another on September 18. Alongside five top-five’s and 12 top-10’s, she’s one of the fastest females in the province.

1. Bobby Mercer

A long time competitor at Flamboro Speedway with experience across a variety of divisions, Bobby Mercer relied on every ounce of that throughout the 2021 campaign. Although he never held a checkered flag, consistency with six top-five’s and 16 top-10’s for an average finish of eighth led him to the 2021 Pure Stock Championship.

Other Numbers To Think About: - 2.2 was the best average finish, set by James Houghton, across five races - 3 feature victories for Phil Givens led all drivers this season - 10 feature top-five’s for Lucas led all drivers this season - 11 drivers scored a feature victory - 13 drivers scored an average finish of fifth or better - 17 feature top-10’s for Lucas led all drivers this season - 19 features were ran this season - 28 drivers scored an average finish of 10th or better - 29 drivers scored a feature top-five finish - 38 drivers scored a feature top-10 finish - 60 different drivers partook in a Pure Stock event

Be sure to keep up with the latest by checking out Flamboro Speedway’s website at http://www.flamborospeedway.ca. You can also keep up via your favorite social networking website by following the speedway on Twitter at https://twitter.com/FlamboroSpdwy and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/flamborospeedway. Fans are encouraged to like the speedway’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Flamboro-Speedway-Authorized-Page-102328664646735/.

By: Ashley McCubbin