Ken’s Photos & Recap – Sydney Speedway – Oct. 24

Maritime motorsports photographer Ken MacIsaac was at Sydney Speedway this past weekend for its season finale. Ken’s event recap and photo gallery follows…

Sydney Speedway hosted its final event of the 2020 season on Oct. 24 with the first annual Spooktacular event. Mini Stocks and Legends were the main attraction, with a huge demolition derby closing out the day. Fourteen Mini stocks signed into the pits with only one car unable to compete. Elmsdale’s Mark Williams was debuting a new Honda racer with Tim Webster driving, but a coolant leak and a damaged head gasket parked his car for the day.

A 20-lap mini stock Dash For Cash kicked off the program with the winner pocketing $200. The race was open to all non-feature winning drivers, who also contributed $20 each to the prize money. Newcomer Austin Boudreau led the early laps before Darrell Hulme came on strong and passed Boudreau to take the popular win.

An eight-car Legend heat was up next with veteran Donnie Garnier and young Danny Chisholm on the front row. Prior to the race, Garnier hinted that this may be his last race as his equipment is for sale. Chisholm took the early lead while Waverley’s Craig MacDonald was picking off cars moving to second. MacDonald passed Chisholm for the lead and the heat win, with Berry Mills, N.B.’s Darren Sherwood placing third.

The first of two mini stock heats was up next, with Jordan Mombourquette and Josh Rozicki bringing the field to green. Mombourquette grabbed the early lead in his 25 car before being chased down by Greenwood’s Jesse Deaveau in the 51. A great battle in the closing laps of the heat with Mombourquette on the outside, Deveau in the middle and Zach Langille in the 73 dipping to the inside. Deveau crossed the line first to take the heat win.

Heat two followed with Darrell Hulme on the pole alongside veteran Dave Timmons in the 47. Hulme powered out to the early lead and his second win of the day.

The Legends 50-lap feature was up next with heat winner Craig MacDonald starting on the pole and Pictou’s Austin MacDonald starting outside. Craig jumped to an early lead and held the point for the entire race crossing the finish line in first. Austin MacDonald finished a close second while 2019 Maritime Pro Stock champion Dylan Blenkhorn finished third in Dylan Dowe’s #77. Darren Sherwood finished fourth in his first trip to the Sydney track.

“I wanted to come to Cape Breton and support Kody, Greg and the track on behalf of the Maritime League Of Legends.” said Sherwood.

Craig MacDonald’s feature win was his second at the track in two visits.

“This track reminds me of the American tracks I’ve been to, but with a lot more character. I love how rough it is and unique the line is. I really can’t thank Cory Hall and his family for the set up help over the last 4 years. They make sure I have the best possible car on race day.”

The 50-lap $1000-to-win Mini Stock feature had Deveau and Hulme lead the field to green. Deveau took the early lead while Zach Langille squeezed into second and Hulme falling to third. Jesse Deveau increased his lead as the race progressed while Hulme passed Langille for second. Hulme continued to track down Deveau and got within a car lengths when the caution flew for Josh Rozicki’s stalled car. On the restart, Deveau’s car failed to accelerate and stacked up the inside row. Hulme easily pulled away to the lead with Zach Langille running strong in second. Ryan Price, Dave Timmons and Josh Benac were the top 5 at this point. The second caution came out for Price on the front stretch. Ryan’s 29 car lost both right side tires after contact with Dave Timmons racing for third spot. The restart had Hulme continuing to lead with Langille, Benac and Jordan Mombourquette in fourth. Benac passed Langille and started to reel in Hulme. Meanwhile Mombourquette in the 25 car passed Langille for third only to lose the spot a few laps later. Dave Timmons was challenging Mombourquette for fourth in the closing laps as Josh Benac had passed Darrell Hulme for lead and cruised to a popular win.

“This is one of my most gratifying wins to date,” said Benac. “Between the earlier fuel leak, and trying to beat guys like Hulme, Timmons and Langille, and add to that the pressure of trying to keep Kody’s 14-win streak going in this car, it was just crazy. It’s harder and harder to capture a checkered flag.”

It was 2016 since the speedway last hosted a demolition derby and Saturday’s event didn’t disappoint. Derby organizer Donald Campbell Jr. held the event in memory of his mother Dawn who passed almost one year ago. The winner would receive $500 and the 1^st Annual Dawn Campbell Memorial Cup trophy. Thirty-one cars lined up in the infield and within five minutes, almost half the field were immobile. About half-way through the carnage, Joey Campbell’s car caught fire and the event was halted while the Reserve Mines Vol. Fire Dep. put the flames out. Once restarted, it was down to three remaining cars. Colin Starzyczny in a Chev Impala was the last car running and overall winner.

“This was an old taxi,” said Starzyczny. “It came off the road last week because the head gasket was gone. We got it, stripped it down, towed it to the track and had a blast out there.”

Dan Ferguson finished second and received $250 while Josh Rozicki was third and collected $150. Dakota Lahey was awarded most aggressive driver ‘under 25’. Jeffrey Davidson’s East Coast Demolition Derby group from Inverness hauled two cars to the track on Saturday. Jeff awarded $50 to the most aggressive driver ‘over 25’ to Lauchie Stubbert. Derby organizer Donald Campbell was pleased with the turnout.

“I believe we created a dynamic team for next season. Already, most guys are looking for cars. We plan to have a derby class with one a month next year. Also, we raised $1500 in donations between selling 50/50 tickets and the canteen’s profits.”

Race day organiser Kody Quinn was pleased with the event.

“I told Greg (Dowe, track owner) in August that I wanted to try and put on a local event after his last race in October. I started to gather up the names of people who could help out, but I wanted people who were involved in the racing community. If the event worked out, they would be a good permanent fit for multiple events next season. I called Donald Campbell one evening and told him my idea about closing out the year with a derby. He was all for it and immediately put up $500. Within minutes, he had five cars lined up. I went with the Mini Stock and Legends because they were the two classes that supported us in the last two years with the biggest car counts. Couldn’t have done it without great sponsors like King Freight Lines, That’s Right Roofing, Robby’s Tractor Trailer, Veterans for Healing, D&M Auto, Northside Tax, Mr. fix it, and Dan McGrath. I had great volunteers like Shawn Waterfield, Jamie MacDonald, Donald Campbell, Colin Nickerson, Jeff Gilmet, Brandon MacMillion, Jordon Kehoe, Brennen Macinnis, Roddie Sabourin, and Craig McKay’s crew. They were all a huge help with this event. Lots of people gave me the credit but it was a team effort. Greg and I were talking about next year and we’re going to do more demolition derby’s and start a cheap V-6 front-wheel-drive class. We’ll discuss it more at a rules meeting over the winter.”

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