From Dave Chesterman – Every race drivers are attempting to go faster than they have gone before. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. It has been said that experience is gained from multiple failures. That said, it was noticeable that the racers are starting to think as they have learned by now that to win a race, you have to finish. Already there has been a progression of skills on the track and I was starting to wonder if we were going to have some divisions go caution free over the night. The “put the pedal to the metal” mentality is settling down and a more methodical approach seems to be emerging. Even faster lap times are the result with less crashes.

In all the divisions, especially the younger ones, it is such a great thing to witness drivers getting congratulations for driving well from not only their own teams, but the others as well. Everyone works together to get every driver on the track for every race and I know that sometimes takes more than one team to accomplish. Good work parents. A+++ and a happy face sticker.

# 8 Tristan McClay/Burgessville has been a quick study and has managed to get up to # 45 Nick Sheridan’s/Mt Brydges speed at this point and took the overall for the second week running. That leaves a one point gap for the Beginner Spring Series Championship so the next two races will determine that outcome. Coming in third was Rayse Meyer/Courtland. # 5 Tom Pellizzari from Tillsonburg gets the big crash award this week but his team was able to get the kart back together for him run the final despite some welding being required. Rumour has it that Tom has a newer chassis on the way which could make him a real contender in the summer series. Stay tuned….

# 52 Jacob Sheridan/Mt Brydges may have got too good of a season start to get caught at this point BUT, besides # 48 Andrew Marshall/ Dorchester who can certainly run with him, # 66 Colby Bennett/Port Dover appears to have adjusted to the faster and more aggressive driving of the Juniors and may have just made the fast two become the fast three. Bennett tied for first overall this week with two wins and a third. Maybe it was good luck from handing out the ribbons this week, maybe it was confidence from lots of racing but whatever it was, notice has been served.

In the Seniors # 20 DJ McRae/London had things go his way with first overall but it was not really looking that way going into the final main. # 77 Alex Hill/Wilsonville was having a good night and already won the middle main and was starting in the front half of the final race. A first lap caution and a derailed chain put her to the back of the field for the complete restart though. She managed to work her way up through the pack just enough to grab second overall, still a good result but likely one spot short of what she was thinking. # 79 Bea Courtnage/Harley was just a point back for third overall. These three were the only ones to run sub 9 second laps and their results show it. Team 45 says that they are ready to take on the Experts next and will be moving up. Now to get their kart converted. That leaves a bit more room on the track for the Juniors who have been jumping a group to get some experience. These racers are the right age to run in either group but were a little inexperienced to go directly to Senior. Although running a bit less horsepower,the Seniors are having to pay attention by looking a little further up the track if they don’t want to get themselves cornered or blocked in and loose a position or three. Although the Juniors have been taking some knocks short term, the ones brave enough to give it a go are gaining some long term experience that will pay off in the racing coming up.
In the Experts it appears that you can only egg on a teenager for so long before they make you eat your words. # 19 Cody Coburn/ Mt Brydges seems to have a handle on his new CR 500 motor that was his undoing last year. With a pair of seconds he managed to knock the old guy( that would be me) out of second, not once but twice giving him second overall for the night. Next target in his sights no doubt with be Series leader # 34 Scott Chesterman. The new question is, will the third Father – Son team in the Experts be able to put pressure on the others. Time will tell. Chesterman vs Kelly vs Coburn. Luckily I have the ringer in the group….. for the time being.

Next Race – June 19 2012

Dave Chesterman.
Chesterman Power Products
Tillsonburg Indoor MX
Tillsonburg Outlaw Kart Club
www.chesterman.ca
519-842-5977