Story By: ASHLEY MCCUBBIN / FLAMBORO SPEEDWAY – MILLGROVE, ONT – Running up front on a weekly basis paid off for a trio of drivers, as Mike Thomson was crowned the 2023 Mini Stock Champion with Phil Givens and Wayde Thorne being crowned co-champions for the Pure Stocks at Flamboro Speedway on Saturday night.
Will Gibbons crossed the finish line first in the first feature, but was disqualified in post-race technical inspection. Mike Gilmour was second ahead of Dale Millard, Mike Thomson, and Kaitlyn Wallace. Michael Kenny was sixth in front of Mark Thorne, Rory Markle, Dave Goodacre, and Nikki King. Rob Hoskins did not take the green flag.
Mike Thomson put a cap on his championship campaign by taking the lead with seven laps remaining to win the second feature ahead of Mike Gilmour, Michael Kenny, Dale Millard, and Mark Thorne. Will Gibbons crossed the line in sixth, but was disqualified once again. Rory Markle was seventh in front of Kaitlyn Wallace, Dave Goodacre, and Nikki King. Rob Hoskins did not take the green flag.
Pure Stocks
Jordan Willms took the lead at the halfway mark to win the first feature ahead of Cam Thomson, Chase Mitchell, Leo Labarbera, and Chance Rogers. Bobby Mercer broke into the top-10 with seven laps to go for sixth in front of Mark Allan, Bill Pearsall, Rachel Mitchell, and Phil Givens.
Tegan Ellis ran just outside the top-10 en route to an 11th-place finish, followed by Megan Mitchell, Wayde Thorne, Andy Wheller, and Dan Cormier. Several drivers failed to finish following an incident on Lap 17 including Spencer Riddell, Gillian Hils, Jeff Kells, Craig Cole, Nicole Givens, Curtis Young, and Brady Cox. Owen Brooker did not take the green flag.
Phil Givens led flag-to-flag to win the second feature ahead of Jordan Willms, Chase Mitchell, Spencer Riddell, and Wayde Thorne. Leo Labarbera placed sixth in front of Chance Rogers, Andy Wheller, Mark Allan, Dan Cormier, and Rachel Mitchell.
Bill Pearsall failed to finish, while several drivers did not take the green flag including Owen Brooker, Bobby Mercer, Cam Thomson, Gillian Hils, Jeff Kells, Craig Cole, Nicole Givens, Curtis Young, Teagan Ellis, Brady Cox, and Megan Mitchell.
Canadian Vintage Modifieds
TJ Marshall took the lead with 10 laps to go to win the first feature ahead of Ricky Willigar, Mike Podd, Quinton Murdoch, and Scott Tonelli. Jae Pepin faded back in the second half for sixth in front of Jessie James, Ian McIntyre, Steve Murdoch, and Joey Woolsey.
Ricky Willigar found his way to the front with just three laps left on the board to win ahead of TJ Marshall, Quinton Murdoch, Mike Podd, and Scott Tonelli. Jae Pepin led the opening six laps before fading back to sixth in front of Jessie James, Ian McIntyre, and Joey Woolsey. Steve Murdoch failed to finish.
T.Q. Can-Am Midgets
Cory Whittam took the lead on Lap 3, pacing the rest of the way for the win ahead of Daniel Hawn, Jeff Blackburn, David Miller, and James Stanley. Sherri Hogan took home the Rookie of the Year Award in sixth in front of Jody Bound, Roberto Pollillo, Tyler Sagan, and Andrew Whelan.
Paul Smith was 11th, followed by Richard Woodland, Bob Bailey, and Paul Jorgensen. Dominique Smith, Mike Westwood, and Jaden Riddell failed to finish.
Daniel Hawn and Cory Whittam won the pair of heats, while Bob Bailey won the Dash for Cash. Daniel Hawn was crowned the 2023 series champion.
Great Lakes Legend Series
Matt Boyes led flag-to-flag en route to his first career feature victory ahead of Kenny McNicol Jr., Gregory Rudik, Jason Giggi, and Lucas Smith. Joe Adams ran sixth in front of Austin Arnel, Matt Thomson, Joe Sherman, and Jordan Willms.
Hailey McNicol was 11th, followed by Joe Russ, Todd Seburn, Dan Russ, Amber Wallis, and Wyatt Seburn. Andrew McFadden failed to finish, while Cole McFadden made significant contact with the turn three wall on Lap 1 due to brake failure.
Southern Ontario Modified Association
Bob Mercer led flag-to-flag to win the first feature ahead of Cliff Hodgkinson, Mark Lucas, Raj Brar, and Ken Mercer. Shannon Morris ran inside the top-five for the first half, fading back to sixth in front of Andrew Snyder, Vic Devries, and Dario Cocco. Joshua Fera did not take the green flag.
Dario Cocco won the second feature ahead of Mark Lucas, Bob Mercer, Shannon Morris, and Ken Mercer, Raj Brar was sixth, followed by Vic Devries. Cliff Hodgkinson and Andrew Snyder did not finish, while Joshua Fera did not take the green flag.
The next event scheduled will take place on Saturday, September 30 with Frostoberfest at Flamboro Speedway. The day of racing will feature Ontario Outlaw Super Late Models, Just Foam It OSCAAR Modifieds, Knightworks Design OSCAAR Hot Rods, Legends, Junior Late Models, and Mini Trucks.
The track will be back in action on Sunday, October 1 with the second day of Frostoberfest. The day will feature the Grisdale Triple Crown for the Pro Late Models, Mini Stocks, Pure Stocks, and Outlaw Midgets presented by Canadian Tire Innisfil.