By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications
It wasn’t exactly the weekend he had planned, but sometimes you’re the windshield and sometimes you’re the bug.
Chris Raabe and his #01 Scott Industrial Service/TyRoute Communications-Telus/Kingston Hyundai/Kingston RV Centre/Waste Management/Brunet Plumbing/Kwik Load Products/McColman Media/Len Corcoran Excavating team hit the highway Friday, September 5th planning to run 3 events in their quest for the Mr. DIRTcar sportsman modified title. As the loaded their pair of TEO Pro Car rides into the haulers, the Teenage Tornado was tied for the overall point’s lead with Geneva, New York’s Dan Wiesner.
The first event of the weekend’s trifecta at Ransomville Speedway was cancelled due to rain. The next night at Merrittville Speedway, Raabe was put in the unfamiliar position of running the consolation race to make the starting field. The only positive in that scenario was Wiesner needing to use his ‘guaranteed starter’ status to advance to the feature.
Raabe had run Merrittville Speedway in the past, but doesn’t have a patented set-up for the Thorold, Ontario oval in his notebook. Luckily, most of the drivers on the tour are willing to share some of their secrets – but not all of them. Once the green flag dropped, Chris began working his way through the field. The 50 lap distance didn’t give the 2008 Brockville and Thunder Alley sportsman division track champion a lot of time, his driving style has never seen him ram his way to the front.
Raabe was looking for a fast lane around the unfamiliar Merrittville turf, when the car developed a push. Just like the week before at Rolling Wheels, there were brake problems and the car wasn’t turning well. Drifting up into a higher line allowed others to work past on the bottom groove. At the checkered flag, Merrittville Speedway regulars made-up the top 9 positions. Brad Rouse led from start to finish and took home the $1,000 winner’s cheque. Raabe was 20th at the event’s conclusion, while Wiesner finished 15th and now enjoys an 8 point cushion atop the standings.
The scheduled Sunday, September 7th stop at Humberstone Speedway was also cancelled due to rain and will be re-scheduled for Friday, September 19th. This weekend, the sportsman tour will give the Ransomville Speedway event another try Friday, September 12th before heading to Genesee Speedway in Batavia, New York Saturday, September 13th to conclude the weekend.
For more information on Chris Raabe, see www.chrisraabe.com.
Photo tag lines:
#1). Chris Raabe’s 2006 TEO Pro Car at the start of Brockville Speedway’s 2008 season. (Jim Clarke photo)
#2). The #01 team re-skinned Raabe’s favourite piece for the Mr. DIRTcar sportsman modified tour events. (Jim Clarke photo)
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