The night looked to be spoiled once again, as thunderstorms rolled over the track a few hours prior to tapes-up. But under a watchful eye of the track staff and organizers, the storms passed and left a terrific race night to take place!
With Aaron Hesmer in the USA National event, the night was poised for Jeff Orosz to extend his current points lead.
The night was a superb display of speedway from both Division 1 and Division 2 riders especially from the amazingly fast and focused Chris Hesmer.
Sadly, the night was dampened not by the weather, but a freak accident that Jon Bennett experienced, with him slamming hard in a high side crash on turn 1 in a heat race.
Round 1 - Heat One: (Division 2)
The Division 2 riders consisted of returning sensation Glen Brown, Tim Murray, Jon Bennett, Gary Moody and Mike Hammond. The heat began with Jon Bennett taking a firm hold on corner 1 and pulling away by corner 2. But with Glen Brown in third spot behind Tim Murray the race began. Glen Brown passed Tim Murray on a the second lap over the start/finish line and then set about Jon Bennett. Mike Hammond was finding his bike set-up not to his liking and pulled back away from the pack until Tim Murray made a few errors, upon which he capitalized and took a good third place spot, and Gary Moody was left to push his bike back to the pits after a mechanical problem on lap 4. The fast Glen Brown did a fantastic swoop under Jon Bennett on lap 4 to take a well deserved checkered flag in his first returning heat ride for many years!
1st: Glen - 2nd: Jon - 3rd: Mike - 4th: Tim - 5th: Gary (DNF)
Round 1 - Heat Two: (Division 1)
Jeff Orosz, Chris Hesmer, Rob Dixon, Terry Rideout and veteran Fred legault took to the track for their first race of the night. The gate was fast and Jeff Orosz took the lead into turn 1. Chris Hesmer, Terry Rideout, Fred Legault and Rob Dixon were side by side, when Chris Hesmer pulled away and left Fred Legault with Terry Rideout pushing him hard. Rob Dixon dropped back slightly for two laps but then found his groove and gave Terry Rideout a real race for the last lap! Chris Hesmer and Jeff Orosz rode a picture perfect race for the fans! They pushed hard with Jeff Orosz holding the ducking and diving Chris Hesmer to take the first win of this Division for the night.
1st: Jeff - 2nd: Chris - 3rd: Fred - 4th: Terry - 5th: Rob
Round 2 - Heat One: (Division 2)
Tim Murray took a flying start, the big guy really got the weight onto the back wheel and flew ahead of the pack into turn 1. Mike Hammond got his bike gremlins out of the way and pushed passed Tim Murray, but as Jon Bennett turned into turn 1 on lap 2, his bike lost the grip of the surface and the bike hooked up badly and Jon took a very nasty looking tumble as he high-sided over the bike. His left leg was trapped under the bike and sadly for Jon, his night was over as he was attended to by the ambulance. The race was bought back to the start for the re-run.
RE-RUN:
Glen Brown was again the highlight of the race! He was slow out of the gate with Gary Moody, but as Mike Hammond and Tim Murray fought out the lead, he coolly blasted by them both to take a very commanding lead to the end!
1st: Glen - 2nd: Mike - 3rd: Tim - 4th: Gary - 5th: Jon (DNF)
Round 2 - Heat Two: (Division 1)
A tremendous start by both Chris Hesmer and Jeff Orosz saw them also continue their battle from heat 1. Side by side action around turn 1 with Chris Hesmer pulling ahead. They both battled hard to use all of the track to find that grip to gain that extra inch. Rob Dixon kept the aggressive Terry Rideout behind him somehow! Fred Legault took the final place looking very cool and composed behind the action ahead. Chris Hesmer rode a perfect race holding Jeff Orosz off for all four laps. Great display by all 5 riders why speedway is the best sport in the world!
1st: Chris - 2nd: Jeff - 3rd: Rob - 4th: Terry - 5th: Fred
"Division 2 " Main Final
Glen Brown showed that he has lost none of his skills and passion! he dominated this race from his first lap sweep of Tim Murray, Mike Hammond and Gary Moody! Mike Hammond slid off on lap 2 on turn 4, but was able to resume his race and was left to chase Gary Moody to take him on the line for third place!
1st: Glen - 2nd: Tim - 3rd: Mike - 4th: Gary
"Division 1 " Main Final
The air was thick with anticipation for this final! Chris Hesmer with the first gate pick took the outside gate and Jeff Orosz, the inside. Terry Rideout, Rob Dixon and Fred Legault all lined up along side each other and the tapes flew! Jeff Orosz took a slight lead into turn 1 as Chris Hesmer lost some slight grip as he positioned himself behind Jeff Orosz. Fred Legault also had a superb start, he took the third place position and did a fantastic job of holding back both Terry Rideout and Rob Dixon. The race was into two races, with Fred Legault having to defend his position while chasing the diving and dodging Chris Hesmer. Jeff Orosz was used to having Aaron Hesmer all over him in past weeks, but Chris Hesmer is different. His knowledge and experience of the track pushed both Jeff Orosz and Chris Hesmer to the very edge of their limits. It was a fantastic battle of wits and courage as they flew shoulder to shoulder into the last turn, the crowd was on it's feet as Jeff Orosz held his line coming out of turn 4, pushing Chris out with nowhere to go but to take a very rewarding second place. This race was greeted by the biggest cheer of the season by everyone!! Absolutely Brilliant!!!
1st: Jeff - 2nd: Chris - 3rd: Fred - 4th: Terry - 5th: Rob
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