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RIVERSIDE SPEEDWAY |
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It was
nothing but a perfect day for racing on June 30th as the
Senior Tour Auto Racers made their appearance at Riverside Speedway in
Groveton, NH. It has been
four years since the last stop here for the tour and it was like
yesterday to the officials and owners of Riverside as they greeted the
tour. Even the other
divisions that attend Riverside made their way to our pit area to view
the cars and talk to the drivers. One
of our drivers said it was like taking a track from South Carolina and
just dropping it down in New Hampshire.
This is how friendly they were. This track is nestling in the
middle of the most beautiful parts of NH.
The huge mountains and flowing streams were breath taking at some
points driving you could not even see the sky, just mountains and
streams. Star
started their day early as the track was given to them at 10:00 a.m
until they got tired. After
a few hours the drivers settled down as they had all the practices they
needed. They were ready for
racing now! The evening
would bring the tour 2 heats and 2 features.
What racing they did this night!
The stands were filled with fans and cheered them on.
First to hit the track was the sportsmen heat race.
Skip Stearns from NH in the #7X coupe and Gary Moore from NH in
the 7 Pinto sister car gave it all they had.
It was like watching the modifieds.
What happen to my Sportsmen?
Somebody put a bee in Stearns’ fire suit tonight because he was
a man on a mission. The pack
was tight and the sportsmen drove inches apart.
The checked came down it was on Stearns in the 7X to take the
first victory for the tour that evening.
Moore finished with a very close second and to top off the field
with a third place was Alec Gause from NH in the #75 Vega.
The
Modifieds were staged and ready to go.
James Allen from Ma in the #46 Monte Carlo jumped out to lead the
pack for a few laps. Then
Jamie Ferland from NH in the #194 Pinto and Paul LaPlante from RI in the
#02 coupe closed in on Allen. Ferland
took over the lead with LaPlante on his tail.
Once again the pack was tight and the finish was close.
Ferland took the second victory for the tour that evening,
LaPlante with a close second and Allen finished off with a third. Now it was
time for the feature races at Riverside.
Star’s Sportsmen hit to the track first, when the green came
down it was Alec Gause from NH in the #75 Vega and Richard Eastman from
Ma in the #0 Pinto to lock in the pack until half way mark.
Gause pulled out to open up the pack and Alan Zemla from Me in
the #43 coupe slid into second with Gary Moore from NH in the #7 Pinto
following Zemla. Then the
battle became with Zemla and Moore driving side by side until the
checkered came down on Zemla to take the third victory for the tour and
the feature race for the Sportsmen division.
Moore once again took a very close second and Gause finished off
with a third again. The top
three drivers was brought to Victory Lane for an out of car interview
and awarded with trophies. It
was time for the Modifieds to hit the track for their feature.
One official stated “boy these cars have a sound of their
own”. The green came down
and it was off to racing. Brian
Robie from NH in the Bob Bateman’s #17 Pinto jumped out to take the
lead. Paul LaPlante in the
#02 on Robie’s tail with Danny Ferland from NH right behind LaPlante.
When the field opened up Danny Ferland made the move to the
front and son Jamie Ferland trailed right behind him.
But then nephew Brian Robie pulled into third.
Then the family battle began, Father, Son, and Nephew.
Jamie Ferland was hanging on to dad for dear life and not about
to give up this spot! Then
the checkered came down it was Danny Ferland in the #21 to take the
feature for the modified division. Son
Jamie Ferland in the #194 took a second followed by Brian Robie the
nephew for the third spot. The
announcer stated it was a FAMILY AFFAIR.
All three were brought to track side for an out of car interview
and awarded with trophies. To end a
great day and some great racing, Riverside Speedway put on a firework
show that was outstanding. Star
would like to thank all at Riverside Speedway for a great day of racing
and all their hospitality.
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