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The 2007 Lucas Oil Canadian DIRT Series was a real success!
By Martin Bélanger
Granby, PQ– Wednesday, August 8th, 2007 – After the completion of the 5 events counting for the Lucas Oil Canadian DIRT Series, we can say that all races were huge success with great crowds, good participation of the drivers at each track.
Each race was really good. After postponing Granby and Drummond on July 13 and 14, the series started at Edelweiss and the best turnout of cars of the series with 38 modifieds in the pits. Local favourite and 2007 series champion, Laurent Ladouceur winning the feature after a great battle with Danny O’Brien. The following night, Brockville was the host of the second race, Pat O’Brien gave the fans a real show, and he started 25th in the grid and passed Yan Bussière on lap 91 to grab the win. O’Brien did the same thing the following night as he won the third race of the week-end at Cornwall. Autodrome Drummond was then next on the list, despite having heavy rain during the day, the promoters really wanted to get the show in and they did. Yan Bussière took the lead on lap 75 and never look back to win the feature at his home track. The series concluded at Autodrome Granby with regular Martin Roy getting a popular win.
The participation of drivers was great at each track, 38 drivers at Edelweiss showed up, 37 at Brockville, 36 at Cornwall, 28 at Drummond and 31 at Granby. A total of 17 drivers did participate in all five events. Those supporters are Laurent Ladouceur, Brian McDonald, Mario Clair, Clément Therrien, Kayle Robidoux, Yan Bussière, Stéphane Lafrance, David Hébert, Sébastien Gougeon, Steve Bernard, Dany Bilodeau, Fred Gamache, Pierre Dagenais, Michel Dusseault, Jasmin Léveillé, Patrice Demers et Claude Marcoux. Drivers, who supported all five races, were eligible to more than $4,000 in draw prizes. Bert Transmission gave 3 gift certificates worth 500$ each and the winners were David Hébert, Brian McDonald and Mario Clair. Pierre Dagenais won a racing radiator of a value of $630.00 courtesy of Pat`s Radiator. Babe Design also gave a gift certificate of $500 and Fred Gamache received it. Dany Bilodeau won a day of dyno testing given by Engine Research and Finish Line Racewear gave a gift certificate of 500$ to Jasmin Léveillé.
Hometown Auto from Fort Covington, NY award prize money of $400 and a plaque to the best Quebec, Ontario and Awkesasne runners. The winners are Mario Clair for Québec, Laurent Ladouceur for Ontario and Robbie Grant for the Awkesasne region. Bicknell Racing Products was the sponsor for the hard charger award for the driver that passed the most cars during the 5 races. Mario Clair won this award and he received a $300 gift certificate from Bicknell.
Other interesting contingencies were given, all 5 races had a guaranteed spot for the 358 modified race at Syracuse in October Laurent Ladouceur, Pat O’Brien, Brian McDonald, Yan Bussière and Martin Roy merited of those spots. The champion of the series, Laurent Ladouceur is also automatically qualified for the Victoria 200 race at Fulton at the end of September. O’Brien, Bussière and Roy have also received guaranteed spots for the All-Star race during the Victoria 200 week-end.
The top 3 racers from the Lucas Oil Canadian DIRT Series which are Laurent Ladouceur, Brian McDonald and Mario Clair are guaranteed starters in the Lucas Oil Clash for Cash during the Applefest Shootout at Brighton Speedway on Saturday September, 22nd. The winner of this 15 lap race will collect a cool $1500. A 50 lap feature for the modifieds is also on the schedule on that night.
A big thank you to following sponsors who supported the series, Lucas Oil, Babe Design, Bert Transmission, Finish Line Racewear, Engine Research, Pats Radiator, Hometown Auto, Bicknell Racing Products, Béton RB, 730 Truck Stop, Goodyear, Coffrage 20-20 and Les Pneus Robert Bernard and others without them this series wouldn’t exists.
With that great success, and support from everyone, this series have reached high expectations and will get better as the years will go on. See you in 2008!
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