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ESS EXTRA!!
Autodrome Granby, Granby, Quebec
The half-mile located southeast of Montreal has now been a mainstay for dirt racing in Quebec on Friday nights. Starting out with small block modifieds in the late 70s, moving to big blocks for two decades where names like Bob Gatien (who now promotes the track), Jacques Lalancette, Luke Plante, Marco Potvin and Steve Poirier became honored in these parts.
Autodrome Granby (in English means Granby Speedway) also has seen its share of drivers come from the United States and make this their Friday night home. Drivers such as Steve Paine, Dave Camara and Mike Romano took on the best from Quebec making for an unique rivalry back a few years ago. The switch has now been back to more cost effective small blocks where stars of the future are being born which includes 2007 Mr. DIRTCar 358 Mario Clair.
Since 1994, the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) has been scheduled to make at least two appearances to Granby each year and since 2005 it now has been increased to three visits per year. The winged machines always bring some of the biggest crowds to Granby but none is bigger than the annual June event. The benefit for Foundation Mira is a local charity that helps out the blind and more than 30 people that are hearing impaired run a 10 lap event with their co-drivers being local celebrities. Each year all 8,000 plus seats are filled and then some.
Some of the local drivers of interest all come from the French speaking province. That includes probably the best to ever come from Quebec modifieds and defending ESS champion Steve Poirier, 2006 ESS champion Alain Bergeron, 2006 rookie of the year Michael Parent, who hails from Granby, 2007 rookie of the year Normand Beaudreault and Daniel Lampron. As you can see, the last two champions and last two rookies of the year have come from Quebec making ESS a true tour of two nations.
Granby is a wide half mile and has a tricky, circular shape with walls both inside and out. The surface is usually easy on rubber and produces two solid grooves, either way down low or right up against the outside wall are the choices. The pits are located in the infield but with the main grandstand and bleachers sitting up high, you have a good view of the compete track. The main grandstand is what you would call a high rise with the three story VIP/Officials tower (complete with a bar) sitting atop of the grandstand. A beautiful, five position scoreboard with lighted sponsor billboards runs along the backstretch towards turn three. An unique policy in all of Quebec is that for a few more bucks, anyone can enter the pits regardless of age
and yes, your favorite beverage will be served in the pits as well.
ESS Facts Autodrome Granby:
ESS Events Run: 26
Different Winners: 17
Most Wins: Mike Woodring (8)
Last Event Run: 8/31/07
Most Recent Winner: Steve Poirier
Autodrome Granby Facts:
Location: Off Exit 68 on Route 10, North on Rte. 139 to Rue Cowie and then west.
ESS Date(s): June 13th, August 1st and August 29th
Dash Sponsor(s): None
A-Main Sponsor: Fondations 4 Saisons
Promoter: Bob Gatien
Track Phone: (450) 375-3055
Website: www.autodrome-granby.qc.ca
Sites of Interest:
Montreal 45 minutes away.
Granby Zoo
Amazoo Waterpark
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