Rob Warnes Becomes Ontario Modifieds Racing Series First Two Time Feature Winner for 2014
By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
With just 8 events on the schedule, you might expect that it would be easy to have a single driver dominate the 2014 Ontario Modifieds Racing Series, powered by Torque Builders Inc. events, but that hasn’t been the case.
After losing its most recent event – Saturday, August 16th at Peterborough Speedway – to rain, OMRS teams and drivers returned to Flamboro Speedway Saturday, September 6th to begin the series of events that will close-out this year’s agenda. A strong turnout with a competitive field – bolstered by a pair of drivers who were making their first starts – put on a crowd-pleasing event during the track’s Memorial Race Weekend event.
The father and son duo of Rick and Rob Warnes brought the field to the green flag for the 25 lap main event tilt. As the lap counter clicked-off 4 circuits complete, the top 3 runners had started to break away from the pack. Newcomers Gary Elliott and Kelly Hallett were waging a fierce battle for 6th and 7th spot, as the leaders began working through lapped traffic with 10 laps on the scoreboard.
Rob Warnes, Nick Lees and Ryan Dick found their way around the backmarkers and the event continued clean and green throughout the entire 25 lap distance, with Warnes becoming the series’ first repeat winner. Alex Lees, Rick Warnes, Elliott, Hallett, Chris Burrows, Randy Hollingsworth and Bill Pickford completed the top 10 finishers.
OMRS news and notes: The only serious incident of the day came during the first qualifying heat, when a failed steering component sent Bill Pickford’s #61 machine into the 3rd turn retaining wall before the first lap was complete. Pickford was uninjured, but the car sustained substantial damage. The hard work of crew members from various teams and some fans saw the car return for the feature. Kelly Hallett – crew chief for OSCAAR Late Model driver Shane Gowan – and Gary Elliott were each making their first ever starts with the series.
Official Ontario Modifieds Racing Series, Powered by TORQUE BUILDERS INC. 2014 Schedule:
Saturday, May 10th: Flamboro Speedway Spring Shakedown Invitational
Race winner - #77 Chad Strawn
Saturday, May 31st Peterborough Speedway
Toonie Admission/Fan Appreciation Night
Race winner - #09 Nick Lees
Saturday, June 7th Peterborough Speedway
Race winner - #95 Rob Warnes
Saturday, July 12th Peterborough Speedway
Race winner - #07 Alex Lees
Saturday, August 16th Peterborough Speedway
Toonie Admission/Fan Appreciation Night
Cancelled - rain
Saturday, September 6th Flamboro Speedway
Race winner - #95 Rob Warnes
Friday, October 3rd Flamboro Speedway (qualifying & feature)
Saturday, October 4th Flamboro Speedway (feature)
Additional OMRS information can be found at
www.ontariomodifiedsracing.com or at
www.facebook.com/OMRS Ontario Modifieds Racing Series powered by TORQUE BUILDERS INC.
About TORQUE BUILDERS INC.: With over a decade's experience with partners and clients in the construction industry, TORQUE BUILDERS INC. offers general construction services in the industrial, commercial and institution sectors. Their services range from new construction projects, renovations to retrofits, retirement residences, office finishing, data centres, communications work and leasehold improvements. Learn more by visiting
www.torquebuilders.com.
Photo attachment: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
Rob Warnes became the first two-time feature event winner of 2014 with the Ontario Modifieds Racing Series, powered by Torque Builders Inc. after claiming the ‘A’ main – Saturday, September 6th – at Flamboro Speedway.
Prepared by: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
clarkemotorsports@hotmail.com
613.968.6410
Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=20213.msg112269#msg112269
