2012 Thanksgiving 100 wrap up race Report
Twenty two weeks of racing behind us. Where did summer go?
The Tillsonburg Outlaws Summer Series was complete Tuesday, September 25 and the only race remaining was the Thanksgiving 100 on October 6 2012. This is a race that could be best described as an endurance test of both driver and machine before putting the season to rest. Driver conditioning that has developed all season makes this possible. The skills learned over the season come together in one long race. All drivers involved did a great job, (well, except for the Expert class) and the Kids classes all went without a hitch.
The Beginner division which consists mainly of drivers 6-8 years old went 75 laps caution free. Not only is this a very tiring race. It speaks well of the concentration, determination and skill these very young drivers have developed. It really is something to take a group of kids this young, watch them race and learn all season and then see the finished results and how smoothly a race can go. # 45 Nick Sheridan/Mt Brydges completed his triple crown of racing by taking the win in not only the 100 lap final but also both series as well. On top of that he set the Beginner track record with a 9.043 lap. 15m Kyle McGlone/Union finished 2nd and # 5 Tom Pellizzari/Tillsonburg ended in third. # 8 Tristen McClay who was absent this week was 2nd in the Summer Series followed by Tom Pellizzari.
The Juniors ran a very quick race as well and except for # 6m Eric McGlone doing an over and easy bringing out the red light, they ran caution free as well. # 66 Colby Bennett/Port Dover finished third today after taking 2nd in the Series in front of # 93 Amber Meyers/Springford. Taking 2nd in the 100 though was # 0j Johnny Miller who improved mid-season and certainly peaked at the end of the year. Johnny qualified with the fastest time to start on the poll. So who was in first at the end? You have heard this name before. # 52 Jacob Sheridan/Mt Brydges was able to match his younger brother’s achievement. 1st in the Spring and Summer series as well as the 100. Another triple crown for this family. We have lots of racers who are fast on any given night but the Sheridan brothers seem to be fast every week and don’t seem to crash very often while trying to get to the front. Consistency wins championships so there is little doubt that they have that covered on the dirt in Tillsonburg
The Seniors were all out to prove they had what it takes to win the 100 and in their credit they all finished despite # 87 Brad Perrott going over mid race. After getting beat by her sister in the Summer Series, # 79 Bea Courtnage/Harley had something to prove. Never making a mistake and never giving an inch, Bea edged out her sister Kate after 17 minutes and 100 laps by a whopping 1.21 seconds. Only 1.8 seconds behind that was # 77x Alex Hill who was hoping for redemption after sliding from 1st to 3rd in the Summer Series. Alex races to the last lap but it just was not in the cards this week. It is not lost on me that in a division that is open to any racer aged 12 and up and to male and female that the top three drivers are girls. Hmmmm. Hats off to the ladies. Maybe next year with an influx of hot shoe young male drivers we can get some guys back in there. Time will tell.
So after 3 races without using the yellow caution flag, what happened in the Experts. Well??? We knew it was coming this year with the introduction of 3 “Senior” drivers who jumped directly into racing in the Expert class. To give credit where it is due, this is a very difficult thing to do and the learning curve very steep. Overall they kept it on the track and provided us with lots of entertainment while they learned the ropes. By the end of the year they were thinking it was time to show their skills and see if they could run the pace and maybe even win this 100 lap thing. Ha. Driving well and going fast can be two different things and this week seemed that driving without spinning out was not in the cards for the new guys. Eventually things settled down and even with the mid race fuel stop, they knocked 10 minutes off their elapsed time. BUT, the kids got 275 laps in faster then the Experts did 100 laps. We are going to have to work on that. We are getting very close to having some drivers graduate to Expert that started in this club in Beginner and I am looking forward to racing against some of our home grown racers. Next year the Expert rookies will be in their second year and will likely be ready right from the start. This is going to be a good class next year. Oh yes, who won? # 34 Scott Chesterman did his own triple crown taking each series and the 100 lap race. Despite getting pushed out of the top 3 in the Summer Series I managed to take 2nd in the 100 only 1.381 seconds behind my son. Certainly a good night for me. # 19 Cody Coburn who took third in the Summer series , did the same in the 100. What happened to # 1 Holly Porter? Despite finishing in 2nd for the Spring and Summer Series, has yet to finish the 100 lap race and pulled off at lap 95 with steering problems. Oddly enough that was still good enough for 4th as the remaining cars had been lapped enough times to hold her there.
What’s left? It’s time to get your banquet tickets for the Year end Banquet and Trophy presentations for the whole season. It is a good night, good food and a good visit with friends who may well not be seen until next May when the new season starts.
Banquet Is October 27 2012. 5 pm start. GET YOUR TICKETS
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