By Craig Revelle
June 17, 2013
Despite his lack of success in the past at South Buxton Raceway, John Watson took advantage of his experience that he has gained in non-winged Sprint cars and picked up his first Ontario Topless Sprint/Can Am Topless Sprint Series. Watson finished 10th at South Buxton with the OTS last season and has been racing with the Michigan Traditional Sprint series and will race with the USAC series later this season.
Watson took the lead on lap five of the 25 lap main event and cruised to victory on the tricky South Buxton surface.
“This is probably one of the toughest tracks that I have been on”, says Watson from South Buxton Raceway’s victory lane. “The shape of the track, and the condition of the track – it is just so tacky…It took me three years with the wing to get one solid lap here. Tonight, I think I maybe had three of them. These guys really pushed me to the limits. I ran my guts out”.
Following Watson across the finish line was Justin Martin, Kyle Patrick, Warren Mahoney and Dick Mahoney. Martin, who had sparks flying from his car and at one time had a trail of flames 10ft long out the back of his car until the brakes finally disintegrated and there was no brake pad material left to burn. He had received the black flag, but his position was later reinstated due to some communication issues and visibility.
“In conversation with Joe Irwin (Michigan Traditional Sprint director) and the rest of the drivers, we decided the fair thing to do was to overturn the decision and put Justin back in second place,” Bayliss said. “We will be changing our procedures as a result of this incident”.
The Ontario Topless Sprints and Can Am Series action was set for Humberstone Speedway on Father’s Day Sunday, but a persistent rain in the area forced track officials to postpone the event to a later date. OTS and Can Am Series officials, and Humberstone Speedway are currently negotiating a make-up date for this event.
OTS does have some great marketing opportunities available for this season at very affordable prices. To get on board with this exciting form of racing, please contact Ken Bayliss at ken@ontariotoplesssprints.com.
Ontario Topless Sprints would like to thank Giant FM Classic Rock 91.7FM, Finish Line Web Design, Lou’s Tire Service, Pit Stop Automotive, RCM Racing Equipment, Kear’s Speed Shop, OC Shocks, Outerwears Performance Products, Wulff Pumps, Engler Machine & Tool, ST Sampson Transmission, Comfort Inn, Pro Style Flooring, BreatheClean Duct Cleaning, Tech Services Niagara, Weather Deck Niagara and Able Ready Mix for supporting OTS in 2013.
For more information on this exciting form of motorsports, please visit Ontario Topless Sprints on the web at www.ontariotoplesssprints.com.
Ontario Topless Sprints Results – June 15, 2013 at South Buxton Raceway
Feature: 1st John Watson, 2nd Justin Martin, 3rd Kyle Patrick, 4th Warren Mahoney, 5th Dick Mahoney, 6th Mark Strypko, 7th Eric Jamieson, 8th Joey Irwin, 9th Jason Martin, 10th Chris Durand, 11th Nick Landon DNS
Heat #1: 1st Warren Mahoney, 2nd Justin Martin, 3rd Jason Martin, 4th Chris Durand, 5th Eric Jamieson, 6th Mark Strypko.
Heat#2: 1st Kyle Patrick, 2nd John Watson, 3rd Dick Mahoney, 4th Joey Irwin, 5th Nick Landon