The Parkland Racing Association wrapped up the current racing season over the weekend with its annual two day events at the Yellowhead Racing Association International Speedway. Saturday afternoon the final races of the year determined the points leaders, or local champions for the season.
Sunday afternoon, a near capacity crowd was on hand for the annual end-of-season demolition derby which saw a final smash-up session which destroyed all but the winning entry.
The thunder stock class champion for the year was Tyler Carter in car Number 10.
The street stock class winner was Dave Clark who pretty much led the field all season.
James Hansen in car 49 was second while Terry Heddon finished the season in third place.
Top driver Clark who piloted street class car Number 5, says the season was good for him. "We won pretty near most of the races or a lot of them anyway," he recalls.
This year he drove his same car as last year with some changes to it. It started as a 1982 Pontiac Grand Pris originally. Now it has fenders from an Oldsmobile Cutlass and Monte Carlo doors.
Clarke has also raced in Tisdale, Swan River, Outlook and Regina this year with some success. He won the feature race in Tisdale on both days. Mechanical problems prevented good results at Swan River where a flat tire caused him to abandon the feature race. He also won the feature races in both Regina and Outlook, he reports.
In order to win races the car has to corner well and have good traction on the straightaways as well as a motor with lots of power, Clark advises.
He prefers to drive the outside on the track, especially when passing. "It's easier to pass on the inside, but most of the cars try the inside so if you want to go around them you have to go on the outside," Clark explains. "It looks more spectacular when you pass on the outside, I think," he adds.
He's considering retiring from racing but admits he still enjoys the sport. "It was supposed to be my last season but we haven't got to next season, yet," Clark chuckles.
He credits Ryan Davis as the brains behind the highly successful operation. Davis, a bodyman and painter at Key Chev, basically sets the car, including the springs, the frame, wheel alignment and tire pressures.
Clark generally handles the motor, tune up and mechanics of the car.
"If there was any winning money, it would go back into the car in a hurry," Clark closes.
Weekend results at the Yellowhead International Speedway were:
Thunder Class: Heat 1 - Tyler Carter, Car 01; Heat 2 - Kelly Baber, Car 7; Heat 3 - Kelly Baber, Car 7; Feature - Kelly Baber, Car 7.
Street Stock: Heat 1 - Car 40, Terry Heddon; Heat 2 - Car 5, Dave Clark; Heat 3 - Car 44, Ryan Atkings; Street feature - Car 5 Dave Clarke.Dash for Cash - Car 44, Ryan Atkings. - Car 11, Brian Matkowski Ladies Race - Car 44, Jen Atkings.
In the demolition derby the feature was won by Bernie Bilay of Dauphin, Man. The runner up was Devon Kuntz.
The consolation heat was won by Ryan Atkings while Dustin Heddon was runner up.
Patrick Pelletier won the mechanics heat.
The Best Dressed car title was claimed by Dustin Heddon. Ladies Race - 44 Jen Atkings.
