It was almost déjà vu all over again as the wet weather threatened to cancel the season opening race meet of the Yellowhead International Speedway, sponsored by Yorkton Toyota, over the recent long weekend. As it turned out, wet track conditions did force the cancellation of Saturday's qualifying races. It was simply too dangerous for both cars and drivers to race through the mud.
Sunday afternoon was quite the opposite. Sunshine was the order of the day which dried the track sufficiently to allow racing to go ahead, with the qualifying races preceding the heat and feature races.
One downside of the wet weather was that it seemed to keep many race fans away from the track which was unfortunate as there were some, exciting close races which were highly entertaining for those that did show up.
After the dust settled Dave Clarke, racing Car Number 5, a 1978 Pontiac, proved to be the top driver of the day, winning three races, the first qualifier, his heat race and the feature race.
Parkland Racing Association (PRA) president Brendon Dickey says the club expected racers from around the province at the season opening race meet as the Yellowhead Speedway just recently joined the Saskatchewan Racing League (SRL) tour. The SRL has establish a stock car racing circuit in the province with drivers competing for points at each stop on the tour.
Dickey reports the club currently lists13 local cars and 12 drivers, though not all were on hand for the opening weekend. Street stock class racers include Dustin Heddon who pilots two cars this season, a 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass and No. 9, a 1978 Chrysler Fifth Avenue (a thunder class car). Car No. 49, a 1985 Monte Carlo, is piloted by James Hansen. A 1984 Pontiac Grand Prix, No. 72, is driven by Miles Brooks. Richard Hiebart campaigns No. 28, a 1987 Olds Cutlass. Returning this year, Dave Clark pilots the hard to beat No. 5, a 1978 Pontiac Grand Prix. Dick Wudrich races No. 54, a 1987 Buick Regal. Terry Heddon, the other half of the father and son Ahedd Racing Team, drives No. 40 a 1977 Pontiac Ventura. Cortney Matkowski races No.11, a 1974 Chevrolet Camaro. Car No. 20, a 1980 Monte Carlo is piloted by Ritchie Stubenberg with Rick Markham taking the wheel as an alternate driver.
Thunder stock cars start with Christopher Stadnyk who pilots big No. 6, a 1971 Chevrolet Impala around the track. Caylee Hiebert of the Piston Broke Racing Team, campaigns No. 7 a 1972 Olds Cutlass. A1978 Buick LeSabre, No. 8, is raced by Tyler Rosenthal. Driver Scott Brown races a 1983 Chev Caprice, No. 28. Nathan Stein pilots No. 29, a 1984 Pontiac. Club president Brandon Dickey races No. 66, a 1980 Buick Lesabre.
The PRA is currently limited to street stock and thunder stock cars, Dickey reports. The Thunder stock class is more like a beginner class with cars typically reaching speeds of 80 kilometers per hour on the three eighths mile Yellowhead Speedway oval.
The smaller street stock cars are faster, reaching speeds of 90 to 95 kilometers per hour, Dickey explains.
In order to race a car needs a full roll cage, a five point seat belt harness and a racing seat. All glass must be removed from the car. Door panels and other unnecessary parts are stripped from the car to make it lighter.
Dickey estimates that $6,000 would buy a stock race car. To keep it racing for a season would cost an about an additional $2,000 for fuel, tires and parts.
Following the May long weekend, the Yellowhead Interna-tional Speedway 2011 race season has four more race meets scheduled, including Sunday, June 12 at 2 p.m., Sunday, July 3 at 5 p.m., Sunday, August 21 at 2 p.m. and Saturday, September 17 at 2 p.m. The PRA will wind up the racing season with a demolition Derby Sun-day, September 18 at 2 p.m.
The PRA continues to welcome inquiries as well as new members. Anyone who'd like more information can contact club president Brandon at 792-2033 or got to www.yellowheadinternational speedway. Members do not necessarily have to have a car to race. They simply have to be interested in the sport and can help run race meets or help as pit crew.
Weekend race results were" Qualifier 1: 5-Dave Clarke, Qualifier 2: 44-Ryan Atkings, Qualifier 3: 49-James Hansen, Qualifier 4: 40-Terry Heddon, Heat Race: 5- Dave Clarke, Feature Race: 5-Dave Clarke.
