Good Morning/Afternoon All
The Southern Dirt Track Association under the direction of Shawn McNary, Ray Delacqueseaux and myself ended 2009 with a bang at Thunder Bowl Speedway in Ocala. We had some very very close…..sometimes too close action during the night. We also had the pleasure and privilege of some new (celebrity) faces in the crowd. Betty Coolbeth and Ken Coolbeth Sr. were on hand and I had the opportunity to talk with them before the races began. Was very cool
. Hope they enjoyed the races and that they will come back and be a regular in 2010. We even tried to get Ken to suit up and race but we weren’t able to drag him out on the track….at least not yet…..…something to do with a yellow stripe something or other.......we never saw it…
. Mr. Woody Kyle was also on hand and hoped he enjoyed the races as well. Woody has been to our races a few times but this is the first time I have acknowledged.
When Shawn, Ray and myself took over the helm of the SDTA, we had a 50% idea of what we were getting into due to our already exisiting involvement. The other 50% has been an eye opening experience and we hit a few bumps along they way. Some due to our own self infliction….some not. We appreciate EVERYONE that has stepped forward and offered their assistance. I have said many times……there are not many people better than motorcycle people when it comes to needing help.
I would like to acknowledge a few people that helped us at SDTA
Richard Czarniak – For those of you that do not know Richard. He is responsible for all the races flyers and 95% of the race pictures we all enjoy. Richard takes some great action shots and does offer them for sale at extremely reasonable prices. He can be contacted at
stgsali@bellsouth.net Ray Delacqueseaux Sr. – For many efforts during the year and stepping up this past race and helping with the starting line up on the track. Ray’s involvement made this past TBowl race a much improved event by quickly getting riders lined up properly and managing those that jumped……. p.s. ( I did not jump the start
)
Jay & Marti Thompson (Track Pastors) – For providing our pre race invocation and prayers for our safety. Jay recently became a flat tracker and for being new is doing extremely well. Marti also helped out with the scoring this past race and was on the track wishing me (and others) good luck and safety….both of which I had. For that I am personally grateful….especially since we had celebrity guests to show off for.
Bill Cleary with Sumter County Motorsports Park & Wade Murphy with Cross Roads Motorplex in Jasper for providing GREAT facilities, support staff and race tracks for us at SDTA to enjoy. The staff at Thunder Bowl for stepping up and making improvements at their second SDTA race event.
Saturday night we did have one rider go down hard in vintage class. Mr. John Ayscue trying to chase Billy Collins and me down got together with Billy coming out of turn 4 on the last lap and high sided. Medics on hand were quick to respond and after about 5 to 10 minutes of attention, threw him on the back of a 4 wheeler and hauled him off to the pits. I did talk to John the next day and he will be ok and for that we are grateful. This does bring a subject to mind. John has on many occasions drove himself to the races. Luckily or not luckily, he was riding with me this time. He was in no condition to drive anywhere. Shawn always asks if anyone is driving by themselves during the riders meeting so that we have emergency phone numbers on hand and that we know who will and will not need additional help should the situation occur. So please….even if Shawn forgets…….lets us know if you are traveling by yourself……or better yet, let us know in advance and many people have room for an extra rider and such. As the pastor always says…….we all need to return home safely.
Like I said, the racing was close and very intense.
In the Pee Wee quad class Merritt Clark and Alicia Cabana battled it out in both heats and final with no more than a bike length between them the entire night. Alicia took the first heat with Merritt taking the second heat and final. These two really battled it out.
Pee Wee Motorcycle – Merritt Clark once again took the win
Expert Class saw Greg Boyle and Shawn McNary battle it out in both heats & final. Greg took the win in both heats with Shawn switching bikes for the main event riding his Dads bike. Shawn got tangled up with Gary Boyle battling for second & third when they went down in turn 3 & 4. On the restart it was Shawn from the back who looked like he was on a mission and with only a few laps left was able to catch and pass Greg Boyle on the last lap for the checkered flag.
Senior Class saw David Hill who was still suffering with a broken hand take the win with Gary McNary, and John Ayscue in close pursuit.
Intermediate Class finally had enough riders to hold their own class had Matt Sibbick take the win over Derrick Sutton and Ray Delacqueseaux
Vintage Class was another wild class of the night at least from my vantage point. John Asycue and Billy Collins got together at the beginning of the race and at the end. When they got together at the beginning it was down the back straightaway and I was able to clear them to take the lead. After that I never looked back…(mostly cause I was too scarred to) and ended up taking the win. I told Shawn & Ray, I now know what it feels like to be wild prey being chased by a pack of wolves!!!!!!
In closing, Shawn, Ray and myself would like to THANK EVERYONE that attended our SDTA Flat Track Races and look forward to seeing you in 2010.
Sincerely
Ward Jones
Below are the results from the last race and pictures of the winners.
CONRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS!!!!!!!!
T-Bowl
Nov 21, 2009 - SDTA Results
Open Quad1st Place 92 Jonathan Cabana
2nd 111 Johnny Vance
3rd 1 Tyler Elmore
Pee Wee Quad1st Place 6 Merritt Clark
2nd 96 Alicia Cabana
3rd 3 Anthony Handschin
Expert Motorcycle1st Place 85 Shawn McNary
2nd 27C Greg Boyle
3rd 73C Gary Boyle
4th 15 Ray Delacqueseaux
Super Senior M/C1st Place 20 David Hill
2nd 85C Gary McNary
3rd 50 John Ayscue
4th 85C Pat Golley
5th 232 Dave Sutton
6th 25 David Coon
7th 42 Jerry Duncan
8th 3 Jay Thompson
Pee Wee M/C1st Place 6 Merritt Clark
2nd 3C Anthony Handschin
3rd 35 Logan Barber
4th 1 Max McNary
5th 72 Brianna McNary
Vintage M/C1st Place 66Q Ward Jones
2nd 30E Billy Collins
3rd 44 Wendell Poogie
4th 848 Adam Veith
5th 50 John Ayscue
Amateur M/C1st Place 25 David Coon
2nd 34 Mike Barber
3rd 38 Steven Barber
4th 119 Dakota Cowart
5th 96 Zach Sumner
6th X Ben Czarniak
Intermediate M/C1st Place 97 Matt Sibick
2nd 232 Derek Sutton
3rd 15 Ray Delacqueseaux
4th 21 Pat Spahn
5th 33 James Barber
PEE WEE QUAD CLASS WINNER MERRITT CLARK
PEE WEE M/C CLASS WINNER MERRITT CLARK
OPEN QUAD CLASS WINNER JONATHAN CABANA
AMATEUR M/C CLASS WINNER DAVID COON
INTERMEDIATE M/C CLASS WINNER MATT SIBBICK
EXPERT M/C CLASS WINNER SHAWN MCNARY
SENIOR M/C CLASS WINNER DAVID HILL
VINTAGE M/C CLASS WINNER WARD JONES
