Thanks to Ken and Cheryl Pelkie of Kenetic Photos for their fantastic coverage of the Southern Ontario Sprints. To see more of their work check out the Kenetic Photos website: www.keneticphotos.com

Geldart Dominates to Capture Third Feature Win!

By Bill Oldroyd

Ohsweken Speedway – July 9, 2004

The sixth stop on the 2004 Southern Ontario Sprints tour saw Cody Geldart of Mossley, Ontario win his third feature of the season in a dominating drive at Ohsweken Speedway, Friday night.  This win was not only his first at this track but has tightened up the battle for the SOS Championship as well.  Ohsweken track owner and current point’s leader, Glenn Styres of Ohsweken, Ontario saw his points lead cut in half as Geldart has closed to within 24 points of the leader.

The field took the green with rookie Gary Evans of Thorndale, Ontario on the pole and Bob Crawford from Sutton, Ontario along side.  Crawford quickly jumped in to the lead but was soon challenged by a hard-charging Mark Schulz of Newfane, New York.  Schultz, who started in the 6^th position, was able to get past Crawford to become the second driver of the night to lead the pack.

Meanwhile, Geldart who started in the 11^th position was on a mission.  During the first few laps, Geldart had already moved into the 5^th spot and near the halfway point had taken over the lead from Schulz.  Another young standout, Tilbury, Ontario’s Kyle Patrick was also on the move and had taken over third spot, but a mid-race spin in turn two would end any hope of victory on this night.

Once Geldart had taken the lead, he quickly pull away from the field to dominate the balance of the race.  Meanwhile, the battle for positions 2 through 5 was intense.  Adam West of Ridgetown, Ontario had moved into the third position behind Schulz.  The two drivers would do battle for several laps before West was eventually able to take over the runner-up spot, a position he would hold onto for the balance of the night.

Styres and Keith Dempster from Alton, Ontario were also engaged in a side-by-side battle for the 4^th and 5^th positions.  This would go on for several laps during the middle stages of the race with Dempster eventually taking over the 4^th position.  Dempster then set his sights on Schulz for the 3^rd spot.  A last lap pass by Dempster gave him the position while Schultz capped of an excellent night with a 4^th place finish.  Styres came home in the 5^th position, which would still keep him in the lead for the SOS Point’s Championship.

Warren Mahoney of Lefroy, Ontario ran a steady race coming home in the 6^th position with Vinnie Christiano Jr. from Tonawanda, New York taking 7^th place.  Patrick battled back from his spin to take the 8^th position, followed by Tim Phillips of Grand Island, New York in 9^th.  Rookie Willy Northcott from London, Ontario also had a fine run coming home in 10^th place.

Heat race wins on this night would go to Styres, Geldart and Riegling.  Once again the Dash for Cash format was changed to a Rookie Dash.  Gary Evans would pick up the win and his first-ever SOS checkered flag.  He was so excited with his win; he forgot to stop for victory lane photos and had to be brought back from the pits.

The SOS was also pleased to see two new drivers out for the first time.  John Watson of St. Thomas, Ontario and Gregg Haskell of Chatham Ontario made their debuts with the SOS on this night.

The Series will conclude their weekend double-header Saturday, July 10^th at Brighton Speedway.  The next stop on the tour will then see the Series make their return to South Buxton Speedway July 24^th for the first time since 1999.  This was the track that hosted the very first SOS event back in 1996.

Leaf Racewear Heat

1. #0 – Glenn Styres, Ohsweken, ON; 2. #33k – Kyle Patrick – Tilbury, ON; 3. #10 – Bob Crawford, Sutton, ON; 4. #12 – Willy Northcott, London, ON; 5. #79 – Dick Mahoney, Newmarket, ON; 6. #21h – Gregg Haskell, Chatham, ON; 7. #18 – Stephanie Christiano, Tonawanda, NY

Wiseco Heat

1. #6 – Cody Geldart, Mossley, ON; 2. #18j – Jack Pillon, Belle River, ON; 3. #2 – Vinnie Christiano Jr., Tonawanda, NY; 4. #30 – Adam West, Ridgetown, ON; 5. #25 – Warren Mahoney, Lefroy, ON; 6. #33 – Jamie Collard, Princeton, ON; 7. #93 – Daryl Turford, Stratford, ON; 8. #4z – Joel Lehman, Elora, ON

Pennzoil Heat

1. #1a – John Riegling, Chatham, ON; 2. #5 – Keith Dempster, Alton, ON; 3. #32 – Mark Schulz, Newfane, NY; 4. #17 – Gary Evans, Thorndale, ON; 5. #21 – Tim Phillips, Grand Island, NY; 6. #26 – John Watson, St. Thomas, ON; 7. #99 – Al Gaukel, Cambridge, ON

Kenetic Rookie Dash

1. #17 – Gary Evans; 2. #18j – Jack Pillon; 3. #12 – Willy Northcott; 4. #99 – Al Gaukel; 5. #18 – Stephanie Christiano; 6. #21h – Gregg Haskell; 7. #26 – John Watson

Signet Tool Feature

1. #6 – Cody Geldart; 2. #30 – Adam West; 3. #5 – Keith Dempster; 4. #32 – Mark Schulz; 5. #0 – Glenn Styres; 6. #25 – Warren Mahoney; 7. #2 – Vinnie Christiano Jr., 8. #33k – Kyle Patrick; 9. #21 – Tim Phillips; 10. #12 – Willy Northcott; 11. #10 – Bob Crawford; 12. #33 – Jamie Collard; 13. #17 – Gary Evans; 14. #18j – Jack Pillon; 15. #4z – Joel Lehman; 16. #18 – Stephanie Christiano; 17. #26 – John Watson; 18. #99 – Al Gaukel; 19. #93 – Daryl Turford; 20. #21h – Gregg Haskell; 21. #27 – Paul Ballantyne; 22. #79 – Dick Mahoney; 23. #1a – John Riegling  

Curt Sherwood dns  

LEAF RACEWEAR AWARD - John Riegling