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The 2003 season is now in the history books as one
of the most successful to-date.
The season saw an average of 17.5 cars per
event and a total of 45 different drivers competed
in at least one SOS event during the 2003 season. 2003 also saw the first release of the SOS Yearbook, which
will be a regular publication in the years to
come.
The championship battle again went down to the
last race of the season as it has so many times in
the past. Jim Porter of Grand Island, New York grabbed the early points
lead for the first time in his career however, the
2001 points champion, Warren Mahoney of Lefroy,
Ontario took over top spot by the third race of
the season. Glenn
Styres came out of the gate looking very strong
and by race four was able to take over the points
lead due to consistently finishing in the top 5.
Styres then began to build on his lead by
winning the next two events however, Mahoney was
not about to give up on the battle.
With only five races remaining, Mahoney had
closed the gap to a mere 2 points.
Styres would answer the challenge by
winning two of the last four events and clinched
the championship in the last race of the season.
The rookie class was again a strong one with three
rookies finishing in the top ten in points.
Young Kyle Patrick who finished third
overall in the points was the top rookie of the
year. Patrick
of Tilbury, Ontario, was also nominated for the
prestigious National Sprint Car Poll for 360
Rookie of the Year Award.
Can-Am veteran, Bob Crawford of Sutton,
Ontario would finish second among the rookies and
Daryl Turford of Stratford, Ontario grabbed third.
Another young driver Cody Geldart from
Mossley, Ontario came on the scene late in the
season and immediately impressed everyone with his
ability. Geldart
was able to take home third place in the season
finally, Canadian Sprint Car Championships race.
The 5th Annual Canadian Sprint Car
Championships was a huge success and for the first
time in four years, the championship title goes to
one of the Southern Ontario Sprints (SOS) regular
competitors.
At total of 31 sprinters were on hand to
challenge for the 24 starting positions including
several of the top runners from the Empire Super
Sprints, Sprints on Dirt and Patriots series.
Keith Dempster of Alton, Ont. won a hard
fought battle to take home his first Canadian
Championship in a spectacular race.
Glenn Styres held on to take second place
while rookie Cody Geldart finished in third spot.
This was by far the best sprint car race of
the year as the chilled fans sat on the edge of
their seats throughout the entire event.
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