Geldart Continues To Impress

Bill Oldroyd

Brighton Speedway – June 5, 2004

Southern Ontario Sprints young superstar, Cody Geldart of Mossley, Ontario became the first multiple feature winner of the season by capturing victory in the fifth round of the season at Brighton Speedway.  Geldart’s first win also came at Brighton on opening night.  His third place finish from the previous night at Ohsweken Speedway, coupled with this victory also moved Geldart into second place in the point’s standings.

Rookie Gary Evans from Thorndale, Ontario started the feature on the pole with Dick Mahoney of Newmarket, Ontario along side.  Mahoney grabbed the early lead while Evans, in only his third start, dropped back quickly letting the more experienced drivers battle for the top positions.

Adam West of Ridgetown, Ontario took the lead from Mahoney on lap two and then the two drives got together coming out of the second turn.  West almost went over as he ran up the front of Mahoney’s car but was able to keep going with no damage.  Mahoney however, spun as a result of the contact, bring out the caution.  There was major damage to Mahoney’s front wing, which eventually came off.

West would maintain his lead on the restart and was looking very fast.  Meanwhile, Geldart was charging through the field.  He started the feature in the seventh spot and by lap three had moved into the second position.  Tilbury, Ontario native Kyle Patrick, was also running strong in the third spot followed by series point’s leader, Glenn Styres of Ohsweken, Ontario.

Styres would pass Patrick on lap four, setting the stage for the balance of the race.  West would hold the lead until lap eighteen but was under constant pressure from Geldart who in turn had Styres breathing down his neck.  The three drivers put on a tremendous show as they battled for position and worked the lapped traffic.  Several times it appeared that Geldart was going to take over the lead but each time, West would fight back to maintain his position.

On lap eighteen, Geldart took the high line out of turn two taking the lead and this time he would make it stick.  At the checkered, it was Geldart, followed closely by West and Styres.  Patrick crossed the line in forth while Warren Mahoney of Lefroy, Ontario, who started the race in fifth, would finish there as well.

Heat race winners were West and Styres and the Dash for Cash went to Styres as well.

Attrition from the past two weeks resulted in a smaller field of cars than normal, however there were a few drivers worth noting.  Justin Harris of Kingston, Ontario made his first appearance of the season with the SOS finishing is sixth.  Daryl Turford from Stratford, Ontario had one of his best runs of the season, battling for sixth most of the night and finishing a strong ninth.  Rookies Evens and Willy Northcott of London, Ontario are also off to a fine start to the season.

Next up, the SOS will take a break before returning to Ohsweken Speedway on July 9^th and Brighton Speedway on July 10^th.

Pennzoil Heat

1. #30 – Adam West, Ridgetown, ON; 2. #79 – Dick Mahoney, Newmarket, ON; 3. #17 – Gary Evans, Thorndale, ON; 4. #6 – Cody Geldart, Mossley, ON; 5. #2j – Justin Harris, Kingston, ON; 6. #12 – Willy Northcott, London, ON; 7. #18 – Stephanie Christiano, Tonawanda, NY

Wiseco Heat

1. #0 – Glenn Styres, Ohsweken, ON; 2. #33k – Kyle Patrick – Tilbury, ON; 3. #25 – Warren Mahoney, Lefroy, ON; 4. #10 – Bob Crawford, Sutton, ON; 5. #93 – Daryl Turford, Stratford, ON; 6. #18j – Jack Pillon, Belle River, ON

Signet Tool Dash

1. #0 – Glenn Styres; 2. #30 – Adam West; 3. #33k – Kyle Patrick; 4. #79 – Dick Mahoney

Leaf Racewear Feature

1. #6 – Cody Geldart; 2. #30 – Adam West; 3. #0 – Glenn Styres; 4. #33k – Kyle Patrick; 5. #25 – Warren Mahoney; 6. #2j – Justin Harris; 7. #79 – Dick Mahoney; 8. #10 – Bob Crawford; 9. #93 – Daryl Turford; 10. #17 – Gary Evans; 11. #12 – Willy Northcott; 12. #18j – Jack Pillon; 13. #18 – Stephanie Christiano

LEAF RACEWEAR AWARD - Gary Evans