PORTER GETS FIRST CAREER FEATURE WIN

Bill Oldroyd


South Buxton Raceway – July 23, 2005


The Southern Ontario Sprints returned to where it all began at South Buxton Raceway, to continue the 10th Anniversary tour and it was a night to remember. As the 22-car field did the traditional 4-wide salute to the fans, the sold out crowd cheered as fireworks lit up the night sky. When the checkered flag dropped it was car number 22, Jim Porter from Grand Island, NY taking his first career Feature win. The celebration in victory lane was something special as Porter was joined by the 2nd and 3rd place finishers, Glenn Styres and Daryl Turford along with several SOS officials, crew members and family.

Charlie McCann and Turford paced the field to the green for the feature event of the night. Turford, coming off a Heat race win earlier in the night, jumped into the early lead with Porter hot on his tail. Curt Sherwood was running a strong third with SOS rookie, Chris Pyle in fourth and Bob Crawford in fifth.

A couple of cautions for minor spins during the first half of the event would keep the field close. Local favourite and SOS rookie Andrew Reaume, started the feature mid-pack and by lap eight had worked his way up to the third position. Then on lap ten, Porter made his move on Turford to take the lead. Running order at the half way mark would see Porter in the lead followed by Turford, Reaume, Sherwood and Styres. Running in positions six through ten were West, Crawford, Warren Mahoney, Tom Huppunen and Garry Evans.

A red flag came out on lap twelve when Warren Mahoney and Huppunen tangled in turn four causing both cars to flip. Fortunately no one was injured in the crash. Then on lap fifteen, caution would fly for leading SOS Rookie of the Year driver John Watson, who broke and came to a stop on the front stretch. Reaume, who had briefly taken over the second position, also stopped which forced him to take the restart at the rear of the field. 

With only three laps remaining, Dick Mahoney, Crawford and John Riegling tangled in turn three causing both Crawford and Riegling to spin. This set the stage for a wild finish. Porter was still in command however, both Turford and Styres were poised to make their final charge. Styres got past Turford with less than two laps remaining and then set his sights on Porter.

A final caution flew when Brian Lee spun with Porter and Styres running side-by-side coming off turn four on the last lap. On the restart, Porter got a jump on Styres and was able to maintain his position to capture his first career Feature victory. Turford also had a career best with his third place finish. Coming home fourth was Sherwood with his best result in two years and finishing in fifth was the current SOS point’s leader, West. Also with his best outing to-date was another local favourite and SOS rookie, Jeff Daniels with a sixth place finish.

Preliminary action saw Turford, Porter and West all picking up Heat race wins with West also taking the checkered in the Dash for Cash.

Note of interest: One of the original competitors with the SOS back in 1996, Larry Atkinson of Blenheim made his return driving the yellow 5b sprinter. Atkinson has one Feature win with the SOS and last appearance with the series was back in 1998. Welcome back Larry.

Next up the 10th Anniversary Tour will see the action shift back to the north shores of Lake Ontario for another round on action at the 1/3 oval of Brighton Speedway. To stay current with all the latest SOS news, be sure to visit the SOS Web Site at www.southernontariosprints.com



Results: 22-car field


Signet Tool Heat
1. #93 – Daryl Turford, Mitchell, ON; 2. #25 – Warren Mahoney, Lefroy, ON; 3. #69 – Garry Evans, London, ON; 4. #17 – Gary Evans, Thorndale, ON; 5. #27h – Tom Huppunen, Fenwick, ON; 6. #5b Larry Atkinson, Blenheim, ON; 7. #8 – Brian Lee, Kitchener, ON; 8. #1a – John Riegling, Chatham, ON



Pennzoil Heat
1. #22 – Jim Porter, Grand Island, NY; 2. #5c – Chris Pyle, Cambridge, ON; 3. #10 – Bob Crawford, Sutton, ON; 4. #40t – Andrew Reaume, Blenheim, ON; 5. #0 – Glenn Styres, Ohsweken, ON; 6. #20 – Jeff Daniels, Chatham, ON; 7. #12 – Willy Northcott, London, ON


Leaf Racewear Heat
1. #30 – Adam West, Ridgetown, ON; 2. #31 – Curt Sherwood, Sanborn, NY; 3. #38 – Brad Knab, Delevan, NY; 4. #17m – Charlie McCann, London, ON; 5. #26 – John Watson, St. Thomas, ON; 6. #79 – Dick Mahoney, Newmarket, ON; 7. #77 – Les MacMillan, Belmont, ON


Kenetic Dash
1. #30 – Adam West; 2. #22 – Jim Porter; 3. #5c – Chris Pyle; 4. #25 – Warren Mahoney; 5. #38 – Brad Knab; 6. #93 – Daryl Turford


Wiseco Feature
1. #22 – Jim Porter; 2. #0 – Glenn Styres; 3. #93 – Daryl Turford; 4. #31 – Curt Sherwood; 5. #30 – Adam West; 6. #20 – Jeff Daniels; 7. #79 – Dick Mahoney; 8. #69 – Garry Evans; 9. #40t – Andrew Reaume; 10. #38 – Brad Knab; 11. #1a – John Riegling; 12. #17m – Charlie McCann; 13. #17 – Gary Evans; 14. #77 – Les MacMillan; 15. #12 – Willy Northcott; 16. #8 – Brian Lee; 17. #5c – Chris Pyle; 18. #10 – Bob Crawford; 19. #26 – John Watson; 20. #25 – Warren Mahoney; 21. #27h – Tom Huppunen; 22. #5b Larry Atkinson



Leaf Racewear Award – Jim Porter

Inside Canadian Racing “Newsmaker of the Race” Award – Jim Porter