For Immediate Release - Ken Pelkie, SOS Media Officer

With a hint of winter in the air, fans and friends gathered to celebrate with the stars of the Southern Ontario Sprints Saturday night at the Best Western Cain Croft Inn in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Greg Calnan, “The Voice of the Southern Ontario Sprints” along with club President Bill Oldroyd, hosted the final curtain closer on the 11th season of the traveling series which found a determined Warren Mahoney collecting his second SOS Championship point title. The title did not come easy for Mahoney as he waged a season long battle with runner-up Bob Crawford and perennial challenger, Glenn Styres.

When the final checkered flag fell in the 2006 tour, consistency was the determining factor in deciding the championship as Mahoney from Lefroy, Ontario completed the season winless however, he never finished outside of the top ten. While being acknowledged by the huge crowd on hand, Mahoney thanked the many people who have supported the team in making the championship run. The Mahoney team also collected the “Cooper Standard Mechanic of the Year Award” for their efforts.
Runner-up, Bob Crawford was also winless during the campaign. Like Mahoney, Crawford finished consistently within the top ten with the exception of one night which in the end was the difference in the final tally. 

Third place Glenn Styres did find victory lane in 2006 on opening night at Brighton Speedway as well as collecting the “Kenetic Photos Hard Charger Award” accumulated over the entire season. However, two DNF’s late in the schedule put distance between himself and Mahoney that could not be made up in the chase for the championship.

A pair of new comers battled it out for “Rookie of the Year” honours with Joey Middlemiss claiming the title and fourth place in the final standings while Kevin Job collected his first sprint car feature win at Humberstone Speedway along with “Best Appearing Car” honours presented by Image Factor and closed out the season in fifth position.

Sixth through tenth found another rookie, Brad Malloy leading veterans Ken Swan, Dick Mahoney, John Riegling, and Craig Downie in the final tally.

President Bill Oldroyd briefly addressed the crowd in concluding the ceremonies bidding farewell to long time SOS staff members Cliff and Jane Williams who leave soon for permanent residence in the sunny south. Oldroyd concluded with encouraging words on the health of the organization. 2006 saw record growth with a total of fifty cars scoring points in SOS sanctioned event. Of the fifty, fourteen were rookies to sprint car racing with six of those finishing in the top ten in points, and a total of six rookies in the top twenty.

While the 2007 schedule is nearing completion, release is expected early in the new year as final contracts are signed and returned. For all the latest news, be sure to log on to the official website of the Southern Ontario Sprints at www.southernontariosprints.com .

Final 2006 Point Standings
1/ - Warren MAHONEY
2/ - Bob CRAWFORD
3/ - Glenn STYRES
4/ - Joey MIDDLEMISS
5/ - Kevin JOB
6/ - Brad MALLOY
7/ - Ken SWAN
8/ - Dick MAHONEY
9/ - John RIEGLING
10/ - Craig DOWNIE.