Junior Racing League Driver OK After Grazing Wall

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Delaware Speedway PR
(519) 652-5068 Ext 201

June 26, 2008

Delaware, ON

Reece Gordon (#17) of Thedford is in great shape after an early race incident Wednesday evening at Delaware Speedway during a Krown Body Maintenance Junior Racing League event.

At the beginning of the Junior Division Feature Race Gordon entered turn one in the lead. As the field came into the turn he began to fall back through the field as his car slowed. As Gordon attempted to recover his car he grazed an inside wall at approximately 15-20 KPH.

The incident occurred at approximately 7:45 PM. Delaware Speedway carries a full race staff at all events, including the trained medical staff from RaceMed. Safety officials attended to the driver who reported having minor neck pain. RaceMed made the determination to make a precautionary call to EMS.

“Our competitors safety is first and foremost in our minds at Delaware Speedway, especially when it comes to the young competitors in the Krown Body Maintenance Junior Racing League,” said Junior Division classroom instructor John Houghton. “When a driver reports any pain what so ever we take every possible precaution. The drivers are taught in their classroom sessions to report any pain at all they may have after an incident and to stay in the car. This allows our professionals to do their jobs.”

The vehicle Gordon was piloting was a 9HP fully caged vehicle. At the time of the crash the driver was equipped with a racing helmet, neck brace, fire suit, and five-point safety harness.

“He’s a bit stiff but says he’s feeling just fine,” said his father, Greg Gordon, “It was another testament to the safety of these cars. The safety equipment did its job and prevented any injuries to Reece what so ever. The Delaware safety crew did an exceptional job. Very professional we really appreciate that as well.”

The drivers were competing on the specially designed Krown Junior Racing League road course which runs through the infield at Delaware Speedway. The program has been running at the track since 1997 and currently has approximately thirty active competitors.

“I’m okay now, and I appreciate the officials and the hospital for helping me out,” said the driver, Reece Gordon. “I got looked after by the doctors and nurses. They said I might be a bit stiff and it might hurt today, but I’m fine right now.”

“It was a bit scary, but not that much,” added Reece.

Reece’s older brother 12-year-old Izak Gordon (#18) of Thedford also competes in the league. He is currently in the midst a championship points battle with fellow driver Brett Storr (#85) of Sarnia. Izak was aware of the crash and officials kept him updated as he waited in his car. Immediately following the race Izak headed to the hospital and gave his brother a big hug.

The next event for the Krown Body maintenance Junior Racing League is Wednesday July 2.

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The Krown Body Maintenance Junior Racing League is a program for 8-17 year olds that teaches the ins and outs of stock car racing. It operates during the summer on Wednesday nights at Delaware Speedway. The racing is divided into two divisions, the Junior Division (8-12 Years Old) and the Senior Division (13-17 Years Old). The drivers do not compete for money, but for an end of the year scholarship.

As part of the Krown Body Maintenance Junior Racing League drivers participate in the racing program, and attend classroom sessions. These are held after every race and count towards the end of the year championship. The sessions teach the young drivers about subjects such as safety, public speaking, taking responsibility, the dangers of drugs and alcohol, vehicle maintenance, sponsorship, aerodynamics, engines and much more. Throughout the season the league also hosts various guest speakers.

The program has seen many graduates over the years including CASCAR Super Series champion and current NASCAR Canadian Tire Series driver J.R. Fitzpatrick, current Peterbilt Super Stock competitors Darrell Lake, Andrew Perkins and Stephen Richmond as well as Katheleen Hosang in the Challenger Motorfreight Trucks who is currently the only female driver running a full Friday night schedule. Along with numerous graduates of move on to drive stock cars, many other graduates are currently active in motorsports across North America including Jeff Wernham who is a car chief in the NASCAR Camping World Series with Westworld Motorsports.

Junior Racing League Cars are specially designed half scale late model vehicles that are powered by sealed 9 HP Honda engines. They use a centrifugal clutch for drive. The typical speeds at Delaware Speedway's inside track range between 40-50 KPH. The vehicles are surrounded by a full roll cage and fibreglass body.