BOOK WINS FIRST ENDURO OF THE YEAR

Red Baron Wins Chaos Car Exhibition

Click here to view video of the final Ultimate Sandblasting

and Coating Chaos Cars round

April 26, 2008

By: John Houghton

Steve Book (#64) of Brantford won the inaugural Transmission Direct Enduro 250 Saturday afternoon at Delaware Speedway.  The day also saw the first-ever exhibition demonstration for the Ultimate Sandblasting and Coating Chaos Cars and played host to the AJ Fordham’s Change Bandits raising money for the Children’s Health Foundation.

The Transmission Direct Enduro race was led early on by Jeremiah Rabidau (#51) of Glencoe.  A fierce duel was held between a trio of Cameros with Rabidau in the lead being chased by David McCullough (#39) of Glencoe and eventual winner Steve Book.  Book would take the lead in that initial battle, but McCullough would claim it for himself on lap 49.  Trouble would soon follow in turn two for Rabideau as he was involved in a spin and series of additional incidents throughout the day would remove him from contention.  The pair of McCullough and Book battled nose to tail for a number of laps, weaving through traffic until McCullough was caught in an eleven-car crash in turn one on lap 54. 

Book would go on to lead the remainder of the race, with last season’s defending champion, Steve “Smitty” Smith (#84) of Arkona fighting to get back on the lead lap, ultimately finishing second.  Third was Jeff Coward (#11) of Ilderton.  Finishing in fourth was Jason Hathaway (#33) of Appin driving on behalf of AJ Fordham, and fifth was Steve Arrand (#37) of London.

“When David McCullough and me were running together we were having a great run,” said Book in victory lane.  “Somebody blew up and dumped a whole bunch of oil down in that corner and there was a big wreck in turn one.  Luckily the car did grab enough and I didn’t get caught up in it.”

In post race technical inspection a rule infraction was found on car #37.  The vehicle was found to be using non-approved cylinder heads.  The car was assessed a 25 point deduction and fined prize money for the event.

The Change Bandit program for the Children’s Health Foundation raised over $2,000.  The bandits would like to extend a warm thank-you to the fans at Delaware Speedway for their support and send a thank-you to the London Knights Organization for donating memorabilia for the draw as well as Jordan Shine for organizing the London Knights portion of the event.  The bandits would also like to thank Tony Dehart & Kevin Bodker for their attendance to help at the event.

The Ultimate Sandblasting and Coating Chaos Cars exhibition demonstration was won by Dan Mills of London in the Red Baron.  In the face of a chorus of booing from the grandstand, Mark de Regt of Melbourne in the Kazakhstan Krunch mounted a series of aggressive attacks on the Baron in the final round in an effort to claim the inaugural exhibition winner title.  Following the race the Kazakhstan Krunch vowed to make repairs and take victory in the next event.  Third in the event was the One Eyed Purple Car Eater driven by Derek Stone of St. Thomas.  The Chaos Cars will run their first official event on May 17.  For more information about getting involved with this new class visit the Chaos Car webpage on delawarespeedway.com.  Click here to view video the final round.

The next race event at Delaware Speedway is the season opener for the weekly divisions on Friday, May 2.  The racing will feature the APC Late Models, Powerade Open-Wheel Modifieds and the Peterbilt of Ontario Super Stocks.  Gates open at 6:00 PM and racing begins at 8:00 PM.