VARNEY MOTOR SPEEDWAY
September 5th 2009

CBC's Rick Mercer Goes For A Ride At Varney

This past weekend was not your typical weekend at Varney Motor Speedway. After years of correspondence, track representatives were finally able to convince the producers of CBC's Rick Mercer Report to visit the speedy 1/4 mile oval to film a segment for the popular television program. Additional seating was added to accomodate what turned out to be a 'standing room only' crowd that numbered in the thousands. In the opening ceremonies, Rick Mercer addressed the cheering fans and received a standing ovation after making a donation to the Durham Tornado Relief efforts. Mercer also raced in the Trains, turning the wheel of the third car of the Markdale Salvage Crushers train which was renamed the Mercer Train Of Death for this special night.

Rick Mercer spent the entire day at the track; arriving at 10:00 am; meeting fans and drivers before turning practice laps in the trains. Driving in the Trains looks easier than it is and Rick Mercer found out just how challenging this fan-favourite division is; struggling to keep his car going straight and then hitting the turn four wall! Unscathed by his brush with concrete, Mercer and his team mates did return to the track to take the green flag infront of the packed house and winning their heat race.

This being a long weekend meant back-to-back nights of racing on the high banks. With only a few weeks left in the regular season, drivers were pulling out all the stops in an attempt to surge up the standings in the overall points chase. In the T.W. Robarts Photos Late Models, #12 Justin McLellan cleaned house over the weekend after winning the feature on both nights. As if that weren't enough, McLellan would make it a 'three-win-weekend' by taking top honours in the All Pro Modified main event on Saturday as well.

In the Stock 4 division, the last several weeks have been extremely kind to the Tolton family. Coming into the weekend, #35 Tim Tolton had won three of the last five feature races and was looking to climb up in the standings. Saturday's feature was a caution marred affair but the #35 car perservered with Bob Tolton claiming his first feature race win. Then on Sunday, it was dad's turn as Tim Tolton led the caution free feature race to take the chekered flag stretching their recent record to five wins over the last seven starts!

The Super Street Stock feature saw a first on Saturday and some possible foreshadowing on Sunday! Substitute driving for Shirley Person on Saturday, veteran driver Steve Smith drove the #07 to victory lane for the first time in a feature race. Smith took advantage of a four car battle for second that allowed him to pull away from the pack and hang on for the win. Sunday saw several cars from other tracks show up for invitational racing and, to get some track time in preparation for Varney Motor Speedway's 2nd annual Fall Classic which will take place on September 25 and 26. This night, it would be the guests serving the hosts. Delaware Speedway regular #2 Shawn Chenoweth would take the win with Flamboro Speedway's #72 Randy Rusnell and #21 Kevin Albers close behind. Varney regular #77 Rob Brown was fourth and #07 Steve Smith fifth.

In the Street Stocks, the battle for the championship heats up between #93 Bill Cole and #99 Jamie Hunt. Cole has the most wins this season but finds himself behind Hunt in the standings. Hunt has been consistent all season long and has been the car to beat over the last couple of weeks. On Saturday night, Cole would start back in the field but steadily work his way to the front to take the win. Sunday, Hunt would start on the pole and lead every lap enroute to the win.

Making their second appearance of the season at Varney Motor Speedway, the Pro 4 Modifieds tore up the high banks with #66 Larry Longboat claiming the win. The Markdale Salvage Crushers backed up their date with Rick Mercer by taking the checkered flag in Sunday's Train feature and Donna Tolton took the win in the Women's Challenge.

Varney Motor Speedway drops the green flag at 5:00 pm for the remainder of the season starting this Saturday, September 12. The Stock 4's will be hosting their annual Hillbilly Racing Night as regular racing takes to the highbanks for the last time before the EndOf Season Championship Night on Saturday September 19.

Jody Buschlen/Track Announcer - Varney Motor Speedway

Race Results - Saturday, September 5, 2009

Stock 4

1. #35 Bob Tolton - Guelph

2. #9 Tessa Cremasco - Arthur

3. #38 Sherry Smart - Hanover

4. #15 Tom Hartman - Waterloo

5. #51 Clark Hartman - Waterloo

Heat races won by: #7 John Ince and C.Hartman

Street Stock

1. #93 Bill Cole - Hanover

2. #99 Jamie Hunt - Hanover

3. #26 Tanya McDougall - Arthur

4. #06 Bill Keill - Chatsworth

5. #3 Gary Atkinson - hanover

Heat Race won by: Cole

Super Street Stock

1. #07 Steve Smith - Durham

2. #83 Scott Way - Fergus

3. #84 Lance Sullivan - Mount Forest

4. #77 Rob Brown - Priceville

5. #56 Bobby Zee - Goderich

Heat Race won by: S. Smith

T.W. Robarts Photos Late Models

1. #12 Justin McLellan - Mount Forest

2. #85 Jeff Lotspeich - Rockwood

3. #96 Monty Kelly - Mitchell

4. #57 Brian McLean - Conn

5. #14 Steve Elliot - Gowanstown

Heat Races won by: #81 Chris Van Dusen, #18 Jason McLellan

All Pro Modified

1. #12 Justin McLellan - Mount Forest

2. #8 Gary McLean - Conn

3. #3 Jason McLellan - Mount Forest

4. #2 Dale McArthur - Durham

5. #47 Brian McLean - Conn

Heat Race won by: Justim McLellan

Pro 4 Modifieds

1. #66 Larry Longboat -

2. #17 Stan Pokupec -

3. #53 Mark Lucas -

4. #8 Craig Shaver -

5. #43 John Verney -

Race Result - Sunday, September 6, 2009

Stock 4

1. #35 Tim Tolton - Guelph

2. #9 Dennis Cremasco - Arthur

3. #31 Dave Bailey - Hagersville

4. #51 Clark Hartman - Waterloo

5. #97 Kyle Lethbridge - Barrie

Heat Races won by: #09 Britton Lundy, #35 Tim Tolton (X2), #9 Dennis Cremasco, #31 Dave Bailey, #97 Kyle Lethbridge

Street Stock

1. #99 Jamie Hunt - Hanover

2. #3 Gary Atkinson - Hanover

3. #6 Jason Ritchie - Southampton

4. #93 Bill Cole - Hanover

5. #22 Dean Martin - Brussels

Heat Races won by: #99 Jamie Hunt (X2), #6 Jason Ritchie, #26 Tanya McDougall

Super Street Stock

1. #2 Shawn Chenoweth - Bright

2. #72 Randy Rusnell - Cambridge

3. #21 Kevin Albers -

4. #77 Rob Brown - Priceville

5. #07 Steve Smith - Durham

Heat Races won by: #2 Shawn Chenoweth, #83 Scott Way, #84 Lance Sullivan, #89 Bob Chenoweth

T.W. Robarts Photos Late Models

1. #12 Justin McLellan - Mount Forest

2. #09 Kent Nuhn -

3. #66 Dan Lawler - Mount Forest

4. #14 Steve Elliot - Gowanstown

5. #57 Brian McLean - Conn

Heat Races won by: #96 Monty Kelly, #57 Brian McLean, #12 Justin McLellan, #18 Jason McLellan

Dear Varney Speedway,

On behalf of the soldiers, thank you for letting us to be part of the Military Appreciation Night at the speedway.  Once again, the hospitality from each and every one of you was excellent and memorable. 

This year, there is so many people that we would like to thank, please forgive me if I forget anyone. 

Ken:  Thank you for everything you did.  Thank you for providing the steaks for supper, the refreshments, a place to stay and much more.  Your unbelievable support and dedication to the soldiers and the veterans around your community will never go unnoticed. 

Doug:  Thank you for promoting this event.  I know that the military touches an emotional spot in you and your family.  I’m glad that we were able to get through the administrative stuff and give something back to the race fans as they have given the support to the soldiers serving today.

Steve, Roger, Jody, Rory and all the track staff:  Thank you for everything.  You were the “behind the scenes” team that made our event run smoothly.  

Street Stocks:  Thank you for the experience of a life time that will never be forgotten.  Giving 5 soldiers the chance of getting behind the wheel of a race car is something we would have never imagine to happen, we are truly grateful.  We hope that there weren’t too many dents and scratches on the cars.   Congratulations to MCpl Randy Curl for winning the 5 lap shoot out.

Insane Racing team and other Train racers:  Thank you for the chance to ride with you once again.  As you could see, our hands were full as it was.  To the other trains, thank you for taking it easy on us.   All we can say is, “WOW” I think that explains everything.

Stocks 4’s:  Thank you for the shirts, the ribbons, and the support once again.  A special thanks goes to Clark, Ingrid, and John.

Super Street Stock #56 Team (Bobby, Sue, Dave, Mary, Ellen):  Thank you for all your help, providing a warm fire and for doing all the cooking for us once again.  We never went hungry, and we had a great time in your company. 

And of course The Fans, Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!  Events like these are meant for you.  Everyone made this night successful.  And to the parents, we hope that the face paint came off easily.

Lastly, we would like to all send our hearts to the families that were affected by the tornado that touched down in the Durham area days prior to our visit to the track.  The high emotions were felt in each one of us.  As soldiers, we have witnessed such devastation in other parts of Canada and countries around the world.  But something positive always happens in situations like this, that is, every person and every family in the community will come together to re-build your community.  Although the memories will be tough to deal with, in the end, each one of you will have a positive outcome and outlook of the experience that will be remembered forever.

Thank you for all your support.

Master Corporal Chris Zizek

& The Troops, from CFSEME, CFB Borden

July 7/09
I live in Kitchener and just wanted to commend your idea of letting the kids ride around the track in the race cars. My son LOVED it! I also wanted to acknowledge a couple of your drivers from the July 4th races. My son was so happy that # 21 gave him a promo shirt. As well, even though he had his car loaded in the trailer, the # 21 driver let my son into the trailer to get inside his car and take pics even though his family/crew were ready to head out. They even took pics for me in case my pics didnt turn out. As well, the # 77 driver gave my son a personal drive from where he was parked onto his trailer plus gave him a photo card. My 5 year old son was on top of the word last Saturday. Thanks to you and your drivers for there professionalism and dedication to the fans. FYI : The train races were very exciting to watch.

Any one interested in purchasing pictures or videos
please email:
t.w.robartsphotos@gmail.com or call Terry or Brenda @ 519-881-0395
website : www.twrobartsphotos.net