The Similkameen News Leader
Sports Page - May 08, 2007
KEREMEOS RACERS TEAR UP THE TRACK
The weather turned out great for an exciting start to the local Stock Car racing season. The event sponsor was South Okanagan Bakery. It was Hit to Pass and the $400 Claimer class on Sunday afternoon at Penticton Speedway. Owner Johnny Anntjes was very happy with the opening. A good crowd enjoyed opening day. The sun came out during the timing sessions and stayed around.
The fans got what they came for. Lots of wheel to wheel action in both classes, but as usual Hit to Pass put on the big show.
Thanks to Pit boss Brian Poppe, the program went off pretty smoothly. There were a few first time drivers in Claimer class, both ladies and guys, and it made for very interesting racing. In the qualifying time runs Ron Elgie of Keremeos was fastest in the #28 car. Hit to Pass fastest qualifier was Allen Scarfo of Kelowna in the #88.
When the racing got under way rookie Natalie Elgie of Keremeos won her first race ever in the Claimer Trophy A heat. It was her birthday too.
Quite a start to her racing career. The B heat was taken by her brother-in-law Ron Elgie in #28. Just one Trophy dash in Hit to Pass. It was taken by #55, Dale Highberg of Twin Lakes. He put on a real good show.
When the Heats began it was another rookie finishing in front. Kyle Piper drove a solid race in his Jetta. Peter Vandenbroel of Penticton came home second and 3rd place went to the #22 car of Brent Vellecotte of Kelowna.
He's back racing after taking a year off. Claimer #2 Heat went to Peter Vandenbroel after a great wheel to wheel battle with 'Rocking' Ron Elgie.
The crowd really enjoyed that one. 3rd place went to high school student Sarah Cornett-Ching.
She's been racing for 6 years now, following in the footsteps of her dad Joe. Dale Highberg did it again in the Hit to Pass heat. He won over the #28 of Dan Marsel of Keremeos. Dan runs a garage and sponsors a number of cars. After sitting in the stands for a couple of years, he said he was ready to race and he made believers of us Sunday afternoon.
He just kept his foot in it and along with the other drivers put on a great start to this year's events at the Speedway. 3rd place went to Norm Swerdfeger of Penticton.
There's always something going on in the stands during races and the Penticton SPCA volunteers sold 50/50 tickets and split $450 with a lucky fan. Another crowd pleaser was a birthday party for Cameron Spiers, he was celebrating his 7th birthday along with family and friends, complete with a cake and balloons.
The crowd sang Happy Birthday and Cameron got to wave the green flag to start the Claimer Main Event. His dad George is the owner of Katana Boats that sponsors the Katana Sportsmen Late-model series all around B.C.
After the intermission fun, The Claimer cars went at it for 20 laps. One of the attractions of this class is that you never know what's going to happen with the mix of rookies and more experienced drivers. It makes it entertaining for everyone.
Peter Vandenbroel of Penticton was on a roll. He's a smooth and experienced driver. After going side by side with Ron Elgie again, Peter came away with the win. Ron is really after it this year and was a strong second. 3rd place went to the Natalie Elgie entry, but it sure looked like her husband in there at the wheel.
The day wrapped up with Hit to Pass. Other than the Katana cars, Hit to Pass is the most popular and you just have to see it once to know why. As part of the race cars have to keep hitting one another. It's in the rules. Caution is taken to keep it injury free and that's how it all turned out.
After the usual tire smoking, cars spinning and banging action, the race was won by Kelowna's Allen Scarfo. He had a good year last year finishing in the top 5 and looked very strong to start the season. Norm Swerdfeger in the #31 picked up another third place finish to wrap up a great day. Lot's of celebrations and high-fives at the start-finish line.
We'd like to say thanks to Rebecca the timing lady for doing a great job getting us the information.
