Lakes Region Ice Racing Club – Weekly Races
Moultonboro, NH – While some folks were parked on their couches watching the Daytona 500, out on the ice at Berry Pond the hearty NH racers and supporters were enjoying a day of ice racing. Last week’s warm days didn’t do any permanent damage to the track and the racers found the surface hard and very fast. Several cars from the New England Ice Racing Club from the Milton area again joined the Lakes Region Ice Racing Club regulars.
The Junior feature took to the half mile oval track first and provided the first of several very competitive division feature races. Jackie Martel (32) jumped out to an early lead and was uncatchable. Alicia Taylor (7) made a last lap challenge, but settled for second place. Alicia’s brother Chris Taylor (8) took the third place trophy, for an all Moultonboro podium.
Jacob Williams (73) of Ossipee was fastest in the Modified qualifier, but a blown left rear tire followed by a series of handling issues left the door open for the rest of the field. Thornton’s Ray Johnson (79) took advantage and took the win. Jack Cook (14) and Matt Taylor (4) both from Moultonboro challenged for the win, but settled for second and third respectively.
Tim Chase (40) of Northfield continued his winning ways notching another feature in the Rear Wheel Drive class driving his wicked fast Toyota MR2. Matt Morrill (9) of Moultonboro ran a strong second, but couldn’t catch Tim once he jumped out front. Brian Jeanson of Sandwich finished third in his number 51 Toyota pickup.
The boys from the New England Ice Racing Club in the Milton area dominated the Front Wheel Drive division this week. Stephen Smith (41) of Rochester in his red Honda Civic handled the rough track and earned the win. Rich Belanger in his beautiful number 48 challenged, but was no match for Smith. Rich was relegated to second with Justin Eldgridge (74) picking up third.
The Stockers provided the most physical race of the day with several yellow flags caused by “off track excursions”. It looked like the race belonged to Joe Belanger (35) of E. Baldwin, Me, but a couple of encounters with snow banks caused by the rutted track, relegated Joe to second place. Shane Eldridge (75) fended off all challenges to take the win, with Scott Brooks Jr (56) of Freedom rounding out the top three. A broken axel on Farmington’s Bruce Sullivan’s number 19 sidelined his very fast car for the day.
The weekly racing series continues next Sunday at 12:30 on Berry Pond off Rt 25 in Moultonboro. Check the club’s website at www.LakesRegionIceRacingClub.com for the latest race/ice status, information about coming events, and for race photos. See you on the ice.