For more info, please visit Humberstone Speedway .
Pt. Colborne, Ont.
By Fran Bushardt
The New Humberstone Speedway culminated their return to racing in
2005 with their Banquet held at the Croation Hall in Welland Ont. The
attendees of just under 300 had their fine share of food, awards, and
danceing.
Topping the awards list was Brian's Tire Repair Street Stocker
Tyler Mc Pherson who claimed the Trevor Wilkens Humberstone Driver of
the Year Award. Mc Pherson led all drivers with 6 feature wins in just
his 2nd year of Stock Car Racing after learning from the Go-Kart ranks.
He will be moving up to the Trails End Sportsman class in 2006 for his
Uncle Bill Willard who ended a 25 year career with a win final night.
21 year racing vet Kenny Winfield went home with a Brand New Speed
Palace Chassis and body package which he will compete in 2006 Trails End
Sportsman season. Winfield claimed the chassis via elimination draw
amongst the top 10 Sportsman drivers of which his ballot was the lone
remaing ballot was drawn from the box. Eliminated in order were: Stan
Zanchin, Don Spiece, Dennis Giancola, George Bosse, Rob Knapp, Rob
Ledingham, Jeff Leggett, Dave Dykstra and Paul Gaboury.
The 2005 Division Champions were honored and they were: Trails End
Sportsman: Ron Ledingham, Brian's Tire Repair Street Stocks, Tyler Mc
Pherson, Kendall Oil Mini Stocks, Rob Goulding, Niagara Auto Sales Pro 4
Trucks, John Low and Micro Sprints Jim Lafler.
Race teams were honored for the Best Appearing Cars and they were:
Sportsman: Stan Zanchin, Street Stocks: Travis Braun, Mini Stocks:
Trevor Goulding and Pro 4 Trucks: Mark Airhardt.
The best of the Freshman groups were rewarded and they were:
Sportsman Dave Dykstra, Street Stocks: Billy Hogue and Mini Stocks:
Charlie Lynch.
Many drivers improved as the season went on but the Most Improved
Drivers were: Sportsman: Nick Cupolo, Street Stock: Kevin Knapp, Mini
Stocks: Dave Small and Pro 4 Trucks Kevin O'Bey.
The Humberstone Hard Charger Awards went to: Sportsman: Rob Knapp,
Street Stocks: Travis Braun, and Mini Stocks: Rob Goulding.
Consistancy always pays off and did to the following drivers as
Most Consistant: Sportsman: Dave Dykstra, Street Stocks: Bill Hogue,
Mini Stocks: Norm Mark and Pro 4 Trucks: Dave Bitner.
The Sportsmanship Awards were given to: Sportsman: Dennis Giancola,
Street Stocks: Mike Dooley, and Mini Stocks Tony Kelly.
With terrific racing it also has it's share of Hard Luck and the
Hard Luck Winners were: Sportsman: Guy Bougie, Street Stocks, Kevin
Kocarik, Mini Stocks: Rob Overholt and Pro 4 Trucks winner was Brian
Simms of Brian's Tire Repair.
Some Specialty Awards were sent out and they were: Humberstone Hall
Of Fame the Late John Puhl who was the Speedway Founder back in 1957 and
it as accepted by Nephew Ken Anthes who enjoyed a 22 year career as the
Voice of the Humberstone Int'l Speedway. The Jim Simpson Crew Chief of
the Year Award went to Mike Granton for a terrific season with Tyler Mc
Pherson. Safety Inspector Mike Journeaux won a Trophy for safely
rolling the Water Truck during the All Canadian Championships in July.
and Former PR Director won the Speedway Dedicaton to Racing Award.
The Awards Banquet and Dinner Dance were MCed by David Alan and
Jim Handley who kept the attendees on the edge of their seats with a
light hearted award ceremony.
Also announced was the fact that drivers will be admitted again
for free in 2006 with the purchase of a Humberstone Membership as long
as they are in competition. General Manager Bob Davidson addressed the
Race Teams, Sponsors and Fans and thanked them for a very successful
return to racing in their first year of ownership under the helm of Pete
and Linda Cosco and look forward to a bigger and better 2006. Schedules
wll be releaced soon and a Daytona 500 Party are planned. For more
information call Humberstone at : 905-834-4002 or call Cosco Haulage at:
905-935-2886. Please visit Humberstone online at:
www.humberstonespeedway.com