First Night of Track racing at Holland Speedway

First night of track racing 2009 and a pretty good turn out, 22 riders showed. Similar to the derby we had our favorites here, Ryan Nye (2:1), Mike Bridges (4:1), Kenny Thomas (6:1), Andy Cummings (10:1) and Jim Cowle (5:2), all ready to fly around the oval. And just like the derby a few outside challengers that the bookie liked, Joe Cooke and Scott Farrell and long shot Frank Mesi.

The first race after a great warm, (funny how pace lines are suppose to go at 23/24 miles to warm up the legs and next thing, your doing 30+). Back to the first race a standard 15 lap scratch race, no primes just first to the line. Long shot Frank Mesi tried to get away early on lap 12 held the lead for a couple of laps and realized that he was in need of a TO, but no time outs in horse racing so, waited for the chasers to catch up, which they did and proceeded to pass him and keep going. WOW they did not even say hello or goodbye before leaving Frank who continued his slide back to the pack. The 2 escapee, Ryan and Jim continued to ride away from the pack for the rest of the race.

At the end Jim beat the favorite at the line for the derby win, Ryan in second. The pack exploded when Mike, Kenny and Andy, with Joe Cooke in toll escaped before the bell lap. Joe came off the train, with Kenny, Andy and Mike getting show places, with Frank finding enough energy to catch young Joe just before the finish for 6th.

Nice way to start the Track season, I think everyone was a little tired after that output.

We held a second race, that night, and you could hear a few moans, when we shouted out point race with 4 sprints in the 20 Lap feature. This was going to be a real test for the legs after the first race. And you could tell what was on everyone’s mind as we rolled around the track before the first sprint at 20 mph. Sprint lap is rung and the pace goes from 0-30 in a hurry. Everyone is fighting for a wheel into the wind, around the corner and down the stretch we go, Ryan take the top spot with Jim, Ken, and Joe just out of the places. Similar pace going into the second sprint, this time Jim, Mike and Scott Farrell take points and again Joe is just out of the points. Well, Ryan saw this as a perfect time to leave the comforts of the pack and bang up the road he goes, with everyone waving good bye as he gets a ½ lap lead in no time. Frank starts a half hearted attempt to catch him and looks back, WOW we have a gap too, since the only one to go with him is Dave Kina. Still 2 more sprints with double points at the end, lets see how this works out. Ryan is time trialing away thinking about lapping the pack, Frank and Dave are working together waiting for the explosion from the pack as the bell rings for the next sprint. No answer from the pack, except from Lance Johnson and Ben Badagliacca. The points go to Ryan, Frank and Dave. Four more laps and the finish. Ryan has almost caught the pack and Frank, thinks that will get them going and urges Dave to work hard for the next few laps, they do and the pack is about a straight away behind. Ryan wins easily; Frank takes the sprint from Dave. The pack gets a little exited know the race is near over and Joe takes the sprint from Mike and Andy. But again no points for Joe, looks like a re-occurring issue for Joe, but I am sure by the next week Joe will not be content to finishing with no points.

Speaking of that the group did some flying lap and I must say for this time of year after 2 hard races the times were outstanding. Points for the race as follows

Points race totals and placing

1. Ryan 13 points
2. Frank 6 points
3. Jim Cowle 5 points
4. Dave Kina 3 points
5. Mike Bridges 2 points
6. Ken Thomas 1 pt
7. Scott Farrell 1pt
8. Joe Cooke
9. Andy Cummings


Flying Lap times


Mike Bridges 31.73
Joe Cooke 32.81 beat his best time from last year by a second.
Ryan Nye 33.36
Frank Mesi 33.54
Jim Cowle 33.85
Ken Thomas 33.88
Scott Farrell 35.34
Justin ?? 36.38
Chris ?? 37.35
Dave Kina 37.8
Jamie High 37.93
Keith ?? 39.36
Stephen Forrestel 39.74
Peter Ziolo 42.71

Thanks to Larry Reade for running the races and Joe’s mom for hold the lap cards. As we are leaving its starting to rain, you could not ask for more, great way to start the new year.