JANUARY 19th, 2008
MONSTER JAM
TORONTO, ON.
TEAM ONTARIO (or at least 2/3's of the team) loaded up and headed down to the Rogers Centre in Toronto for the return of the derby at the USHRA Monster Jam.
Despite the freezing cold conditions, even inside, it was a pretty good turnout. According to the promoter it was a sold-out event of 35,000.
As far as drivers were concerned there were some familiar faces like Dave Tink, Greg Miller, Mitch Clarkson, Doug Archer, Hugh Hunter and Don Turner. The rest of the 20 car field were new to me, but some pretty nice guys.
Originally they had excluded us from the pit party, but after some discussions Ed Sanderson (the promoter) manged to get us on the floor for the party. I think the cars were a hit with the crowd, especially those with pretty paint jobs.
The derby was the final attraction of the night, and after being there since 9am, by 10pm I was ready for a nap. We went on at 10:15, and were given an approximate time limit of 15mins. I had brought a timer with me, but forgot to turn it on.
Anyway, once the flag dropped we began jockeying for position. I can't recall to many specifics, except that the #95 bubble Ford and I seemed to have it in for one another. About 10 minutes in it appeared to be a 5 car race, with Don Turner, Dave Tink, the red Ford, a chev wagon and myself. I think Don got stuck, and we finally finished off #95, so it was down to myself, Tink and the wagon.
At this point I felt pretty confident that I had 2nd, but knew I didn't have the car to beat Tink's 81' Lincoln. After trying for the axle on the wagon, which didn't break, I thought I would try an "around the world" and park on or in the wagon. Unfortunately for me I put a tire off the track boundary and was DQ'd for leaving the track.
I argued that I had been off the track earlier in the race without consequence, but the officials advised that during the 2nd infraction I had lost a rear tire, and was cutting up the concrete, so they couldn't let it slide. Although I was disapointed, I accepted the explanation. Rules are rules.
So, I ended up in 3rd, and my chev will live to fight another day. Not a bad way to start off 2008.
Doug #192..
TEAM ONTARIO NEWS