Small turnout rings in new racing season

The Borderland Racing Assoc-iation waved the green flag to another season of racing Saturday night at the Emo Speedway.
Despite a moderate turnout of drivers in all three divisions, the crowd was treated to near-perfect race conditions thanks to newly-laid clay.
“The racing was excellent. Everyone was working in the new clay,” said association statistician Al Smith. “Turns one and two were a bit tricky. Drivers were trying to find those hot spots.”
Defending Modified champion Steve Arpin continued right where he left off last season by snaring the checkered flag in both the heat and feature race over the seven other cars.
Arpin, who reeled off nine-straight feature wins in Emo last year en route to a landslide win in the Modified points race, edged Gavin Paull in the lone heat and Kevin Randell in the feature.
In the 11-car Streets division, defending champ Jake Hassbargen and John Bosma each earned heat wins but had to settle for second and third-place, respectively, in the feature behind Ron Westover.
And Gerald Hadlestad improved on a third-place showing in the heat of the Mini-Sprints division to edge out Kyle and Steve Ridlon in the feature race.
Six rigs competed in the Mini-Sprints, making for a total of 25 cars—a recent low for an opener at the Emo Speedway.
“It was [American] long weekend,” noted Smith, stressing their usual opener had to be postponed two weeks due to the lingering cold weather. “We’re confident that’ll pick up as the season goes on.”
In related news, Smith said concrete supports for the new lights have been poured and are on schedule to up done before the end of this season.
Meanwhile, the association is in search of volunteers to assist with lap counting and general help at their Saturday races. Call president Dave Allen (274-2693) for more info.
A reminder racing action resumes at the Speedway this Saturday (June 1). Hot laps start at 7 p.m., with races beginning at 7:30.
May 28 results
Mini-Sprints
•Heat #1—1.Ken Perry (#2X4) 2. Kyle Ridlon (#15) 3. Gerald Hadlestad (#23)
•Feature—1. Gerald Hadlestad 2. Kyle Ridlon 3. Steve Ridlon
Streets
•Heat #1—1. John Bosma (#21B) 2. Anthony Visser (#11) 3. Bill Witherspoon (#3)
•Heat #2—1. Jake Hassbargen (#14) 2. Chris Shine (#18) 3. Dan Rea (#3B)
•Feature—1. Ron Westover (#555) 2. Jake Hassbargen 3. John Bosma
Modifieds
•Heat #1-1. Steve Arpin (#00) 2. Gavin Paull (#16) 3. Dwayne Pihulak (#307)
•Feature-1. Steve Arpin 2. Kevin Randell (#89) 3. Ken Anderson (#9)