Parsons "Vic"torious in 50 Lap Season Ender!

September 21, 2003 - With the weather woes that plagued Sunset through the course of the 2003 season, Sunday's conditions couldn't have possibly been any better! Sunny skies and warm temperatures greeted our drivers who packed not only our Pit Area but also the Infield Pits. Better than 110 race cars of all types made it out to close out the year. Sunday's race event was run in memoriam of Roy Seryl, a driver who lost his life in a tragic racing accident at Sunset a number of years ago. The Plan Group, our points fund sponsor and long time supporter of Sunset, was on hand to support our big finale.

In the Limited Late Model 50 lap event Vic Parsons started third in the field of 25 cars, got the lead on the low side from polesitter Chris Morrow and took the final checkered flag of the 2003 season. Parsons always does well on these special shows, getting out front and staying there through the extended laps. Ron Tracey worked his way forward and worked Parsons over through the final laps of the race, but was unable to get past landing him in second place. Ron Quesnelle, another driver who does well on the long runs, started seventh and finished out the race in third position. Tom Walters and Ken Bemrose completed the top five. This was a fantastic race - solid action lap after lap until the first caution came out well past halfway.

The Thunder Cars had an entertaining event too, with 26 cars taking the green flag. Brad Schmidt, driving a Ford Crown Victoria from Sauble Speedway, got out front early and won the 35 lap Main. He wasn't seriously challenged for most of the event, that is until Frank Davey got up to his bumper in the last handful of laps. Davey ran out of time, and had to settle for second spot. Todd Davenport, Dan Wright and Gord Shepherd filled out the top five. Shepherd had a lucky break, as a flat tire on the last lap would have surely affected his finish had the race gone longer. There was drama as well, when a spin involving Norm Stoddard and Paul Maltese ended up with Stoddard ramming and destroying Maltese's Monte Carlo one lap later under caution. Stoddard earned a lifetime ban for his actions.

The Four Cylinders put on a great show for the fans, as 3 and 4 wide racing was the norm through the field of 28 cars. Bob Deasy took advantage of his pole starting position, taking the lead and never looking back. Todd Musker, who hauled all the way from Ottawa along with his team car driven by his father Carl, had an incredible battle with Dean Jacksch for the runner up spot. Todd got second, with Jacksch, Carl Musker and Jason Podewils in the top five. As mentioned, this was an incredible race to watch and goes to show how well visiting drivers can adapt to our great little oval.

Not to be outdone, we also had the Hurricane Midgets and Pro Cup Challenge cars out to race. In the Hurricanes, Greg Smolders took the lead from Jack Swanston at around halfway and went on to take the win in the feature. Dennis Thompson took the win in the Pro Cup Challenge race.

A big thanks goes out to all the fans and drivers who came out and made this such a great day of racing. Fall "Classics" are always a lot of fun, and this was no exception.