What do you get when you combine high-speed sprint cars, rumbling stock cars and racing trucks?
You get great racing action at the Sangudo Speedway.
Fans of auto racing crammed the bleachers of the raceway to take in the excitement of hobbyists racing their powerful four-wheeled contraptions.
“We’ve had a bit of a rocky season this year because of a couple of rain-outs, but we’ve also had some exciting races today with more to come,” said Sangudo Speedway president Danny Friend.
The lively crowd was treated to sprint-car, stock-car, mini-car and truck races. The vehicles rumbled around the track at break-neck speeds, filling the air with the sound of high-output engines and the smell of burnt fuel.
Hobbyists spend on average $10,000 to $20,000 to build a vehicle capable of racing the oval at Sangudo.
Aaron Murray, who harnessed the power of his street stock No. 69 car that resembled an old Pontiac Firebird, claimed his first-ever win at the speedway. Despite the fact that he is a paraplegic and his vehicle requires a few modifications to make it drivable for him, it doesn’t stop him from competing.
“It felt pretty good to win here,” said Murray.
Racing poses some unique challenges for Murray.
“I use a hand throttle and break. It makes it a little harder, because you only have one hand to steer with,” said Murray.
Murray had his interest in racing peaked when his friend let him race his car.
“One of my friends let me race with his car, and I got hooked right then and there,” said Murray.
Racers travelled from all over the province to compete in the races at Sangudo. Only two racers at the track were local.
“I got hooked about four years ago when one of the drivers of the car I sponsored let me drive. Now I have my own car and I drove all the way from Hinton just to be here today,” said Larry Deverdenne.
The club was started in 1990 and the first-ever race was held in 1991. Over the years there has been only one major accident when a vehicle jumped the track, careened into the ditch and came to a stop at the barrier that separates the track from the spectators. The racer suffered a sore wrist, repaired his car and was back on the track later that day.
There were no major crashes on Sunday, and the crowd ooohed and aahed when racers bumped into each other when rumbling around the tight corners. Throughout the day, a handful of cars had to be towed off the track because of various mechanical ailments.
“It was very rough out there today. My class, the super stock, generally isn’t about the bash and crash. I don’t know why it is today,” Deverdenne said.
The races were made up of two heats per class with each heat taking eight laps to complete. Winners from each heat competed in a feature race later in the day that had the cars whipping around the track for 20 laps.
“The action brings me back. You work on your car, and then you get to bash and crash the hell out of your car. The best thing though is you can’t get in trouble,” said Deverdenne.
Typically the cars are generating between 300 to 500 horsepower.
“I’m the little guy here. I’m running a sealed engine from GM that can’t be modified and she’s putting out about 350 horses at the wheels. Those big boys will beat me on the straightaway, but I’ll take them in the corners. That’s when it comes do the driver’s skill,” said Deverdenne.
The next scheduled race at Sangudo is set for Aug. 20 to 21. For more information check out the website at www.sangudospeedway.com.
