Well folks I've procrastinated long enough for the final update of the 2007 season. 2007 was our best season in the past 4 years with many highlights. Winning the season opener, all the heat race wins and top 5 finishes and the hat trick at the end of August all attributed to an excellent season. In fact, until the end of July we had not finished worse than 3rd in the feature events then a 7th in August. All in all we managed to finish second in the championship title quest.
We ran radio spots, promoting our sponsors, on the WOLF 101.5 FM all summer long. Promoted our supporters at the Racing Against Drugs program for Durham region schools, Partsource store BBQs and car shows as well as AutoFest, a great car show in Oshawa, again with the Racing Against Drugs program, where the car was beside the presenting stage for the awards (huge crowd throughout the weekend).
Unfortunately the great season ended at the ACT race with a crash that destroyed the front of our Charger.
We practiced Friday night and found some problems with the car that were a result of changes we had to make to comply with the ACT rules. After remedying the problems we were surprised to find the car was almost as fast as a regular Friday night set up under the Kawartha rules. The crew noticed many of the ACT competitors would go out check our lap times and use that as a bench mark for themselves. It was a pretty good feeling knowing that the high caliber teams trying to get as fast as the top 3 Kawartha cars with us at the top of the chart.
In our heat race we started in the front row along side another Kawartha front runner so it made going into first turn not so nerve racking. We battled for the lead with Brain Mercer for nearly 6 laps door to door before we cleared him for the lead and continued on to take the checkered flag (picture on the Kawartha speedway site under gallery Sept 15). Due to the handicap scoring system, winning that race made the difference between starting 7th to Brian's 18th. Again we thought we were in pretty good shape.
The feature was scheduled to be 200 green flag laps not counting caution laps. So we had worked out a pit strategy that would allow us to get a splash of fuel and 2 right side tires to take us to the end. We figured we would just settle into a rhythm and make consistent laps until the last 60 then make a run if we had any ground to make up.
Well the race started out well and we were definitely in the hunt for a top 5. The car was a little on the pushy side but we assumed it was due to the full fuel load and the problem would correct itself as the fuel burned off. We were able to pick up a couple of positions early on and managed to get as far as fourth. But by lap 50 the push was getting worse to the point where the car didn�t want to stay on the bottom of the race track. Eventually the freight train started to go by on the bottom and we were contemplating pitting to make an adjustment. The contemplating was really a desperate delay hoping for a caution that would allow us to come in and make the adjustment, fuel up and not go down a lap.
Finally on lap 59 the real problem made itself known when the right front tire blew. It was at probably one of the worst places on the race track during full acceleration coming off turn 4. There was virtually no time to get the car slowed down before it hit the wall at about 70 mph. All the suspension components, on the right side, as well as the chassis were destroyed in the wreck. So ended the biggest race we have competed in, possibly our second place in the championship and deeply affected the whole team emotionally.
With a few weeks between the ACT race and the final points night for Kawartha, Roger and Patti Diotte offered the use of their car that had not been on the track in 2 years. Through the efforts of many people we were able to compete on the final points night and secure 2nd place in the championship race.
Regretfully, the damage on our car was the 'straw that broke the camel's back' and has left us at a point where we are not planning on racing next year. We have become used to running in the top end of the class and love the sport so much that competing at a sub-standard level, in the late model class, is not satisfying for the team. At this point it would be a struggle to get back to the track next year. With that being said we plan to sell the car as is or repaired and take some time to regroup. You'll notice the word "retire" was never uttered.
Thank you for the support you have shared with us over the years. We have faithfully done our best to promote our sponsors and represent them in a professional manner because we are a direct reflection on their business. Our sponsors have made it possible for the team to compete at such a high level and be successful in one of the most competitive classes in the country. As we walk away we feel proud of the respect we have earned from other competitors and the fans we have raced with.
Hope to see or hear from you in the near future.
Thank you ,
Linc Brown 99 & the whole L Brown Motorsports Team
