Dirt from the Stands by Greg Cybulski
A CHRISTMAS INSPIRATION (2008)
The following thoughts are dedicated to the memory of Cindy Chernoff.
Inspiration. A word that creates visions of something exciting and refreshingly new that awakens our senses.
Inspiration can come from many sources. The words or actions of people, an event and faith are but a few examples.
In May of 2003, the Northern Late Model Racing Association was scheduled for it's inaugural race at Estevan Motor Speedway. I was busy looking for accommodations when my wife, Heather, suggested giving her cousin Cindy a call. When Cindy found out we were coming to Estevan, she insisted that we stay with her and husband John and visit at their home along the Boundary Reservoir, not far from the track. Upon our arrival, our gracious hosts not only gave us a tour of Estevan, which included a boat tour of the reservoir, but they seemed keen about checking out their first dirt track race with us as well. After a fun evening of racing and visiting with the drivers, John and Cindy wanted to know when we were returning so we could do that again.
John and Cindy opened their home to my family once more in 2004 for Estevan's first sprint car race. Later that year, John would take a job in Edmonton and our memorable visits in Estevan came to an end. In the years to follow, "When are you coming to Edmonton, so we can all go to the races again?" was a common message coming from the west.
In 2006, a series of tragic and unfortunate events caused me to walk away from racing. I basically shut down. I had no desire to write, promote or have anything to do with something that had been part of my life for many years.
The next 18 months was a time when I tried to find myself again and reconcile my burdens within myself. It was during this time that I decided to go back to the things that made me happy in my younger years. This included my love for jazz music. My healing process included attending local performances which allowed me to reconnect with my "happy place", leaning heavily on my closest friends and my faith to find the answers I searched for. I finally found my way back in 2008 and have resumed my writings and involvement in racing with a greater sense of purpose and direction.
2008 produced it's share of inspirational moments for this writer. It all started early in the year when I wrote an article for Estevan, Saskatchewan's Kyle Fedyk and brought a story of his dreams and aspirations in open wheel racing to a national audience of Canadian readers within the pages of Inside Track magazine. I returned to my home track of Red River Co-op Speedway in Winnipeg and took the opportunity to visit with my racing friends whom I had not seen in over a year. The sights, sounds and smells of the speedway came alive with sprint car heavyweights Mark Dobmeier and Wade Nygaard battling for the lead at the 4th annual NAPA Auto Parts Mid-Canada Sprint Car Challenge.
Speedy Creek Raceway hosted two nights of sprint car racing and displayed it's community spirit by giving the people of Swift Current an opportunity to get close to the teams of the Alberta Sprint Tour during a midday meet and greet. My imagination came to life by the images captured through the lens of a camera by the photographers who so graciously contribute their works to the Prairie Dirt website.
My mind was opened by the writings of motorsports journalist Dave Argabright and by local jazz performer, educator and editor Steve Kirby in the pages of DIG! magazine.
Despite tough economic times, 2008 was also the year of the travelers. Racers who towed incredible miles to race far from home. I was inspired by people like Jessica Lavallee, Kyle Fedyk, Brian McCaughan, Mark Dobmeier, Greg Nikitenko, Gord Kynoch and the Alberta Sprint Tour to name a few. God bless the travelers who come to our dirt tracks and entertain the fans.
In the spring of this year, Cindy Chernoff of Edmonton, Alberta lost a battle with cancer. Her bright personality and kind nature will be missed.
Thoughts of our time shared in Estevan is all the inspiration that was needed to write this column and to dedicate the 2008 Prairie Dirt season in her honor.
On behalf of the Cybulski family, I would like to extend heartfelt wishes of joy and inspiration during the Christmas season and many Blessings in the New Year.
God willing, I will see all of you at a dirt track again in 2009. It's good to be back.
Take care and good racing,
Greg Cybulski
Showing posts with label 2008. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2008. Show all posts
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Time For Change, 2008
Dirt from the Stands by Greg Cybulski
TIME FOR CHANGE
Well race fans, I was not aware that sitting at home and listening to the Knoxville Nationals on Hoseheads Radio was more important than supporting a sanctioning body's point race.
I was, however, proven wrong when poor scheduling and lack of communications contributed to an embarrassing total of 9 Sprint Cars pitted at Estevan Motor Speedway on Saturday, August 9th. Of these 9 teams, two were locally-based and one team came from Alberta. According to my math, that means that 6 regular teams from the Grand Forks, North Dakota region made a commitment to travel from I-29 to southeast Saskatchewan to race First, let me say that each of the participating teams were sent a note of thanks for their commitment. To the organization that is the Northern Outlaw Sprint Association, there is only one thing that can be said...
Estevan Motor Speedway is an ideal track for sprint car racing. Estevan Motor Speedway wants sprint car racing. After 5 years of hosting the Northern Outlaw Sprint Association, Estevan Motor Speedway deserves better than what they got.
It is the feeling of this writer and many others that this group's policies must change to become more inclusive to enable more teams from out of the territory to support long distance tour dates. Especially in times of economic struggles, additional cars are essential for a successful race event. In this regard, the NOSA Sprint Tour has failed. In this era, standardization of rules for a car class, such as the ASCS program for 360 sprints, has made it possible for teams to support different events without concern. These teams know that they can unload their car and race no matter where they are. Throwing additional money into a standard purse is not the only answer to greater car counts, policy reform towards inclusion is the greater answer. It is my sincere hope that there will be a commitment to improve the quality of the open wheel experience in Estevan and other facilities which require a long tow and to provide the best possible show for the race fans of those regions.
In 2004, I penned a little article for Bernie Hill's Rollcage Dirt Track Racing Magazine entitled "Time For Change" in which I echoed the same sentiments as today. The article was a comparative of NOSA and the Northern Latemodel Racing Association. I wrote of the NLRA's success as a touring group because of their ability to gain additional regional teams for their tour dates, whereas, I suggested that perhaps NOSA should "tour" as a 360 group in order to have additional Wissota teams participate in their race dates.
Contrary to popular belief, the majority of sprint car teams in our region are 360's. Grand Forks, North Dakota is an island for weekly 410 sprint car racing, surrounded by a sea of 360 sprint cars. There is a universal truth that states, "pride will come before the fall". It makes one wonder how great the pride of 410 sprint car racing will be for NOSA at River Cities Speedway while the island is slowly sinking into the sea.
Until next time...
Take care and good racing,
Greg Cybulski
TIME FOR CHANGE
Well race fans, I was not aware that sitting at home and listening to the Knoxville Nationals on Hoseheads Radio was more important than supporting a sanctioning body's point race.
I was, however, proven wrong when poor scheduling and lack of communications contributed to an embarrassing total of 9 Sprint Cars pitted at Estevan Motor Speedway on Saturday, August 9th. Of these 9 teams, two were locally-based and one team came from Alberta. According to my math, that means that 6 regular teams from the Grand Forks, North Dakota region made a commitment to travel from I-29 to southeast Saskatchewan to race First, let me say that each of the participating teams were sent a note of thanks for their commitment. To the organization that is the Northern Outlaw Sprint Association, there is only one thing that can be said...
Estevan Motor Speedway is an ideal track for sprint car racing. Estevan Motor Speedway wants sprint car racing. After 5 years of hosting the Northern Outlaw Sprint Association, Estevan Motor Speedway deserves better than what they got.
It is the feeling of this writer and many others that this group's policies must change to become more inclusive to enable more teams from out of the territory to support long distance tour dates. Especially in times of economic struggles, additional cars are essential for a successful race event. In this regard, the NOSA Sprint Tour has failed. In this era, standardization of rules for a car class, such as the ASCS program for 360 sprints, has made it possible for teams to support different events without concern. These teams know that they can unload their car and race no matter where they are. Throwing additional money into a standard purse is not the only answer to greater car counts, policy reform towards inclusion is the greater answer. It is my sincere hope that there will be a commitment to improve the quality of the open wheel experience in Estevan and other facilities which require a long tow and to provide the best possible show for the race fans of those regions.
In 2004, I penned a little article for Bernie Hill's Rollcage Dirt Track Racing Magazine entitled "Time For Change" in which I echoed the same sentiments as today. The article was a comparative of NOSA and the Northern Latemodel Racing Association. I wrote of the NLRA's success as a touring group because of their ability to gain additional regional teams for their tour dates, whereas, I suggested that perhaps NOSA should "tour" as a 360 group in order to have additional Wissota teams participate in their race dates.
Contrary to popular belief, the majority of sprint car teams in our region are 360's. Grand Forks, North Dakota is an island for weekly 410 sprint car racing, surrounded by a sea of 360 sprint cars. There is a universal truth that states, "pride will come before the fall". It makes one wonder how great the pride of 410 sprint car racing will be for NOSA at River Cities Speedway while the island is slowly sinking into the sea.
Until next time...
Take care and good racing,
Greg Cybulski
Ontario Promoter Takes Super Stocks To The Front, 2008
Dirt from the Stands by Greg Cybulski
ONTARIO PROMOTER TAKES SUPER STOCKS TO THE FRONT
In the world of dirt track racing, you don't have to go very far to see which car classes garner the headlines on the internet and motorsports magazines. Open wheel and late model racing cover the majority of what is available for information-hungry race fans. Many dirt tracks will advertise specials with touring groups in these same classes. If you were to attend one of these special race events, the headliner would usually follow a local support car class. In many instances the support would come from Super Stocks.
What if the support class were to become the event's headliner? Emo, Ontario's Anthony Leek has done just that by taking the Wissota Super Stock class and creating the Northern Super Stock Touring Series. After going on a one-man crusade, getting help from some Winnipeg drivers to help move the concept along, to garner sponsorship for a driver's point's fund for the new series and getting an increased purse on race night, Anthony realized his goal. In it's inaugural run in 2007, the NSSTS made 3 tour stops at Emo Speedway, Ontario, Greenbush Race Park, MN and Winnipeg's Red River Co-op Speedway. A total of 44 race teams from Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Ontario, Manitoba, and Wisconsin participated in the tour which has now grown to 4 dates for the 2008 race season with the addition of Bemidji Speedway, in Minnesota.
Although still in it's infancy, the Northern Super Stock Touring Series appears to have started out with a bang. With careful guidance and nurturing, it will become something race fans and teams can look forward to for many years to come.
A promoter is defined as "someone who tries to encourage something to happen or develop". If that is true, then Anthony Leek deserves the title of "Promoter".
If more people in racing would lose the word "CAN'T" from their vocabulary and replace it with the words "CAN DO", then maybe, just maybe we would all enjoy something a little more special on race day.
Until next time, take care and good racing.
Greg Cybulski
For more information on the NSSTS check out: http://www.northernsuperseries.com/index.htm
ONTARIO PROMOTER TAKES SUPER STOCKS TO THE FRONT
In the world of dirt track racing, you don't have to go very far to see which car classes garner the headlines on the internet and motorsports magazines. Open wheel and late model racing cover the majority of what is available for information-hungry race fans. Many dirt tracks will advertise specials with touring groups in these same classes. If you were to attend one of these special race events, the headliner would usually follow a local support car class. In many instances the support would come from Super Stocks.
What if the support class were to become the event's headliner? Emo, Ontario's Anthony Leek has done just that by taking the Wissota Super Stock class and creating the Northern Super Stock Touring Series. After going on a one-man crusade, getting help from some Winnipeg drivers to help move the concept along, to garner sponsorship for a driver's point's fund for the new series and getting an increased purse on race night, Anthony realized his goal. In it's inaugural run in 2007, the NSSTS made 3 tour stops at Emo Speedway, Ontario, Greenbush Race Park, MN and Winnipeg's Red River Co-op Speedway. A total of 44 race teams from Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Ontario, Manitoba, and Wisconsin participated in the tour which has now grown to 4 dates for the 2008 race season with the addition of Bemidji Speedway, in Minnesota.
Although still in it's infancy, the Northern Super Stock Touring Series appears to have started out with a bang. With careful guidance and nurturing, it will become something race fans and teams can look forward to for many years to come.
A promoter is defined as "someone who tries to encourage something to happen or develop". If that is true, then Anthony Leek deserves the title of "Promoter".
If more people in racing would lose the word "CAN'T" from their vocabulary and replace it with the words "CAN DO", then maybe, just maybe we would all enjoy something a little more special on race day.
Until next time, take care and good racing.
Greg Cybulski
For more information on the NSSTS check out: http://www.northernsuperseries.com/index.htm
News From Saskatchewan, 2008
Dirt from the Stands by Greg Cybulski
NEWS FROM SASKATCHEWAN
Well race fans, if there is anything that warms this reporter's heart, it's seeing healthy growth in Prairie Dirt country. That is what you will find at southeast Saskatchewan's premier dirt track facility, Estevan Motor Speedway in 2008.
Already known as the host of one leg of the IMCA Dakota Classic Modified Tour which also includes tour stops at North Dakota's Nodak Speedway, Williston Basin Speedway, Southwest Speedway & Dacotah Speedway, Estevan has scheduled a series of race specials for 2008 that will have fans on the edge of their seats all season long. Summer heats up at EMS with the 2008 Dakota Classic Tour on Monday, July 7th.
The rumors have been confirmed! The World of Outlaws Late Model Series will be invading Estevan Motor Speedway for the first time on Saturday, July 12th following their visit to River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, ND. on Friday, July 11th as part of the "Wild West Tour" swing of their schedule. The Outlaws Late Models also have eastern Canadian dates at Ohsweken Speedway (June 19), Autodrome Drummond (June 21) and Cornwall Motor Speedway (June22). Additional information on this special event will be provided in the not too distant future.
The Northern Late Model Racing Association will pay another visit to one of their favorite stops on the tour at the 3/8 mile, high banks on Saturday, July 26th and the Northern Outlaw Sprint Association makes it's annual visit on Saturday, August 9th.
Speaking of sprint cars, please be sure to watch for an exclusive one-on-one feature with Estevan's own Kyle Fedyk as he shares his thoughts about racing across the prairies.
Aside from it's specials, Estevan Motor Speedway provides one of the best weekly race programs on the prairies for the dirt track racing fan. It's fan-friendly atmosphere is perfect for a night out with the family. Western hospitality at it's best!
For more information about Estevan Motor Speedway, go to: http://www.estevanmotorspeedway.com/index.html
Until next time...
Take care and good racing,
Greg Cybulski
NEWS FROM SASKATCHEWAN
Well race fans, if there is anything that warms this reporter's heart, it's seeing healthy growth in Prairie Dirt country. That is what you will find at southeast Saskatchewan's premier dirt track facility, Estevan Motor Speedway in 2008.
Already known as the host of one leg of the IMCA Dakota Classic Modified Tour which also includes tour stops at North Dakota's Nodak Speedway, Williston Basin Speedway, Southwest Speedway & Dacotah Speedway, Estevan has scheduled a series of race specials for 2008 that will have fans on the edge of their seats all season long. Summer heats up at EMS with the 2008 Dakota Classic Tour on Monday, July 7th.
The rumors have been confirmed! The World of Outlaws Late Model Series will be invading Estevan Motor Speedway for the first time on Saturday, July 12th following their visit to River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, ND. on Friday, July 11th as part of the "Wild West Tour" swing of their schedule. The Outlaws Late Models also have eastern Canadian dates at Ohsweken Speedway (June 19), Autodrome Drummond (June 21) and Cornwall Motor Speedway (June22). Additional information on this special event will be provided in the not too distant future.
The Northern Late Model Racing Association will pay another visit to one of their favorite stops on the tour at the 3/8 mile, high banks on Saturday, July 26th and the Northern Outlaw Sprint Association makes it's annual visit on Saturday, August 9th.
Speaking of sprint cars, please be sure to watch for an exclusive one-on-one feature with Estevan's own Kyle Fedyk as he shares his thoughts about racing across the prairies.
Aside from it's specials, Estevan Motor Speedway provides one of the best weekly race programs on the prairies for the dirt track racing fan. It's fan-friendly atmosphere is perfect for a night out with the family. Western hospitality at it's best!
For more information about Estevan Motor Speedway, go to: http://www.estevanmotorspeedway.com/index.html
Until next time...
Take care and good racing,
Greg Cybulski
First News from the Canadian Prairies in 2008
Dirt from the Stands by Greg Cybulski
FIRST NEWS FROM THE CANADIAN PRAIRIES IN 2008
Well race fans, the 2008 racing season is getting closer and with it will be a different look. Some new, some old and some missing but definitely always interesting.
In the new department, Red River Co-op Speedway, Winnipeg has a new track manager/promoter. Derek Pollock takes over the driver's seat with a sense of energy and excitement that should make for a great season of racing in Winnipeg. Prairie Dirt wishes Derek all the best in his new role.
Winnipeg race fans will see their share of special races again in 2008. The annual Mid-Canada Sprint Car Challenge takes place on Thursday, July 10. Last year's event drew 21 Sprint Cars, the highest count in the event's short history. Late Models will be in the spotlight again as Winnipeg hosts 4 race nights, including a two night event featuring the Rumble Series Late Models on June 18 and 19. This series will be worth checking out.
To the west, exciting rumors are still swirling about possible big Sprint Car and Late Model shows in the Estevan/Williston/Minot region. More to follow...
Winnipeg's Sprint Car scene just got a little lighter as two of our racers have packed up their tents and moved on. Dave Sobczak has retired from the open wheel ranks following a stellar 2007 season which included his first feature win aboard his 17 sprinter. His win came the the Devil's Run Sprint Car Classic on June 2nd at Devil's Lake Speedway, ND. Prairie Dirt wishes Dave well in his future plans.
After 7 years of racing, Richard Rogers has called it a career following an unfortunate turn of events early in the 2007 racing season. On a personal note, Richie was my hero for many reasons. Of all the racers in our region, it was a low budget race team from Winnipeg who lived the dream that most people romanticize about when they think of old school racing travels. Unlike some "home-based" teams, he left his comfort zone and dared to travel and experience new places (tracks) that he had never tried before and raced against people he had never previously met. In 2005, when a proposal was presented for teams in the Upper Midwest to travel to Castrol Raceway in Edmonton for the Gold Cup weekend, it was Richard Rogers who answered the call. He and his team traveled an incredible distance, racing in Winnipeg on a Thursday to Edmonton on Friday to race that night. He made the tow in 2005 and 2006. In 2007, when the call was made to participate with the Alberta Sprint Tour in the inaugural "Prairie Dirt Classic" in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Richie answered instantly, without hesitation. My only regret is that the RX sprinter never got there to see it. Richard has always been a big supporter of Prairie Dirt and what I was trying to achieve. You will be missed my friend. Thank you just never seems enough.
Until next time...
Take care and good racing,
Greg Cybulski
FIRST NEWS FROM THE CANADIAN PRAIRIES IN 2008
Well race fans, the 2008 racing season is getting closer and with it will be a different look. Some new, some old and some missing but definitely always interesting.
In the new department, Red River Co-op Speedway, Winnipeg has a new track manager/promoter. Derek Pollock takes over the driver's seat with a sense of energy and excitement that should make for a great season of racing in Winnipeg. Prairie Dirt wishes Derek all the best in his new role.
Winnipeg race fans will see their share of special races again in 2008. The annual Mid-Canada Sprint Car Challenge takes place on Thursday, July 10. Last year's event drew 21 Sprint Cars, the highest count in the event's short history. Late Models will be in the spotlight again as Winnipeg hosts 4 race nights, including a two night event featuring the Rumble Series Late Models on June 18 and 19. This series will be worth checking out.
To the west, exciting rumors are still swirling about possible big Sprint Car and Late Model shows in the Estevan/Williston/Minot region. More to follow...
Winnipeg's Sprint Car scene just got a little lighter as two of our racers have packed up their tents and moved on. Dave Sobczak has retired from the open wheel ranks following a stellar 2007 season which included his first feature win aboard his 17 sprinter. His win came the the Devil's Run Sprint Car Classic on June 2nd at Devil's Lake Speedway, ND. Prairie Dirt wishes Dave well in his future plans.
After 7 years of racing, Richard Rogers has called it a career following an unfortunate turn of events early in the 2007 racing season. On a personal note, Richie was my hero for many reasons. Of all the racers in our region, it was a low budget race team from Winnipeg who lived the dream that most people romanticize about when they think of old school racing travels. Unlike some "home-based" teams, he left his comfort zone and dared to travel and experience new places (tracks) that he had never tried before and raced against people he had never previously met. In 2005, when a proposal was presented for teams in the Upper Midwest to travel to Castrol Raceway in Edmonton for the Gold Cup weekend, it was Richard Rogers who answered the call. He and his team traveled an incredible distance, racing in Winnipeg on a Thursday to Edmonton on Friday to race that night. He made the tow in 2005 and 2006. In 2007, when the call was made to participate with the Alberta Sprint Tour in the inaugural "Prairie Dirt Classic" in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Richie answered instantly, without hesitation. My only regret is that the RX sprinter never got there to see it. Richard has always been a big supporter of Prairie Dirt and what I was trying to achieve. You will be missed my friend. Thank you just never seems enough.
Until next time...
Take care and good racing,
Greg Cybulski
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