ROLAND BERNARD PARKS RIDE FOR ALL THE RIGHT REASONS
Greg Cybulski, WINNIPEG, MB (February 7, 2011) The Northern Lightning Sprint Association will crown a new champion in 2011. Two-time king of the hill, Roland Bernard will not lose his crown in a battle to the finish on the last race of the season. Bernard is parking his #2 Lightning Sprint this year to devote time and energy to his life as a married man with his new bride Janell.
The vacated crown will also mean a wide open battle royal for the 2011 Northern Lightning Sprint championship.
For the past two seasons, dirt track racing fans have been witness to one of the most competitive, dedicated and intelligent representatives of Winnipeg's racing scene. On race day, Bernard and his team were focused, prepared and brought their 'A' game every time they were at Red River Co-op Speedway. In the inaugural NLSA season of 2009, the #2 Sprinter made regular appearances in victory lane with dominating performances. From the first green flag of Spring to the final checkered flag of Autumn, nobody could consistently come close to his performance level.
In year two, Roland once again showed the way with strong performances, however, he would add a new weapon to his game. Mired near the back of the pack to start features, he fought his way to the front and found ways to win. This was not something that could be taught. This was the determination and confidence of a defending champion who realized what it would take to win. Seemingly unfazed by Amber Balcaen's close run for the 2010 championship, Bernard ran a near-perfect season to remain the NLSA's lone champion.
His life outside of racing will take top priority this year and for that Roland Bernard has his head on straight. For as exciting and attractive as racing is, coming home to those closest to you is the most important thing in life. At the end of the day, it's all that really matters.
While Bernard is just beginning this new chapter of his life, he is proving to be a winner both on and away from the track.
About the Northern Lightning Sprint Association:
Created in September of 2008, the Northern Lightning Sprint Association is a rapidly growing organization committed to the creation and maintenance of safe, fast, fun, and affordable open wheel racing. Many of the organization’s members are dedicated to helping charities such as the Children’s Hospital Foundation and Cancer Care of Manitoba. More information can be found at http://www.nlsprints.com
Showing posts with label 2011. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2011. Show all posts
Saturday, November 12, 2011
A Few of My Favorite Things about 2010
A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT 2010
This list of some of my favorite things about 2010 is in no particular order. Each holds it's own distinct significance and is equally as important. The only common thread is that they all involve racing. Here we go...
Inaugural Big Al Delaine Memorial Wissota Modified race, Red River Co-op Speedway, Winnipeg, MB. Pat Mooney and the Delaine family carried on the legacy and paid tribute to one of the biggest supporters of the local racing community. This race was created and promoted for all the right reasons.
Ricky Weiss of St. Francis Xavier, MB: 2010 Wissota National Late Model champion. Weiss won 29 of 85 shows he competed in this season, At 22, Ricky is the youngest Canadian driver in the history of Wissota to win the National Late Model championship.
Dana Brandt's IMCA Hobby Stock winning streak at Estevan Motor Speedway, SK. In 11 starts, Dana won 10 Heats and 10 Features!
Chris Unrau's #27 'Harvest for Kids' Lightning Sprint. A beautiful car campaigned for a worthy cause.
Being a part of the Harvest for Kids event in Winkler, MB. When community comes together, good things happen. We need more of this in our society.
Gerald Balcaen Memorial, Red River Co-op Speedway, Winnipeg, MB. The best part of this night was seeing Amber Balcaen pick up the Northern Lightning Sprint Association feature win and deliver an emotional victory lane speech.
Amber Balcaen's Lightning Sprint run for the 2010 NLSA points title. Amber spent the rain-shortened NLSA season inching her way to within striking distance of the reigning NLSA champion. Misfortune on the second last points race would prove to be her undoing and be the difference that gave Roland Bernard his second consecutive championship.
Danny Schatz takes over Red River Valley Speedway in Fargo, ND. The half-mile in Fargo was one of my favorite stops. With the attention it will be getting from Danny, something good will be that much better.
2010 Wolff Pack Run weekend, IMCA Modifieds at Speedy Creek Raceway, Swift Current, SK. $40,000 in prize money. For that kind of money, I would build a car!
Continuing support of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum. These folks are awesome in every sense of the word. Support is a two way street and I have seen this first-hand with the NSCHoF in Knoxville, Ia.
Working with the Northern Lightning Sprint Association. The NLSA went through some sophomore growing pains in 2010. Year 3 will be much better. The on-track product will continue to grow and be awesome for Winnipeg's open wheel fans.
The opening of ALH Motor Speedway in Morden, MB. The locally proclaimed 'Miracle in Morden' ran a few late race dates in 2010. The track is still a work in progress but has a lot of potential. There's something about the atmosphere of a rural community race track that has always been enjoyable.
Super Truck special at Emo Speedway, Emo, ON. Anthony Leek IS the true definition of a promoter. If he wants something, he goes out and he gets it. It isn't easy, but he always appears to find a way to get things done. The Saturday racing community culture that he has helped create in Emo should be a model for others to learn from.
Being invited on to Marty Gold's The Great Canadian Talk Show on 92.9 KICK-FM. I got my first taste of radio from inside the studio. What an awesome experience.
Writing and voicing the Prairie Dirt Racing Report on 1570 CKMW radio in Winkler. I'm going from every Friday at 9:45am in 2010 to a weekly Monday to Friday time slot at 9:45am in 2011. I am so grateful for this opportunity.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
This list of some of my favorite things about 2010 is in no particular order. Each holds it's own distinct significance and is equally as important. The only common thread is that they all involve racing. Here we go...
Inaugural Big Al Delaine Memorial Wissota Modified race, Red River Co-op Speedway, Winnipeg, MB. Pat Mooney and the Delaine family carried on the legacy and paid tribute to one of the biggest supporters of the local racing community. This race was created and promoted for all the right reasons.
Ricky Weiss of St. Francis Xavier, MB: 2010 Wissota National Late Model champion. Weiss won 29 of 85 shows he competed in this season, At 22, Ricky is the youngest Canadian driver in the history of Wissota to win the National Late Model championship.
Dana Brandt's IMCA Hobby Stock winning streak at Estevan Motor Speedway, SK. In 11 starts, Dana won 10 Heats and 10 Features!
Chris Unrau's #27 'Harvest for Kids' Lightning Sprint. A beautiful car campaigned for a worthy cause.
Being a part of the Harvest for Kids event in Winkler, MB. When community comes together, good things happen. We need more of this in our society.
Gerald Balcaen Memorial, Red River Co-op Speedway, Winnipeg, MB. The best part of this night was seeing Amber Balcaen pick up the Northern Lightning Sprint Association feature win and deliver an emotional victory lane speech.
Amber Balcaen's Lightning Sprint run for the 2010 NLSA points title. Amber spent the rain-shortened NLSA season inching her way to within striking distance of the reigning NLSA champion. Misfortune on the second last points race would prove to be her undoing and be the difference that gave Roland Bernard his second consecutive championship.
Danny Schatz takes over Red River Valley Speedway in Fargo, ND. The half-mile in Fargo was one of my favorite stops. With the attention it will be getting from Danny, something good will be that much better.
2010 Wolff Pack Run weekend, IMCA Modifieds at Speedy Creek Raceway, Swift Current, SK. $40,000 in prize money. For that kind of money, I would build a car!
Continuing support of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum. These folks are awesome in every sense of the word. Support is a two way street and I have seen this first-hand with the NSCHoF in Knoxville, Ia.
Working with the Northern Lightning Sprint Association. The NLSA went through some sophomore growing pains in 2010. Year 3 will be much better. The on-track product will continue to grow and be awesome for Winnipeg's open wheel fans.
The opening of ALH Motor Speedway in Morden, MB. The locally proclaimed 'Miracle in Morden' ran a few late race dates in 2010. The track is still a work in progress but has a lot of potential. There's something about the atmosphere of a rural community race track that has always been enjoyable.
Super Truck special at Emo Speedway, Emo, ON. Anthony Leek IS the true definition of a promoter. If he wants something, he goes out and he gets it. It isn't easy, but he always appears to find a way to get things done. The Saturday racing community culture that he has helped create in Emo should be a model for others to learn from.
Being invited on to Marty Gold's The Great Canadian Talk Show on 92.9 KICK-FM. I got my first taste of radio from inside the studio. What an awesome experience.
Writing and voicing the Prairie Dirt Racing Report on 1570 CKMW radio in Winkler. I'm going from every Friday at 9:45am in 2010 to a weekly Monday to Friday time slot at 9:45am in 2011. I am so grateful for this opportunity.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
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