Demolition Thriller On Tap For Halloween Spooktacular
It promises to be a thriller on Saturday, as the most hyped Demolition Derby in years is set to take place with the Halloween Spooktacular at Speedway Miramichi! Drivers have guaranteed that this will be the wildest show in years – and early indications suggest just that. The car count is expected to be between 40 to 50 cars, which is another massive field. Trash talk amongst rivals has been everywhere, as the stars of the Demolition division get one last chance to settle the score. Throw in a race where the rulebook has been thrown out for the Mini Stock division – which will contest a 50-lap “Outlaw” style feature – and the “Last Call” finale for the Bomber division, and the final show of 2020 will most certainly be memorable.
Jean-Francois Basque (#21) is the most recent Demolition winner, having claimed the Demolition Blowout just a few weeks ago. Basque has found himself in the spotlight this week though, but not for his performance. Instead, a newly kindled rivalry between himself and Miky Roussel (#57) has seen the drivers exchange some words in advance of this weekends race. With this being the last race before next May, it means it is the final chance to settle any scores. You better believe these drivers will give it everything they got on Saturday, and they will put on a show!
A stout field of what should be over 40 cars is building. Points champion Mitch Brideau (#22) is among those entries. He has had a stellar season, but there is one thing missing off his season resume, and that’s a Demo finale victory. Sam Jardine (#12) finished third in points and hopes to end of the season strong, as does the victor from The Day of 8’s in Matthew Sullivan (#18). Zac Taylor (#90) has been perfect so far in 2020, as he won the Back to School Smash in what was his lone start of the year. Dylan Storey (#85) has had a breakout season in 2020 and hopes to finish it on a high note, while Norm Robichaud (#666) looks to turn around a year of hard luck in Miramichi. Dylan Harris (#14) will be a driver to watch as he returns after a hard crash during the Figure 8 race a few weeks ago.
For the first time in a year and a half, veteran driver Trenton Silliker (#69) will make what he hopes to be a triumphant return to Speedway Miramichi. Silliker has many victories in Demolition competition, and has vowed to put on a show for the fans. He will no doubt be a threat to win on Saturday, only adding to the intrigue of the Halloween Spooktacular.
A number of Bomber drivers will be amongst the field on Saturday – all of whom are Demolition veterans – with some pulling double duty! Leading the charge will be 2020 Bomber champion Adam Plourde (#52) who has many Demolition wins. Riley Harris (#1) is always a fierce competitor – but he has yet to carry a checkered flag in 2020, a stat he hopes to change on Saturday. Johnathan Dickson (#3) has had a great season of Bomber action, and now sets his sights on the Halloween Spooktacular.
An entry of interest is car #410 – that of Blake MacFarlane. This entry is a team effort, and there is a notable driver as part of that team. The list of accolades for this driver is long – and they include back-to-back RE/Max East Coast Elite Realty Pro Stock 250 wins at Speedway 660, the 2020 Speedway 660/Petty International Raceway Pro Stock Mini Series championship, a victory in the Bubble Buster, and a total of eight top 2 finishes in 2020 Pro Stock competition – not to mention he is a former Dash for Cash race runner-up! This of course, is none other than Ashton Tucker. With no Pro Stock racing contested on the North Shore, home track starts are few and far between for Ashton, making this weekend very special for all motorsport’s enthusiasts in Miramichi!
Many more entries have registered, and some last-minute entries are always expected. We’ve seen some crazy shows in 2020, and this one just may top it!
Halloween Spooktacular – Expected Entries
1. Maxime Landry #013
2. Marc Pinet #019
3. Dylan Doucet #02
4. Jason Savoie #06
5. Riley Harris #1
6. Johnathan Dickson #3
7. Dakota Wray #5
8. Randy Girouard #8
9. Jacob Girouard #9
10. Jonathan Leclair #10
11. Remi Rouselle #10x
12. Amelie Lebouthillier #10A
13. Sam Jardine #12
14. Darien Porter #12x
15. JR #13
16. Dylan Harris #14
17. Zachary L’Huillier #16
18. Jonah L’Huillier #16x
19. Matthew Sullivan #18
20. Jean-Francois Basque #21
21. Mitch Brideau #22
22. Scott Mitchell #24
23. Dylan Nowlan #28
24. Michael Benoit #45
25. Adam Plourde #52
26. Evan Hutchinson #54
27. Miky Roussel #57
28. Daniel Storey #58
29. Trenton Silliker #69
30. Dylan Storey #85
31. Kevin Tucker #87
32. Zac Taylor #90
33. Maxime Doiron #91
34. Jeremy Faulds #97
35. Mathieu Brideau #99
36. Alex Henderson #116
37. Josh Flanagan #190
38. Blake MacFarlane #410
39. Norm Robichaud #666
40. Brianna Wellman #666x
41. Ricky Boudreau #764
42. Anonymous?
The new Bomber class has had a stellar 2020 season with big car counts and intense action. Four different drivers have won the first four races for the class, with Mark Kingston (#97) entering as the most recent winner after taking the checkered flag at The Very Best Fall Shootout. Kingston held off Casey Munn (#8) and championship runner-up Johnathan Dickson (#3) for the victory. Dickson is also a 2020 winner, and both drivers will look to become the first two-time winner.
Some stiff competition will be on track for the 30-lap “Last Call” Finale, including the entry from Samantha and Timmy Blakely (#69) which challenged Kingston for the lead in an epic side by side battle last race. Kevin Tucker (#87) will have a new car and hopes to crack victory lane. Riley Harris (#1), Kevin Cowan (#2), and Justin Munn (#88) will hope to bring home their first podiums of 2020. A number of drivers are expected to make their debut on Saturday, including Modified driver Tyson Donovan (#63), Demo drivers Dylan Doucet (#02) and Josh Flanagan (#190), and Brianna Wellman (#666).
The Mini Stock drivers will get to compete in a unique “Outlaw” style race in what is expected to be a 50-lap feature. While the rulebook is being thrown out, a bigger development may be the possibility of multi-time track champion JR Lawson (#81) possibly being a no-show due to work commitments. This means we may see a first-time winner at Speedway Miramichi for the first time since 2018. Who could break through? Mathieu Mallet (#80) is a prime candidate after a stellar season that saw his score 5 podiums and finish 2nd in points. Mitchell Montgomery (#12) was the strongest challenger to Lawson a few weeks ago, and would be a threat should he make the trip from PEI. Nova Scotia drivers Jason Pickles (#15) and Earl MacDonald (#138) would love to spoil the party in Miramichi.
Guy Basque (#27), Conrad Murphy (#89) and Mitchell Poirier (#28) are strong Miramichi based drivers who may capitalize, while Neil Miousse (#71), who is formerly from Miramichi, is expected to make a homecoming appearance. Speedway 660 Sharp Shooters contenders hope the Outlaw style race gives them a chance to upset the Honda’s, among the possible entries will be Maggie Suttie (#41), Matt Martin (#94), Darren Wilcox (#32) and Ryan Bernard (#73). Rookie drivers Grayson Dutcher (#55) and Calvin McLeod (#00) will be on track looking to put up a strong showing in the year-end race.
Grandstands and pits open at 10am on race day, with action getting underway at 1pm. Grandstand admission is $20 for adults, $10 for youth ages 8 to 17 years old and seniors 65+, while kids 7 and under are free. Pit passes are $25 and pit access is restricted to those over the age of 18, and those aged 8 to 17 with proper parental waiver forms. Grandstand passes can ONLY BE PURCHASED ON RACE DAY.
Tim’s Corner Motorsports will be at the facility with a LIVE Broadcast from Speedway Miramichi. The racing action and the TimsCorner.tv (TCMtv) live broadcast begins at 2pm on Saturday. The event has been added to the TCM Fast Pass VOD Subscription, meaning everyone with a subscription to TCMtv can watch the race LIVE on Saturday. The TCM Fast Pass VOD Subscription is available for $24.99USD and along with a full library of 2020 races TCM has covered. For those that do not have a Fast Pass subscription, they can watch each event LIVE with a single Event Pass. Off-season specials for Fast Pass subscribers are expected to be announced soon. A portion of sales go back to support Speedway Miramichi and the race tracks the TCMtv crew visits. Please note, all pass prices are listed in USD. TimsCorner.tv is a member of the Speed Sport TV network.
A reminder to all on COVID-19 protocol at the facility. Fans are advised to come early as all patrons will be required to give their contact info, per the Government of New Brunswick. In addition, physical distancing in effect throughout the grandstands, and spectators are asked to abide by all signs and directives. Hand sanitization stations will be set up throughout the facility. Masks are strongly encouraged but not required. Staff are on site to educate patrons on procedures and answer any questions. Above all, everyone is reminded to use common sense. Safety is a top priority both on and off the track at Speedway Miramichi.
For more information, stay tuned to Speedway Miramichi’s social platforms, “Speedway Miramichi Inc.” on Facebook, “speedway.miramichi” on Instagram, and our website at speedwaymiramichi.com.
Photo credit to Tanya Everett Photography
