Tough Chase For VanEs at Mosport

By Ken Spencer

It was night of chasing their car as well as the competition for Ron VanEs and his team-mates at Mosport Speedway on Saturday night but they still went home with 200 laps completed and a 13th-place finish to show for their efforts.

Handling problems showed up early during the afternoon practice sessions and carried over to qualifying where the best Ron could manage was a time of 22:784 good for 18th spot in the starting order.

With no adjustment permitted following time trials, the sophomore Super Series driver experienced problems right from the get go. As the race progressed, the team took advantage of the six caution breaks to try and correct the problems managing to keep the Star Van Systems/All Cover Systems Monte Carlo on the lead lap with each pit stop.

But late in the race, the front stabilizer bar worked its way out of its bushings further adding to the handling issues.

Nevertheless, Ron muscled the car to the finish and in so doing moved a few point closer to thirteenth spot in the Series’ standings.

The Smithville, Ontario driver and his team now head to Cayuga 2000 Speedway for this Sunday’s 200-lap race at the fast 5/8th-mile oval south of Hamilton where they’re hoping for a top-ten finish and a move to higher position in the standings.