GATEWAY GRASS DRAGS ROUND ONE A SUCCESS On Sunday, Septemeber 16th, Gateway Powersports and Marine presented the first installment of the Radar Runs and Drag Races at Peterborough Speedway! Over 40 Snowmobiles, ATV’s, and Dirtbikes took to the grass for time trials and heads-up racing down Peterborough Speedway’s four 400 feet grass drag strips! There were two divisions for the ATV’s and nearly twenty different machines rumbled down the track to compete for points in the new series of racing at Peterborough Speedway! In the first division, which includes all makes of ATV’s with engines 500cc or less, Kyle Ferguson emerged the fastest in his 2001 Yamaha 350, being clocked at 54 miles per hour! Right behind Ferguson was Brett Cooper and Cory Adams, also in Yamaha 350’s, who were gunned at 53 miles per hour. With his top-spot speed, Ferguson holds an early lead in the point’s standings, earning five points, while Cooper and Adams each receive four points for the second spot. Three drivers notched 53 miles per hour and each received 3 points, Scott Byers was alone in fourth place and received 2 points, while Dave Dunford and Brad Levitt tied for fifth and will earned a single point each! The second class of ATV’s were those with 500cc or more, and Joe McIlmoyle driving his 2001 Yamaha 660 tied Kyle Simmons in his brand new 2008 Yamaha 700, both with a speed of 52 miles per hour! Tim Switzer finished second, while Rick Gordon took the bronze for three points! The Snowmobiles brought over 30 racers to Peterborough Speedway who raced in 7 different divisions! Ryan Taylor took top spot for sleds 500cc and less, earning five points with his 2003 Ski-Doo 400 with a speed of 58 miles per hour. Sasa Zoric clocked stole the show for the 500-599cc class, clocking in at 59 mph and also earning the maximum number of points – five! Jim Graham had the fastest time for the 600-699cc class, with an impressive 65 mph! For the 700-799 class, Angelo Bortoluzio scored top marks with a speed of 68 mph in his 2007 Polaris 700. The 800cc and over class was close, as only 2 mph seperated 1st from 3rd! Aaron Hisey topped out at 68 miles per hour, which was only good enough for third place and three points in the standings! Chris Malcolm was one better, finishing second with a top speed of 69 mph, while Robert Short stole the show, hitting 70 mph to take the five points and bragging rights into the next installment of the Gateway Grass Drags and Radar Runs! There are two divisions that allow modifications to the sleds in order to enhance speed and accelleration. The first is 600-799cc Modified/Open division, which was also saw a tight finish! Gateway’s own Liam Hiland took top spot clocking an incredible 72 mph in his 2006 Ski-Doo 600, while Mark McLean finished right behind with a top speed of 71 mph! Jim Fenney and Jaret Short finished third and fourth respectively with speeds of 70 mph and 69 mph. The second Open class is the 800cc & Up Modified/Open class, which really heated things up! Mark McLean stole the show and the fastest time of the day with speeds of 81 mph in his 1999 Ski-Doo 800, and then McLean went on to do one better in his 2003 Ski-Doo 1000, with a spectatular speed of 82 miles per hour! Considering the trag strips are only 400 feet long, these are incredible speeds! There will be at least two more installments of the Gateway Radar Runs and Grass Drags at Peterborough Speedway this year, and possibly a third in December, weather permitting. For information on upcoming events at Peterborough Speedway, including dates of the Gateway Series and events at the 15th Annual Autumn Colours Classic, check out the website at www.peterboroughspeedway.com! And for all information about the Gateway Series, including how to get involved, stop by Gateway Powersports and Marine – your source for all powersports equipment, accessories, and parts. They are located 5 kilometres outside Peterborough on Highwas 7 East or call them at 705-295-GATE!