London Indoor: Mackereth wins inaugural event

LONDON, ON - Winter Indoor Auto Racing took a large step forward Saturday night as promoter Patrick Wood took a chance and breathed life into the former London Gardens, now called the London Garden Special Events Centre.







Andy Mackereth in victory lane following his win on Saturday night at the London Gardens.

Photo by G. MacPherson

With temperatures outside hovering in the minus double digits, the atmosphere inside warmed the air as the sound of racing engines came to life. With adequate car counts in all four divisions and a curious crowd, eager to get rid of mid-winter racing withdrawal, the stage was set. When the final checkered flag fell at 10:30 p.m. all had been treated to a competitive, quick paced and entertaining program.



Click here to watch a video clip of the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midget feature action at London Gardens.



Junior Micro Sprints leg the program off with heat race action. Joey Herremans (#8) took the first heat race over Jamie Marsh and Steven Goldner, while Dillon West captured heat race #2. The 20 lap feature event was captured by Joey Herremans (#8) from his fifth starting spot. Following Herremans across the line was #48 – Dillon West; #30 – Steven Goldner; #55 – Jesse Earnshaw; #60 – Kyle Goldner; #81; #6B – Jamie Marsh; and #6Y – Courtney Marsh.



Next up were the Senior Micro Sprints with Caleb Woods (#00) taking Heat #1 over Jamie Cox (#70) and Sean Durand (#76). Eric Gledhill (#7) captured heat #2 over Kevin Moore (#32) and Stan Adams (#203). Kevin Marsh (#32) took the win in the Dash over Cox (#70); Caleb Wood (#00) and Erick Gledhill (#7).



Delaware Open Wheel Modified dominator Jamie Cox (#70) captured the 30 lap Feature from his seventh starting position over Stan Adams (#203) and Sean Durand (#76).



Outlaw Sprint action found Hugh Smibert (#02) winning the first heat over Don English (#14) and Barry Dunn (#44). Heat 2 was won by Steve Burlotte (#62) over Darin Hanna (#24) and R. Veroughstrate (#301). Burlotte (#62) took the Dash over Darin Hanna (#24); Hugh Smibert (#62) and Don English (#14).



Dan Laemers (#32) captured the 30 lap Feature Event over Steve Hurlotte (#62) and R. Veroughstrate (#301) in a thriller that saw three wide racing throughout the event.



The LUCAS OIL Can/Am Midgets headlined the event with J.J. Johnstone (#49) taking Heat #1 over Wayne Turnball (#31) and Don May (#7). Andy Mackereth (#40) took heat #2 over Jeff Riberdy (#6) and Craig Mackereth (#43).



Wayne Turnball (#31) captured the Dash over Jeff Riberdy (#6); J.J. Johnstone (#49) and Andy Mackereth (#40).



Andy Mackereth took the lead on lap 19 of the 50 lap main event and led the rest of the distance to take the inaugural Canadian Indoor Racing Championship Series event over J.J. Johnstone. Jeff Riberdy; Dave McIntosh and Tyler Mackereth rounded out the top five.



For updates on further racing please keep in touch by checking out www.indoorracinglondon.com.

Press release by Kenetic Photos.

Video clip by Greg MacPherson / Inside Track.