Opening Qualifying Rounds Launch 31st APC Autumn Colours Classic

Kicking off the action for the 31st annual APC Autumn Colours Classic saw more than a handful of classes log their first round of qualifying heats – Friday, October 11th – at Peterborough Speedway.

Preliminary rounds for the Ontario Modifieds Racing Series saw Tyler Bouillon and championship point leader John Baker Jr. take the checkered flags, while Steve Book, Rick Spencer-Walt, Rob Bromley, Kenny McNicol, Cory McAllister and Trevor Thompson had the initial OSCAAR Hot Rod victories. OSCAAR Modified checkered flags were claimed by T.J. Edwards (with a pair), Jason Keen and Steven Trendell.

Doug Butler, James Townsend, Karl Sault and Shawn Taylor had the SwitchTire Mini Stock preliminary round wins, with Paul Pepper and Lane Zardo the best of a pair of Jiffy Lube Super Stock heats. Shawn Solomon, Calvin Reesor and Phil Givens – with a photo finish win over Jo Lawrence – had the Battlefield Equipment Rental Bone Stock triumphs.

Tech lane updates: Calvin Reesor had his Bone Stock win disallowed for use of Variable Valve Timing in his No. 49 ride, while Kyle Fetterly’s Super Stock heat race run was disqualified when his No. 77 car failed to meet minimum weight requirements.

Andrew Massey and Robert Warnes brought the GEN-3 Electrical Ontario Modifieds Racing Series starting field to the line for the feature event that would decide the group’s 2024-point champion. Warnes took the early lead, with John Baker Jr. moving into the runner-up position. The lead duo ran the opening laps side-by-side, with the No. 50 of Alex Cuzzilla closing on the pair with a 5th of the race distance complete.

Following a yellow flag for an incident in the 3rd turn, Baker Jr. took the race lead, with an advantage of about 5 car lengths over Cuzzilla. The pack started to put slower traffic a lap down with 21 circuits complete. A late race caution brought the pack back together for a green, white checkered finish. John Baker Jr. took the win, clinching another OMRS title. Cuzzilla, Robert Warnes, Tyler Bouillon, Rick Warnes, Ethan Thompson and Andrew Massey completed the finishing order.

The opening night’s final race action was 15-lap non-winners’ event for the Trailers Plus Ontario Legend Car Series. Keaton Pipe began the early celebration of his 15th birthday by scoring his inaugural Legend Car racing checkered flag.

Action at the 31st annual APC Autumn Colours Classic continues Saturday, October 12th at Peterborough Speedway. Grandstand gates open at 2:00, with racing at 3:30. Tickets can be ordered online using the ‘buy tickets’ link on the track website or purchased at the walk-up ticket booth. Peterborough Speedway is a ‘cash only’ facility, with an ATM available at the main gate.

For complete schedule news and event details, be sure to check www.peterboroughspeedway.com and the track’s social media platforms and pages.