Brandon Forsythe made a memorable debut at PGARA Speedway Park on Saturday night.
In his first-ever races at the local stock car oval, the 16-year-old Forsythe zipped underneath the checkered flag three different times. In the hornet class, he drove to victories in the dash, heat and main event. Forsythe, who was behind the wheel of a 2002 Chevy Cavalier, also had the fastest lap during time trials.
"He's been out there kind of helping us here and there (but) that was his first time driving," said PGARA president Chris Arronge.
It was a good night for youngsters as 14-year-old Riley Markovics - also a first-time driver - claimed victory in the hornet B dash.
In the Chieftan Auto Parts mini-stock division, Nathan Linfitt was first across the line in the main event. Last season, Linfitt teamed with Devin Barks to win the mini-stock points championship. Sadly, Barks died in a March 12 auto accident. To honour him, a memorial smoke show was held as part of Saturday's action.
"He was a good kid," Arronge said of Barks.
Arronge himself won the feature race of the night, the Canadian Tire street stock main event. He started from the back of the pack in the 30-lap race and methodically picked his way through slower traffic. Arronge also navigated his way past a couple accidents and, at about the halfway point, passed Desiree Case for the lead. From that point on, Arronge and his 1980 Camaro had clear sailing to the finish line.
In time trials earlier in the night, Arronge established a new street stock track record. His clocking of 17.847 seconds broke a mark set by Jaret Bonn that had stood for three years.
"That was one of our big goals the last couple years and we finally got that," Arronge said.
Saturday marked the start of PGARA's 64th season of operation.
One of the marquee events of the season is next on the PGARA schedule.
The WESCAR late model touring series stops at the local oval on June 11, with June 12 built in as a rain day. Arronge is anticipating a field of at least 15 cars.
The series kicked off in Williams Lake this past weekend and perennial power Korbin Thomas won the main event ahead of runner-up Dave Olson and third-place finisher Logan Jewell of Prince George.
