Date Posted:  March 23, 2011

Rockets Rides Into Sunset
 

The Freedom Village Thunder Car throne will be vacant for the first time in five years when the competitive racing season opens April 23^rd at Flamboro Speedway.  Four-time consecutive champion Randy ‘the Rocket’ Rusnell confirmed from his Cambridge home this week that he will ride on to new challenges in 2011.

“I won’t be not-calling Flamboro Speedway my home track any more.  I’ve raced there over ten years, won six championships and had a lot of fun.  But we have a new opportunity this season and our team is ready for a change.”

The #72 Pontiac will head up the highway to the “Thrill on the Hill” in Innisfil to compete at Sunset Speedway.  Said Rusnell, “We have a great group of sponsor partners, and a number of our past supporters are back with us again; there are some new partners too, and the new direction will take us a little more North this summer.”  The team confirmed that long-time partners Spira Fire Protection, Travis Industrial Maintenance and J&K Converters have all re-signed; the new partner names are so far, unannounced.

Dubbed ‘the Rocket’ early in his career, the recognition for Randy Rusnell was built on consistent strong performances and an unmatched ability to come through traffic.  Add to that a strong personality and a character ready for the spot light, it’s easily understood why fans flocked to cheer his name.  But the ‘Rocketeers’ have found themselves balanced of late, fighting crowd jeers similar to those received by the likes of Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch on the NASCAR stage.
Some people love a winner, and some people love having someone to hate.

It will be a new experience for Rusnell, an established champion and division star, to return to rookie status as he moves away from the Freedom Village Thunder Cars; But we will get a mid-season update on his progress Friday July 1^st.  Invited to the Canada Day Race of Champions as the defending Flamboro champion, Rusnell was very clear in his answer to accept.

I’m confirmed.  Wouldn’t miss it.  And I greatly appreciate the invitation to be welcomed back for that event.

Said Rusnell about the Race of Champions event, “I was shocked when I first heard about it; and I was delighted when you announced it was for Thunder Cars.  I don’t think anyone ever expected that.  It’s a real honour for this class to get that kind of opportunity and attention, and I’m thankful to be invited to be a part of it.”

When asked about his expectations for the Friday afternoon race, that will feature up to forty local drivers racing for limited spots in a starting field that will feature three NASCAR Stars, the four-time champion grinned widely when he answered.  “I expect to be in victory lane.  [Laughs]  It’s going to be tough; and rough.  The format is going to create some hard racing right from the start, and I would hate to miss the main event and not be able to showcase our car and the namesake because of something like a blown tire in qualifying.”

July 1^st will absolutely be a day for racers to bring their ‘A’ game.  A fifteen lap heat race will determine whether or not a team advances to the ‘B’ feature; and then a top 15 finish is required to advance to the ‘A’ main; and only then will you get the chance to rub fenders with NASCAR Stars Jimmy Spencer, Ken Schrader and Sterling Marlin. 

“Winning three championships in a row was our team goal; The fourth was icing on the cake.  We’re focused on building on that accomplishment… Canada Day is going to be an important focus for us, and a big part of our season.”

Look for the Rocket to be back in flight this Canada Day.  Check out the Race of Champions page for more information, and so who else has confirmed their entry…

Cheers,

JP