By Bill Oldroyd - Ohsweken Speedway – September 18, 2005 - Adam West of Ridgetown was officially crowned the 2005 Southern Ontario Sprints Champion following the completion of the SOS Championship Invitational on Sunday. West becomes the ninth different champion in the ten year history of the SOS. Glenn Styres hopes of a second SOS title were dashed when West finished in the top ten giving him enough points to secure his first ever SOS Championship. Styres did everything within his control by taking the victory, his sixth of the season and his twelfth SOS victory of his career. For Styres, this capped off an exciting weekend as his facility hosted the very successful, first annual, Canadian Sprint Car Nationals on Saturday.

The 25-lap Invitational began with Jim Porter and Brian Lee pacing the field to the final green flag of the season. Porter jumped into the early lead with Dick Mahoney and Warren Mahoney in hot pursuit. On lap three, Daryl Turford suffered mechanical problems, bringing out the first caution of the event.

Porter continued to lead until lap nine when the ‘Tilbury Tornado’, Kyle Patrick made the pass for the top spot after starting the event in the tenth position. At the mid point of the race it was Patrick leading followed by Porter, West, Warren Mahoney and Tom Huppunen.

The top ten drivers continued to do battle with several position changes each and every lap however Patrick seemed to have everything going his way. Styres however, who started back in the sixteenth position was steadily making his way towards the front. By lap fifteen, Styres was up to the sixth position.

On lap twenty-two Styres powered past Patrick for the final lead change of the season. At the drop of the checkered flag, it was Styres followed by Patrick, Porter and Warren Mahoney. Fred Cade with a steady run coming from his seventeenth starting position finished a strong fifth position.

The 2005 Series Champion West joined the SOS in 2001 and missed the Rookie of the Year title by only one point to Curt Sherwood. In 2002 West finished a respectable eighth in points. Then West was chosen to drive for Bob Trostle in the Knoxville International Driver Development (KIDD) program in 2003, which saw him competing south of the border all season. In 2004 West returned to the SOS as a very much-matured driver. His steady driving style allows him to finish most event he starts and this consistency paid off with a fourth place finish in the points standings for 2004. This season West has proven once again that consistency and finishing races pays off. In the 15 point’s races this season, West has finished in the top five, eleven times including two wins with only one race outside the top ten. Congratulations to the 2005 SOS Champion, Adam West and as well to John Watson, the 2005 SOS Rookie of the Year.

Heat race winners for the final show of the year were West, Patrick and Craig Downie.

Note of interest: Garry Evans crashed hard into the back stretch wall during his heat race and was not able to make repairs in time for the Feature. Hard luck once again fell on Les MacMillan as he ended his season with a blown motor during his heat race.

The SOS would like to thank all the fans and the track promoters for their support as the curtain falls on the 10th Anniversary season. Without the fans, there would not be an SOS series. Likewise, if we didn’t have dedicated promoters, we would not have a place to showcase our talented drivers. You should all stand and take a bow, and then get busy planning for next season as the SOS will once again be ready to put on the best show possible. THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Next up will be the SOS Awards Banquet, which will be held on Saturday, November 19th at the Cairn Croft Inn in Niagara Falls, ON.

Results: 25-car field

Leaf Racewear Heat
1. #30 – Adam West, Ridgetown, ON; 2. #79 – Dick Mahoney, Newmarket, ON; 3. #22 – Jim Porter, Grand Island, NY; 4. #31 – Curt Sherwood, Sanborn, NY; 5. #6 – Dave Schulz, Barker, NY; 6. #0 – Glenn Styres, Ohsweken, ON; 7. #17 – Gary Evans, Thorndale, ON; 8. #42s – Ken Swan, Lockport, NY; 9. #5c – Chris Pyle, Cambridge, ON

Wiseco Heat
1. #33k – Kyle Patrick, Tilbury, ON; 2. #38 – Brad Knab, Delevan, NY; 3. #25 – Warren Mahoney, Lefroy, ON; 4. #8 – Brian Lee, Kitchener, ON; 5. #1a – John Riegling, Chatham, ON; 6. #12c – Fred Cade, Niagara Falls, ON; 7. #69 – Garry Evans, London, ON; 8. #10 – Bob Crawford, Sutton, ON; 9. #26 – John Watson, St. Thomas, ON

Signet Tool Heat
1. #71 – Craig Downie, Burlington, ON; 2. #27h – Tom Huppunen, Fenwick, ON; 3. #32 – Keith Dempster, Alton, ON; 4. #17m – Charlie McCann, London, ON; 5. #12 – Willy Northcott, London, ON; 6. #77 – Les MacMillan, Belmont, ON; 7. #93 – Daryl Turford, Mitchell, ON

Pennzoil Feature
1. #0 – Glenn Styres; 2. #33k – Kyle Patrick; 3. #22 – Jim Porter; 4. #25 – Warren Mahoney; 5. #12c – Fred Cade; 6. #27h – Tom Huppunen; 7. #38 – Brad Knab; 8. #1a – John Riegling; 9. #30 – Adam West; 10. #10 – Bob Crawford; 11. #6 – Dave Schulz; 12. #71 – Craig Downie; 13. #42s – Ken Swan; 14. #79 – Dick Mahoney; 15. #17m – Charlie McCann; 16. #32 – Keith Dempster; 17. #12 – Willy Northcott; 18. #5c – Chris Pyle; 19. #8 – Brian Lee; 20. #17 – Gary Evans; 21. #31 – Curt Sherwood; 22. #26 – John Watson; 23. #93 – Daryl Turford

DNS - #69 – Garry Evans; #77 – Les MacMillan