On a sold-out Saturday at the end of September, Brighton Speedway held the Eve of Destruction. With a packed house, fans were treated to an afternoon of carnage and laughter as competitors took to the 1/3rd mile clay oval for the final time in 2023.   

Kicking off the day was the Hotch’s Auto Parts Junior Enduro. Kids aged 14 to 17 with no previous experience got to check out track and make their way around for 20 laps. Out of the nine rookies, No 101 Owen Chilvers took the checkered flag! 

The Hotch’s Auto Parts Ladies Enduro was a full field of 28 competitors.  Veteran No 2 Leslie Mowat started on the poll finished in the lead after 35 laps.  

 
A crowded field of 86 cars buckled in for the Hotch’s Auto Parts 100-lap monster enduro with No 20 Charlie Pederson scoring the checkered flag.  No 42 Aidan Fletcher was the contender to beat in the beginning, but technical issues put him in the infield and Pederson gained the lead. The 100 laps were fraught with excitement and laughter as the field endeavoured to maneuver the watered surface. Pederson would also win the flag pole race later in the day. 
 
The highlight of the day is always the Workman Ok Tire, Quinte West School Bus Feature Event. From the drop of the green flag, mania ensued as 18 school buses battled for the lead. No 77 Bernie Rhebergen scored his second Eve of Destruction school bus feature with No 94 Shawn Sousa behind him and No 11 Jim Bryant pulling up third. 

The Northshore RV Park Trailer Race had 4 entries this season. The object of the race to finish with your trailer still attached. Intact isn’t a necessity as long as its attached.  No 401 Tyler Junkin was victorious in the race and No 8R Tim Wilson received props for the Best Appearing entry. 

Two competitors entered the long jump competition with No 54 Tim Moore flying his car 68 feet in the air to win. 
 
The day concluded with the ever-popular Brighton Recycling Demolition Derby with seven entries.  The muddied pit at the end of the day continued to entertain the full grandstands.  With destruction all over the place, No 22 Brady Wilson waved the final checkers on the day.  Runner up was No 711 Travis Chamberlain and third man standing was No 95 Eric Gibson. 

Brighton Speedway will rest now until the Spring of 2024 with a tentative opening night scheduled for Saturday, May 4th, 2024.  The Rinaldi Family, management and staff thank all the sponsors, drivers, pit crew and fans for a phenomenal 2023 season. 

Photos by Michael Brethour 

Results