The second annual Lights Festival at Grand Bend Speedway will be held Saturday September 23, 2023. Many participants use the lantern release as a way to honor lost loved ones. Some write on their lanterns a list of hopes and dreams, while others will use it as a way of letting go of things from the past. Others come just to enjoy the experience of the breathtaking sight of lighting the sky with thousands of lanterns!

Some wonder what the effects are on the environment. The lanterns are safe and 100% biodegradable. They’re made from rice paper, string, and bamboo – with NO metal wire. These lanterns are very different from the generic ones anyone can buy online. The unique design has a very short burn time. The rice-paper body of the lantern is fire-resistant, to prevent the flame from travelling from the small fuel source suspended in the middle. The fuel source was designed to completely burn out before the lantern begins to descend. As a result of the short burn time, the lanterns do not travel far, and a clean-up crew gathers 100% of the lanterns within 24-48 hours after the event.

“The Lights Fest is dedicated to leaving a positive impact on everyone who attends our event. We are also dedicated to leaving a positive impact on the environment. We have a dedicated cleanup crew, waiting in the landing zone, whose focus is collecting lanterns after the event. All events are strategically located outside of populated areas where there is open space. We’ve engineered our lanterns for low ight and landing-site predictability. After the event, we have a large cleaning crew, picking up the lanterns. Our lanterns are 100% biodegradable, so in the rare chance that we miss one, they are designed to quickly disintegrate. Our “Leave No Trace Policy” allows us to make sure that our venues look the same after we leave as they did before we arrived.”

Collin Maki, Director of Events Operation for THE LIGHTS FEST with Viive Productions of Utah, initially contacted Grand Bend Speedway in August 2022. After learning what The Lights Fest was about, it was felt that Grand Bend Speedway could safely host this festival for first time, October 15th, 2022. Thanks go the South Huron Township, Fire Department and O.P.P. who have again, in 2023, ensured all zoning designations, safety protocols, and necessary approvals have been met. The South Huron Fire Department will be on site when the lanterns are released, as per The Lights Fest protocol.

In 2022 about 2000 people came out to participate and enjoy the festival. The second annual Lights Fest is set to be even bigger with 3500+people, local musicians, vendors and much more.  A large stage will be at the central focus with hundreds of tiki lanterns spread though out the gathering field. After the sun goes down, it will be time to light up the sky with the lanterns. Collin Maki, who has been organizing these festivals for over 9 years, commented, “We do these events to bring healing and the community together. Our goal is to maintain long-term relationships with our venue and property partners so that we can return year after year to put on our festivals for the local communities.” Grand Bend Speedway is looking forward to hosting this annual event once again.

The Municipality of South Huron has been provided written notice of the event as they require.

For more information or to purchase tickets go to: www.thelightsfest.com

JUNIOR SPRINT RESULTS       

Feature Race #1

1. 99 Tyson Fucile    (London)
2. 77 Ayden McNicol            (Exeter)
3. 6 Alexis Eaton    (London)
4. 73 Chase Morris   (London)
5. 98 Bryson Fuller   (London)
6. 39 Landyn Moore (Watford)

Feature Race #2

1. 99 Tyson Fucile    (London)
2. 77 Ayden McNicol            (Exeter)
3. 6 Alexis Eaton    (London)
4. 73 Chase Morris   (London)
5. 98 Bryson Fuller   (London)
6. 39 Landyn Moore (Watford)

HONDA PRO KARTS

1. 27 Matthew Ball  (Ingersoll)
2. 67 Jamie Titus      (Ingersoll)
3. 43 Katie Schlueter            (Milverton)
4. 77 Jordan Morris (London)
5. 64 Karin Bourassa (Ingersoll)
6. 7 Nick Subject    (Lucan)
7. 52 Andrea Clarke (Teeswater)
8. 99 Ronald Parsons           (Alton)

9HP SPRINTS         

Feature Race #1

1. 44X David Nethercott        (Forest)
2. 13 Mike Beneteau            (Grand Bend)
3. 33 Nick Clarke      (Teeswater)
4. 88 Andrew Rose Cole       (Forest)

Feature Race #2

1. 44X David Nethercott        (Forest)
2. 13 Mike Beneteau            (Grand Bend)
3. 12 Gareth Mclean            (Lucan)
4. 33 Nick Clarke      (Teeswater)

4 CYLINDER RESULTS     

Feature Race #1

1. 77 Ryan McNicol

Feature Race #2

1. 77 Ryan McNicol

KID STOCK               

Feature Race #1

1. 83 Josh Clarke
2. 78 Lucas Chapman

Feature Race #2

1. 83 Josh Clarke
2. 78 Lucas Chapman

JUNIOR SPRINT RESULTS                                

Feature Race #1

1. 11 Collin Klumper (Mitchell)
2. 99 Tyson Fucile    (London)
3. 18H Edwin Hyde     (Petrolia)
4. 6X Max Lloyd        (London)
5. 85 Ryan Clark       (Strathroy)
6. 6 Alexis Eaton    (London)
7. 8 Emma Graham            (Glencoe)
8. 98 Bryson Fuller   (London)
9. 2 Blake Watson  (West Lorne)
10. 90 Keegan Lamont           (London)
11. 39 Landyn Moore (Watford)

Feature Race #2

1. 6X Max Lloyd        (London)
2. 11 Collin Klumper (Mitchell)
3. 99 Tyson Fucile    (London)
4. 18H Edwin Hyde     (Petrolia)
5. 8 Emma Graham            (Glencoe)
6. 98 Bryson Fuller   (London)
7. 2 Blake Watson  (West Lorne)
8. 90 Keegan Lamont           (London)
9. 39 Landyn Moore (Watford)
10. 6 Alexis Eaton    (London)
11. 85 Ryan Clark       (Strathroy)

9HP SPRINT RESULTS                         

Feature Race #1

1. 77 Austen Maclennan      (Vanastra)
2. 44x David Nethercott        (Forest)
3. 44   Tanner Kaelin    (Thedford)
4. 45Jr Anthony Pauli (London)
5. 8 Corey Hamilton           (Thedford)
6. 13 Mitch James    (Barnholm)
7. 45 Trevor Pauli     (London)
8. 12 Gareth McLean           (Lucan)
9. 7 Hannah Hamilton       (Thedford)
10. 33 Mike Beneteau            (Grand Bend)

Feature Race #2

1. 77 Austen Maclennan      (Vanastra)
2. 44X David Nethercott        (Forest)
3. 33 Mike Beneteau            (Grand Bend)
4. 8 Corey Hamilton           (Thedford)
5. 13 Mitch James    (Barnholm)
6. 12 Gareth McLean           (Lucan)
7. 7 Hannah Hamilton       (Thedford)
8. 44 Tanner Kaelin    (Thedford)
9. 45 Trevor Pauli     (London)
10. 45Jr Anthony Pauli (London)

4 CYLINDER RESULTS                          

Feature Race #1

1. 52R Randy Martin  (Mount Brydges)
2. 07 Jeramy Curtis  (Grand Bend)
3. 14 Hana Lamont  (London)
4. 53 Kara Martin     (Mount Brydges)
5. 52 Carter Nicol     (Ailsa Craig)

Feature Race #2

1. 52R Randy Martin  (Mount Brydges)
2. 53 Kara Martin     (Mount Brydges)
3. 07 Jeramy Curtis  (Grand Bend)
4. 52 Carter Nicol     (Ailsa Craig)
5. 14 Hana Lamont  (London)

MINI TRUCK RESULTS                         

Feature Race #1

1. 7 James Relou    (Komoka)
2. 18 Quinn Goertz  (Ilderton)
3. 20 Mason Collver (Strathroy)
4. 4 Dylan Graham (Glencoe)
5. 15 Kaisha Zimoch (Mt. Brydges)
6. 9 Caleb Goertz   (Ilderton)  DSQ

Feature Race #2

1. 18 Quinn Goertz  (Ilderton)
2. 20 Mason Collver (Strathroy)
3. 7 James Relou    (Komoka)
4. 4 Dylan Graham (Glencoe)
5. 15 Kaisha Zimoch (Mt. Brydges)
6. 19 Caleb Goertz   (Ilderton)  DSQ

V8 LATE MODEL RESULTS                               

Feature Race #1

1. 77 Gord Bennett  (Grand Bend)
2. 99 Brian Glousher (Vanastra)

Feature Race #2

1. 77 Gord Bennett  (Grand Bend)
2. 99 Brian Glousher (Vanastra)

HONDA PRO KARTS

1. 72 James Relou    (Komoka)
2. 27 Robert Hanson            (Baden)
3. 67 Karin Bourassa (Ingersoll)
4. 43 Rick Goertz      (Ilderton)
5. 99 Caleb Goertz   (Ilderton)
6. 9 Brian Relou     (Komoka)
7. 64 Quinn Goertz  (Ilderton)
8. 46 Dwayne Rouse (South Bruce Peninsula)
9. 77 Clare Hanson  (Baden)
10. 7 Jamie Titus      (Ingersoll)
11. 52 Mathew Ball    (Ingersoll)
12. 8 Mason Collver (Strathroy)

JUNIOR SPRINT RESULTS     

Feature Race #1

1. 99 Tyson Fucile    (London)
2. 6 Alexis Eaton    (London)
3. 2 Blake Watson  (West Lorne)
4. 73 Chase Morris   (London)
5. 98 Bryson Fuller   (London)
6. 39 Landyn Moore (Watford)
7. 77 Ayden McNicol            (Exeter)
8. 90 Keegan Lamont           (London)

Feature Race #2

1. 77 Ayden McNicol            (Exeter)
2. 6 Alexis Eaton    (London)
3. 2 Blake Watson  (West Lorne)
4. 98 Bryson Fuller   (London)
5. 73 Chase Morris   (London)
6. 90 Keegan Lamont           (London)
7. 39 Landyn Moore (Watford)
8. 99 Tyson Fucile    (London)

Feature Race #3

1. 77 Ayden McNicol            (Exeter)
2. 6 Alexis Eaton    (London)
3. 99 Tyson Fucile    (London)
4. 2 Blake Watson  (West Lorne)
5. 73 Chase Morris   (London)
6. 98 Bryson Fuller   (London)
7. 90 Keegan Lamont           (London)
8. 39 Landyn Moore (Watford)

9HP SPRINT RESULTS        

Feature Race #1

1. 44 Tanner Kaelin  (Thedford)
2. 88 Andrew Rose Cole       (Forest)
3. 12 Gareth Mclean            (Lucan)

Feature Race #2

1. 44 Tanner Kaelin  (Thedford)
2. 88 Andrew Rose Cole       (Forest)
3. 12 Gareth Mclean            (Lucan)

Feature Race #3

1. 88 Andrew Rose Cole       (Forest)
2. 12 Gareth Mclean            (Lucan)

KID STOCK RESULTS (W/ Four Cylinders)

Feature Race #1

1. 77 Ryan McNicol (4 Cyl)
2. 83 Josh Clarke (Kid Stock)
3. 78 Lucas Chapman (Kid Stock)

Feature Race #2

1. 77 Ryan McNicol (4 Cyl)
2. 83 Josh Clarke (Kid Stock)
3. 78 Lucas Chapman (Kid Stock)

Feature Race #3

1. 77 Ryan McNicol (4 Cyl)
2. 83 Josh Clarke (Kid Stock)
3. 78 Lucas Chapman (Kid Stock)

SOUTHERN ONTARIO PRO-4 MODIFIEDS

FEATURE RACE

1. 02 Dario Cocco
2. 16 Cliff Hodgekinson
3. 88 Bob Mercer
4. 0 Shannon Morris
5. 5 Raj Brar
6. 38 Ken Mercer
7. 27 Andrew Snyder

HEAT RACE QUALIFIER

1. 02 Dario Cocco
2. 16 Cliff Hodgekinson
3. 0 Shannon Morris
4. 88 Bob Mercer
5. 38 Ken Mercer
6. 5 Raj Brar
7. 27 Andrew Snyder

JUNIOR SPRINT RESULTS                                

Feature Race #1

1. 11 Collin Klumper (Mitchell)
2. 99 Tyson Fucile    (London)
3. 8 Emma Graham            (Glencoe)
4. 6X Max Lloyd        (London)
5. 6 Alexis Eaton    (London)
6. 18H Edwin Hyde     (Petrolia)
7. 90 Keegan Lamont           (London)
8. 2 Blake Watson  (West Lorne)
9. 85 Ryan Clark       (Strathroy)
10. 98 Bryson Fuller   (London)
11. 39 Landyn Moore (Watford)

Feature Race #2

1. 11 Collin Klumper (Mitchell)
2. 6X Max Lloyd        (London)
3. 85 Ryan Clark       (Strathroy)
4. 6 Alexis Eaton    (London)
5. 18H Edwin Hyde     (Petrolia)
6. 8 Emma Graham            (Glencoe)
7. 90 Keegan Lamont           (London)
8. 2 Blake Watson  (West Lorne)
9. 98 Bryson Fuller   (London)
10. 39 Landyn Moore (Watford)

9HP SPRINT RESULTS                         

Feature Race #1

1. 44X David Nethercott        (Forest)
2. 12 Gareth McLean           (Lucan)
3. 44 Jerry Broom    (Dashwood)
4. 13 Mitch James    (Barnholm)
5. 8 Corey Hamilton           (Thedford)
6. 88 Andrew Rose Cole       (Forest)
7. 7 Hannah Hamilton       (Thedford)
8. 77 Austen Maclennan      (Vanastra)
9. 45JR Anthony Pauli (London)
10. DQ 33 Mike Beneteau (Grand Bend)

Feature Race #2

1. 33 Mike Beneteau            (Grand Bend)
2. 8 Corey Hamilton           (Thedford)
3. 44X David Nethercott        (Forest)
4. 44 Jerry Broom    (Dashwood)
5. 12 Gareth McLean           (Lucan)
6. 7 Hannah Hamilton       (Thedford)
7. 13 Mitch James    (Barnholm)
8. 88 Andrew Rose Cole       (Forest)
9. 45JR Anthony Pauli (London)

4 CYLINDER RESULTS  

Feature Race #1

1. 90 David Rockwood     (Woodstock)
2. 52R Randy Martin  (Mount Brydges)
3. 52 Carter Nicol     (Ailsa Craig)
4. 42S Jeff Rumble     (Lucknow)
5. 33 Mike Beneteau            (Grand Bend)
6. 53 Kara Martin     (Mount Brydges)

Feature Race #2

1. 90 David Rockwood     (Woodstock)
2. 52R Randy Martin  (Mount Brydges)
3. 52 Carter Nicol     (Ailsa Craig)
4. 42S Jeff Rumble     (Lucknow)

V8 LATE MODEL RESULTS       

Feature Race #1

1. 77 Jeremy Curtis  (Durham)
2. 99 Brian Glousher            (Vanastra)

Feature Race #2

1. 77 Jeremy Curtis  (Durham)
2. 99 Brian Glousher            (Vanastra)

The four-cylinder open-wheel modifieds of the Southern Ontario Pro-4 Modifieds headline the racing card this Saturday at Grand Bend Speedway.  Spectator gates open at 5:00 pm and competition gets underway at 7:00 pm.  Competition also includes Junior Sprints, 9HP Sprints, Honda Pro Karts, Four Cylinders, V8 Late Models.

The evening is a fan appreciation night where fans can get up close to see the cars and meet the drivers during the intermission.  The Creekie Beaver Boys will also be playing on the Landshark Stage at intermission on the fan side of the track.  After the races the band will be running a Karaoke Party in the pits.

Unique at this event: the drivers of the Pro-4 Modifieds will be setting their starting lineup for their heat races by way of a 15-lap race in the Honda Pro Karts to start the night off.

The event will also be live streamed on Facebook Live on the track’s Facebook page.

About the Track: Grand Bend Speedway is a 1/4 mile paved Tri-Oval race track. Originally built in 1996 for small-scale vehicles it was later expanded into the track of today which can accommodate both half-size development series as well as full-size race cars. The track is located just outside the town of Grand Bend beside the Grand Bend Motorplex facility.

Feature Race #1

1. 77 Austen Maclennan      (Vanastra)
2. 33 Mike Beneteau            (Grand Bend)
3. 8 Corey Hamilton           (Thedford)
4. 13 Mitch James    (Barnholm)
5. 7 Hannah Hamilton       (Thedford)
6. 88 Andrew Rose Cole       (Forest)
7. 44 Jerry Broom    (Dashwood)

Feature Race #2

1. 77 Austen Maclennan      (Vanastra)
2. 33 Mike Beneteau            (Grand Bend)
3. 7 Hannah Hamilton       (Thedford)
4. 13 Mitch James    (Barnholm)
5. 44 Jerry Broom    (Dashwood)
6. (DQ) 8 Corey Hamilton (Thedford)
7. (DNS) 88 Andrew Rose Cole       (Forest)

The Great Lakes Legends Series at the Brad Clarke Memorial event sponsored by Action Trailers is set to be a big one at Grand Bend Speedway this Saturday.  The racing has an earlier than normal start time of 6:00 pm to accommodate the busy lineup of competition which also features all of Grand Bend’s local classes: Mini Trucks, 9HP Sprints, Four Cylinders, and V8 Late Models along with development competition from the Honda Pro Karts, Junior Sprints, and Junior Late Models.  Saturday’s competition will also be live-streamed through the track’s Facebook page.

In the Great Lakes Legends series, Kenny McNicol Junior (#5) is one to watch having won the June 26 event at GBS.  He sits atop the points standings for the division.  The Great Lakes Legends are a fast-growing touring series in Ontario that makes use of the popular Legends cars seen at many tracks in the USA.  The cars themselves are 5/8-scale fiberglass full-fendered versions of the famed NASCAR modifieds from the 1930s and 1940s powered by 125 HP Yamaha engines weighing in at 1,250 lbs.

For potential drivers who want to get in the action, the Honda Pro Karts will be on track for two feature races: one to start the night and one to end the night.  Prospective drivers can contact the track office to book a spot.

The Brad Clarke Memorial event is held in memory of the former track promoter of Grand Bend Speedway and builder of countless vehicles in the development series. Since 1997 Clarke dedicated himself to the promotion of racing programs for young people in the region by designing, building, and repairing the 1/2-scale racing vehicles. He became promoter of the Junior Canadian Auto Racing (JCAR) series and later became track promoter at Grand Bend Speedway.

The Creekie Beaver Boys will hit the Landshark Stage at intermission on the fan side of the track.  After the races the band will be running a Karaoke Party in the pits.

About the Track: Grand Bend Speedway is a 1/4 mile paved Tri-Oval race track. Originally built in 1996 for small-scale vehicles it was later expanded into the track of today which can accommodate both half-size development series as well as full-size race cars. The track is located just outside the town of Grand Bend beside the Grand Bend Motorplex facility.