Brian Hoar (right) and his team will be facing rival Jean Paul Cyr and other top ACT Tour drivers on Sunday, July 20 in the International 300 at Airborne Speedway Park. (Credit: Devil’s Bowl Speedway photo)
By Lou Modestino
Eight-time ACT Champion, Brian Hoar from Williston, VT and seven-time Champion Jean-Paul Cyr from Milton, VT will renew their rivalry at the ACT International 300 on Sunday, July 20 at the Airborne Park Speedway in Plattsburgh.
Over the years the rules have changed, the tracks have changed, the big money races have come along, but the one constant is that long-time veterans Hoar and Cyr still have the competitive standard to garner attention when they pull into a pit area for a major show.
Certainly Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. from Hudson, NH, current point leader on the ACT US, as well as Eddie MacDonald, Nick Sweet, and Ray Parent are a few of the drivers capable of winning the $25,000 first place money, but it is Hoar and Cyr who have set the bar for all others to follow.
The Quebecers are also coming with a loaded group of talented teams. Alex Labbe, Patrick Laperle, defending Champion JF Dery, and Jonathan Bouvrette are just some of the teams entered into the mid- summer Late Model spectacular one day three segment “Milk Bowl” style event.
Both Hoar and Cyr are now participating part-time on the ACT US Tour. Hoar won the ACT Spring Green at the Devil’s Bowl Speedway in June. Cyr regrouped and spent a month putting his own car and team back together. The familiar livery of the #32VT came to life at the recent Vermont Governor’s Cup at Thunder Road. A late race skirmish with NASCAR’s Clint Bowyer ended up with Bowyer in the infield and Cyr with a solid 4th place finish in the 31-car starting field.
“Brian and Jean are probably on lots of short lists of favorites to win this International event, even with their part time schedules. Certainly, just their presence has an effect whenever they show up. I would never count either of them out of contention. Brian and Rick Paya have proven to be nearly unbeatable when they are focused and on their game. Watching Jean Cyr race at Thunder Road was a real treat for older fans who remember that red #32VT riding the banks of Thunder Road. The segment races take an added skill set and they both have won the Milk Bowl, actually, Brian has won three of them,” said Tom Curley, ACT President.
The weekend will start with a family show featuring the Black Cat Hell Driver Thrill Show on Saturday night. Patterned after the old Joey Chitwood and Jack Kochman thrill shows, this is two-wheel driving, clowns, pyrotechnics, and crashes. Lots of family fun at affordable prices. Starting time for the Hell Drivers is 8 p.m. Gates will open at 6 o’clock Sunday, a full day of racing begins with gates to open at 9 a.m. Post time for qualifying is scheduled for 1 p.m.