Moultonboro, NH – The Lakes Region Ice Racing Club sponsored 2 days of oval track ice racing last weekend. Saturday featured the largest ice racing event in the northeast, the 27th annual Latchkey Cup.

SATURDAY
The Club struggled with water and slush issues during the week to prepare the racing surface, but with several sub-zero nights and a lot of work, the track was in great shape for the Saturday racing. The cook shack was in place and the souvenir stand setup as race cars, crews and fans streamed onto Berry Pond. After a driver’s meeting and the preliminary hot laps, the crews prepared their cars for the qualifying heats. Racers in the Junior, Front Wheel Drive, Rear Wheel Drive, Stock and Modified Divisions took to the track for the morning qualifying races. After a mid-day lunch break and a “meet the drivers and check out the cars” session, the racers prepared for the day’s feature events.

First out were the Junior Division drivers, the 13-15 year olds. Chris Taylor (8) of Moultonboro led the way, followed by Kailyn Murphy (14) and Jackie Martel (32) in her bright red VW.

Next up were the Front Wheel Drive cars. Nick Berry of Manchester, driving Ryan Avery’s 01 car, led the early laps, but overheating issues relegated him to third place. Cody Ryder (06) of Ctr Ossipee took over the lead and out-paced Kira Murphy (08) of Ossipee.

The V8 Sock Division took to the track next. Shane Eldridge (75) in his beautifully prepared Monte Carlo took a hard fought first place. In second was Danny Cook (1) of S. Tamworth took second with Scott Brooks (56) of Freedom picking up the third place trophy.

The Rear Wheel Drive Division was next out. Tim Chase (40) of Northfield in his super fast MR2 drove a flawless race taking first place. Matt Burns (00) of Moultonboro took second place and Matt Morrill (9) of Moultonboro, after pitting to replace a thrown chain, placed third.

The mighty Modified feature took to the ice next. The duel between Ray Johnson (79) of Thornton and Jack Cook (14) of Moultonboro that took place in the qualifier did not continue in the feature after Jack broke a suspension part dropping the seat pan onto the drive shaft. Instead of Jack, it was Matt Taylor (4) of Moultonboro and later Ryan Avery (01) of Campton who challenged Ray for the win. Ray drove a great race and eventually pulled away from Ryan who finished second with Matt settling for third.

The final event of the day was the Celebrity Race, which is a regular part of the Latchkey Cup. The celebrities are area racing stars race that are invited to compete with borrowed cars. Brad Leighton driving John Stephens’ beautiful #27 Camero to the win after a heated battle with Kirk Alexander. Kirk was driving Scott Brooks’ #56. Arron Fellows, driving Randy Washburn’s #49, ran well until he broke an A-frame on the last lap, but still managed third. Allen Fellows, driving Danny Cook’s one-of-a-kind #1 car, drove to 4th place after providing the most spectacular snow shower of the day after hitting the snow bank in turn 2.

The annual Latchkey Cup race, this was the 27th, benefits the Norris Cotton Cancer Center in Hanover. The fan-tastic support this year will make another generous donation possible.

SUNDAY
The ice racers returned to the ice on Sunday for the regular weekly ice race hosted by the Lakes Region Ice Racing Club. The new track was glass smooth as racing got started just after noon.

After a very physical qualifier, the Juniors got down to business with Kaylyn Murphy (14) of Ossipee taking her first ever feature. She was followed by Jackie Martel (32) Moultonboro and Alicia Taylor (7) also of Moultonboro in second and third respectively.

The Rear Wheel Drives took the ice next and Time Chase (40) continued his winning ways taking the checkers. Brian Jeanson (51) of Sandwich and Mark Jacques (53) of Gilmanton Iron Works were second and third.

In the Stock Division it was Dalton Varney (03) of Ossipee cruising to victory followed by Shane Eldridge (75) of Ctr Ossipee and Scott Brooks Jr (56) of Freedom.
The Front Wheel Drive feature saw Justin Eldridge (74) of Ctr Ossipee taking the checkers. Doug Kenny (03) of Ossipee took a hard fought second place followed by Kira Murphy (08) also of Ossipee.

The final event of the day was the super fast Modified division. Jacob Williams (73) of Tuftonboro in his black sprint car was the favorite after winning his qualifying heat, but a flat tire and later mechanical issues sidelined him. Jack Cook (14) of Moultonboro jumped into the lead and drove on to the win. Matt Taylor (4) of Moultonboro and Ray Johnson (79) of Thornton finished second and third.

The weekly racing continues next Sunday at 12:30 on Berry Pond off Rt 25 in Moultonboro. Check the club’s website at www.LakesRegionIceRacingClub.com for the latest race/ice status, information about coming events, and for race photos. See you on the ice.

Submitted by Dave Suitor
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
CutLines (all photos from the Saturday Latchkey race):

NN-3072
Alicia Taylor (7) races her brother Chris (8), both of Moultonboro, in the Junior Division at the 2011 Latchkey Cup

NN-3435
Shane Eldridge (75) of Ctr Ossipee leads Dalton Varney (03) also of Ossipee out of turn 1 in the Stock Division feature of the 2011 Latchkey Cup. Shane went on to win the event.

NN-3529
Matt Taylor (4) of Moultonboro powers his Modified Division ice racer through turn 2 in front of Ryan Avery (01) of Thornton at…

NN-3583
Brad Leighton (27) flanked by Kirk Alexander (56) leads the field out of turn 1 in the Celebrity Race at…

NN-0245
2011 Latchkey Cup Jr Division Winners (l-r) – Christine Pariseau-Telge of Dartmouth Hitchcock, Chris Taylor (8) of Moultonboro, Kailyn Murphy (14) of Ossipee, Jackie Martel (32) of Moultonboro, and Alicia Taylor (7) of Moultonboro