3/1/2013
Wayne Helliwell Jr
No rest for the wicked...
Defending American Canadian Tour champion Wayne Helliwell Jr. and the Bruce Bernhardt owned EKeys4Cars Unique Ford Fusion Team have officially filed their entry blank to do just that, defend their 2012 series championship.
The Pelham, NH based team sits ready to go this off season as both Helliwell chassises are refreshed and ready for tour action. "The cars have been ready for a few weeks, said Helliwell. Just a few odds-n-ends to finish, scale and we're ready," says team owner Bruce Bernhardt.
The team is excited to defend their series championship in 2013 and looks to start the new season how last year ended, with a win. The tour kicks their 14 race schedule off at a familiar venue on April 14th, Lee USA Speedway. A track in which Helliwell is a 8-time champion. "There is always added pressure when we go to Lee, said Helliwell. The pressure comes from ourselves more than anyone else. Everyone expects to run good there, but no more than we do. The tour races have really been up and down for us there. We've been unable to really put a complete race together."
Throughout Helliwell's career the Lee, New Hampshire oval has been somewhat of a roller coaster when the series comes to town. Always running up front only to have issues late in the race. "We rebounded nicely last year. We have to put the whole race together to take home a win."
The entry blanks didn't stop with the American series. Team owner Bruce Bernhardt also filed an entry blank to compete in the Canadian Castrol series as well. Increased overall purses for the Canadian series have peeked the teams interest to head north of the border. "We will test the waters in the first few events and see where we stand with it... See if we want to pursue both titles, said Helliwell."
Helliwell who is no stranger to competing 2-3 times a week started a career high 34 late model races and a combined 50 events in 2012, looks at it as business as usual. "It's a normal deal for us really...We handled it well last year with the super, Canaan and the tour. I see no difference with this."
Helliwell will once again face conflicting events with the his Friday night 350 open wheel supermodified and the Castrol series. The team faced a similar decsion last year when battling for the ACT and Canaan Fair Speedway championships. "We made it work last year, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it," said Helliwell.
Helliwell will strap on a helmet for the first time in 2013 this coming Saturday in Scarborough, ME. Where he and ninety-nine other drivers from 12 different states and all disciplines of racing will head to the indoor karting track for the 5th Annual Make-A-Wish DT100 charity event.
Follow Wayne:
https://www.waynehelliwelljr.com
https://www.facebook.com/WayneHelliwellJr
https://twitter.com/#!/WayneHelliwell
Eric LaFleche / VLF Photo
Article Credit: Jason Lubin / Welded Media
Submitted By: Jason Lubin
