9/29/2013
Wayne Helliwell Jr
Back-to-Back
Wayne Helliwell Jr. and the Bruce Bernhardt owned Ekeys-4-Cars, Unique Ford Fusion Team overcame what turned out to be a drama filled final points event at Airborne International Speedway to become back-to-back American Canadian Tour Champions.
Helliwell entered the event with a 41-point advantage over chief rival Joey Polewarczyk Jr. and needed a 12th or better finish heading into the feature to claim the title.
Starting from the 5th position Helliwell worked his way into the top-3 within the first 20 laps. A position he would maintain much of the afternoon. “I was just riding till the break (on lap-130) happened," stated Helliwell. “I was trying to conserve… We were running our own race.”
After running in the third position for more than 170-laps the race took a strange turn on a lap-187 restart. Suddenly the 27NH was facing the wrong direction on the track; apparent contact from Brian Hoar sent him spinning in turns one-and-two. As the field took evasive action fifth place running Jonathan Bouvrette sheared the back of Helliwell’s machine off.
The massive impact sent parts and pieces into the air taking both rear quarter panels, bumper cover, spoiler and deck lid off the back of the car. In the process shifting the rear frame and fuel cell over multiple inches. Remarkably Helliwell was able to pull away from the accident.
The Bernhardt Team went to work, patching what they could as Helliwell rejoined the field in the 9th position. A spot he would solder home too. The finish was enough to earn Helliwell and the Bruce Bernhardt Motorsports Team their second consecutive championship.
Reflecting on the day’s events Helliwell felt luck was defiantly on his side. ”Its pretty crazy to think that you race all year and in the end it comes down to something that is out of your control. Just a couple inches to the right and my car has no rear-end in it…” stated Helliwell. "I look at pictures or watch the video and I can’t believe how close it was. If the 41 (Bouvrette) doesn’t turn his wheel that little extra to the left its all over…”
Helliwell went on to state that the circumstances of how the 200-lap event played out ended up benefiting him after the late race incident.
“In a way I need to thank Joey (Polewarczyk) for the pace he set during the first 100 laps,” stated Helliwell. “He was doing what he needed too, to get all the points he could… But in the process he put all those cars down a lap. If it wasn’t for that 80-something lap run, with no yellows we wouldn’t be in this position.”
The 9th place finish in the Fall Foliage 200 fell in line with how car owner Bruce Bernhardt viewed their 2013 season. “We raced half as much and worked twice as hard,” stated Bernhardt. “We didn’t run as good week to week this year. We struggle a lot and were able to be consistent but didn’t have the wins we had last year. The result was the same but how we got here is different“
The Pelham, NH based Team now has two series championships and a runner up finish in their three years of competing full time with the Vermont based Tour. A point not lost with Helliwell.
“I’m very proud of everyone… Not just for today but for everything we’ve accomplished. I can’t thank Bruce, this Team, my family and everyone for the support and hard work they’ve done to earn this.”
What the Bernhardt Motorsports Team has earned over the last few years is remarkable. Since 2009 in a self designed and built chassis the duo of Helliwell and Bernhardt have amassed 52 victories and 10 championships. Numbers Helliwell can’t seem to put into words.
“I don’t really know what to say about that... Those stats don’t seem real to me,” stated Helliwell. "We work hard just like any other race Team… I think at times where’re at bit of a disadvantage because we are the only people running our car. We have to build, test and rebuild to be competitive. It just shows how hard everyone works on this Team.
The Bernhardt Team left upstate New York unsure of what race event will be next on their calendar. Not sure the total extent of the damage the Team is unsure if they will compete in next weekends annual Milk Bowl at Thunder Road Speedbowl.
"We need to get the car on the (chassis) jig and see if something that can fixed right away or we need spend the time this coming weekend to get it done. We won't know till then," Helliwell finished.
Bernhardt Motorsport's thanks their proud partners: EKeys-4-Cars • Unique Ford • Bernhardt Automotive • Pro-Turf Landscaping • DTB Tax • C&M Distributing • Butler MacMaster Performance Racing • Carbonneau Insulation Co • IICCEEE • Ford Racing • Schoenfeld Headers • Sunoco Race Fuels • Bassett Wheels • Joes Racing Products • Quarter Master • ARP Bodies • Welded Media • Mangus Transmissions •Coastal Candle Company • Nate Brown Remodelling
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Eric LaFleche / Leif Tillotson Photos
Article Credit: JasonLubin / @WeldedMedia
Submitted By: Jason Lubin
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