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False Positives

This past Saturday Wayne Helliwell Jr. made his first start with Maine based Pro All Star Series since 2009, when the traveling super late model tour headed to Star Speedway in Epping, NH. The 150-lap event marked the first series attempt for the Bruce Bernhardt owned EKeys-4-Cars, Bulter MacMaster Ford Fusion Team.

Helliwell competed for just the second time with his newly built chassis and started the day off well, winning his respective heat race to line-up third for the PASS-150. Falling as far back as fifth in the early laps, Helliwell worked the 27NH back to second place behind leader Johnny Clark. As lap-33 clicked off the board Helliwell brought the bright orange machine to pit road thinking he had an overheating race car.

“I waited as long I as I could”, stated Helliwell. “We weren't running for points so when it read 250°F I pulled off. I guess I should have waited in till it blew up… at least I would have known it was actually running hot.”

Helliwell’s frustration boiled over as he learned that the overheating issue was just a faulty temperature gauge. The motor had not pushed water and did not show signs of running at the temperature the gauge showed.

“It’s disappointing”, stated Helliwell. “We had a good car and were just riding, trying to conserve our stuff. That’s all we can take from it, we were competitive and had a top-5 car. Nothing you can do…”

The Pelham, NH based Team will look to rebound in two-weeks as they try their hand in the Coastal 200 at the famed Wiscasset Speedway in Wiscasset, ME. An event featuring a hybrid mixed car between a super late model and an American Canadian Tour series car. The 200-lap race pays $3000-to-win and at least $25 a lap to lead.

“I’m looking forward to running at Wiscasset”, stated Helliwell. “It’s a track I've run well at in the past and the rules look fun. It’s great to get out and try something different like this.”

While the two-time and defending American Canadian Tour champion finds himself atop the series standings once again Helliwell and the Bernhardt Motorsports Team will not be in attendance this coming weekend when the series heads to Airborne International Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY for the 250th event. Personal obligations for the Dover, NH driver will have him miss the first race since starting full time on the tour in 2011.

“We knew when we started this year that we had other plans this weekend”, stated Helliwell. “Regardless of the point situation I couldn't make this event. If it happens to rain then we’ll probably attend the make-up date… But I wish all the competitors the best this weekend.“

Next Event
What: The Coastal 200
Where: Wiscasset Speedway –Wiscasset, ME
When: Sunday May 25th, 2014

Wayne Helliwell Jr. and Bernhardt Motorsport's would like to thank their proud partners for their support in 2014: 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

Eric Lafleche / Victory Lane Photos
Conner MacDougal Photo

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