The 2010 Norm Carr ½ mile Classic in Belleville, Ontario proved to be a controversial one, with the exclusion of the defending champion in the last final race despite his taking of the checkered flag! Jeff Orosz lead a field of riders to defend his CMA #1 plate for 2010 at this ½ mile event, these included reigning 2010 Canadian Speedway Champion, Aaron Hesmer, Rob Dixon, C.J. Hesmer, Gary Moody, Glenn Brown, Terry Rideout and Mike Hammond. The heat races were all fast and furious leaving the crowd to ponder on what will the final race of the day produce? Aaron Hesmer in his first ½ mile race, produced some great speed and kept the ½ mile specialists, Hammond, Orosz and Dixon on their toes during the heat races, in his quest to gain the crowning glory of the ultimate dream, of holding the #1 plate for Canada. The final race was set with Orosz, Dixon, Hammond, Aaron Hesmer, C.J. Hesmer, Terry Rideout, Brown, and Moody taking to the line. Rob Dixon dropped a cracker and flew into turn one ahead of the pack, he looked good and was disappointed when C.J. Hesmer crashed in turn 3 and the race was stopped. Up and OK, Hesmer joined his fellow riders for the restart. However, Orosz made the biggest error of his racing career, when he changed bikes following a mechanical problem, and under the ½ mile race ruling, Orosz was allowed to do this and has to start from the penalty line, Unfortunately for Orosz, he went to the line and took the race by storm, being chased hard by Aaron Hesmer but as he completed the race, he was disqualified for his error, leaving the win and the award of the CMA #1 plate to Aaron Hesmer in the total points accumulated for the season. Behind Hesmer, a surprise second place was awarded to Mike Hammond, Third to Rob Dixon, Fourth to Glenn Brown, Fifth to Terry Rideout, Sixth to C.J. Hesmer, Seventh to Gary Moody and Eighth to Jeff Orosz.

Congratulations the Aaron Hesmer for his completion of both Canadian titles, in superb winning style throughout 2010. A very well deserving rider, who really has hit his peak at all the Canadian tracks!

The annual Norm Carr Classic in Belleville, Ontario, took place on the large 1/2 mile track. With 5 speedway riders completing in the class, Mike Hammond, John Bennett, Garry Moody, Glen Brown and Tommy Hensby making his debt at the event, the races were set. Despite the absence of 1/2 mile specialists such as Rob Dixon and Jeff Orosz missing due to injuries, these racers put on a great evenly balanced show for the sell-out crowd!

With the close points race for the #1 racing plate being contested between Mike Hammond and Glen Brown, due to the recent injury to Rob Dixon taking him out of the equation, the night was filled with some extra buzz amongst the speedway riders and fans alike, to see who could take the points on the night. Would it be current leader Hammond to extend his current lead, or would Brown grab the pocketful of points and catch up to Hammond? The stage was set for a thriller!

Heat 1:

Glen Brown was the star as he blasted out of the gate, to be followed closely by Mike Hammond, with John Bennett and Gary Moody not too far behind and Tommy Hensby finding his feet on the large fast track!

Heat 2:

Gary Moody had the fright of his life as Tommy Hensby drew alongside him for a lap in some close racing, before pulling away, whilst Glen Brown again took the lead by two bike lengths ahead of John Bennett and Mike Hammond, Hammond did everything possible to get by Bennett, but the pass was too late, as Brown took the checkered flag by three bike lengths.

Final:

The tension was high as the riders took to the line for the final, would Hammond hold off Brown and would the other riders pull off any surprises? Lots of questions would be answered as the starting marshall gave the 'GO'!!!

Mike Hammond got a flyer, as Brown was chased hard by Bennett, Moody and Hensby. Coming out of lap one, Hammond hit the dip in turn one and slid off, Brown and company went by, leaving Hammond to chase as hard as he could, he caught Tommy Hensby on lap 3 and passed him coming into turn 3, but Hensby slipped in tight behind him on the chase to begin lap 4, Brown was flying and pulled ahead as Bennett was pushed by Moody, but it was Tommy Hensby who stole the limelight, as he entered corner 3, he saw Hammond was missing his steel show following his accident, and powered around the outside of him to drive hard out of the corner ahead of Hammond, but despite Hammond's valiant effort on the chase to the line, Hensby held him back to be the spoiler of the night as Hammond finished in last place, with Brown grabbing the important points in the #1 plate race!

With one more race to go, the night will surely bring happiness to one and sadness to another, who will it be, Mike Hammond or Glen Brown? September 10th at Welland Speedway will provide the answer, so be there to enjoy history in the making for one of the riders!