Keven Hebert takes two at the 2014 Canadian Onroad Nationals

 

The 2014 Canadian Nationals returned to the Seaway mall in Welland, Ontario - just 20 minutes from iconic Niagara Falls. Racers from across Canada and the U.S. put on a great show for the thousands of spectators lucky enough to witness the racing action over the weekend’s racing program. The 303 entries included factory drivers Keven Hébert, Paul Lemieux, Mike Haynes, and Andrew Hardman.

Friday started with controlled practice followed by one round of qualifying in the evening. Three rounds of qualifying followed on Saturday with the single main events set for Sunday. The well-organized schedule meant that racing would be done by 8PM each night with mains concluding by 4PM on Sunday to give everyone ample time for the drive home or to catch an evening flight.

Super Stock 13.5 TC qualifying saw Reedy/Team Associated factory driver Keven Hébert setting the fastest time in all four qualifying rounds. Keven’s pole position run was nearly eight seconds clear of Hardman and another second clear of Haynes. To put this gap in perspective, fast laps in this class were in the ten-second range!

In the A Main, Keven’s Reedy-powered TC6.2 shot into the early lead with Hardman staying in touch. At the 1-minute mark, Hardman made a slight mistake which let Haynes into second, with Hardman maintaining third. Hébert maintained a comfortable gap for the remainder of the race and crossed the line first for the win. Haynes and Hardman rounded out the podium positions.
 

 
Modified TC qualifying was very competitive, with Hardman, Lemieux, and Hébert all fastest at some point. Ultimately, Lemieux set the fastest time followed by Hébert and Hardman. Super Stock 13.5 runner-up Haynes would start fourth.

The A-Main fight was between Lemieux and Hébert early on but a mistake by Lemieux at the 2-minute mark let Keven take over the lead and claim his second national title of the weekend. Mike Haynes and his Reedy-powered TC6.2 clawed their way through the field to finish in second, with Hardman claiming the final spot on the podium.
 

 
Congratulations to all the class winners, and special thanks to the race organizers for hosting this special event.

 

  

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