Helliwell Confident about ACT International 500 Chances
Posted By Tj Ingerson On July 18, 2013
Categories: American-Canadian Tour
PHOTO: Wayne Helliwell Jr. celebrated the biggest moment of his racing career when he won the 2012 ACT Late Model Tour championship in a head-to-head battle with Brian Hoar last year at Airborne. Helliwell will head into the ACT Internatioanl 500 weekend firmly believing his team has what it takes to collect the big prize. (Alan Ward photo)
--by T.J. Ingerson (@TJIngerson)
VMM Editor
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. -- Pressure: the burden of physical or mental distress; the constraint of circumstance; the stress or urgency of matters demanding attention.
Each driver that enters the ACT International 500 on Sunday at Airborne Park Speedway will feel the pressure, including defending ACT Late Model Tour champion Wayne Helliwell Jr.
“It’s going to be a lot of pressure,” Helliwell said. “It’s not a points day; it’s just big money on the line and everybody is going to let it all hang out.”
The championship driver from Dover, N.H., is confident, however, given his recent success at the Plattsburgh, N.Y., half-mile -- Helliwell won the Fall Foliage 200 in October to win his championship, and finished third in May to chief rival Brian Hoar and sophomore campaigner Jimmy Hebert.
“We’re pretty confident going there,” Helliwell said. “I think we’re bringing two cars and give each car a fair shake and pick whatever one is better on that day.”
Helliwell will pilot his familiar Bruce Bernhardt-owned No. 27 EKeys4Cars/Unique Ford/Bernhardt Automotive Ford Fusion in the 300-lap, three segment event and believe his team is ready for the challenge.
“I think we’re ready,” said Helliwell. “We have high expectations. I think we have the stuff and equipment to do it. It’s just making sure everything is headed in the right direction on that day.
“I’m up for the task, and I’m sure there are a lot of drivers are as well. It’s going to be a good, long, hard day.”
Helliwell won a segment in the 2009 Milk Bowl at Thunder Road and finished fourth overall last year predicts that the race will be one where every driver will fight for every spot on every single lap.
“You can’t really ride for that long,” Helliwell said. “I guess we’re going to have to wait and see, and see how it unfolds.”
Top contending drivers Patrick Laperle, Joey Polewarczyk, and Brian Hoar have each won a Milk Bowl at Thunder Road, and Helliwell knows what the challenge will be should it come down to those four in the final segment for the $25,000 winner’s prize.
“It’s going to be mindblowing,” Helliwell predicted. “They’re the class of the field, and have been for a long time.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
At the end of the race day, the Bernhardt-led team will have to pack up and head to cross Lake Champlain aboard one of the ferries. When asked if Helliwell would have an extra passenger, he grinned.
“25 grand.”
The ACT International 500 will begin at 1:00pm on Sunday, July 21.