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  • Writer's pictureAngela Louie and Allan de la Plante

Smiths Falls - Race Weekend

Allan’s grandson Mike was going to be racing at Smiths Falls and we were going to be there.



We stopped off at the canal and had some dinner under shade and…what was that? Yes a hornet’s nest.





Race weekend was a busy time for drivers and team mechanics aka “dad”. Mike’s dad Jon (Allan's son) was making adjustments and tweaks between each practice session.














Every team was getting their cart perfected.



There was even a rep from the Villeneuve Museum.



Mike was part of a team. His teammate Alex (and his mechanic dad Eric) were also getting ready for a good race.




While this was happening, the rest of the “team” was relaxing on the sidelines.



There were a lot of divisions racing and they all had to have time for practice sessions and a qualifying session before the final races on Sunday.




On Sunday, we woke up to neighing and whinnying. We were surrounded by trailers of horses. We can’t get away from them! They were setting up for a rodeo workshop in the corral next to us.






Mike and Alex were 1 and 2 in qualifying, with Alex taking the pole position. On Sunday Alex led the final race with Mike on his tail ahead of the pack for most of the race.












There was even a crash and re-start to add to the excitement.




On the final lap, Mike pulled ahead and took the checkered flag. Textbook win and 1-2 for the team!





Allan even saw one of his long time colleagues from early Mosport days and this weekend's race director, Terry Dale.



Zack Villeneuve (note the name) won first in his division as well and gave Allan a lovely fan-boy moment. He revered Gilles and asked Allan to personally autograph his book, Villeneuve A Racing Legend.



A proud weekend for Grampa Allan!



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