Jody Trottmans 97

Astro van headed for

the scrapyard after
blowing engine in
last race of the season

A few weeks ago at Bright-
on Internatonal Speedway
(BIS), Jody Trotman climbed
into his familiar 1997 Astro
van for the last tme.
Afer fve long years and a
whole lot of racing in be-
tween, Mr. Trotman knew it
was tme to retre Big Red.
The wear and tear on the
engine was becoming more
apparent with each race and
Mr. Trotman sensed that it
was only a mater of tme
before it fnally conked out.
For the past couple of rac-
es, Mr. Trotman, a veteran
driver at BIS, admits he was
literally driving with his fn-
gers crossed, hoping the en-
gine would hold out.
Sadly, that wouldnt be the
case.
Mr. Trotman would have
loved to been able to cap Big
Reds racing days with a rare
victory and long-awaited trip
to the winners circle.
For a while, it seemed a
possibility. Afer winning the
pole positon for the Feature
race, Mr. Trotman was hold-
ing on to second place with
one lap to go.
But when he put the pedal
to the foor in one last des-
perate atempt to overtake
the leader, it proved too
much for Big Red. The engine
blew up in the back stretch,
and Mr. Trotman could only
watch as the rest of the pack
whizzed past him while he
slowly coasted toward the
pits.
It was a tough way to have
things end, thats for sure
Mr. Trotman told the Wark-
worth Journal in a recent
interview. Geez, for a minute
there, I thought we had a
chance for our frst-ever win.
I feel bad for my pit crew
(Stuart Johnston and Ryan
Beaty). They had Big Red
running real good that night.
Its a shame it ended the way
it did.
But hey thats racing.
While Mr. Trotman did not
win a single race in 48
atempts behind the wheel of
Big Red, he did manage to
crack the top-fve a couple of
tmes.
Mr. Trotman, who lives in
Morganston, had some com-
pany for Big Reds fnal race --
Nathan Allen.
Mr. Allen, of Warkworth, is
a good friend of Jodys and is
a racing afcionado. He has
always wanted a front-row
seat for a race on the famed
1/4-mile dirt track.
Last month, Mr. Allen fnally
got his wish.
It was an opportunity to
cross of another item on my
Bucket List before my wed-
ding on Aug. 23, Mr. Allen
explained. Thanks to Jody
and Brighton Internatonal
Speedway, I was able to do
that.
I tell ya it was quite a
thrill. Ill never forget it.
As for what Mr. Trotman
will be driving next year is
uncertain. He told The Journal
he is currently checking out
potental vehicles on-line.
However, he does acknow-
ledge that his next ride will be
a front-wheel drive model
so he can beter compete
with the big boys.
Mr. Trotman also took the
tme to thank his longtme
sponsors -- Clarke Concrete,
Johnston Automotve Co.,
Spelmer Dodge, Windy Ga-
bles Limousin and Brighton
Internatonal Speedway -- and
promised beter days ahead
with his new ride.
-- with fles from Canadian
Motorsports Magazine
Big Red runs its final lap at Brighton Speedway
For the past fve years, Jody Trotmans red 1997 Astro
van (above) has been a familiar sight at the Brighton
Internatonal Speedway. Unfortunately, racing fans have
seen the last of Big Red as Mr. Trotman has decided to retre the van. Its fnal race was a few
weeks ago when Mr. Trotman and co-rider Nathan Allen (lef) competed in the Feature event,
fnishing last afer the engine blew on the fnal lap. (Photos courtesy of Jody Trotman Racing)