By: Clayton Johns/Holdaway Motorsports
October 14 2016
Orillia, Ontario – Taylor Holdaway wrapped up his 2016 season season with a second-place finish during Peterborough Speedways 24th Annual Autumn Colours Classic last Sunday.
Holdaway competed in the 75-lap Limited Late Model main event with his Streamline Race Products/Joe’s Racing Products/Holdaway Automotive No.41 Toyota Camry. It was the first time Holdaway had driven his team’s second car all season after Scott Wylie occupies the pilot’s seat most of the season.
The intent of the weekend was to help improve the car’s performance while diagnosing any necessary improvements for the off-season.
“There was no stress this weekend. We went in just looking to have fun and without any expectations. We just wanted to go have a good time,” Holdaway said. “We were able to do that and have a good run at the same time. All in all it was a good weekend.”
Friday afternoon’s practice session was the first time Holdaway had strapped into the car.
“I had 20 laps of practice between the two days and two eight-lap heat races before the feature. We had a couple minor changes, but other than that the car was pretty sporty,” Holdaway said.
A tough pill draw meant he had his work cut out for him. He started at the rear of his first heat race and struggled to move forward on a one-lane racetrack. The outside pole starting spot wasn’t helpful to Holdaway in the second heat as he slid back to fourth with little grip to use in the outside lane.
The tough qualifying effort put Holdaway 17th on the starting grid for the main event. He patiently and methodically worked his way forward to a podium position.
“We were able to miss most of the wrecks. We finished third after the race and after one guy was disqualified in tech, we finished second,” Holdaway explained.
The final lap provided some nerve-wracking moments as four cars battled for the lead.
“I spun Chris Mitchell at the end of the race. It was coming to the white flag. The two leaders got into each other and he made it three wide to go for the win,” Holdaway explained. “They came back down and he went through the grass. When he came up from the grass he came across my nose and it was either spin him out or hit the brakes and get dumped from behind.”
Intended as a test race, the second-place finish certainly made the Thanksgiving weekend worthwhile.
“Anytime you can come out of Peterborough with a top-three and all the body panels still on the car, I think it’s a good weekend,” Holdaway said. “We proved that car can run with all the best cars in Ontario. We have a good base point for next year so we can go into opening testing with a good piece.”
With the 2016 season set to officially wrap-up with a couple of year-end banquets in the coming months, Holdaway is already looking forward to the 2017 campaign. He has no set plans for the year yet, but will prepare both Limited Late Model cars and hopes to debut his Pro Late Model at some point next season.
“My main goal is to get our Pro Late Model ready. It’s a long winter, but no weekends off. We’re starting already to get things ready for next year. When you have three cars to get ready, it’s quite a bit more, so we’ll start now to get ready for next year,” Holdaway concluded.
Keep up to date with everything at Holdaway Motorsports during the off-season at www.taylorholdaway.com.
HOLLYWOOD HIGHLIGHTS
Taylor Holdaway 2016 Stats – 27 Starts: 8 Wins, 18 Top-5s, 21 Top-10s
HOLDAWAY MEDIA
Website: www.taylorholdaway.com
Facebook: facebook.com/HoldawayMotorsports
Twitter: @41Holdaway
Taylor Holdway’s 2016 season is supported by Bay Auto and Truck Parts, Holdaway Automotive, Image Factor Motorsports Design and Photography, KartSTART presented by Toyota, Joes Racing Products, Yamaha Motor Canada, Wix Filters, Castrol Canada, Sunshine Super Wash, Hall Tree Farms, Mechanix Wear and Stefko Racing Engines.