VICTORIA, BC – It was a race night that Lane Zerbin won’t soon forget.  On Tuesday, June 21st, his 2022 Wild West IMCA Modified Speedweek came to an abrupt and fiery end at Cottage Grove Speedway.  Zerbin started 14th in the 35-lap Feature event.  “The track was rough down the middle and I didn’t want to putter around the bottom.”  Zerbin immediately chose to run the high side of the race track and saw early gains in the Northern Provincial Pipelines/C-Force Marine #81 Modified.  “I was running the top groove and managed to pass four cars in four laps.  I was into the top-10.”  On Lap 4, Grey Ferrando had a left rear tire go flat on his #13 Modified.  While attempting to exit into the pits, the Stanton, Oregon driver came to a stop on the track.  Zerbin slammed into the back of Ferrando’s Modified rupturing the fuel cell.

“My car decided to punch a hole, the size of a fist, through it.  Being just four laps into the race about 18 gallons of fuel (methanol) poured out.”  A brief flash of flame enveloped Zerbins Team NPP #81 Modified.  The hard impact immediately pushed Ferrando’s flaming car away from Zerbins car.  “Took the fuel source away,” says Zerbin, “there was the initial burst (of flame) and that was it.”  Both drivers escaped serious injury.  For Lane Zerbin his Speedweek Tour was over.  His car was too damaged to continue.

Back in Victoria, BC at Alien Race Cars, more damage was discovered.  “We were hoping we could re-clip the car but the middle section of the car was bent as well.”  The brand new car, which only competed in six races, is officially a write-off.  “The worst thing of all is the head on the engine (right side) got damaged.  We have to send it away for a new head and get it re-sealed by IMCA.  We could put a new head on it but the problem is it wouldn’t be classified as a crate engine anymore.”  Zerbin admits that it’s not looking good for getting back on the track anytime soon in 2022.  “I think we are probably done for the year.  There is nothing lying around at the shop either that we can slam together.”

No indication yet when construction could begin on a brand new Modified.  Ted Zerbin, owner of Alien Race Cars, is currently working on another car at the shop. Customer’s cars come first.  Lane Zerbin indicates he will most likely join the crew of two fellow BC drivers over the coming months.  “I’m planning on helping Darrell (Midgley) locally with his Super Late Model.  Maybe I can help Graham Cooke as well.”  Cooke races an IMCA Modified.