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Fall Brawl - Lives Up to its Name

Wayne Helliwell Jr. and the Bruce Bernhardt lead Team headed to Northern New Hampshire and Riverside Speedway looking to finish the regular season on a high note in the annual Fall Brawl 200.

Carrying an increased purse of $10,000 to win the race would live up to it's namesake with 13 cautions and take nearly 3 hours to complete.

Helliwell who asked car owner Bruce Bernhardt after the first practice if he wanted to load up and head home felt like that the setup under the 27NH would not get the job done. As he predicted after the Oktoberfest event Helliwell brought a completely different setup to the track known as Grovtona.

“We were trying some different things,” said Helliwell. “In reality it wasn't the time and place to try them. I’ve never changed so many things on a car during race day. In all seriousness we easily made 30-plus changes with the springs, shocks, compression, rebound, spring rubbers, weight, angles to the suspension… You name it, all at least 3-4 times.”

“At one point during practice the Team next to us asked me if I was crazy…” laughed Helliwell.

He and his Team took a car they were ready to load in the trailer after the first practice and turned it into one of if not the best car at the track. Helliwell would go on to dominate much of the event leading in excess of 160-laps.

With four-laps remaining the EKeys-4-Cars, Unique Ford Fusion was pulling away to victory. Only to see the caution wave and the outcome of the finish completely change.

A fierce battle for the lead between Helliwell and Nick Sweet on the restart would see contact from behind by Derrick O’Donnell. In the process taking part of the rear spoiler and bumper cover off the back of Helliwell’s car and sending O’Donnell spinning from 3rd position. Sweet would go on to take the win with Helliwell finishing in 5th.

“We just got wrecked; we sure didn't need that yellow” said Helliwell. “Me and Nick [Sweet] were battling hard and the guy just stuck his nose in were it didn't belong. I realize it’s for a bunch of money… But you have fresher tires and you're that much faster, go around us. Don’t just jam your nose in there 3-wide thinking we are all going to come out the other end okay... it cost both of us."

Helliwell's bigger disappointment was not that he didn't win but how a great finish was taken away from the Team who worked so hard to get him there. As the damage to the rear of the car was to much to overcome at the end.

“If we had just finished 5th because thats where we were racing, that would have been great. But to get run into and have damage after everything we went through sucks. I really wanted that one for everyone on the Team. They did an outstanding job. Everyone worked so well together. The experience of running on the Tour and how to be prepared and make changes really showed up today. At the time I was really frustrating but looking back, to take a car that was that off and make it that good was so much fun… I’m so proud of everyone, true Teamwork today,” Helliwell finished.

While the race didn’t end how they wanted Helliwell and Bernhardt are proud of their accomplishments in 2013. Repeating as American Canadian Tour and Ford Blue Oval Cup Champions.

“It’s been a good year,” said Helliwell. “Anytime you end with a championship it’s a good year. Bruce said it a few weeks ago… We worked twice as hard and raced half as much. I’m proud of our Team for all their hard work and dedication. Thank you to all our sponsors for helping get us here. Thank you to my family. We can’t do it without everyone’s support.”

The 2013 season may not be over just yet for Helliwell and the Bernhardt Motorsport’s Team as they await word from Wall Stadium in New Jersey on if they will run late model/Super late models during the annual day after Thanksgiving Turkey Derby event. An event Helliwell has previously won.

Wayne Helliwell Jr. and Bernhardt Motorsport's would like to thank their proud partners for making 2013 a great success: EKeys-4-Cars • Unique Ford • Bernhardt Automotive • Pro-Turf Landscaping • DTB Tax • C&M Distributing • Butler MacMaster Performance Racing • Carbonneau Insulation Co • IICCEEE • Ford Racing • Schoenfeld Headers • Sunoco Race Fuels • Bassett Wheels • Joes Racing Products • Quarter Master • ARP Bodies • Welded Media • Mangus Transmissions • Coastal Cadle Company

Follow Wayne:
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Eric LaFleche / Victory Lane Photos

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