Sports

Filion sets record North of the Border

Thanksgiving came a day early at Rideau Carleton Raceway as the fans celebrated with a special once in a lifetime night dedicated to the great Herve Filion.

The 72-year-old Filion, who has not driven in Canada in over a decade, was invited to compete at the five-eighths mile oval near Ottawa in what likely were his last pari-mutuel starts in Canada.

The night was a great Canadian homecoming for Filion, who grew up in Angers, Quebec, and drove at Rideau Carleton early in his career.

The fans did not disappoint their returning hero as they came in by the bus loads and packed the stands.

Filion greeted his fans prior to the races taking photos and autographing tons of memorabilia brought by his fans.

On the track, Filion, who had not won a race at Rideau since 1970, showed that his abilities have not faded over the 40-plus years as he went out and won his first race of the night.

In all, Filion garnered three wins in six starts on the night, setting a world record as the first driver over the age of 70 to have multiple driving victories on the same card.