By  TIM BALTZ

AKWESASNE -- Over 70 cars packed the pit area Friday to kick off the 2011 season at Mohawk International Raceway on C&B Enterprises night.

Heavy rains during the week made track conditions difficult during heat racing action, but after a little intermission for track grooming the MIR crew had a smooth surface come feature time.

The first twin 20 lap feature kicked off the night for the DIRTcar 358 Modifieds, heat winners Perry Francis and Brian McDonald paced the field to Austin Swamp's green flag.

Francis grabbed the early lead with 2002 track champion McDonald settling into the second spot, Chris Raabe, John Lazore and Todd Stone completed the top five.

Reigning Sportsman track champion Chris Raabe made a move around McDonald to take the runner up spot on lap four as the caution flag flew for 4 time track champion Mike Perrotte who spun in between turns 1 & 2.

On the restart Francis and Raabe battled side by side for the top spot with Raabe taking the lead and looking to run away and hide as Francis, Lazore, Stone and Jeff Sykes rounded out the top 5. Yellow would return to the speedway 2 laps later for Rick Miller as he slowed in turn 3. Perry Francis would get the lead on the next restart but Raabe was able to re-take the top spot and build up over a straightaway advantage on the rest of the field.

Tim O'Brien started to make his presence known at halfway, after starting 8th he quietly worked his way into 3rd getting by both Todd Stone and Jeff Sykes. O'Brien began reeling in Perry Francis for 2nd when the final caution flew on lap 14 for Todd Stewart who came to a stop in turn 2.

Just then the skies opened up washing out the final 6 laps of the race and ultimately the rest of the program. Raabe was declared the winner followed by teammate Perry Francis, Tim O'Brien, Jeff Sykes and Todd Stone. The 2nd DIRTcar 358 Modified 20 lap event has not been rescheduled but Mohawk International Raceway officials are currently working on a make up date for the race.

Heat wins in the DIRTcar Sportsman division went to Brad Winters, Dylan Evoy and Shane Pecore, DIRTcar Pro-Stock heats went to defending track champion Ricky Thompson and 2008 track champ Stephane Lebrun.

Derek Colbert, Bennett White and newcomer Kyle Bouvier won bandit heats.

Racing action continues next Friday night at Mohawk International Raceway with the first round of the Frenchie's Chevrolet American Revolution Series for the DIRTcar 358 Modifieds along with a regular card of racing for the DIRTcar Sportsman, DIRTcar Pro-Stocks and Bandits.

Carey Terrance will look for his 3rd straight 50-lap Memorial Cup victory and Todd Stone will try and defend the series title.

DIRTcar 358 Modifieds (Rain shortened 14 laps) -- CHRIS RAABE, Perry Francis, Tim O'Brien, Jeff Sykes, Todd Stone, John Lazore, Roy Tarbell, Joel Doiron, Carey Terrance, Mike Perrotte, Delbert LeGrow, Laurent Ladouceur, Todd Stewart, Brian McDonald, Preston Forbes, Ryan Helm, Clayton Benedict, Rick Miller, (DNS)Gage Morin.

Mohawk International Raceway is located midway between the Seaway International Bridge to Cornwall, ONT and the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino. From Route 37, turn south onto Frogtown Road.

Racing is held on Friday nights at 7:45 p.m. from May through September, featuring the Frenchie's Chevrolet DIRTcar 358 Modifieds, Sportsman and Pro Stocks, as well as the Bandit division. The website address is www.MohawkInternationalRaceway.com. The MIR office is located at the track, and the phone number is 518-358-9017.