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This is the first of the regular weekly editions of “Gentlemen, Start Your Engines” for 2010. I will endeavour to keep you informed of events as they happen throughout the racing season.
First off, let’s look at some of the changes that have occurred over the past few months.
River Glade Speedway may have seen its last race at least for the foreseeable future. Promoter and owner, Herman Berry, seems to have given up on his plans to revitalize the Speedway. As well, an offer from another group to purchase the Speedway has apparently fallen through at the last moment. The reason or reasons for this are unknown at the present time but “it just ain’t happening”, at least for now. It’s too bad as River Glade was the oldest operating track around these parts and home to the “International”, the oldest continually run race in Eastern Canada, and third oldest in Canada.
Island Speedway, in Cape Breton, also had the “FOR SALE” sign posted on their front lawn this Spring, but so far, no takers. Track owner, Barry Cusack, has since decided that it would be a shame to let the place sit idle so has decided to run it until a deal is reached. This is good news as Island Speedway is the only track on Cape Breton Island and the nearest track to it is outside Antigonish.
Miramichi Speedway is also looking at a “FOR SALE” sign. The track has actually been for sale for a couple of years now, but deteriorating health issues in the owner, Reg Tozer, household, has put some urgency into the matter. At present, plans are to reduce their schedule to three or four demolition events in 2010.
Bathurst’s Blue Mountain Speedway is also looking at running a vastly reduced schedule in 2010. Owner Peter Chisholm cites personnel problems as the main reason.
That’s the bad side of things. There are a lot of positives going on as well. Centre for Speed has made a lot of changes that will be implemented in 2010 and 2011. If everything goes as planned, owner Tim Wile will be wearing a broad smile over the next couple of years.
After failing to secure a date with the Pro Stock Tour in 2010, Mr Wile took the “bull by the horns” and secured a deal with the ACT Tour (American – Canadian Tour). This Tour has a long and rich history of quality racing with the emphasis on top notch racing and less cost than Pro Stocks. They also encourage each of their member tracks to operate a weekly division with these cars as well as visiting cars each week. If the drivers get behind this division and build some cars, this should produce some great racing.
Some rule changes are being made to the Sportsman division at the Centre as well. The Street Stock division is now called Sportsman and some of the older Sportsman cars will be able to be used in this division as well. This should elleviate some of the problems associated with this division (Street Stock) where cars are becoming hard to come by. I think this is another excellent decision on the part of the Centre.
This means the old Sportsman class had to be re-named Super Sportsman, which used to be the name for them at the Centre previously and probably still is. This class always provides lots of exciting action and the car counts should be excellent at the Centre this year.
The Centre for Speed also has some changes to the Atlantic Championships, most of which I applaud as well. Qualification has been streamlined in most classes by giving all Track champions direct entry into the event as well as any winners of extended (100 lap or more) races at the Centre. As well, two classes, AOW and Legends, have been dropped due to poor attendance in past years.
Last weekend, the Radical Speed Sport car show was held at the Moncton Collisseum and as usual, there were a wide variety of vehicles on display to capture anyone’s fancy. Several tracks had booths set up as well, passing out schedules etc., in preparation of the upcoming season. Riverside had the car that Reagan Smith (NASCAR Sprint Cup #78) will drive in the IWK 250 in July. This will be the fourth time Smith has entered this event in Antigonish and is a good bet to win it again this year. He won it in 2008. Children were encouraged (and some big kids) to sign Smith’s hood as well.
Well, I’m out of space for this week so we’ll get together once again in seven days. Don’t forget: “Drive hard, turn left – but keep the racing on the track, not on the streets.”
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