Packing The Punch Into Peterborough’s 50th Season

Story By: JIM CLARKE / PETERBOROUGH SPEEDWAY – PETERBOROUGH, ONT – The clock is ticking and the countdown is on. Less than 50 days remain before the kick-off of the 50th Anniversary Season at Canada’s Toughest 3rd of a Mile Paved Oval. With half a century of action already in the record books, the biggest celebration in the history of Peterborough Speedway takes the green flag Saturday, May 20th.

Track officials and promotional staff have been putting in some long hours behind the scenes, getting everything ready for this year’s Country 105 Opening Ceremonies, with free spectator grandstand admission. All the hard work appears to be paying-off, as early indications point to more than 20 pre-registered drivers in the Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun field. The Jiffy Lube Mini Stock pack has close to 20 teams signed-up for battle, with the same type of numbers in the Thunder Car ranks and the newly branded Organics & Glass Late Model line-up. Owner and promoter J.P. Josiasse says it’s a great time to be a fan of the tight, tricky bullring on Mount Pleasant Road, west of the Liftlock City.

“The numbers are impressive and we haven’t even turned a lap yet,” Josiasse said. “We’ll have some second-generation runners coming on board, tough competition for the rookie of the year awards and a couple of former track champions switching divisions. At least 3 drivers are making the move from the 4Fun class, with one heading for the Mini Stocks and a pair joining the Thunder Car action. The 2017 calendar promises to be packed with excitement from start to finish.”

Josiasse says the popular Toonie Spectator Grandstand Admission/Fan Appreciation Nights – presented by Pepsi – will be back on the schedule June 3rd, July 8th and August 19th. The 50th Anniversary Season will also include a series of special 50 lap main events, starting with the Late Models June 3rd, Mini Stocks June 10th. 4Fun teams get their turn to run the extra-distance showcase July 15th and the Thunder Car division has a 50 lapper during the annual Mid Summer Bash on July 22nd. The 50th Anniversary regular season will conclude at the Championship Clash – Saturday, September 2nd – with Top 10 Shootouts for all weekly divisions.