Saturday night may be alright for fighting, but Central Ontario’s Friday night place to race is Kawartha Speedway. With a highly successful 10th Anniversary campaign as their template, officials at the Fraserville, Ontario 3/8th mile oval recently put the finishing touches on the 2011 schedule. Based on the growth and level of success achieved in 2010, General Manager and Promoter Derek Lynch firmly believes the 10 race schedule is the best recipe for the track to follow.
“Even though some people had their doubts at first, we had one of most successful seasons in years,” said Lynch. “The car counts were amazing, with more than 102 different drivers scoring points for starting at least 1 race in our NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model, Better Carpet Thunder Car and Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rentals Mini Stock divisions. The mini stocks have a number of very talented young drivers with the potential to move-up through our different divisions. That’s something any track promoter can be proud to say.”
Another point in Kawartha Speedway’s favour is the success its drivers have enjoyed at other tracks. During the most recent running of Peterborough Speedway’s Autumn Colours weekend, Mike Nelson and Daryl Fice each earned top 5 finishes in the mini stock main event, while late model pilots Bryan Mercer and Ryan Kimball finished 2nd and 3rd respectively against some very tough competition. Late model graduate Brandon Watson earned the checkered flag in the OSCAAR main event. Lynch also gives a ‘tip of the hat’ to Kawartha’s latest track champions.
“Chris Morrow had a strong, very consistent season but still only managed to capture the late model crown by 31 points over Dan McHattie. Willie Reyns claimed a second thunder car title, just 30 markers ahead of Chad Strawn. Mini stock champ Mike Nelson rose to the top of the heap only 29 points ahead of ‘Too’ Moroney. Each battle came down to the final night of the year,” said Lynch. “In itself, that’s an amazing statistic and makes drivers eager to race here because they know they’re running against some of the best short trackers around.”
The first on track activity for the 2011 regular season is a test session Friday, May 27th for Kawartha’s 3 weekly divisions and drivers from any other track interested in shaking-down their new equipment. The opening night for track points is Friday, June 3rd as the OSCAAR Outlaw Super Late Models join the action. The annual 150 lap late model Summer Sizzler is on the agenda for Friday, July 8th. Things wrap-up with the annual NASCAR Canadian Tire Series 250 Saturday, September 24th. The full schedule will be available soon at www.kawarthaspeedway.com.
By Jim Clarke, Kawartha Speedway PR/Clarke Motorsports Communications
