Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints: Autodrome Edelweiss preview

By Dean Reynolds

Autodrome Edelweiss Speedway is set in an obscure spot just a mere 20 minutes North of Canada’s capital of Ottawa.  Over the past two decades the track has gone through several owners and promoters but has found a very solid base with Serge Lagace holding the controls.

Facility upgrades, larger purses, increase car counts and fan base has added the success to this exciting 1/3rd mile oval which had a future that went year by year.  Now that future looks bright for many years to come.  Lagace is a blue collar worker by trade but with a good crew and marketing team in place, Edelweiss is growing by leaps and bounds.

The Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints will be making two stops in 2009.  The ESS history at Edelweiss is very unique history in that the 21 events that have been run since 1990, there has been 18 different winners.  Speeds are fast and 25 lap A-Mains can be done in mere minutes.  The winged warriors will invade on June 12th and July 17th.

Bleachers run from turn four to turn one.  A beautiful new VIP tower was built last year adding to the marketing aspect of Edelweiss.  The pits are located right off turn four with the fans having a great view of the action both in the pits and on the track.  Of course, in Quebec tradition, you can enter the pits by just adding a few dollars to your admission stub.

Drivers of local interest are headed by Lee Ladouceur, also rookies Sylvain Ericksen and Erin Joyce will be in the pits at Edelweiss.  Fans will also get to root for many other Canadian drivers during each ESS visit.    

ESS Facts – Autodrome Edelweiss Speedway:
ESS Events Run: 21
Different Winners: 18
Most Wins: Mike Woodring, Mal Lane and Lance Yonge (2)
Last Event Run: 9/19/08
Most Recent Winner: Steve Poirier

Edelweiss Facts:
Location: Rt. 307 North of Ottawa and then West on Rt. 366
ESS Date(s): June 12th and July 17th  
Promoter(s): Serge Lagace’
Track Phone: (819) 457-4440
Website: www.autodromedelweiss.com

Sites of Interest:  Canada’s beautiful Capital of Ottawa just 20 minutes away.