Kawartha Speedway 2010 - A Numbers Game

Kawartha Speedway 2010:  A Numbers Game

By Jim Clarke, Kawartha Speedway PR/Clarke Motorsports Communications

Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci collected 3 gold medals during the 1976 Summer Olympics and became the first in her sport to be awarded a perfect ‘10’.  Dudley Moore chased the braided blonde beauty Bo Derek in the 1979 Hollywood classic ‘10’.  Drivers and teams at Kawartha Speedway hope to earn their place in the spotlight as the track heads into their 10 anniversary season with a 10 race schedule that kicks-off with an open practice session for all divisions Friday, May 28th.

At the end of the 2009 campaign, speedway general manager and promoter Derek Lynch announced tentative plans for the 10 race schedule during a driver’s meeting.  While teams were initially shocked by the plans, Lynch says he’s had favourable comments from most of the track’s regulars – and even some new teams – who are excited to spend their Friday nights at one of the country’s premiere motorsports facilities.

“The number of dates we’ll have on the 2010 schedule has been one of the most discussed motorsports stories since we made the announcement,” admitted Lynch.  “When you look at rainouts, 10 races would be more events than we had in 2008 – and just 2 less than the 2009 season.  With an average of 3 shows a month, we’ll have the chance to make-up an event lost due to weather.  That’s something we haven’t done before.”

Lynch says Kawartha Speedway will continue to spotlight their weekly divisions with extra distance events for the NAPA Auto Parts Late Models, Better Carpet Thunder Cars and the Discount Car and Truck Rental Mini Stocks.  The track will also feature a pair of OSCAAR Outlaw Super Late Model events, 4 shows featuring the Ontario Legends’ Series and an appearance by the Ontario Pro Challenge racers.

“One event missing from the program is the American-Canadian Tour stop in July,” stated Lynch.  “We’ll still be an ACT sanctioned track and will send a representative to their invitational shows including Loudon, New Hampshire in September.  From a financial standpoint, getting the ACT drivers to make the trip from Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire was getting tougher and tougher.  In its place, we’ll go back to our 150 lap summer sizzler format – run in 3, 50 lap segments – Friday, July 9th.  We’ll also close-out the 2010 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series schedule with a 250 lapper Saturday, September 25th.”

Kawartha Speedway’s 10th Anniversary 2010 schedule is available now at www.kawarthaspeedway.com.  The track will also be part of the 4th annual Canadian Motorsports Expo January 22nd to 24th at the International Centre in Toronto.

Photo attachments:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

#1).  After winning the 2009 Discount Car & Truck Rental championship, Mike Wallace can’t wait for Kawartha Speedway’s 10th Anniversary Season to get rolling.

#2).  Track champion Kyle Donaldson dominated the Better Carpet Thunder Car division in 2009 and announced on the final night of the year that his #57 machine was up for sale.

#3).  Cavan, Ontario’s Dan McHattie showed his championship winning form again in 2009, earning another NAPA Auto Parts Late Model crown.