From Ken Pelkie
Friday nights, all summer long will find Ohsweken Speedway the place to be for thrilling and affordable weekly entertainment again in 2012. The finest and fastest 3/8 mile dirt track in Southwestern Ontario has once assembled a program for the 2012 racing season that will be sure to fulfill your Friday night family entertainment appetite. With a commitment to action packed racing, Ohsweken Speedway has been the scene of a solid field of cars with fast paced, non-stop excitement for the growing legion of fans the past couple of seasons. This season guarantees more of the same as “Friday Night Thunder” roars into action.
The first three Friday nights in May will see the speedway open for practice sessions that will be FREE to spectators wishing to come out and view the action from our spectator grandstands. When the gates swing open on May 25th for the opening round of the 2012 Championship Points chases for the four weekly divisions, the racing machines will be ultimately tuned and the fans will be able to “Feel The Excitement” as the season begins for the only track in Ontario offering the thrill of the “ground pounding” winged Sprint Cars on a weekly basis. “Sprints remain the main attraction at Ohsweken while support classes include Thunder Stocks, Mini Stocks, and Bombers” stated promoter Glenn Styres while releasing the 2012 slate of events. “We will also offer up a weekly entertainment bonus ranging from Mod Lites or Vintage Cars along with our Junior Fan Club. Every week will be something different but our eye will remain on the time as priority will be to end the show by 10:30” Styres concluded.
On May 25th the Winged Sprint Cars embark on an sixteen race chase to the championship and a piece of the $20,000 posted point fund backed again by Corr/PAK Merchandising of Richmond Hill. The Sprint Cars will be joined each week by the Lighthouse Tattoos Thunder Stocks, HRW Automotive Mini Stocks, and the Pierced Parts Bombers. Special events designed to entertain every fan are scattered over the summer with something different being presented each week. With “Affordable Family Entertainment” as the primary goal, Ohsweken Speedway is the place to be at 7:45 PM each Friday night for an evening of affordable, action packed entertainment.
“We have been focusing our attention and building toward family entertainment while giving our fans a true racing alternative in the area” states Ken Pelkie, Director of Racing Operations. “Our commitment to the fans is to provide an entertaining, first class show that the whole family will enjoy and present it in a timely manner. Two to two and one-half hours is the target for completion of the program throughout the season” Pelkie concluded.
Fans will have to wait just a little over three months before an open practice sessions take place. Friday, May 4th; 11th; & 18th will see all classes of cars that will compete at the Speedway during 2012 testing the speedway while they shake down their equipment. On track action will begin at 7:00 PM and is Free to spectators.
The season then officially gets underway on Friday night, May 25th when Engler Machine & Tool presents the “Season Opener”. This opening round in the season long point championship race for all four weekly classes on the fast 3/8 mile clay oval will feature extended feature laps for all divisions. The first of six visits of the “International Modified Lite Championship Tour” will also be on the program.
To kick off an exciting month of June, Grisdale Racing Products will host “Sponsors Night” June 1st as the championship chases for the four divisions settle in for the grinding 2012 season. Race Teams will all have the opportunity to invite their sponsors to the speedway for a night of entertainment as guests of Ohsweken Speedway. Also on the program will be the first of four visits for the season of the “Vintage Cars”.
June 8th will find Trailers by Jim Bray presenting the ”Abel Castelein 50” for Mini Stocks as we honour the memory of one of the veterans and true advocates of Ohsweken Speedway who passed away suddenly last fall.
June racing continues on the 15th as Lighthouse Tattoos hosts “Brant County Night” featuring Twin 15’s for the Lighthouse Tattoo Thunder Stocks. Any spectators showing proof of residence in Brant County will be admitted to the speedway for half price. CORR/Pak Sprints, HRW Automotive Mini Stocks, and Pierced Parts Bombers will also be on the racing program.
The Jones Brown Insurance once again will present the “Northern Summer Nationals” mini-series in 2012. With two events scheduled to be run at each of Ohsweken Speedway and South Buxton Raceway, the rain plagued series was cut in half in 2011 however full fields of cars graced the pits at each venue. Round #1 takes place June 22nd at Ohsweken with Round #2 the following night at South Buxton. CORR/Pak Sprints and the Patriot Sprint Tour will all co-sanction the series with the overall point champion of the series capturing a guaranteed starting position in the 8th Annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals in September. A full program of Thunder Stocks, Mini Stocks, and Bombers will also be on the program.
June 29th will close out the month as Metal Works Powder Coating of Caledonia presents “Kids Night”. Mod Lites will also be on hand as the first of two nights of “Box Car” races and a “Tug of War” between our drivers and Junior Fan Club members are scheduled to take place during intermission.
July gets started in a big way on July 6th as the Rochester Knighthawks hosts a “Sunshine Foundation” event featuring our four regular divisions and the International Modified Lite Championship Tour. The first of two “Autograph Sessions” will also take place during intermission.
Mid Season Championship night is up next as WISECO Pistons presents the midyear classics for Corr/PAK Sprints, Lighthouse Tattoo Thunder Stocks, and Pierced Parts Bombers while Evers Financial hosts the championship round for the HRW Automotive Mini Stocks. Extra laps and extra cash await the drivers for the night’s action.
July 20th finds Outhouse Image & Design along with McDONALDS Brantford and Paris locations hosting “Christmas In July” when a visit from Santa is once again on his schedule. The annual “Toy Drive” is also on tap for the evening with 100% of the donations distributed to needy organizations in neighbouring communities. Last year’s collection showed the true generosity of our fans and supporters and was graciously received. Everyone donating a toy this year will receive a ½ price admission coupon that can be used for any regular priced race night for the remainder of the season. Corr/PAK Sprints, Thunder Stocks, Mini Stocks, and Bombers will provide the on track action for the evening. The 2nd and last “Autograph Session” of the season will take place on the track during intermission.
Best Western – Cairn Croft Hotel plays host to “Norfolk County Night” on July 27th. Any spectators showing proof of residence in Norfolk County will be admitted to the speedway for half price.
July closes out as the World of Outlaw Sprints take to the track on Tuesday night, July 31st this season in their only visit to Ohsweken Speedway. A full program will be presented by Arrow Express consisting of Time Trials, Heat races, “B” Main and “A” Main paying $10,000 to the winner plus valuable points toward the season long championship chase. All the regulars on the Outlaw circuit including Donny Schatz, Steve Kinser, Joey Saldana, Jason Meyers, and others including Jessica Zemken will be on hand to try to capture the “Six Nations Showdown” title that Tony Stewart took home last year. The International Modified Lite Championship Tour cars will compete on the program as the support division. August 1st has been secured if needed as a makeup date for the World of Outlaw event.
The Art Hill Memorial will once again be contested by the Mini Stocks on August 3rd. Presented by HRW Automotive, the 42 lap affair will again pay $1,000 to the winner. Joining the Mini Stocks on the program will be the Corr/PAK Sprints, Thunder Stocks, and Bombers while the 4th Annual “Ohsweken Speedway Hot Dog Eating Championship” will be contested at the flag stand during intermission.
The final drive toward the season long championships continues on August 10th when Gales Auto Aftermarket presents “Haldimand County Night”. All adults proving residence in Haldimand County will be admitted to the speedway for half price. Corr/PAK Sprints, Mini Stocks, and Bombers will be joined for the third time in 2012 by the Vintage Cars. Rounding out the night’s action will be a 50 Lap feature event for the Lighthouse Tattoos Thunder Stocks.
The final two legs of the Jones Brown Insurance sponsored “Northern Summer Nationals” take place at Ohsweken Speedway August 17th and South Buxton Raceway on August 18th. Teams from CORR/Pak Sprints and the Patriot Sprint Tour will again gather to declare the overall point champion of the series awarding a guaranteed starting position in the 8th Annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals in September. A full program of Thunder Stocks, Mini Stocks, and Bombers will also be on the program at Ohsweken.
August 24th, MMBO Marketing will present a benefit race night for the “Canadian National Autism Foundation” with a full program of racing for Corr/Pak Sprints, Thunder Stocks, Mini Stocks, and Bombers. Making their fifth of six appearances in 2012 will be the International Modified Lite Championship Tour. Stay tuned for more information on this exciting event as details are developed.
Labour Day weekend comes early in 2012 with racing at Ohsweken Speedway taking place on August 31st to close out the month. Pierced Parts presents a Labour Day Special featuring CORR/Pak Sprints, Lighthouse Tattoos Thunder Stocks, HRW Automotive Mini Stocks, and the Pierced Parts Bombers. All will be in action in their final tune up before the Season Championship races on September 7h. The 2nd of two events for the Box Cars will also be on the program along with a “Double Flag Pole “ race for our Bombers.
Season Championship races are on tap September 7th for the Thunder Stocks, Mini Stocks, and Bombers as their point chases will end when O’NEILS FARM EQUIPMENT – CASE INTERNATIONAL hosts the evening’s action. Qualifying positions for the “8th Annual – Ohsweken Shootout” are up for grabs for the Corr/PAK Sprints who will conclude their championship chase on Canadian Nationals weekend. Extra distance will be added to all feature races contested that evening.
Following a practice night on Thursday, September 13th, Ohsweken will roar back to life on Friday, September 14th as STYRES GAS BAR presents the 8th Annual Ohsweken Shootout to headline the Night Before the Nationals. Along with twin 15 lap features for the Sprint Cars that guarantee the winners a starting position in the Saturday feature event, the Ohsweken Shootout provides an opportunity to see qualified cars from the sanctioning bodies compete head to head in a 10 lap showdown. The 6th Annual Dave MacLeod Memorial – Mr. Sprint Car Challenge is also scheduled to run on Friday night. The Bracket style elimination event to honour the life long competitor from the western New York region has become a fixture on the Friday night portion of Nationals weekend.
Then the racing season ends its weekly program on Saturday, September 15th as the 8th Annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals presented by Arrow Express takes to the speedway. In its seven year history, the Canadian Nationals has provided some of the finest fields of competitors anywhere and stands as the flagship event of Ohsweken Speedway while ranking among the top events for 360 Sprint Cars in North America. This year paying $12,000 to win the Feature event, 35 laps await the thirty car line up for the green flag. $850 will go to the last place finisher. As an added incentive for teams to compete again this year, a non Qualifiers Second Chance “Little Feature” will be presented by Sicards RV which will see the winner locked into the 30th starting position of the Main Event. The final appearance of 2012 for the International Modified Lite Championship Tour will once again support the Canadian Nationals program.
Several other sponsors have committed to return and support Ohsweken Speedway in a major way throughout the season including Hoosier Racing Tire Canada, Manton Push Rods, Zemco Speed Equipment, HRP Racing Products, Canton Racing Products, Saldana Racing Products, DMI, KING Racing Products, The Brakeman, Winters Performance, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, and Kinser Air Filters who combined will expand the Corr/Pak Sprint Car point fund once again to over $25,000 in cash and product. The renewal period for last year’s Reserved Seat ticket holders ended at 6:00 PM January 14th. Advanced Ticket Sales for all events where reserved seating will be utilized which include the World of Outlaws show and the Canadian Nationals opened to the general public January 16th and continue Monday through Thursday during normal business hours at 1-888-720-7223 on a first come, first served basis until the week prior to the events scheduled dates. Requests for tickets may also be submitted via email to pelkiekj@ebtech.net (attention Cheryl). Please follow instructions to obtain your tickets as posted on the official website at www.ohswekenspeedway.com . Any questions should be directed to Cheryl or Ken Pelkie at (1-888) 720-7223 or email to pelkiekj@ebtech.net.
Until the sound of racing engines fill the spring air, Ohsweken Speedway will be taking part in a couple of indoor shows and static displays. The first coming up soon takes place in Toronto at the International Centre. The MEGASPEED Custom Car & Truck Show runs three days from March 9th through the 11th. Please stop by to pick up a 2012 schedule and say hello. A return visit to the Brantford Lynden Park Mall is planned in April. Please watch the official website of Ohsweken Speedway for dates and times as they become available.
Be sure to visit the website often for all of the latest news on these and other happenings as work continues toward pre season practice sessions May 4th; 11th; & 18th with opening day on May 25th.
OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY
2012 RACE SCHEDULE (Subject To Change Without Notice)
– All Friday Dates Feature Corr/PAK Sprints / Lighthouse Tattoos Thunder Stocks / HRW Automotive Mini Stocks & Pierced Parts Bombers Unless Otherwise Noted plus Added Attractions as listed.
MAY
Friday 4 – TEST & TUNE – (all divisions competing at Ohsweken in 2012)
Friday 11 – TEST & TUNE – (all divisions competing at Ohsweken in 2012)
Friday 18 – TEST & TUNE – (all divisions competing at Ohsweken in 2012)
Friday 25 – ENGLER MACHINE & TOOL presents SEASON OPENER plus “INTERNATIONAL MODIFIED LITE CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR”
JUNE
Friday 1 – GRISDALES RACING PRODUCTS presents SPONSORS NIGHT plus “VINTAGE CARS”
Friday 8 – TRAILERS by Jim BRAY presents ABEL CASTELEIN 50 for MINI STOCKS
Friday 15 – LIGHTHOUSE TATTOO’s presents BRANT COUNTY NIGHT featuring “TWIN 15’s for THUNDER STOCKS”
Friday 22 – JONES BROWN INSURANCE presents “NORTHERN SUMMER NATIONALS Series – Round #1” co-sanctioned by CORR/Pak Sprints; & The Patriot Sprint Tour:
Saturday 23 – “NORTHERN SUMMER NATIONALS Series – Round #2” at South Buxton Raceway co-sanctioned by CORR/Pak Sprints; & The Patriot Sprint Tour:
Friday 29 – METAL WORKS presents KIDS NIGHT plus “INTERNATIONAL MODIFIED LITE CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR” and “BOX CAR RACES”
JULY
Friday 6 – ROCHESTER KNIGHTHAWKS presents The “SUNSHINE FOUNDATION” plus The “INTERNATIONAL MODIFIED LITE CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR” and an “AUTOGRAPH NIGHT”
Friday 13 – “MID SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP NIGHT” presented by EVERS FINANCIAL for Mini Stocks & WISECO PISTONS for Corr/Pak Sprints / Thunder Stocks & Bombers plus “VINTAGE CARS”
Friday 20 – OUTHOUSE IMAGE & DESIGN along with McDONALDS (Brantford & Paris Locations) presents “CHRISTMAS IN JULY” featuring SANTA CLAUS plus “Annual TOY DRIVE” and “AUTOGRAPH NIGHT”
Friday 27 – BEST WESTERN – CAIRN CROFT HOTEL presents NORFOLK COUNTY NIGHT
Tuesday 31 – ARROW EXPRESS presents World of Outlaw SPRINTS plus “INTERNATIONAL MODIFIED LITE CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR”
AUGUST
Wednesday 1 – (“SIX NATIONS SHOWDOWN” Rain Date)
Friday 3 – HRW AUTOMOTIVE presents “ART HILL MEMORIAL” for MINI STOCKS” plus “Annual OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY HOT DOG EATING CHAMPIONSHIP”
Friday 10 – GALES AUTO AFTERMARKET presents HALDIMAND COUNTY NIGHT featuring 50 Laps For THUNDER STOCKS plus “VINTAGE CARS”
Friday 17 JONES BROWN INSURANCE presents “NORTHERN SUMMER NATIONALS Series – Round #3” co-sanctioned by CORR/Pak Sprints; & The Patriot Sprint Tour:
Saturday 18 – “NORTHERN SUMMER NATIONALS Series – Round #4” at South Buxton Raceway co-sanctioned by CORR/Pak Sprints; & The Patriot Sprint Tour:
Friday 24 – “KIDS RACE” by MMBO MARKETING presents The CANADIAN NATIONAL AUTISM FOUNDATION featuring The “INTERNATIONAL MODIFIED LITE CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR ”
Friday 31 – AWESOME RACEWEAR presents LABOUR DAY SPECIAL featuring “BOX CAR RACES” & “DOUBLE FLAGPOLE RACE”
September
Friday 7 – O’NEIL’S FARM EQUIPMENT & CASE INTERNATIONAL presents “SEASON CHAMPIONSHIPS” for All Divisions
Thursday 13 – TEST & TUNE – (all Sprints competing in Canadian Nationals)
Friday 14 – STYRES GAS BAR presents 8th Annual “OHSWEKEN SHOOTOUT” & “THE NIGHT BEFORE THE NATIONALS” plus 6th Annual “Dave MacLEOD MEMORIAL – Mr. SPRINT CAR CHALLENGE” plus “VINTAGE CARS”
Saturday 15 – ARROW EXPRESS presents 8th Annual “CANADIAN SPRINT CAR NATIONALS” (35 laps – $12,000 to Win) plus “non-Qualifiers Li’l Feature” presented by SICARD RV and “INTERNATIONAL MODIFIED LITE CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR”
Sunday
(or Next Dry Day) 16 – (“CANADIAN NATIONALS” Rain Date)