Terry Guest
Special to the Record
Summer is fast approaching, as is the start of the 32nd season of racing at Saratoga Speedway on May 4. Last season saw many new cars and track records almost every other weekend, and plenty of great fans each and every weekend, and this upcoming racing season will continue that trend.
Opening night will once again feature our amazing firework show, which has been a fan favourite each and every year. The Crash to Pass cars, Roadrunners, Hornet cars and up-and-coming Figure 8 car class will fill out the night.
The following weekend is the annual Brian Sullivan Memorial Race, which always brings a huge field of Bomber cars. The IMCA Modifieds and the Dwarf cars will round out the night.
The May long weekend will once again feature an amazing two-day monster truck show, something that has always packed the seats at Saratoga Speedway. The Hornets, Roadrunners, Crash to Pass cars and Figure 8s will also be on display both nights.
New to Saratoga Speedway this year are drifting competitions. May 25 will mark the first round of competition. June 15 marks our first Crash to Pass boat race of the year, a perennial fan favourite. The Hornets, Roadrunners, Figure 8s and Island Mini Stocks (making their first appearance of the year) will finish off the night.
Our second doubleheader takes place June 29-30, with the Wilroc Sprint cars making their first appearance at the Speedway. There will also be fireworks, Crash to Pass cars, Hornets, Figure 8s and Roadrunners both nights.
The fifth annual Bikini Contest will take place the following weekend. The number of contestants has grown every year, and this year is looking to be no different, with 2012 winner Megan Bergsma looking to hold on to her title.
The third round of drifting will also take place that night accompanied by the Hornet cars and drag racing, a one-time event at Saratoga, making this night one to mark on the calendar.
July 20 marks our annual car tossing competition, which is also a fan favourite. Last year's mark of 52 feet, seven inches will be the goal for the contestants this year. The Crash to Pass cars, Hornets, Roadrunners and Figure 8s will also be on the racing card.
The August long weekend marks the second and last showing of the monster trucks. Once again, the Crash to Pass cars, Hornets, Roadrunners and the Figure 8s will accompany the monsters. Aug. 17 marks our second Crash to Pass boat race and the return of the Big Rig Highway Thunder. Big rigs from all around will travel to Saratoga for the event. The Figure 8s, Hornets and Roadrunners will also be featured.
Our third and final doubleheader takes place Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, featuring the ever-poplar Canadian-American Demolition Derby. The American team won last year, so you can bet the Canadian team will be looking for some revenge. The Hornets, Crash to Pass cars, Roadrunners and Figure 8s will finish the card both nights.
The year will wrap up on Sept. 14 with yet another amazing firework show. The Crash to Pass cars, Hornets, Roadrunners, Bombers, Figure 8s, and IMCAs will all be battling for their respective championships that night as well.
The 32nd year of racing at Saratoga Speedway is looking to be yet another amazing year full of family entertainment and amazing racing. Paul Hargrave and others have been working throughout the off-season to improve the seating for everyone and the overall landscape of Saratoga Speedway, and it looks amazing.
For anymore information on ticket prices, monster truck rides, go-kart rentals and other race nights visit saratogaspeedway.bc.ca.
– Saratoga Speedway