No bull: Event at Speedway postponed

Due to forest fires in the area, air quality and transportation issues, the Penticton Speedway has postponed the Bull-a-Rama event scheduled for Saturday evening.

A new date will be announced soon for the Bull Riders Canada-sanctioned event, said Speedway owner Johnny Aantjes.

Up to 20 top riders were set to vie for more than $3,000 in cash prizes, trophies and series points for qualification to the national championships later this summer in Lloydminster.

It was the second and final scheduled Bull-a-Rama event of the season, with the first one held in May. This is the fifth year Bull-a-Rama events have been held at the Speedway.

“It’s been going really well . . . we’ve got a permanent arena and separate bleachers set up for the event,” said Aantjes.

“We’re getting enough interest locally and provincially that it could become one of our biggest events held up here.”

He said while the Speedway holds around 4,500 for stock car racing events, there is room for 2,500 at Bull-a-Rama.

Aantjes said the Speedway is looking to add other elements and activities that will draw people up to the facility.

There are currently seven horses (including three mini-horses and a pony) at the Speedway site. Aantjes said the hope is to eventually offer trail rides, horse-boarding and a petting farm.

The Speedway is gearing up for one of its biggest stock car racing events of the season — the Gordie Mannes Memorial Weekend Aug. 4-5.

There will be a Street Stock Invitational both nights, as well as Hornet car racing on Aug. 4 and the wildly popular Hit to Pass “Eve of Destruction” on Aug. 5.

For more, visit pentictonspeedway.com.