BIG RACE PLANS PARKED.
Some of the biggest races for 2018 in the Hamilton area are in limbo right now, and it’s due to a lack of spectator parking at those events.
Late last week Ohsweken Speedway announced its three major events, the World of Outlaws show, the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals, and the Triple Crown Showdown are in a “postponed” mode.
The adjacent property used by the track for motorhome and fan parking at these big races has new owners who have other plans for the property which was formerly leased to Ohsweken.
“We just learned that the dozens of acres we have always used for excess parking and camping will be unavailable,” said track owner, Glenn Styres. “Without parking, we just don’t have room for our fans.
“We have a plan of action in mind to deal with the situation, but we need about six months of good weather to prepare,” Styres said. “The reason we are using the word postponed instead of cancelled is we want to keep our options open. Our special events cost nearly half a million dollars a year to run, and it’s too big a risk to commit to that without all of the necessary parking.”
The track’s regular Friday night shows will continue. The Nationals attract Sprint Cars from across North America and has been held since 2005. The WoO show has been the track’s biggest draw, and since 2007 has made its appearance at the clay oval with the speedy 800plus horse-powered Sprint Cars.
Those who have purchased tickets to these events will receive a full refund, along with four tickets to any regular Friday race night in 2018.
The North Carolina-based World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car sanction released a statement advising it has cancelled the July 23-24 event at Ohsweken, the only Canadian stop on its 90-plus North American 2018 schedule. The sanction is looking at replacing the Ohsweken dates.
“At this time, the WoO is looking at nearby tracks to fill those dates,” according to Anthony Corini from the World of Outlaws. “I would safely assume that once the construction at Ohsweken is complete, the WoO will return there, as it is a favourite among drivers and fans.”
Known as the Arrow Express/ Six Nations Showdown, this twoday event featured full cards of Sprint Car racing, in both the 360 class and the 410 class of the WoO. The early week show was built around the WoO tour between dates in New York state and Michigan. Ohsweken general manager Clinton Geoffrey wanted to make sure fans realized the three events were not going away for ever, just next year.
“This is an unexpected challenge,” said Geoffrey. “But we are excited about focusing on our regular divisions.
“Glenn (Styres) has already begun working on a plan that will create an alternative parking situation on the other side of the speedway,” he added. “We have some great options but they are going to take six months of good weather and unfortunately we won’t have that in time for our season.
“It is very important that we at Ohsweken all carry the tone of a postponement and not a cancellation,” he said. “If we cancel it, people will think these events are done. If we postpone, we can bring them back anytime. We will be doing everything we can to get these dates back.”
Knowing that Styres and company have continuously raised the bar at the track for both the racers and the fans since it opened in 1996, this setback will be temporary.