VROOM VROOM NEW track owner Terry Vince is revving up for racing at New Humberstone Speedway
Terry Vince adding Modifieds to regular lineup at Port Colborne’s New Humberstone Speedway
New Humberstone Speedway is revving up for a new season with a new owner, a new track configuration and a new racing class to keep fans entertained with full-throttle action.
Beginning in 2021, Modifieds will be featured regularly on Sunday night programs at the 3/8-mile clay track in Port Colborne along with Sportsman, Late Models and Thunder Stocks, as well as a 4-cylinder class that will have cars racing against trucks for what is expected to be one last season.
Terry Vince, who took over the track during the off-season, anticipates that a return to racing following nearly a year of cancellations and restrictions caused by the pandemic will come with challenges.
“We are currently working on a COVID schedule featuring 12 races. If restrictions free up, we will add races as we continue throughout the season,” he said in a news release.
While the Modified division at Humberstone won’t be sanctioned by DIRTCAR Northeast, it will be adhering to DIRTCAR rules with minimum weights ranging from 2,325 to 2,500 pounds in five classifications based on engine size, fuel and carburation.
“Track scales are final. No two per cent variance like in years past,” Vince said.
On board fire-suppression systems, though recommended, will not be mandatory for racers in the Modified class at Humberstone.
In hopes of increasing car counts, the Late Model division has been opened.
In addition to the 640 engines already competing in the fullfender class, Late Models with open engines will be permitted to race at Humberstone. This is expected to attract race teams from the west and, once the border is reopened, from the United States.
Vince said the lifting of engine restrictions will be monitored throughout the season.
“Parity in the engine platforms for the Late Model division is important and will be adjusted to promote fair competition if necessary,” he said.
Vince is new to the track, which opened in 1957, but he is well-known in the racing community.
As owner of Competition Speed Supply and CSR Competition Speed Racing Engines, the Port Colborne High School and Centennial College graduate has more than 30 years’ experience building engines.
From 1996 until 2002, Competition Speed Supply had a parts and fuel track that serviced race teams in the Humberstone pit area.
Vince also attended races at the track along with his father in the mid-1970s.
“I have a long history at Humberstone,” he said. “It’s basically in my backyard.”
Sunday night regulars can expect to see some new faces when racing returns to the track on Highway 3.
“And new doesn’t mean inexperienced,” Vince said. “I am fortunate to have the right people who share the vision I have for the speedway.”
Al Wagner, a previous owner of the track, will be helping out, as will Darren Peters from Peters Excavating and Jack Winger from GR Environmental.
Terry Huffman and Dave Walters have also been a “major asset to me since the takeover of the speedway,” Vince added.
Getting spectators back into the stands when it is safe to do is as important as maintaining car counts and fielding competitive classes, Vince says.
“I am committed to finishing the show by a reasonable time,” the new owner said.
Toward that end, the speedway intends to use the quartermile push track to start Sprint Cars to restore action more quickly on race nights. Racers in the Sprint Car classes need to be push-started as they are not equipped with starters.
Humberstone Speedway will be introducing an engine-sealing program which will allow teams to repair or rebuild 602, 604 and W16 engines. Resealing will take place for a fee following a tech inspection.
“Being directly involved with motorsports, I understand the financial commitment to field a car,” Vince said.
“Some purse increases and restructuring is being reviewed as well as the distribution of point funds.”
Underscoring an emphasis on providing “family-fun entertainment” are upgrades throughout the property, including renovation of a licensed bar on the second floor and construction of a 32.5-squaremetre patio.
There also have been updates to the pit area and the track itself. A part store selling VP Racing Fuel and methanol will be located in the pit area, which will have a new entrance and exit, while the track has been reconfigured and the racing surface enhanced.
An infield compound is being provided for Derby cars and an infield guardrail system has been installed.
Such long-standing events as the All-canadian Championships, which were first run in 1959, the Pete Cosco Memorial and the Eve of Destruction will continue under the new ownership, but the Dawn of Destruction will be not be taking place next season.
In 2021, Humberstone intends to hold the All-canadian Championships over two days. Crate Sprints, 360 Sprint Cars, 358 Modifieds and Vintage Cars will be featured, as will the track’s regular divisions.