Caution flag for racing

Lack of parking forces Ohsweken to postpone biggest draws

A lack of parking has forced Ohsweken Speedway to postponed its biggest races indefinitely.

The 3/ 8- mile clay oval track cited “unforeseen challenges” with the lease of land that had been used for excess parking as reason for the postponement.

“We just learned that the dozens of acres we have always used for excess parking and camping will be unavailable,” track owner Glenn Styres said. “Without parking, we just don’t have room for our fans.”

Postponed events include the World of Outlaws Sprint Car series races, the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals, and the Triple Crown Showdown. Regular Friday night racing will continue as scheduled.

Land directly north of the driveway recently changed hands, and the new owners have other plans for usage of the land moving forward, the speedway said in a news release.

Ohsweken management, the release said, made the announcement now in give fans, race teams, sanctioning bodies and other stakeholders as much time as possible to adjust their plans and schedules.

“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 ‘ canceled’ 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.”

General manager Clinton Geoffrey said fans who have purchased tickets for affected events will get a full refund, along with four tickets to any Friday night show in 2018 to show the speedway’s appreciation. Tickets will be mailed out in the new year.

“This is an unexpected challenge, but we are excited about focusing on our regular divisions,” Geoffrey said. “Ohsweken Speedway is still the place to be on Friday nights in 2018.”

Schedules and other plans for the 2018 season are well underway, with the 2018 schedule slated to be officially released early in the new year.

“Drivers meetings are scheduled for this Sunday, Dec. 17, and we look forward to working with our teams and fans to make Ohsweken stronger than ever,” Geoffrey said.