Mitch Calvert
Weather delayed the start of the Borderland Racing Association’s season at the Emo Speedway, which originally was scheduled for May 16.
The hope is races will be a go for this Saturday (May 23).
“We have been unable to get the track in the best condition possible [due to the steady rain and cold], meaning we are unable to get on it to finish packing in as well as other work,” association president Anthony Leek explained.
“It’s difficult to know where the track is at mostly because of the new clay.
“We want to make sure it is as hard underneath and as smooth as possible to ensure quality racing for the drivers and the fans,” Leek stressed.
Some exciting promotions are planned for the Emo Speedway this season, with the “Candy Man” being the main event this Saturday.
The annual Canada Day celebrations will go June 27, with the fifth-annual Mid-Season Shootout taking place July 11.
The 55th anniversary celebrations then will take the spotlight July 25, with plenty of goodies in store for that night, while the annual races in conjunction with the Emo Fair go Aug. 15.
The Keith McNally Memorial Invitational runs Aug. 22 (this annual memorial is in honour of McNally, who was killed in a roll-over during the opening lap of a feature race in September, 1993).
The point champions for Emo Speedway’s 2009 season will be awarded Aug. 29 during the season championship while fan appreciation night will go Sept. 12 with a special 4 p.m. start time.
Tylar Wilson, last year’s Street Stock champ, will be sharing the driver’s seat with his 15-year-old daughter, Liberty, this season.
“I’m more nervous about it then she is,” he admitted. “She’s excited, I’m nervous, but it’ll be nice to have her there.”
Wilson first won the Street Stocks title back in 1987 before taking a nearly 20-year hiatus from the sport. He said his return largely was based on the interest his family has shown towards racing, and is focused on getting his car ready in hopes of a title repeat.
“I went to Bemidji Speedway and worked some bugs out of it on Sunday, but I’ve got some work to do,” Wilson said of his car.
“We’re not quite ready, but
hopefully we will be by the weekend.”
Anthony Visser, who captured the Midwest Modifieds title in 2004, has been racing on the local circuit for 15 years but says he still gets anxious for the opening night of races.
“You do still get excited,” he remarked. “I did the Street Stocks for eight years and then went to the Midwest Modifieds in ’04.
“I came close to winning last year,” Visser noted. “First place up until fair time and then got a flat tire there, didn’t make it to the feature, and that was it.
“That’s how it goes sometimes.”
Visser’s dad, Richard, first spun his wheels on the Emo track in 1966—last capturing the Street Stocks title 40 years from then in 2006.
He knows what to expect nowadays.
“I always get a little bit excited, but not as much as I used to,” the elder Visser said. “I’m coming out with another car this year so that’s something new.
“There’s bound to be some kinks in it,” he added.
For more information on the upcoming racing season at the Emo Speedway, visit www.borderlandracing.com
