Rea Memorial features best of Emo racing during Fair

    The Emo Speedway will host its annual Rea Memorial two-day championship this Friday and Saturday, beginning both days at 6:30 p.m.
    “The fair weekend is very prestigious,” explained Anthony Leek, vice-president of the Emo Speedway. “Winning it is probably one of the biggest things that can happen to you as a racer for the whole season, or the rest of your life.”
    The event is named in honour of Rob and Ed Rea, two local men who had a long history with the track, although Leek added the Fall Fair weekend race has been a highlight of the racing season even in their day, and going back to the early days of the Emo Speedway.
    And, of course, the attendance at the Emo Fair bolsters that in the grandstand—which in turn makes for more intense racing.
    “Some of the most competitive racing is that weekend, just because (the racers) know everyone’s watching,” Leek said. “The casual fan and the hardcore fan are going to be there.”
    Last year’s modifieds champion, Chad Jonson, attested to the desire among the drivers to win at the Rea Memorial.         
    “It’s exciting,” he laughed. “I hope I repeat. I hope I get that trophy. I should’ve just left it at home, then I could keep it.”
    More than the trophy, though, what sets the race apart is the roar of the crowd. “It’s really good fan turnout and all them two nights. We appreciate the fans coming out,” said Jonson. “It’s more intense ’cause (of) who’s out there watching you.”
    Leek repeated that the Emo Fair crowds are at another level compared to the rest of the season. “You’re going to see probably a few hundred people who you’ll never see any other time of year,” he said.
    Just because the weekend pushes a capacity crowd—with standing room a real possibility for Saturday’s race—doesn’t mean the Speedway loses its sense of hospitality. Leek encouraged anyone in the stands with questions to ask someone sitting near them about the event or, failing that, to simply walk up to the announcers booth at the top of the grandstand and have a chat with one of the organizers.
    As for anyone still on the fence, he had a few words of advice: “It’ll be an awesome time. Don’t miss it. You won’t want to miss it.
    “If you miss every other time, don’t miss this.”