What started as one man’s vision for a dirt racetrack has grown into one of Kenora’s most unique attractions.
Nearly a decade after the first green flag dropped at Lake of the Woods Speedway, the track continues to draw racers, families and visitors from across Northwestern Ontario and Manitoba, introducing many to the region for the first time.
Beyond the races, one of its most popular traditions is Meet the Drivers, where fans step onto the front stretch, meet competitors and vote for their favourite drivers before the racing begins.
“It’s a chance to put a face to the race car,” explained Anthony Leek, the general manager of Lake of the Woods Speedway. “Sometimes when the races are done, people don’t necessarily have time to go into the pits. This gives fans a chance to meet the drivers.”
For younger fans, he said, the event is about much more than collecting autographs.
“It’s about role models,” Leek continued. “They get to meet people doing something they might dream about doing themselves one day.”
From vision to reality
Leek grew up beside the Emo Speedway in Emo, Ont., and spent years helping operate the track before moving to Kenora in late 2014.
Determined to build a speedway of his own, he began searching for a suitable location before eventually securing the property where the track now stands. Construction moved quickly, and the first race was held on October 22, 2017, just one day after all of the work was completed.
Looking back, Leek credits volunteers, local businesses and community partners with helping turn his vision into a reality.
“It wouldn’t have happened without this amazing community,” he said. “It’s come such a long way.”
The speedway now averages between 27 and 35 cars across three classes. About 20 of those drivers are local, compared to zero when the speedway first opened.
“When we first started, we had no local cars,” Leek said. “To get to around 20 local drivers is awesome. The more local people we have, the more we can sustain those numbers, and they continue to grow every year.”
Leek said fans have been treated to exciting racing this season, especially in the four-cylinder division, where one recent feature was decided by just half a car length.
“You don’t know who’s going to win until the last lap,” he said.
Gates open at 3:30 p.m., followed by practice laps before the first green flag drops. Families can take part in the Keewatin Kinsmen Club candy toss during intermission, while sponsors provide prize giveaways throughout the afternoon.
A draw for visitors
Leek said attracting new visitors to Kenora has always been part of the speedway’s mission.
The area is well known for its lakes, beaches, trails and outdoor recreation, but he saw an opportunity to introduce a different audience to everything the region has to offer.
“If you’re going to be a destination, you want to be able to do that in as many ways as possible,” he said.
He believes the speedway has broadened Kenora’s appeal by attracting racers and spectators who may never have considered visiting otherwise.
“What the racetrack really brings is another demographic of people that might not have considered Kenora a destination,” Leek said. “It adds to the diversity of tourism.”
Over the years, he has watched families from Winnipeg and other communities come to race, then return again and again after discovering all that Kenora has to offer.
“We’ve had families from Winnipeg who started racing here in the first few years, and they never came to Kenora before,” he said. “Now they have a campground here and they stay for weeks at a time.”
Many of those visitors also explore the Harbourfront, visit local museums, spend time at the beach and shop at area businesses.
“When you add to that kind of diversity, you’re bringing in new money and new people,” Leek said. “Those people find out more about Kenora once they get here.”
Powered by volunteers
The speedway relies on volunteers from all walks of life. Some have racing backgrounds, while others simply enjoy being part of an event that brings people together.
“You don’t have to know anything about race cars to be part of this family,” Leek said. “It is more than just turning laps on a racetrack. It’s really about community. It’s about family. It’s about enjoying each other’s company.”
The art of track preparation
For Leek, the most rewarding part of race day comes long before the engines roar to life.
Preparing the clay racing surface has become both an art and a science after years of trial and error.
“It takes a lot of work,” he said. “We water it, grade it and pack it in. It’s almost like a work of art.”
Finding the right formula wasn’t easy. Heat, wind and changing weather conditions all affect the surface, but Leek said years of experience have helped the crew consistently prepare a track that produces close, competitive racing.
“When you get it just right, it’s very satisfying,” he said. “I’m very proud of the people who put their time into it. It’s nice to see the fruits of our labour every race day.”
Several marquee events are still on the schedule this season, including the Can-Am Short Track Racing Series over the August long weekend and the season championship later this summer.
As the speedway approaches its 10th anniversary next year, Leek hopes even more people discover what has become one of Kenora’s unique attractions.
“It’s all about community and staying connected,” he said.
“The racetrack is one of those places we can do that.”
