Lucas Punkari
With the grandstands now clean, the frontstretch wall painted, and the 3/8-mile dirt oval starting to resemble an actual racing surface, all that’s left to do at the Emo Speedway is for the drivers to start turning laps.
Local drivers will get such a chance this Saturday afternoon as the Borderland Racing Association holds an open practice session from 5:30 p.m. until sunset (weather permitting).
“Not only will it be a practice for the cars, but also for us here at the track, as well,” explained Speedway promoter Anthony Leek.
“The practice will help see if the track is holding up okay before the season-opener, and it’ll also give us an idea of what we have to do or continue to work on during the week before we start the year off on [May 21],” he added.
Most of the major pre-season work at the Speedway has been taken care of over the last couple of weeks, with the only big-ticket item left to take care of is replacing the 25-year-old lighting system on the frontstretch.
“We’re hoping to get the poles in here this week, but that will all depend on how the weather is,” Leek said.
“We have the stakes set up on both sides of the flagstand here for where we want to put the new lighting systems,” he noted.
“But if we can’t get them in before the season begins, we’ll just keep on using the old lights until we can get the new ones switched over,” he reasoned.
With the practice session and season-opener fast approaching, the sense of anticipation is building for those involved with the Speedway, including association vice-president Deb Westover-Morriseau.
“Just being out here at the track for the work bee has got me really pumped up for the new year,” she enthused.
“And I’m really looking forward to see what will happen not just for the season-opener, but for the practice, as well.”
Admission for Saturday’s practice is free for patrons wanting to watch from the grandstands. In the pits, it will cost $30 per car.
The season-opener on May 21 will see the grandstand gates opening at 6 p.m., with the first race at 7:30 (weather permitting).
