The biggest motorsports event in the province is just days away.  The 21^st Annual Autumn Colours Classic – presented by Lucas Oil Products – gets the green flag Friday, October 11^th at 6:00 as the weekend’s first qualifying event hits the track at Canada’s Toughest 3^rd of a Mile Oval.

Entries have been filed and drivers have started to line-up for the best pit area parking spots.  The campsite is fully booked, spaces have been assigned and the finishing touches are being put on the first edition of the Autumn Colours magazine.  Peterborough Speedway track owner/promoter J.P. Josiasse says all the hard work behind the scenes is about to pay off with a fantastic weekend and memorable racing experience.

“In many ways, it’s like starting a brand new season of racing,” said Josiasse.  “If you look at this weekend’s schedule, we’ve put 3 weeks worth of action into 3 days.  You can’t do that unless you’ve done your homework and put a game plan together.  Our last night of stock car racing was Saturday, August 24^th.  That has allowed the team to work out a checklist of the things that need to be done.  The goal is to run a smooth show that gives the fans good value for their dollar and I think we’re ready to roll in that regard.”

Using last year’s numbers as a template, fans can expect more than 175 entries in the 8 divisions set to battle for a piece of the Autumn Colours Classic hardware on the tight, tricky Central Ontario short track.  While everyone who signs-in at the pit gate does so believing they have a shot at winning their division, Peterborough Speedway is known as a driver’s track.  The 3^rd of a mile layout tips the scales in favour of the teams who make it their regular Saturday night home or crews who can handle a long list of adjustments to compensate for the venue’s unique design.

“It’ll be interesting to see how things play out,” said Josiasse.  “The invaders know they’ll have to beat our guys, but this isn’t their first rodeo.  Many of them are track champions where they run weekly and have the ability to learn a lot from running a few laps of their own and even watching while the other divisions are on the track.  This weekend always features some tough head-to-head competition and entertains the crowd from the drop of the first green flag.”

Short Track Saturday Night:  The 21^st Annual Autumn Colours Classic – presented by Lucas Oil Products – at Peterborough Speedway gets underway Friday, October 11^th.  Spectator gates open at 5:00 and the first round of qualifying hits the track at 6:00.  Action continues Saturday, October 12^th with second round qualifying, ‘B’ features for the Mini Stock and Thunder Car divisions, as well as the Hurricane Midget ‘A’ main.  Grandstands open at 1:00, with racing at 3:30.  Sunday, October 13^th is a full day of feature events.  The spectator areas open at 11:30.  Racing starts at 12:30.