After battling through the weekly wars of a regular season at Canada’s Toughest 3^rd of a Mile Paved Oval, some racers are content to roll their car off the trailer and into the garage, while shifting their attention in other directions. Still, there are others who crave the excitement and adulation that comes with adding that one specific race victory to their resume. They’re chasing a win in Peterborough Speedway’s Autumn Colours Classic.

Known as the Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing, the event – presented by Lucas Oil Products – draws some of the biggest and most successful names from a variety of tracks across the province year after year. That said, each season there are some – who race at the tight, tricky bullring on Mount Pleasant Road, west of the Liftlock City every week – who’ll make their first ever start in the prestigious short track spectacular.

While he technically isn’t a rookie in Peterborough Speedway’s season ending showcase, Shawn Solomon’s Autumn Colours Classic experience has been limited to less than a dozen laps. In his first qualifying heat race, the 39 year-old from Oshawa, Ontario had his battery die as the field came to the green flag. In the feature race, his #19 machine ran a couple of laps before the power steering failed and the car eventually developed a fuel leak, leading to a red flag.

“It wasn’t the experience we were hoping for, but seat time of any kind is a good thing,” said the driver, who manages a collectibles store called Comic Alley Toys. “We were able to turn things around and finished 6^th in the point standings this year. I’d like to thank my family, friends, fans and sponsors for their support of the team throughout the season.”

In a class where 39 different drivers started at least one race during the year, Solomon is likely to have some company when the green flag flies, as a number of 4Fun drivers will make their first ever start at the 2016 Autumn Colours Classic. Other divisions will also have rookie runners in the Peterborough Speedway’s big dance. Although he ran a limited schedule with the Paul Davis Systems Thunder Car field, Bradley Robinson was 15^th in the final points rundown and gained some solid experience in the highly competitive class. His exact plans haven’t been finalized, but the #44 machine in expected to answer the call.

The Autumn Colours Classic at the tight, tricky bullring on Mount Pleasant Road, west of the Liftlock City draws entries and fans from across the province for an exciting long weekend of action. Events get underway with pre-race inspection and practice, followed by the first round of qualifying for the Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun, Jiffy Lube Mini Stock, Paul Davis Systems Thunder Car, Earl Ireland Auto Sales Late Model, Pro Late Model and OSCAAR Modified divisions Friday, October 7^th.

Full schedule details for the annual Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing – along with up to the minute news and results – are always available at www.peterboroughspeedway.com and selecting ‘Autumn Colours’ from the drop-down choices. You can also like the track on Facebook or follow it on Twitter. Fans can download the free Peterborough Speedway app for their Smartphone.