The moment everyone has been waiting for is almost here. Since the final checkered flag of last year’s Autumn Colours Classic, Peterborough Speedway race fans have been counting the days to the 2019 season opener. Teams and track officials alike are going through their final checklists, because the first event of the new schedule is about a week away. Action kicks-off with the Country 105 Season Opener – featuring free spectator grandstand admission – Saturday, May 18^th. Track owner and promoter J.P. Josiasse says its an exciting time for everyone.

“Some items might get held-over a time or 2, but there is usually a fresh list making the rounds everyday,” Josiasse said. “We’ve even been working on things to do that day and found something that needs to be handled before we can move onto anything else. They might call it the off-season, but that’s hardly the case when there is this much to do leading-up to opening night.”

J.P. Josiasse says the entire Peterborough Speedway team is committed to creating a positive fan experience. With that in mind, everyone is paying particular attention to the grandstands, track buildings and every aspect of the property; from the parking lot entrance to the boundary fencing on the east, west and north sides of the facility. Everything is being checked, rechecked and then checked again to make sure everything is ready when the first person comes through the gate.

Fans will also notice changes on the racetrack side of the venue known as Canada’s Toughest 3^rd of a Mile Paved Oval. Teams will debut new paint schemes, updated sponsorship combinations and in some cases, different racing equipment in a changed division. There will even be drivers who’ll take their first laps at one of the most demanding racing layouts in the province.

Despite coming from a rich pedigree that includes time associated with some of the top racing names in the province, David Butcher’s personal motorsports experience had been limited to go karts. That will all change this year, as the 40-year-old from Whitby, Ontario takes his first laps on the Bone Stock division at Peterborough Speedway. The father of 4 will have an awareness sponsorship on his #89 Honda in support of the Stopgap Foundation, a charity that provides temporary engineered ramps to help businesses become more accessible for people with mobility issues.

Bullring bullet points: Peterborough Speedway will run a pre-season practice session – Saturday, May 11^th – from 11:00 ‘til 4:00. There will also be last chance opportunities for drivers to shake down their equipment – Tuesday, May 14^th and Thursday, May 16^th – from 4:00 to dusk each night.

Head to www.peterboroughspeedway.com for the latest information on the 2019 season. Like or follow the Facebook and Twitter social media platforms and search for the track app to take Peterborough Speedway with you wherever you go.