The next campaign may be about 4 months away, but staff at Canada’s Toughest 3rd of a Mile Oval is working hard – behind the scenes and at the track – to make sure Peterborough Speedway is ready for the first green flag of the 2014 season.  Track owner/promoter J.P. Josiasse says that even though race night is Saturday, getting things ready is a full-time job.

“There might be a little down time once in a while, but we’re going pretty much non-stop every day,”  said Josiasse.  “We’ve made a commitment to the drivers, teams, sponsors and most of all the fans to make sure we’re ready to wave the green flag for the season opener Saturday, May 17th.  It’ll take some time and a solid effort from our entire team, but I’m confident that we’ll have everything in place when we open the gates.”

On the track, Craig Graham and Bill O’Hara will return to defend their 2013 titles in the Late Model and Renegade Trucks.  After capturing the Mini Stock and Four Fun championships last year, Ryan Oosterholt will shift his primary focus to the #79 Mini Stock, while running a limited schedule in the Four Fun machine.  The Thunder Car division will crown a new champion in 2014.  Last year’s high-point driver Donny Beatty sold his car after the Autumn Colours Classic and will be running on a part-time basis this year. Even the Thunder Car field’s second place point finisher will be missing from the starting line-up.  Bailieboro, Ontario’s Matt Spence has resurrected his family-run team and will move to the Late Model crowd in a car purchased from former track champion Bryan Sudsbury.

On most Saturday nights, action at the tight bullring on Mount Pleasant Road, west of the Liftlock City consists of the Mini Stocks and Thunder Cars, with returning division sponsors Peterborough Hyundai and Paul Davis Systems, respectively – as well as Four Fun, Late Models and Renegade Trucks.  Special guest classes throughout the 2014 campaign will include Legends, OSCAAR Super Late Models, OSCAAR Modifieds, the Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup, TQ Midgets, Hurricane Midgets and the Ontario Modifieds Racing Series.  J.P. Josiasse says the new season will have something to satisfy every racing taste.

“We get the chance to talk to race fans quite often – whether at the track or shows like the Canadian Motorsports Expo – and their input means a lot,” said Josiasse.  “We’ll have the always popular Fan Appreciation and Toonie Admission Nights returning again this year and of course, the 22nd annual running of the Autumn Colours Classic.  Everyone is looking forward to getting things rolling for another year of action and it’ll be here before you know it.”

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