The first half century of action at Canada’s Toughest 3^rd of a Mile Paved Oval entered the history books with the final checkered flag of last year’s Autumn Colours Classic. At the same moment, staff and officials at Peterborough Speedway began making plans for the 2018 schedule. Track owner and promoter J.P. Josiasse says that the off-season is almost busier than when the next Saturday night racing program gets underway.

“At this time of year, we’re always looking forward and thinking about the new season,” said Josiasse. “There are sponsorship packages to put together and updates to the rule book that need to be finalized. Working toward opening the gates on the Victoria Day weekend takes a lot of effort behind the scenes and we’re in the office to get things ready.”

Josiasse says he’s hoping the hometown speed plant can carry the attitude of the track’s 50^th annual season into 2018. The golden anniversary campaign ran rain-free during the regular schedule, with a brief weather delay during the Autumn Colours Classic the only blemish on the year. At the track’s awards banquet, Tyler Betts, Noel Snow and Tim Burke accepted the accolades as first-time champions in the Organics & Glass Late Model, Jiffy Lube Mini Stock and Trent Lakes Complete Plumbing Renegade Truck divisions respectively. Jeremy Kelly claimed his second straight Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun title, with Anthony DiBello earning his 3^rd Thunder Car Crown in 4 seasons.

Starting in 2018, the division that had been known as 4Fun will undergo a name change to ‘Bone Stock’, while the former Thunder Car class will now go by the Super Stock title. Josiasse and the Peterborough Speedway team will also be part of a multi-track group that will promote events in the rebranded Ontario Super Late Model Series. 75 lap shows will include time trials to determine qualifying spots and the winner’s payout proposed for $2500, with a strong payout through the running order. The tour’s first of 8 dates is scheduled for Saturday, May 26^th at Flamboro, with stops at Sunset, Sauble, Jukasa Motor Speedway and the tight, tricky bullring on Mount Pleasant Road, west of the Liftlock City leading up to the series’ finale – October 6^th and 7th – at the Autumn Colours Classic.

“Our commitment to quality, family motorsports entertainment remains the same as we head into the track’s 51^st season of continuous operation,” Josiasse said. “It’s a very competitive marketplace and we need to give the fans the best value for their dollar, week-after-week.”

Bullring bullet points: Peterborough Speedway’s 2018 schedule will be officially released at the 4^th annual Motorama Custom Car and Motorsports Expo – March 9^th, 10^th & 11^th – at the International Centre in Toronto.

Fans can also keep up-to-date with the latest off-season news and information by visiting www.peterboroughspeedway.com, liking the track’s Facebook page and following it on Twitter.