It has been a tough couple of years for teams with the Ontario Modifieds Racing Series, presented by GEN-3 Electrical. After a strong 2019 campaign that saw fan favourite John Baker Jr. claim the season point championship, tour officials were forced to cancel the 2020 schedule because of COVID-19. When plans to return this year were delayed, it was looking like the popular open-wheeled racing group might suffer the same fate for a second straight season. Everything changed with the announcement of the 3^rd stage of the provincial reopening strategy beginning this weekend.

“We’re happy to be returning to the track and our teams are looking forward to the Saturday, July 17^th date at Peterborough Speedway,” said OMRS spokesperson Rick Warnes. “Everyone knew we’d get the green light at some point. The only question was when. Our drivers have been working on their equipment and I’m confident that we’ll have a strong field ready for battle.”

In addition to the familiar faces fans have seen in past seasons, Warnes says there could be a handful of new teams joining the series for the 2021 events. As things stand now, the July 17^th show and a second date – August 14^th – are the only confirmed events on the Peterborough OMRS schedule but series officials are working to add additional shows as the situation continues to reopen across the province.

“Officials at Peterborough Speedway are busy putting the finishing touches on this year’s line-up,” according to Warnes. “On the original calendar the Saturday, August 14^th show was scheduled to be the inaugural running of the Bill Pickford Memorial. Our group will still be racing, but the tribute to Bill will be moved to the 2022 season. He was a valuable member of the Ontario Modifieds Racing Series family and a good friend to the sport on so many levels. It wouldn’t be fair to his memory to run the show without giving it our 100% attention.”

Fans interested in seeing the 2021 OMRS debut in person should head to www.eventsprout.com/events/peterborough-speedway-2000-ltd. There is also a link to the ticket ordering platform on the track’s website. Under the 3^rd and final stage of the provincial reopening strategy, venues are allowed up to 75% of their total availability for spectators, with tickets needing to be purchased in advance. 

2021 Ontario Modifieds Racing Series, presented by GEN-3 Electrical action is sponsored by All or Nothing Brewhouse, Sterling Tire, Bourque Transmission, Conview Concrete, Thinkpath Design, TNT Performance Products and Clarke Motorsports Communications.

For the latest schedule information, driver profiles and more, visit www.facebook.com/OMRS or www.ontariomodifiedsracing.com.