Scotia Speedworld’s Weekly Racing Series Opens Season this Sunday!

(Halifax, NS – May 25, 2011)Scotia Speedworld’s Weekly Racing Series will finally hit the track this Sunday, May 29th after a long winter break. The Sunday afternoon event will feature all six Weekly Racing Series divisions – The Hydraulics Plus Bandolero cars, the Lumbermart Thunder & Lightning, the Coco Beach Legends, Trucks and Dartmouth Dodge Sportsman. Gates open at 12:00pm with the green flag set to drop at 2:00 pm. Tickets are available at the gate on race day only.

The Hydraulics Plus Bandolero Cars will be the first division to take the green flag this season. Last year competition was strong in this young developmental division. Cole Butcher of Porters Lake took home last year’s crown with Miss “Rawdon Rocket” Emily Meehan just 30 markers off. Butcher’s younger brother Jarett finished the season in 3rd. Luke Ettinger of Kennetcook took home rookie of the year honours. The boys will have to battle among themselves this season for the crown as Meehan will be a rookie in the Coco Beach Legend division.

Next up on the season opener docket is the Coco Beach Legends Division. The Legends are 5/8-scale replicas of the '34 and '37 Chevrolet and Ford (coupes and sedans) models that produce some fierce racing when the green flag is thrown. The Legend Division has quickly grown to be a crowd favourite and the car count continues to grow. Six drivers were in contention for the title on the final night of competition in 2010. Paul Blenkhorn of Truro took home the title with the slimmest of margins - just 1 marker over Matt Moore of Windsor and 2 markers ahead of Truro’s Bruce Johnston.

The Truck division is next to hit the track on Sunday. This will be the sophomore season of racing for the ¼ tons. 5 trucks have pre-registered for 2011 with more expected to join as the season develops. These ¼ ton trucks are equipped with a four-point roll cage and powered by V8 motors.

Fans will be also treated to Dartmouth Dodge Sportsman racing. The Sportsman are considered the premier division of the Weekly Racing Series. Last season Colby Smith of Cape Sable Island took the overall points title, followed closely by rookie of the year Mike Alexander of Cole Harbour. Both drivers will have to battle hard every race to see the top of the point standings this season. Veteran racer and Cancer survivor Terry Roma of West Chezzetcook plans to vie for the title this season. Also in the chase will be rookie Russell Smith JR of Halifax. Last season Smith JR, a top competitor in the Lumbermart Lightning division, won a Sportsman feature in his first attempt. Beginners luck or talent we are all soon to find out as a healthy mix of veterans and new comers battle for the prestigious title.

The Lumbermart Thunder and Lightning Cars will close the action at Scotia Speedworld on Sunday. Last year both divisions had incredible car counts. The Lightning division had thirty-four cars compete in '10, the highest of any division. Russell Smith JR took home the title with over a 50 point lead on his nearest competitor. The Thunder division saw 31 cars taking a green flag over the course of the season. Stevie Lively of Shubenacadie took home the title in a close battle that saw the top five competitors within 100 points of the leader.

Admission for the Weekly Racing Series season opener is $12.00 for adults; $2.00 for youth aged 8-15; children 7 and under are admitted free. All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Pit admission is $15.00 and restricted to those 16 and older. Tickets are available at the gate on race day. Visit www.ScotiaSpeedworld.ca for more information or call our event hotline at 902.873.2277.