If you are looking for something different to do this summer, why not support a long-standing business in Cavan Monaghan? Peterborough Speedway has a long history of entertaining families with motor racing events. Originally opening in 1967, it operated as Westgate Speedway until 1999 when it was purchased by current owner/operator, JP Josiasse. The facility is located on Mt. Pleasant Rd just west of Country Rd 28, and offers summertime family entertainment for race enthusiasts of all ages. Regional drivers show their stuff on a raised paved oval track that is 1/3 mile long and high. Featuring steep, banked corners, it is a track that is much appreciated by drivers. It is also one of the busiest tracks in the country, hosting roughly thirty races a year. Its design is very versatile, allowing it to host a brand spectrum of motorsports divisions from Super Late Model Stock Cars to Can-Am Midget spring cars This short track offers the thrill of motorsports in a very intimate setting.
The spectator facilities at Peterborough Speedway can accommodate roughly 4,800 spectators for racing events at the oval. Visitor amenities include two food concessions with a pub style menu featuring quality, local ingredients and hand cut fries. A beer garden has been added and this season there will be a Kawartha Dairy booth. Seating ranges from general grandstand seating to air-conditioned comfort in a three story VIP tower. The speedway boasts one of the very best lighting systems allowing the hosting of televised events at night. A new digital scoreboard has been erected, helping visitors keep up with the race results. Racing events take place every Saturday from May 17th until August, with the Autumn Colors event scheduled for three days over the Thanksgiving weekend. The last event of the season is scheduled for November first and will feature snowmobiles and ATVs. Each evening’s entertainment lasts roughly three hours with as many as twenty qualifying races as well as feature races. The Junior division includes drivers as young as seven years of age.
The best laid plans can be derailed by weather. Races are suspended during persistent rain events, and if rain disrupts an evening of activity the organization issues rain cheques for the next regular event. If the entire evening is a wash out, cancellation notices are issued on the company’s website and social media outlets. Opening night May 17 is free, and features a variety of racing vehicles from stock cars, trucks and late model entries. The grandstand gates open at 3pm and the racing begins at 5pm, leaving lots of time to pick up a snack at one of the concessions stands before taking a seat to enjoy the show. You might be inspired to try your hand behind the wheel of a stock car in one of their driving courses. For more information, visit www.peterboroughspeedway.com.
