RIVER GLADE, NB (May 15, 2012) – Petty International Raceway will roar to life this Saturday to start its second season which promises to bring even more excitement to regional race fans than last year. And track owners Brett Benoit, Craig McFetridge, and Wayne Smith are anticipating a full-house when the green flag flies for the first time this year.
“We announced our point racing plans for four divisions over the winter and the response from teams has been fantastic,” said track co-owner Brett Benoit. “So we’ve been planning ahead to accommodate the expected increase in car count this year. It’s a good problem for us to have – and works out even better for the fans and sponsors who support us.”
Saturday’s season opener will see action in all four Petty points divisions including the Leisure Days Bandoleros, Mr Transmission Mini Stocks, Street Stocks, and a much-anticipated 150-lap feature for the GT Enterprises Sportsman Series – the first of six extended length sportsman features which will see the overall winner offered a chance to run six-time pro stock champion Wayne Smith’s car in the facilities September 22 pro stock season finale.
So far, 39 teams are registered to compete in the sportsman class including regional racing champions Phil Barkhouse Jr. (NS), Luc Bourgeous (NB), Jeff Dillman (NS), Ken MacKenzie (NB), Dave O’Blenis (NB), Colby Smith (NS), Steve Ross (NS), Russell Smith Jr. (NS), and Bill Sommerville (NB). Add to the mix some of the region’s best young drivers, seasoned veterans, the pro stock incentive, a purse paying $2,500 to win – and the stage is set for a memorable 150-lap sportsman feature.
All tolled, more than 70 drivers have indicated they will run for points at Petty this year.
Besides the anticipated increased on-track excitement Petty management are striving to provide an even better fan experience with infrastructure betterments including increased grandstand area parking; and a new electronic scoreboard is on order with delivery expected in the next few weeks.
This Saturday’s event is the first of 11 events planned for the 2012 season at Petty International Raceway. Two of the 11 events will see visits by the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour, the first on June 2 and then again on August 25 for Petty’s premiere event, the 48th running of the River Glade International.
The start time for Saturday’s season opener is 4 p.m. Grandstand admission is just $20 for adults, $10 for youth aged eight to 15, and children seven and under will be admitted free (when accompanied by an adult). Pit admission is $25 and restricted to those 16 and older.
Petty International Raceway is located on Highway 106, just 40 km west of Moncton, New Brunswick. To learn more about Petty International Raceway, its location, admission, policies, history, and more, please visit www.pettyraceway.com or call the event hotline at 506.372.8080. To receive current updates please follow us on Twitter (@pettyraceway_nb).
By Joan Roué, for Petty Int’l Raceway
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