Peterborough, ON- It is easily one of the most recognized events on the Canadian motorsports landscape. The Autumn Colours Classic – presented by Lucas Oil Products – at Peterborough Speedway is a three day spectacle of speed, drawing fans and competitors from one end of the province to the other. This year’s edition – taking centre stage from Friday to Sunday, October 11th to 13th – is guaranteed to take its rightful place in racing history.
The pit area will be packed and the spectator grandstands jammed as Canada’s Toughest Third-of-a-Mile Oval becomes its own community during the Thanksgiving Weekend. Whether your favourite driver wheels a Hurricane Midget or turns a Thunder Car, An Open Wheeled Modified or Pro Late Model, with eight divisions in action, you’re to find something to satisfy your need to speed.
Peterborough Speedway owner/promoter J.P. Josiasse says the Autumn Colours Classic is the largest event of its kind in the province.
“Previous promoters had laid some excellent ground work and when I took over in 1999, our team took things to the next level,” said Josiasse. “If you mention ‘Autumn Colours’ to even a casual race fan, their response will be ‘Peterborough Speedway’. If they haven’t been here yet, it’s an event that’s on their racing bucket list.”
As in previous years, a handful of drivers will be doing double duty in hopes of landing an Autumn Colours Classic championship trophy. Norwood, Ontario’s Ryan Kimball will start from the inside front row position – driving the Janzen Racing #73 – in the Limited Late Model main event. It’s a spot he earned during the Chase for the Colours qualifying event Sunday, June 30th. He’ll also wheel his own #16 machine during Pro Late Model portion of the show.
Even though he captured the Mini Stock hardware in 2011 and 2012, fans won’t see Daryl Fice on the track during this year’s edition of Autumn Colours. The Oshawa, Ontario speedster sold his race winning Cavalier during the off-season and despite making a couple of late season Thunder Car starts, he doesn’t feel his new ride is ready to take on the best racers in the province. By contrast, Craig Graham, who won the 2013 Late Model track championship, will make some changes to his regular ride and shoot for the Pro Late Model winner’s cheque. The Orono, Ontario racer, whose son Brandt will be in the Mini Stock starting line-up, says he looks forward to the 113 lap feature race distance.
“This show has always been scheduled to be the last hoorah of the year for drivers and fans,” said Josiasse. “We’re pulling out all the stops to make sure it’s a memorable racing experience for everyone. Teams have had a few weeks to make sure their equipment and crews ready for anything this weekend can throw their way and make a charge that can put them into the history books as an Autumn Colours Classic champion. Our team of track officials and staff is ready to handle any challenge that can present itself. You can’t prepare for everything, but I think we’ll be ready for almost anything that can happen.”
The 21st Annual Autumn Colours Classic presented by Lucas Oil Products, is expected to draw competitors from one end of the province to the other and while there is no way to determine exactly who’ll roll through the pit gates until the weekend’s first green flag, car counts are expected to be strong in every division. Fans can find the latest news and track Autumn Colours Classic results by checking www.peterboroughspeedway.com and following Peterborough Speedway on Facebook and Twitter.
Prepared by: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
clarkemotorsports@hotmail.com
613.968.6410
{fcomment}
Discussion about this post