EDMONTON, AB (April 18, 2018)- – When Castrol Raceway shut down its motocross track in 2016, many feared the next domino to fall would be the oval track. Spectator and competitor counts have dropped dramatically at the Edmonton facility the past five seasons.
Looking to reverse the downward trend is Ginja Ninja Dirt Promotions, which has entered into an agreement with Castrol Raceway to run the oval track (excluding Annihilation Night and Monster Truck show) in 2018 and beyond.
Ron MacDonell leads the Ginja Ninja Dirt Promotions group. “There are still some details to be worked out but what I can say is all staffing, safety and track preparation will be up to us. We also have control over the front and back gates. We’ll be responsible for all signage and sky box suites as well.” Competitors will see an immediate benefit with the new group taking over day to day operations of Nite Thunder oval events.
“We will be lowering the competitor admission at the back gate,” says MacDonell. “Looking ahead we will be having our own oval championship banquet at the end of the year as well.”
MacDonell, who’s been directly involved in the motorsports scene since 1986, is looking forward to the challenge. “It’s going to be a scramble. I’m just wanting to get the news out there and get people into the seats.”
The 2018 oval season opener at Castrol Raceway is scheduled for May 25th and 26th. The Castrol Raceway Oval test and tune is scheduled for May 12th. A complete list of team members will be released in the coming weeks however one key position is already being announced.
“Mike Quigley will be race director and responsible for track prep in Edmonton this season.” Quigley is former owner of Billings Motorsports Park in Montana and founder of the North American Speed Association. The NSA (Sprint Cars) will be a major part of the oval schedule in Edmonton this season. “We plan on adding some classes to our Nite Thunder schedule this season. I know the NPP Late Model Series has reached out to us as has the Legends class.”
MacDonell doesn’t think he will have a problem filling key track positions leading up to the start of the 2018 season. “There are a lot of staff and volunteers that are at the track that still want to be a part of the action. We’ll be looking for positive people.”
2018 OVAL RACE SCHEDULE:
May 12th Test n Tune
May 25/26 Season Opener
June 8/9 Nite Thunder
July 20/21 Nite Thunder
July 27/28 Extreme Cup
August 17/18 Gold Cup
September 7 Season Championship
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