The Parkland Racing Association was just getting all set for the start of the racing season, scheduled to get going this past Saturday at the Yellowhead International Speedway.
However, due to excessive rains over the past few days, as well as track damage sustained back in May, PRA president Terry Heddon said the plans for opening date of the racing season is going to have to be put on hold, at least for a week.
Instead of the first race date being held last weekend, it is now scheduled for this weekend (June 19) at the Yellowhead Speedway.
"We had a meeting where it was decided it would be cancelled," says Heddon the day before the original start date (June 12).
With track damage done to the track recently on top of heavy rains through most of the week, the postponement of the first date was obvious, Heddon said.
He added that as long as the rain stops, the damage done to the track should be repaired before the next start date (July 10).
"Only part of the track got destroyed. Even if the weather was good, only 2/3s of the track is (currently) operational."
In a sport which Heddon said is well alive in Yorkton, he noted that it's really frustrating when an event can't go through as planned due to weather, vandalism, etc., especially when there aren't a lot of scheduled dates on the season schedule to begin with.
"It's not like it's dying," he said when asked about the dates on the racing schedule. "But the track should be ready to go by the end of the next race."
He said the damage was caused by 4x4 trucks that ripped up the portion of the track nearest to the stands, and that it was likely all caused in the same night.
Heddon also added that it's important for the damaged portion to be at the same level condition-wise as the rest of the track.
Other than the weather and damage caused by the 4x4s, Heddon is looking forward to the start of the new season. He said they will be racing thunderstocks as well as streetstock cars. Also, they've added three new cars to the circuit this year and Heddon said it should be fun to see how they match-up.
The race schedule for 2010 includes eight race dates, including the rescheduled date from June 12. There will be one race in June, one in July, two in August on back-to-back days (14th and 15th), two in September, also on back-to-back dates (18th and 19th). As well, the PRA racing season will be topped off by the provincials which Heddon said should bring to Yorkton racers from all over Saskatchewan and Manitoba.Provincials will be scheduled for Oct. 9-10.
Others sponsors for the season include: GX94/The Fox, Yorkton Distributors, CJ Audio and Truck Accessories and Crystal Clear Imprints, Wholesale Transmissions and Differential, Deluxe Motor Works, and Terry's Pawn and Bargain.
Admission fees to the Yellowhead Speedway for the 2010 season remain the same as last year. Eight dollars for those 13 years of age and older, $4 for those between 6-12 years of age, and free admission for kids five years and under.
