FAN-tastic night for racing
Published Saturday July 4th, 2009
As long as Mother Nature allows, expect the Speedway 660 grandstands to be full tonight for the inaugural FANFEST.
There will be a full card of racing in the Irving Lubricant's Pro Stock, Martin's Home Heating Sportsman and Coast Tire Street Stock divisions, as well as fan-oriented activities.
Pits will be open to new and returning fans 16 years and older to mingle with the drivers.
The best part is that admission is FREE for everyone.
Chris Johnston, co-owner of Speedway 660, believes this event will bring some new faces out to Geary to see what goes on weekly.
"We hope to have a full house and a great night of racing," Johnston said. "I have never heard of this being done before so it is pretty exciting. We wanted to get people out and show them what we do every week and how good the entertainment is."
FANFEST is taking place after two cancelled weeks of racing at the speedway. Last weekend the forecast called for rain but little fell, leading to frustrated drivers, fans and officials alike.
The grandstands open at 5 p.m. with racing to start at 7. The rain date is Sunday at 2 p.m.
"Two weeks ago there was poor weather and there's not much you can do with that," Johnston said. "The past week was more frustrating for the officials at the track because the forecast was calling for conditions not fit to race in through Saturday and Sunday, yet we got next to no rain."
After some unrest from fans after a cancelled weekend of racing where the weather held off, Johnston is not worried about the turnout dwindling.
"Momentum is a funny deal in this business," he said. "Most residents of this area are used to the crazy weather we get in the early part of the summer and understand there's not much we can do. I expect numbers will not be affected much moving forward."
The weather has also put a hold on momentum drivers were gaining.
Myles Harris of Nasonworth believes this weekend will feel like driving on the track at the beginning of the season.
"We'll be going down to a green track, since most of the rubber built up on the track has been washed away," Harris said. "It will be interesting to see who conquers the track this weekend because it's anyone's track."
At this weekend's event, late sports reporter Mike Power will be remembered at Speedway 660 after 15 years covering the races for The Daily Gleaner.
"Mike was a straight shooter and said what was on his mind," Harris said of Power, who passed away in May after battling cancer. "Some liked it and some didn't, but he always got respect when he was at the track.
"Mike did a lot for the sport over his time here and he'll be missed," Harris said.
Johnston got to know Power quite well, working with him as he learned the sport when he first started covering the races at the track.
"Mike was a great friend of racing and we miss having him around," Johnston said.
Fans will have an opportunity tonight to donate to his family as cans are passed through the grandstands.
Passes for tonight can be picked up at any of the following locations or at the gate.
FREDERICTON
Riverview Ford Lincoln on Hanwell Road
RV World at the Lincoln Big Stop
Coast Tire locations on Prospect and Wilsey Road
Peterbilt New Brunswick on Gillis Road
O'Leary Pontiac Buick GMC on Hanwell Road
Maclean's Sports on Union Street
SAINT JOHN
Macleans PowerSports on Rothesay Avenue
MONCTON
Peterbilt New Brunswick on Venture Drive
WOODSTOCK
Coast Tire on Connell Street in Woodstock
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