Grassroots Racing Series Test Session Brings Action Back to the Track

Grassroots Racing Series Media

One of the best known lines from the movie ‘Field of Dreams’ said “If you build it, they will come”. Kawartha Speedway’s 3/8th mile layout was built in 1999 and operated successfully for a number of years, until the end of the 2012 campaign. After sitting dormant for nearly all of the 2013 calendar, the sights and sounds of stock car racing returned to the Fraserville, Ontario oval Friday, May 16th when the track hosted a test session for the inaugural 8 race schedule known as the Grassroots Racing Series.

Developed and promoted by Lindsay, Ontario’s Andrew McFadden, the series will host a unique agenda of events, equally split between Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons, with the first point paying program planned for Friday, June 6th. After a very busy few months of meeting with potential sponsors, returning phone and e-mail messages and making sure everything was where it needed to be, McFadden says he was thrilled to see the first race hauler roll through the pit gates.

“I’ve been running around so much over the last few weeks, but I’m sure I’m forgetting something,” said McFadden during a break in the action between the Ontario Secondary School challenge and the stock car portion of the test session. “There are so many hats to wear while doing this, but I like it when the excitement level is high, so I’m right in my element.”

Rain earlier in the day gave way to dry conditions, with an appearance by the sun by the time race cars took to the track. A strong showing from Thunder Car, Late Model, Mini Stock and Legends racers gave Grassroots Racing Series officials a chance to meet some of the teams who will follow the program in its inaugural schedule. McFadden says it was nice to speak with some of the drivers and media members, but conceded that the morning dampness and cooler temperatures throughout the day may have kept some of the long distance travellers from making an appearance.

“It can be a tough call when you’re coming from more than a couple of hours away and don’t know what type of weather you might be driving into,” said McFadden. “We’ve also received completed registration forms from a number of teams who weren’t able to get here because of workplace commitments. I still have a very strong feeling about the fields we’ll put on the track when the first green flag waives Friday, June 6th. Testing time is nice, but it’s all about the racing.”

The afternoon’s session saw only 2 on-track incidents. Late Model driver Bryan Watts made contact with the outside retaining wall in the first turn after his #61 ride experienced a mechanical issue. The driver was unhurt, but the car was towed from the track. Mini Stock pilot Danny Benedict ran about 10 laps before blowing an engine in his #54 Mustang. The team loaded the car for a trip home and installed a new powerplant for the next night’s season opener at Peterborough Speedway.

For complete Grassroots Racing Series news and information, check the series tab at www.kawarthaspeedway.com.

Support for the Grassroots Racing Series Continues to Grow. Andrew McFadden and the Grassroots Racing Series team are pleased to announce that marketing support for this year’s inaugural 8 race series will be provided by Cavalier Transportation, Northern Force HVAC Service, Associated Muffler & Brake – The Undercar Specialists, Molson-Coors Brewing Company, J.J. Stewart Chrysler and Sound Off Signal.

Photo attachment: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
1). Former Kawartha Speedway Promoter/General Manager Derek Lynch was on hand to test his #15 Dodge Late Model. The Warkworth, Ontario racer has committed to the full 8 race Grassroots Racing Series schedule.
2). Ryan Babin and Ryan Oosterholt used Neil Hannah as the meat in the sandwich during the Mini Stock portion of the Grassroots Racing Series test session Friday, May 16th at Kawartha Speedway.

Prepared by: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media