The 2007 racing season proved to be a break through year for Ohsweken Speedway promoter Glenn Styres. Besides claiming his second Southern Ontario Sprint title, Styres spearheaded a project that would see improvements to their family owned speed plant that were beyond comprehension in the short track racing community today. Seating was expanded to more than double the original capacity, new catch fence was erected all the way around the 3/8 mile clay oval which was resurfaced, and new Musco lighting was installed in the corners in preparation for the biggest show in dirt track racing in Ontario.
For the first time in their history and the first time in 25 years, the World of Outlaws sprint car series performed in Canada. A sell out crowd was treated to a spectacular event that included a laser light show as the feature field lined up. So impressive was the effort that Glenn was honored as the Promoter of the Year when the World of Outlaws staged their Night of Champions at the Hilton University Plaza in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Styres joins an elite group of individuals in receiving this honour that includes recent recipients Steve Sinclair of SLS Promotions, and the late Fred Brownfield. It marked the first time in World of Outlaw history that a Canadian had received the award and more remarkable, the first time for a �first time� promoter of a World of Outlaw event. �To host a World of Outlaws event was a dream come true� stated Styres in accepting the award. �Next season we will work even harder to make the two day show in July even bigger and better�.
Plans are currently being finalized for the 2008 season at Ohsweken Speedway which will see weekly 360 sprint car racing beginning on May 16. The season will conclude on September 12/13 with the running of the 4th Annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals while the headline event of the season will take place July 22/23 with the return of the World of Outlaws.
While waiting for a new expanded seating plan to increase capacity to near 8,000 is being completed, it is anticipated that advanced ticket sales for the Outlaws will be on sale by December 1st. If in the Brantford area on Saturday, November 24, watch for the Ohsweken Speedway float in the annual Santa Claus parade and be sure to catch further announcements on ticket sales while keeping up on all the latest news from Ohsweken Speedway by logging on to the official website at
www.ohswekenspeedway.com as the countdown continues toward the first green flag of the 2008 season on May 16th.
From Ken Pelkie
