Merrittville Speedway is a 3/8 mile dirt short track motor racing oval, located 20 minutes west of Niagara Falls, in Thorold, Ontario, Canada.[1] The track hosts a weekly Saturday night program that runs from April to September each year and features stock car, sprint car and modified races.[2]
| Canada's Longest Running Dirt Track | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | 2371 Merrittville Highway Thorold, Ontario Canada |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (UTC-4 DST) |
| Coordinates | 43°04′39″N 79°15′19″W / 43.0774°N 79.2553°W |
| Owner | Don Spiece |
| Operator | Don Spiece |
| Opened | July 1, 1952 |
| Architect | John Marino and George Cullen |
| Major events | Super DIRTcar Series World of Outlaws Late Model Series Action Sprint Tour Southern Ontario Sprints Empire Super Sprints Patriot Sprint Tour |
| D-Shaped Oval | |
| Surface | Clay |
| Length | 3/8 miles (0.604 km) |
History
editThe speedway is known as the oldest operating race track in Canada as it has been in continuous operation since it opened on July 1, 1952.[3][4]
New ownership took over the track in 2017 and it celebrated its seventieth anniversary in 2021.[5][6]
Speedway classes
editThe tracks weekly racing program features six classes of racing:[7]
- 358 Modifieds
- Sportsman
- Stocks
- 4 Cylinders
- Modified Lites
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The track has also regularly featured touring series including the Super DIRTcar Series, World of Outlaws Late Model Series, UMP Modifieds, DIRTcar Sportsman Series, Action Sprint Tour, Southern Ontario Sprints, Empire Super Sprints and the Patriot Sprint Tour.[8]
The track also hosts a weekly karting series on Tuesday nights.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Franke, Bernd (April 14, 2020). "Merrittville Speedway waiting for Ontario government to lift restrictions". Niagara Falls Review. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ Franke, Bernd (February 13, 2021). "Merrittville wants to help race teams in top division cut fuel costs". The St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ Kavanaugh, Rick (August 17, 2018). "67 seasons of speed in Pelham". The Voice of Pelham. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ Miller, Tim (June 5, 2014). "Motorsport: Dirt racing remains an Ontario fixture". Wheels.ca. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ Sully, Dave (April 25, 2017). "New Owner/Promoter Don Spiece Excited About Merrittville Speedway's Future". Area Auto Racing News. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ Miller, Tim (February 17, 2021). "Almost 120 years of racing around Ontario". The Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ Petty, Steve (March 19, 2020). "Melissa Stevens named race director at Merrittville Speedway". Inside Track Motorsport News. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ Franke, Bernd (February 25, 2016). "Merrittville Speedway hosting 25 race programs this season". Niagara Falls Review. Retrieved March 11, 2021.