After all that new pavement was laid down last spring on the three-eighths-mile oval track known as the Playground of Power, it’s no wonder track records fell like dominoes in 2022 in the Prince George Auto Racing Association.
Racing on smooth asphalt, without the dips, frost heaves and battle scars left behind from more than 35 years of racing at PGARA Speedway made for a more enjoyable experience for drivers in all racing classes, including hit-to-pass veteran Guy Lefevre.
“I drove in the hit-to-pass last year on the Sunday in the rain and the car stuck like glue to the pavement,” said Lefevre, the PGARA secretary. “I’m used to going into Turn 3 and the whole thing washing up if you don’t lift (off the gas pedal) and it was just amazing how much grip we got. That’s why all the track records were reset last year.”
The flag drops on the 2023 race season with the two-day Turgeon Memorial, June 10-11. The Wescar late-model series is featured that Saturday night and will share the stage with the local classes and Legend cars.
The club still has to some work to do before then to fix up some fences and walls damaged last year by wayward hit-to-pass vehicles.
PGARA is also working out the bugs in its new electronic timing system. Enabled by microchip transponders attached to each car, it will take the human element out of timing races and counting laps.
The Canadian Super Truck Racing Series comes to PGARA July 8-9, backed by the local classes.
Racers from Williams Lake and Quesnel will share the track with local classes and the Legends at the PGARA Invitational, Aug. 12-13.
Hit-to-Pass in scheduled for Labour Day weekend, Sept. 2-3, followed by the season-ending points meet Sept. 9.
Lefevre says Ron’s Towing hornets class 2022 season champ Zain Johnson is moving up to the Chieftain Auto Parts Mini Stock class. Riley Markovics, who won mini stock honours last year, is beefing up his car to run in the Northern Outlaws 4’s pro mini class and chase the title won in 2022 by Justin Hall.
Lefevre wasn’t sure if Desiree Case will be back to defend her Canadian Tire street stock title but hinted she likely will.
