Get ready to start your engines and race to the beach. Coming up in May will be the opening to a brand new season at Grand Bend Speedway says Tabitha Van Bruwaene, Owner and Operator of the Speedway.
New this year, the Speedway is AGCO licensed to sell alcohol. They also have The Outside Groove Party Bar this year and a stage for their house band ‘The Creekie Beaver Boys’. The stage and bar will be open following the races on Saturday from 10pm to 2am. ‘Around the Bend’ Ride Along is still a go this year, and you can have the opportunity to drive around the 1/4 Mile Tri-Oval track in a real race car with a real race car driver. New this year, is go-carts on the track, says Van Bruwaene.
2-seater carts are also available if parents would like to take their child around the track. You must be 16 years or older to drive the adult carts, as they go a little faster. Races are a go on Thursday and Saturday nights. Thursday nights are ‘low-key development nights’, as Van Bruwaene explained. Admission is half the price of regular admission. Thursdays are for low count classes, new classes and kids classes. New this year is ‘Kids Stock’, says Van Bruwaene. She adds she’s very happy to have myFM’s own Chris Soares back behind the microphone at the speedway this year.
General Admission on Saturdays is $20. $5 for kids, and $15 for Seniors and Students.
Also coming up this year is Ribfest on July 13th to the 16th. It will kick off with Thursday’s race and more on Saturday. Everything else that is offered at the track will be there like the go-carts and Around the Bend Driving Experience. There will be a carnival, music and food. Admission is free to Ribfest. Saturdays regular admission will be half.
On September 23rd, the Speedway is hosting the 2nd annual The Light Fest. Not a lot of racing will be happening. Van Bruwaene explained it more as a time to get together with people and heal. There will be lanterns for people to write messages on or light in memory of a person. They will then be released into the sky. The lanterns are biodegradable. The Company that hosts The Light Fest will also clean up after.
If you would like more information, or to find out more about the new go-carts, Around the Bend Driving Experience, or events, go to grandbendspeedway.ca.
written by: K. Close
