South Buxton, ONT — South Buxton Raceway has announced its tentative schedule for the 2009 stock car racing season, which will feature three special events for UMP Modifieds and two for UMP Late Models.
The highlight of the season will be the fifth annual Canadian UMP Late Model Shootout/Modified Fall Blowout on Saturday, Sept. 26.
A new event will be the first UMP Modified Can-Am Clash on Saturday, July 4.
The Can-Am Clash will serve as a prelude to the second annual UMP Modified Fall Blowout, which was added to the UMP Late Model Shootout for the first time last September and was an instant hit with the drivers and fans.
A record crowd of 4,500 watched as Brian Ruhlman, of Clarklake, Mich., won the inaugural UMP Modified Fall Blowout, while Chris Ross, of Wallaceburg, Ont., became the first Canadian to win the UMP Late Model Shootout. Jon Henry, of Ada, Ohio, was the runnerup in both the Late Model Shootout and Modified Blowout.
The success of the Modified Fall Blowout and positive feedback from race teams, enticed South Buxton Raceway owner Scott Mihalco to add the Can-Am Clash to the 2009 schedule.
“Our own (Modified) class is growing, and with the interest expressed by American drivers for an event like this, we’re excited about the potential for a big field and a great show for our fans,” Mihalco said.
Further information on the Can-Am Clash, including the race format, pre-registration, border crossing and the purse, will be released in the near future.
Another new event involves both UMP Modifieds and UMP Late Models as well as a second track in Southwestern Ontario.
South Buxton is teaming up with Ohsweken Speedway to host the Summer Sizzler home-and-home series.
The UMP Modifieds will run at Ohsweken on Friday, June 19, and at South Buxton the following night.
The second leg of the Summer Sizzler series will feature the UMP Late Models at Ohsweken on Friday, July 31, with the return engagement the next night at South Buxton.
Mihalco said American drivers are welcome to participate in both divisions of the Summer Sizzler series.
The Summer Sizzlers are scheduled on the heels of World Of Outlaws dates at Ohsweken, as the Late Models visit the track on June 18 and the Sprints on July 28-29.
South Buxton is located near Chatham, Ont., and Ohsweken is situated on the outskirts of Brantford, Ont. The tracks are two hours apart along highways 401 and 403.
There will be three sprint car race nights as the Southern Ontario Sprints visit South Buxton on May 23 and August 22, while the Sprints On Dirt come to town on June 13.
The 2009 regular season at South Buxton begins on Saturday, May 16, with racing every Saturday night through Labor Day weekend.
Visit www.southbuxtonraceway.com for schedule updates and more information on the 2009 season.
South Buxton Raceway 2009 Major Event Dates
May 16 – Opening Night
May 23 – Southern Ontario Sprints
June 13 – Sprints On Dirt
June 19-20 – **Ohsweken/South Buxton UMP Modified Summer Sizzler
*July 4 –UMP Modified Can-Am Clash
July 31-August 1 – **Ohsweken/South Buxton UMP Late Model Summer Sizzler
August 22 – Southern Ontario Sprints
*September 5 – Championship Night
September 26 –UMP Late Model Shootout/UMP Modified Blowout
(* indicates U.S. holiday weekend)
(** – Friday at Ohsweken; Saturday at South Buxton)
Racing every Saturday night, May 16-Sept. 5, 7 p.m.
